Getting There
Haulover Bay lies three miles past the Coral Bay Moravian Church
going east on the East End Road (Route 10). Park on the right
side of the road alongside the small sand and coral rubble
beach.
The Name
Haulover is a narrow, flat strip of land separating Coral Bay
on the south from Sir Francis Drake Channel on the north. The
name Haulover came about because it was often easier to just “haul” small
boats over this stretch of land than to make the long sail
around East End, notorious for strong currents, gusty winds
and rough seas.
Salt Pond at Haulover Bay
The
Northwestern Side
To reach the northern section of Haulover Bay, take the trail
on the other (north) side of the road. It is an easy path over
flat terrain about 100 yards long that goes past a salt pond
to reach the coral rubble beach that lies on the south side of
the Sir Francis Drake Channel that separates St. John from Tortola.
Snorkeling
This snorkel is recommended for experienced snorkelers only.
On most days, waves break along the shoreline and over the
shallow reef, so try to choose a day when the sea is calm and
the water is not churned up.
You can enter the water at the rock beach at the end of the
trail. The water is shallow at first and the bottom is made up
of small rocks and coral rubble. Watch out for black spiny sea
urchins hiding here.
The reef rises up close to the surface near the shore and then
slopes down to a depth of about thirty feet.
Several varieties of hard coral including star, brain, elkhorn,
staghorn and pillar coral can be found here as well as gorgonians,
such as sea fans, sea plumes and dead man's fingers. Commonly
seen fish on the reef are tang, snapper, grunts, parrotfish and
angelfish.
Look under ledges and in holes to see lobsters, eels and small
fish seeking protection in their little hiding places.
Green turtles, stingrays and conch can be seen over the grassy
areas, which make up most of the central portion of the bay.
Northeastern Side
The north eastern end of Haulover Bay can be reached by following
the shoreline east for a little less than a half a mile where
you will find a small sand beach.
Snorkeling
When entering the shallow water, take care to avoid sea urchins
and living coral.
Snorkel out along the eastern coast toward the point. Close
to the shore are patches of sand and grass with scattered coral
heads. The grass environment attracts rays, green turtles, starfish
and conch.
There is a small fringe forest of mangroves along the coast.
Just past these mangroves, you will come to an underwater hillside
garden of coral. This beautiful environment continues out and
around the point. You will see many large, purple sea fans and
other gorgonians as well as hard corals, such as star, elkhorn
and brain coral. In some areas, exquisite corals and sponges
of every color imaginable encrust the underwater rock faces.
Fish, such as parrotfish, snappers, jacks, grunts and schools
of blue tang, abound just about everywhere along the reef as
do anemones, feather duster worms and sea cucumbers.
