Oppenheimer Beach, St. John USVI
There is such a rich and illustrious history regarding some of the beaches of St. John that it may be worth your while to delve deeper into what the island has to offer. As one of the more interesting tales of the US Virgin Islands, the history surrounding Gibney and Oppenheimer Beaches is something of a marvel in and of itself. Never mind that the beaches are absolutely gorgeous, they offer visitors the opportunity to get a bit more in touch with the local culture of St. John.
Oppenheimer Beach shares a complex and interesting history with Gibney Beach. In the late 40s, a married couple (the Gibneys) made their way to Hawksnest Beach for their honeymoon. They eventually ended up making the beach their permanent home, buying 40 acres of land on Hawksnest Bay in 1950 and constructing a house inland from the centre of the beach. Their children grew up on the beach and the descendants remain there. In 1957, the family sold part of their land to J. Robert Oppenheimer, thusly its namesake, Oppenheimer Beach.
Beyond its rich history, Oppenheimer is a rather magnificent place to visit for those who want to get in a bit of water sports. The best snorkeling anywhere near Gibney Bay is from Oppenheimer Beach. The entry is incredible, what with the magnificently soft sand underfoot and the calm waters that lap up on the shore. It’s the perfect place for those who are just beginning to learn how to snorkel. From the Oppenheimer House is a shallow reef. It’s a beautiful place to get in some snorkeling.
With heavy rains that plagued the area during the excavation of the Myrah Keating Smith Clinic, it seemed that the reef was never going to return to its former glory. However, after some time, the reef is starting to resemble something of its old self. You’ll have the chance to see some of the gorgeous coral that resides in the waters --Elkhorn and boulder coral, fire coral, and much more. You’ll also be able to see some of the colorful underwater wildlife that makes its home in the warm Caribbean waters. You’ll see schools of small fish such as goatfish, grunt, and tang.
Along the eastern coastline, you’ll find gorgeous brain coral. You’ll also see the magnificent colors that make up this section of the reef as well as squirrelfish, parrotfish, angelfish, trunkfish, and trumpet fish. Be wary of some of the predators of the reef: yellowtail snapper and blue runners. If you fancy yourself more of an experienced snorkeler, you’ll find great enjoyment snorkeling around to Perkins Cay and Denis Bay --giving you plenty of opportunity to stop and rest on the beach on Denis Bay after your incredible day full of snorkeling.
For a chance to experience both the fascinating history and the incredible snorkeling that St. John is known for, you must take a chance and go out the Oppenheimer Beach. Though not one of the most popular beaches, it’s certainly the perfect location to enjoy the lovely waters of the US Virgin Islands.