Just got back this weekend from Caneel on St. John. We had an awesome time!!! We luckily knew that you aren't paying for fancy accomodations at Caneel & so were not disappointed but others we spoke with that hadn't researched much were shocked by what you got for the money. We originally booked tennis view rooms & after our toilet didn't work for over 24 hrs (it worked the first day & then 3 different ppl tried to fix it), we nicely asked for another room. They seemed a little shocked we wanted to move (LOL) but gave us a "double upgrade" to a Caneel Bay view room. It was so much more amazing to be able to wake up & see the water. Someone we met said that they were paying $750/night for that same view room. That is $300 more than we were paying per night with tennis view. I couldn't have afforded that but it was definitely worth it, if money isn't an object!! If I could chose, I would stay on Scott's Beach. We loved Caneel beaches. All are so beautiful & not busy at all. The snorkling was great for us first timers. We only ate at the bar & went into town for dinners rest of time. We had the free breakfast (danish & coffee) every morning but it only lasts until 8am so need to get up early!!! We rented a car but turned it in early since we toured the island & thought it was more relaxing to hang out on Caneel's beaches & be close to home!! Let me know if you have any questions about hotel or restaurants in town. Thanks for all of your help!!! It really made our vacation extra special to know your "inside advice"!!!

hi mamamia66,

thanks so much for your post. a fellow fodorite let me know baout it, since i am thinking about booking caneel (possibly this weekend). glad to hear that the room upgrades are worth it. i was looking at booking a prem. bf on scott beach. did you think the water very shallow for many yards out? i am not a first-time snorkeler, but like to snorkel in very shallow water, like a lagoon. thanks, again for your post!

Hi, the water is very shallow, sort of like a lake on Caneel & Honeymoon beaches. The best snorkling we found on those two were on the far right of Caneel & far left of Honeymoon. It was so shallow in some spots that we were worried if we kicked, we would hit our knees!! Scotts dropped a little bit but we mainly stayed in the center where the there were many turtles & we even saw a sting ray. The water was very calm on this beach both days we were there. The lady at front desk said Turtle also had good snorkling. The water is so salty that it almost makes you float ontop of the water!! I have 3 kids, 2 of which are not strong swimmers & I would have felt pretty comfortable with them snorkling all of the spots we went. We aren't real daring since it was our first time & didn't want to go too far from shore & we saw tons!! Good luck. The Scotts beach rooms are perfectly located!! Enjoy!!

Was just at Caneel last month. We stayed on Hawksnest Bay and the snorkeling was outstanding. Funny, we went to Trunk, Cinammon, Francis Bays, etc. and the best snorkeling was right outside our room! I highly recommend the snorkeling at Hawksnest - as you look at the water, go to the far left near the rocks for the best snorkeling.

hi mamamia66 and jrgman,

thanks so much for the details about snorkeling. i'm hoping to book this weekend!

re Hawksnest: the farther out along those rocks (on the left) you swim, the better and better the snorkeling gets. Some great deep caverns out around the farthest point.

Thanks for the report. I understand just staying at Caneel--especially the first time.

Poss, Thanks for the tip to go around the rocks at Hawknest. We must not have gone around far enough. Can't wait to do it in November. Owa