We took friends out snorkeling today and the first stop was Reef Bay, on the south side of St John. I have never explored this bay very thoroughly and I found an impressive reef on the west side. The reef rises steeply up from the sand and surf was breaking in the shallow spots.

There is a variety of large healthy corals, including a nice pillar, and many fish. Best of all was the spotted eagle ray that swam along with us for quite a while.

Another sighting was the scrawled filefish, so named for the large dorsal spine and the scribbled coloration which allows it to blend in with its surroundings. The dorsal spine, including two on its tail, helps lock the fish into crevices, a defense against predators.
Since it is usually a slow swimmer, these attributes no doubt assist in its success.

We also spotted what I’m sure was a dog snapper,

a solitary swimmer of coral reefs. While both of these species are edible, both are known to be linked to ciguatera poisoning and consumption should be avoided.

Continuing on we visited Flanagan Island, a locally popular stop for snorkelers and sailors.

Most impressive here for me was the resurgence of the stag horn coral. This is a fast growing coral, however, its speed of growth is balanced by its relative fragility. It is often damaged in hurricanes and by careless anchoring.

Since stag horn coral rely almost exclusively on photosynthesis by zooxanthellae symbiotically surviving in the coral, they do best in clear, sediment free water with good sunlight transmission. Obviously, the environment at Flanagan Island agrees with them.

It was a great day of snorkeling and I’m already looking forward to the next adventure.

Next stop:

Maho Bay! It’s been a while since we visited this fabulous spot and I am excited to explore it again. The bay faces north towards the island of St. Thomas, which is usually a little rougher than the south and the nearby reefs provide a safe haven for divers of all levels.

Maho is famous for its stony coral gardens, which are packed with life - from sea turtles to barracudas. It’s also home to an impressive population of different fish.

We plan on ending the day with an exquisite sunset cruise back to Cruz Bay – and I can already taste the delicious cocktails waiting for us at one of St. John's great beach bars. Stay tuned for all the updates from this exciting day out on the water!

If you want to join us on one of our private island charters, make sure to book online with us today. We would love to have you along with us on our boat charter adventures!