The adventurous will not want to miss the exceptional scuba diving and snorkeling to be discovered in St. John's waters. On the North shore, Maho Bay, Francis Bay and Leinster Bay are lovely spots, noted for the crystalline waters. Energetic visitors follow the Leinster Bay trail to Watermelon Cay for a swim and to view some great coral.

Several water-sports centers are located in Cruz Bay, and each offers exciting dive trips. Some trips take you Southwest toward Great St. James; others go North and West to the waters off Jost Van Dyke and St. Thomas or Northeast to the nearby British Virgin Islands.

If one water-sport is king on St. John it is snorkeling. Most first-timers head for the underwater trail at Trunk Bay, which is a few hundred yards long. The National Park and a number of water-sports centers offer round-island tours. Lasting most of the day, these trips will take you to three or four locations, often places that can't be reached by car. One of the best stops is Flanagan's Cay, off the Southeastern coast, which has impressive coral heads-some as high as 12 feet-in only 20 feet of water.

You can combine snorkeling with sailing by joining one of the many day sails that depart from Cruz Bay. Carrying 6 to 12 passengers, the boats set sail around 10 a.m. Most sailing excursions serve lunch, and you return to Cruz Bay around 3 or 4 p.m.

Cinnamon Bay Campground Cinnamon Bay 340/776 6330 Toll free 800/928 8889	Snorkel gear and beach chair rentals, scuba diving, sailing, windsurfing.
Cruz Bay Watersports Cruz Bay Toll Free (800) 835-7730 340/776 6234 Palm Plaza 340/779 4351	PADI and NAUI 5 star training. Scuba and snorkel trips, wreck and reef dives daily, rental gear and sportswear.
East End Divers PO Box 1789 Cruz Bay 340/693 8526	Scuba diving on the East End of St. John. Customized dive/snorkel boat caters to small groups. BVI and Rhone trips are our specialty.
Low Key Watersports Wharfside Village 340/693 8999 Toll Free 800/835 7718	PADI 5 star training facility. Daily scuba and snorkel tours for beginners and experts. Snorkel gear rentals, retail shop, full photo services, E-6 and video.
Paradise Watersports Caneel Bay Resort 340/ 779 4999	St. John's premier dive facility with more than just SCUBA.  Private charters, Jost van Dyke hike & bike trips, Wreck of the Rhone dives, and Big Dog dives--like no other dive trip in the islands.  Full service retail shop.  Nitrox.