Exploring Santa Maria Bay, St. Thomas (Snorkeling, Freediving, + Hiking)

Santa Maria Bay is a secluded beach towards the West End of St. Thomas, USVI. It’s only accessible via hike, but trust me, the views, coral reefs, and glittering waters will be worth every step.

Maybe it’s the challenge. Possibly the struggle. Whatever it is, there’s something oh so gratifying about working for something. And finding rewarding snorkel and freediving sites is no different.

Sure, I could pull up my truck, park, and snorkel with sea turtles right off the shores of Brewers Bay. And although epic, that’s almost too easy. There’s some extra value to the chase.

Maybe that’s why I love Santa Maria so much. It’s my favorite beach in St. Thomas, by far. And I think the reason being is because the only way to get there is by hiking. No cars. No buses. Just you and your feet.

The trail itself isn’t difficult by any stretch of the imagination, but who cares? A hike is a hike. And because of this short hike, Santa Maria Bay remains one of the most secluded beaches in the Virgin Islands. Just see for yourself:

Video: Exploring Santa Maria Bay

Quick Answers: Hiking the Santa Maria Bay Trail

Hiking to Santa Maria Bay Beach: Everything You Need to Know

How to find the Santa Maria Bay Trailhead

One of the top problems with hiking in St. Thomas is finding the damn trailheads. Sure, you’ve seen a few hikes, you’ve read about them, but how in the world do you find them?

Finding the trailhead to Santa Maria Bay is no different.

As you’re heading west on Fortuna Rd you’ll come into a straightaway after passing by the Perseverance Bay overlook. Start slowing down. On your right, you’ll notice an overgrown fence. It’s white, red, and easy to miss – especially if you’re driving fast.

Hiking Santa Maria Bay, St. Thomas: What to Expect

The trail appears to be an old forest road down to sugar mill ruins. Because of this, the trail winds through wide-open spaces of grass rather than a thick tree canopy. Most of the trail receives some level of sun, so be sure to pack sunscreen and a hat.

However, towards the bottom, the scenery does change into a much thicker forest – this is where you’ll find the ruins of Estate Santa Maria. I wasn’t able to find any history on the ruins, and honestly, over time it looks as if a few new residents have moved in and out. If you know any information on the ruins, be sure to let us know in a comment below.

After the ruins, you’ll climb over some fallen trees before spilling out into the sun-drenched shores of Santa Maria Bay!

Hiking St. Thomas: What to Pack

Snorkeling and Freediving in Santa Maria Bay

The best part about living in St. Thomas is exploring the underwater territory. Particularly, the off-the-beaten-path coral reefs. It feels novel. And in a way, it gives me a sense of exploration. This must have been what 18th-century pirates felt like, right?

Now, I’m not naive enough to think I’m the first person ever to snorkel or go freediving in Santa Maria Bay. But seeing how I couldn’t find any information on the topic online, well, that’s gotta count for something, right?

Regardless, the coral reef structure at Santa Maria was phenomenal. Certainly, one of the best reefs from shore I’ve found since moving to the US Virgin Islands.

Finding the coral reef at Santa Maria Bay

First and foremost, don’t even attempt to snorkel or freedive at Santa Maria if there’s any significant swell. If the waves are REALLY crashing along the shore there’s a good chance you’ll get hurt by getting tossed into the rocks. Not to mention, the visibility will likely suck.

But on calm days, by all means, get in that water!

Now I’ve heard mixed reviews on where the best spot to snorkel is in Santa Maria, so for our purposes, I’ll highlight what route we took. And sure, there may be other spots but this one worked out quite well for us.

Snorkeling and Freediving Reefs

After departing the beach we went straight out into the middle of the bay. You’ll be treated to layered grooves of smooth stone – a likely product of centuries of wave action. It’s a pretty neat spot where you’ll find some stingrays, flounder, and other reef fish hiding underneath the small ledges.

After breaking by any surf, head towards the left side of the bay (the west end) near the outcropping of rock.

The best snorkel spot is along these rocks – the reef is shallow enough to see from the surface and coral heads provide just enough habitat for large schools of fish. For freedivers, keep going and wrap around the rock face.

On the other side, the reef drops down to nearly 50 feet with a nice slope peppered with large coral heads. Spend time doing your descents along this ridge to discover hidden ledges, fleeting fish, and critically endangered elkhorn coral.

What you might see while snorkeling at Santa Maria Bay

Obviously, you’ll see your standard reef fish of the Caribbean, Atlantic, and Florida. But here are a few things that surprised us that made Santa Maria Bay special:

Precautions to take while snorkeling in the US Virgin Islands

1. Don’t snorkel or freedive with significant wave action. Different times of the year are prone to a heavy north swell on St. Thomas. If the waves are breaking too much, avoid snorkeling in Santa Maria Bay all together.
2. Always snorkel or freedive with a buddy. This is water sports 101. Obviously, you shouldn’t depart on a hike
3. Look out for urchins. Sea urchins are common along the shallow reefs of St. Thomas. Just watch your step as you enter and exit the water.
4. Bring a first aid kit. Seeing how you hiked here, medical assistance is a long, long ways away. It’s a good idea to carry a waterproof First Aid kit on any adventure in the US Virgin Islands.

Freediving and snorkeling gear recommendations in the Virgin Islands

Since you literally need to hike to the destination, you’ll clearly need freediving and snorkel gear that’s conducive for travel.

Debrief: Hiking, Snorkeling, and Freediving at Santa Maria Bay Beach

So there you have it, folks! Everything you need to know about snorkeling, freediving, and hiking down to Santa Maria Bay in St. Thomas!

I hope you enjoy the adventure and be sure to let us know how it goes in a comment below!