Water Activities in St. John

Get In the Water, Not Just On a Boat

Some of my favorite days on St. John happen right at the water's edge, not on a big boat. You can kayak the quiet stretches of the National Park, snorkel over turtle grass where the greens actually come out to feed, hike to a beach you can only reach on foot, or open up the throttle on a guided jet ski run. After 14 years here, I'll tell you these trips reward an early start: the water is calmer in the morning, the light is better, and you beat the afternoon crowds. They also work well as a half day, which leaves the rest of your time for the beach or a slow lunch. If you're traveling with mixed ages or energy levels, the kayak and snorkel tours tend to flex the easiest. Pick the ones that fit your group, and book ahead in peak season since the small-group trips fill fast.

• Guided Jet Ski Tour (St. John) Cover more coastline in a morning than you could all week, with a guide leading the way.

• St. John Hike and Snorkel A walk to a quieter beach, then straight into the water once you get there.

• Best of St. John: Kayak, Snorkel and Picnic Paddle, swim, and eat on the water. The closest thing to a full island day without a big boat.

• Kayak and Snorkel with Sea Turtles Calm-water paddling into spots where the turtles graze, so you actually have a shot at seeing them.

• Sunset Kayak Tour (St. John) The same quiet coastline at golden hour, when the light does most of the work.