What Sealife is in St Thomas?

Part of the St. Thomas East End Reserve, these waters are home to colorful fish, coral, octopus, squid, and more! Snorkel along the rocky coastline on the right side of the beach, the reef in the middle, or head to the seagrass meadows to discover sea turtles and manta rays.



In 2026, the marine life in St. Thomas is thriving due to enhanced coral outplanting programs and stricter environmental protection laws. Divers and snorkelers at sites like Brewers Bay and Secret Harbour can expect to see an abundance of Green Sea Turtles, Hawksbill Turtles, and Southern Stingrays. The island is also home to a diverse array of reef fish, including Parrotfish, Blue Tangs, and Sergeant Majors. Lucky visitors may spot Spotted Eagle Rays gliding through the deeper channels or Caribbean Reef Squid in the shallower coves. In 2026, the Mangrove Lagoon at Cas Cay remains a vital nursery for juvenile Lemon Sharks and the unique "Upside-down Jellyfish." Travelers are reminded that St. Thomas enforces a strict "No-Touch" policy for all coral and marine life to ensure these delicate ecosystems continue to recover from global warming impacts.

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Sapphire Beach- Most beaches in St. Thomas do not experience waves throughout most of the year, but Sapphire is known to get a little chop every now and then. While Sapphire Beach is calm enough for a leisurely snorkel or floating atop a raft, it's also a great swimming spot in St.

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Shark attacks are extremely rare in the Virgin Islands. Prevention: Avoid waters being fished or where fish are being cleaned. Do not swim at night or at dusk and dawn. Remove shiny jewelry and do not enter the water if you are bleeding.

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Between December and February is the best time to go to St. Thomas. Temperatures are pleasant, averaging 79? (26?). December can see some rain, mainly in the form of short, sharp late afternoon showers as humidity builds up, but this decreases through January and February.

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Do not enter the water too close to a sea turtle. Maintain a distance of at least 10 metres. Approach slowly and keep your distance. Back off if they start to show signs of distress like swimming away quickly, and do not chase them.

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