Snorkeling in the Virgin Islands? Here’s What’s Actually Swimming Beside You

Captain Sara
Aug 27, 2025
5 min read

This little spotted trunkfish swam up like it had questions for me. — This little spotted trunkfish swam up like it had questions for me

From turtles to jellyfish to curious barracudas – here’s what’s really in the water (and why it’s totally chill).

Why Snorkeling in the Virgin Islands Is a Must-Do

Whether you're snorkeling in the US Virgin Islands (USVI) or the British Virgin Islands (BVI), the underwater world here is next-level beautiful. Clear turquoise water, vibrant coral reefs, and a wild variety of marine life make this one of the best places to snorkel in the Caribbean.

But if you’ve ever wondered, “What exactly am I swimming with down there?” – you’re not alone. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the marine life you’re most likely to see while snorkeling in the Virgin Islands, including a few surprising (and totally harmless) creatures you may not expect.

Spoiler alert: there’s a lot more chill than thrill going on down there. Let’s dive in!

What Marine Life Can You Expect While Snorkeling in the Virgin Islands?

Here’s a breakdown of the friendly faces (and fins) you might encounter on your next snorkel trip:

🐢 Green Sea Turtles: Gentle Giants of the Seagrass Beds

Green Sea Turtles are the stars of the show when snorkeling in the Virgin Islands. These gentle grazers love to hang around shallow bays with lots of seagrass – aka their favorite salad bar.

Fun fact: they’re called green sea turtles not because of their shell color, but because their body fat is green from eating chlorophyll-rich seagrass and algae.

They’re peaceful, slow-moving, and will sometimes surface for air right next to you. Just admire from a distance and let them enjoy their peace (it’s illegal to touch or chase them!).

A green sea turtle swimming over a seagrass bed in the US Virgin Islands

🎨 Parrotfish, Angelfish & Friends: The Colorful Locals

The coral reefs around the USVI and BVI are teeming with tropical fish. You’ll see:

Parrotfish, who crunch coral and poop sand (true story)
Blue tangs (Dory’s Caribbean cousin)
Sergeant majors
Butterflyfish and angelfish with wild color patterns

These fish are harmless, curious, and often swim in big schools – so don’t be surprised if you’re suddenly surrounded by a cloud of color.

A stoplight parrotfish, blue tang, and a pair of four-eye butterflyfish near the coral reef in the USVI

🌊 Stingrays: Chill Gliders on the Sandy Floor

Southern stingrays and spotted eagle rays glide gracefully along sandy bottoms or cruise near reef edges. They’re super mellow and have no interest in people – just give them space and enjoy the view. Spotting these majestic creatures where they truly belong is one of those unforgettable travel moments.

A Southern stingray glides over a seagrass bed and a spotted eagle ray flies above the coral reef

🐙 Moray Eels & Octopuses: Hide-and-Seek Experts

Moray eels often peek out from rocky crevices with their mouths open – it looks intense, but they’re just breathing!

Octopuses are harder to spot, camouflaged like underwater magicians. Both are fascinating to watch and not a threat unless seriously provoked (which we don’t recommend).

Float calmly, don’t poke around, and you might spot one making a sneak appearance.

Pro tip: to find an octopus den, if you spot a several shells and look for a hole that is big enough to shove both fists in – don’t do that – but is likely where an octopus will be hiding for the day.

A spotted moray moving from one hidey-hole to another and an octopus camouflaged against algae near a coral reef in the Virgin Islands

🪸 Coral: It’s Alive – So Please Don’t Step on It

Here’s your friendly reminder: coral is a living organism, not just ocean decor. Coral might look like a sturdy place to stand, but it’s actually super fragile – and sharp. You’ll hurt the reef, and your feet won’t enjoy it either. Do both of you a favor: if it’s not sand, don’t stand – it’s that simple!

When snorkeling, try to float calmly and avoid standing on the reef. Wear reef-safe sunscreen and don’t touch anything – you’re visiting their home, after all.

Protecting coral helps keep snorkeling in the Virgin Islands beautiful for generations to come.

A beautiful coral reef in the US Virgin Islands

✨ Moon Jellies & Comb Jellies: Graceful Ghosts of the Sea

These jelly-like creatures might look otherworldly, but they’re surprisingly harmless.

Moon jellies have short tentacles and very mild stings (if any). Most people never even feel them.
Comb jellies don’t sting at all – and when sunlight hits them just right, you’ll see them shimmer with rainbow light.

Both are gentle drifters. If you see one, it’s not a reason to panic – it’s a reason to pause and say, “Whoa, that’s kinda cool.”

Moon jelly floating underwater in the Virgin Islands

😐 Barracuda: The Misunderstood Lone Wolf

Sleek, silvery, and a packing a serious mean-mug, barracudas tend to get a bad rap. But in reality, they’re not dangerous to snorkelers – they’re just naturally curious and often misunderstood.

You might spot one hovering motionless in the water, giving you a sideways stare. Don’t worry – it’s not sizing you up, it’s just… observing. (We all know someone like that.)

The real risk? Feeding fish. When people feed fish near snorkelers, it can attract predators like barracuda, who start associating humans with snacks. And if one of them lunges for a food you're holding and misjudges the distance? Yeah… that could hurt.

So skip the fish food, enjoy the encounter from a respectful distance, and remember: like most marine life in the Virgin Islands, barracudas are totally chill – as long as you let them do their thing.

A barracuda throwing major side-eye, like I owe it money, in the Virgin Islands. — A curious barracuda throwing major side-eye, like I owe it money, in the Virgin Islands

🦈 What About Sharks? Don’t Worry, You’re Not on the Menu

We get this question a lot. Yes, sharks live in these waters – but the kinds you might see while snorkeling (like nurse sharks or small reef sharks) are shy, slow, and non-aggressive.

Truthfully, most people never see a shark while snorkeling in the Virgin Islands. And if you do? Float calmly, soak it in, and remember: it’s a wild animal doing its thing – not a reason to freak out.

For perspective: more people are killed each year by falling coconuts, vending machines, cows, and even dogs than by sharks – so statistically, you’re safer swimming with a reef shark than standing under a palm tree. 🌴

A nurse shark spotted resting under a ledge while snorkeling a reef in St. John. — A nurse shark spotted resting under a ledge while snorkeling a reef in St. John

✅ Pro Tips for Safe, Respectful Snorkeling in the Virgin Islands

Float, don’t flail. Calm movement = better encounters
Give space. Don’t chase, grab, or touch anything
Look, don’t stand. Stay off the coral, rocks, and reef
Use reef-safe sunscreen. Protect the ecosystem you came to enjoy
Stay curious. Ask your captain questions – most of us are part-time marine life nerds

💬 Final Thoughts: Snorkeling in the Virgin Islands Is Pure Ocean Magic

Snorkeling in the USVI or BVI is more than just a vacation activity – it’s a chance to float through a living, breathing underwater world. Whether you're swimming beside a sea turtle, spotting a glittery comb jelly, or exchanging glances with a barracuda, every snorkel is a new adventure.

So take a deep breath, slide into the water, and let the Caribbean surprise you.

📣 Ready to Dive In?

We offer full-day snorkeling trips in the Virgin Islands that take you to the best spots in the USVI and BVI – complete with island bar hopping, local guides, and good vibes.