snorkelling near the port without excursion

i would love to try snorkelling without going on an excursion is there a beach nearby to snorkel on and any you would recommend? i am also visiting tortola and nassau which is the best port to try snorkelling on?

No good snorkeling beaches near the port, because coral reefs and cruise ships aren't a good match.

I should have worded I was looking for a nice family friendly beach for the kids to try snorkelling any suggestions? People are saying coki beach is it far from the port?

The island is small but Coki is about a 20 minute ride from the port. Sometimes people smoke weed at Coki (not so at other beaches) and some parents don't want their kids exposed to that. But, it's probably the best snorkelling beach for kids and there are usually lots of kids there. Taxi fare can be up to $10-12 per person eavh way. Most taxis charge same rate for kids, too.

Will bare that in mind is coral world within walking distance of coki beach?

Yes. They're steps from each other.

That would be Emerald Beach which is not considered a snorkeling beach by VI standards.

I believe you will dock in Crown Bay? If so Lindbergh Bay (aka Emerald Beach for the Emerald Beach Resort) is a short, inexpensive taxi and a nice spot to relax on the beach with good amenities. If you want snorkeling you should taxi to Coki, Sapphire, or Secret Harbor on the East End, ~$11pp each way.

http://www.virginislandsthisweek.com/st-thomas/maps/st-thomas-island-road-map.html

A gorgeous beach for snorkeling on Tortola is Brewers Bay. Nice calm bay, and Lulu describes it best - "Brewer's has the feel of the way things once were in the Caribbean."

Taxi is $8pp each way for adults, 1/2 fare for kids under 11 yrs.

LOL...I think I already recommended Brewers to you on the Tortola forum!

Secret Harbor

https://www.skylinewebcams.com/en/webcam/us-virgin-islands/st-thomas/east-end/saint-thomas-secret-harbour.html

Sapphire

https://www.skylinewebcams.com/en/webcam/us-virgin-islands/st-thomas/east-end/saint-thomas-virgin-islands.html

http://www.sapphireinthesun.com/