VIDEO: Swimming With Sea Turtles in Saint Thomas
Swimming with sea turtles in Saint Thomas seems to be a regular occurrence no matter which beach you’re at!
QUICK LINKS: Swimming With Sea Turtles in Saint Thomas
🤿 BOOK A SNORKEL TOUR to see sea turtles in Saint John!
🌴 GET A GUIDE TO MAGENS BAY for a chance to see sea turtles on your own!
🐢 SWIMMING WITH SEA TURTLES at Magens Bay video!
Sea Turtles in Saint Thomas
The first time I entered the water with my mask and snorkel in Saint Thomas, I didn’t think I’d actually see that much. We were in Magens Bay (beautiful, obviously), but I wasn’t sure how much life was out there. Would I find a sandy bottom? Coral reef? A rocky surface? It was tough to say without ever having done it.
Well, turns out most of the bays and beaches in Saint Thomas are loaded with seagrass – a vital ecosystem for marine life in the Caribbean. In fact, reef fish, crabs and crustaceans, rays, and even sharks are entirely dependent on seagrass for survival. Oh, and not to mention everyone’s FAVORITE marine reptile: SEA TURTLES!
Within 5 minutes of entering the water, I was swimming about with no less than FOUR green sea turtles! I was amazed – it was a true testament to the importance of habitat restoration. A healthy ecosystem = a thriving species!
Swimming With Sea Turtles in Saint Thomas, USVI
It was an incredible experience – the sea turtles seemed to appear one after the other. We followed a few around from the surface and dove down to get a better view. And I do want to say, we ensured we kept a safe distance as to not frighten or scare the sea turtles. And obviously, we did not touch them!
Where to Swim With Sea Turtles in Saint Thomas
As far as I can tell, you have a great chance of spotting a green sea turtle in any of the bays/beaches of Saint Thomas. These include:
I’ve gone for a swim in these places and always saw one. Of course, this isn’t guaranteed – they are wild animals after all.
Snorkel Equipment
If you’re going to go snorkel by yourself from the beach, you need your own equipment. If you enjoy snorkeling when you travel, I suggest purchasing this travel snorkel kit from Cressi. It’s a great little setup that packs away neatly into your travel bag.
Cressi Palau Snorkel Set
Book a Snorkel Tour
If walking off the beach past the swim buoys freaks you out a little bit, you can always book a snorkel tour with one of the many operators around the island.
🤿 Hop Aboard this Boat Charter to motor over to Saint John for a chance to snorkel with sea turtles!
Planning a trip to Saint Thomas?
Book Your Flight: Book cheap flights on Skyscanner, one of the best tools to find good deals.
Rent a Car: Discover Cars compares prices all over the globe – finding you the best deal on a car rental.
Find a Bus Ticket: We love using BusBud to check for departure times and prices while traveling.
Book a Place to Stay: Booking.com is a great resource to compare hotels and guesthouses.
Or book a local apartment on VRBO!
Protect Your Trip: Protect yourself from theft or gear damage! World Nomads covers all things while traveling.
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Check out swimming with sea turtles on Youtube!
Read More About the Virgin Islands!
We hope you enjoyed our post on swimming with sea turtles in Saint Thomas. Hopefully, you’ll find it useful on your next adventure! Here are a few more ocean-loving articles we think you should read next:
- 13 Unforgettable Adventures to Experience in Puerto Rico
- 11 Best Snorkeling Spots on St. Thomas, USVI
- VIDEO: Cleaning the Mangroves of Coral Bay, St. John
- How to Ship a Car to the US Virgin Islands
- 11 Considerations When Moving to the Virgin Islands
Have you seen sea turtles in Saint Thomas before? How about anywhere else? Let us know in a comment below!
