Snorkeling

More than 40 percent of Virgin Islands National Park is underwater, making this a snorkeling cornucopia. The variety of habitats -- from shorelines thick with mangrove trees and beds of seagrass to reefs and impressive coral formations -- means there's a real diversity to the species and environments to see and experience underwater. And with year-round water temperatures between 79 and 83 degrees, the water's fine any day you want to go. You're free to snorkel anywhere off St. John and within the park, within reason (you don't want to snorkel among moored or anchored boats, for instance), but some spots are better than others. Naming the "best" spots is tough, because the top place can change from day to day due to wind, waves, and weather, as well as what you are looking for (coral formations, fish, sea turtles, seclusion, beginner or expert spots). For in-depth advice, spend some time talking to rangers at the visitor center and dive deep into the topic with folks who swim these waters regularly. At Trunk Bay (the park's only pay beach) there's a snorkeling trail complete with underwater plaques describing the aquatic life you'll see along the way. The trail is only 225 yards or so long and plaques are anywhere from 5 to 15 feet deep, so even beginner snorkelers can use the trail to its full potential. Beginner snorkelers should check out Caneel Bay Reef, Hawksnest Beach, the Underwater Trail at Trunk Bay, Maho Bay, Saltpond Bay, and Little Lameshur Bay Reef. More experienced snorkelers or more confident swimmers should head to Watermelon Cay, Francis Bay Reef, and Whistling Cay Reef. You can bring your own snorkeling equipment or rent when you arrive. Rental gear is available at several locations, including Cinnamon Bay Campground ($25 refundable deposit, $5 per day for a mask, fins, and snorkel) and Virgin Islands Ecotours' stand at Honeymoon Beach ($10 per day for mask, fins, snorkel, and life vest). Other private outfitters rent gear, and if you're staying at Caneel Bay Resort you can check out snorkeling gear for free. There are ranger-led snorkeling tours on an ongoing basis; most are free (you'll need to have you own equipment, though). Check out the [calendar](https://www.nps.gov/viis/planyourvisit/calendar.htm) for the current schedule. Other outfitters, like [Patagon Dive Center](http://www.patagondivecenter.com/index.php), [Serena Sea](http://www.serenasea.com), and [Hidden Reef Eco Tours](https://hiddenreefecotours.com),conduct guided outings to locations within the park and around St. John. Prices vary; see vendors for tour specifics.