The Best Snorkeling

The islands of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas are among the finest places to snorkel in the Caribbean. Because of their historic shipwreck sites, the B.V.I. contain some of the best diving in the Caribbean, but their snorkeling spots can't quite compare to those in the U.S.V.I. Here are some of the best spots:

• Coki Point Beach (St. Thomas): On the north shore of St. Thomas, Coki Point offers superb year-round snorkeling. Especially enticing are the coral ledges near Coral World's underwater tower.
• Leinster Bay (St. John): Easily accessible Leinster Bay, on the northern shore of St. John, offers calm, clear, uncrowded waters teeming with sea life.
• Haulover Bay (St. John): A favorite with locals, this small bay is rougher than Leinster and is often deserted. The snorkeling, however, is dramatic, with ledges, walls, nooks, and sandy areas set close together.
• Trunk Bay (St. John): The self-guided, 206m-long (675-ft.) snorkeling trail here has large underwater signs that identify species of coral and other marine life. Above water, the beach's freshwater showers, changing rooms, equipment rentals, and lifeguards make snorkeling downright convenient.
• Cane Bay (St. Croix): One of the island's best diving and snorkeling sites is off this breezy, north-shore beach. On a good day, you can swim out 137m (450 ft.) to see the Cane Bay Wall, which drops dramatically off to the deep waters below. Multicolored fish, plus elkhorn and brain coral, flourish here.
• Buck Island (off St. Croix): This tiny island, whose land and offshore waters are classified as a national monument, lies 2 miles off the north coast of St. Croix. More than 250 recorded species of fish swim through its reef system. A variety of sponges, corals, and crustaceans also inhabit the area.