ST THOMAS U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS BEACHES:

Your Virgin Islands vacation villa pool may be a great place to take a dip but you will love the beaches on the island of St. Thomas. Below is a guide to some of the best. All beaches on St. Thomas are public so beaches at hotels can be enjoyed by anyone.

COKI BEACH:

Swimming: Calm
Beachside: Sand
Food/Drinks: Yes
Water Sports: Yes/Limited
Accessibility: Taxi, Car
Snorkeling: Excellent
Amenities: Restroom, Chairs, Lockers, Umbrellas, Lifeguard
Taxis: Almost Always at Taxi Stand

Coki is a small, pretty beach located on Coki Point on the eastern end of the island. The crystal clear water is usually very calm and deepens gradually. Natural shade is limited, however umbrellas are available for rent. Snorkeling is great to the right and the left. If you snorkel to the right the fish will eat out of your hand - just bring a few dog biscuits with you. This beach is a popular stop for cruise ship visitors so if there are several ships in port it can get crowded. Beachside eateries and roadside food vans serve picnic table fare including burgers, sandwiches and some local dishes. You will also find hair braiders, chair rentals, oodles of taxis, beach waiters serving refreshing drinks and vendors selling t-shirts, sunblock, art work, bags, wrap skirts, towels and more! There is a dive shop on site. A jet ski rental booth is located just across the road, opposite the beach and a few vendors rent snorkel gear, floats and noodles. Coki Beach is located right next to Coral World Marine Park; its easy to make a day of visiting both places.

SMITH BAY PARK

Entry Fee: $2.00
Swimming: Calm
Beachside: Sand
Food/Drinks: No
Water Sports: None
Accessibility: Taxi/Car
Snorkeling: Excellent
Amenities: Porta Potty

This beach was recently purchased by the Virgin Islands Government. Currently there is a dirt road leading to the beach, a trailer collecting the $2.00 fee to enter and a porta potty. The water is beautiful, the white sand is gorgeous and the snorkeling is fantastic. This beach is worth the visit if you like to snorkel. The beach is also famous for movie and commercial site.

SAPPHIRE BEACH

Swimming: Gentle to Mild Surf
Beachside: Sand
Food/Drinks: Yes (Hotel Restaurant)
Water Sports: Snorkel Equipment, Paddle Boat, Sail Boats, Windsurfing
Accessibility: Taxi/Car
Snorkeling: Excellent
Amenities: Restroom, Chairs

This beautiful beach is located at Sapphire Beach Resort. To the right is a reef and the snorkeling is fantastic. To the left is sea grass and snorkeling - you may see some of the sea turtles that frequent this beach. Swim out to the point on the right (if you are a good swimmer) and you will see some fascinating coral and numerous varieties of fish. There is a sandy place for swimming. There are sea grape trees for shade, and the hotel will rent you a chair if you need one. On busy cruise ship days this beach can get crowded. This is one of the beast beaches for snorkeling.

SECRET HARBOUR

Swimming: Calm
Beachside: Sand
Food/Drinks: Yes (Hotel Restaurant)
Water Sports: Snorkel Equipment, Dive Shop
Accessibility: Taxi/Car
Snorkeling: Excellent
Amenities: Restroom, Chairs, Umbrellas

Located on the east end of St. Thomas at Secret Harbour Beach Resort sits this small, quiet and comfortable beach great for swimming, sunning and snorkeling. There is a hotel bar and restaurant right on the beach if you get hungry. You can walk right into the water and snorkel and if you swim out past the hotel raft the coral is beautiful and the fish are numerous. Bring an underwater camera. It will be worth it. There is shade on the beach and you will see the occasional iguana. Great place to spend the day.

MORNINGSTAR BEACH

Swimming: Gentle to Rough Surf
Beachside: Sand
Food/Drinks: Yes (Hotel Restaurant)
Water Sports:Yes
Accessibility: Taxi/Car
Snorkeling: Fair
Amenities: Restroom, Chairs, Umbrellas

Morningstar is the home to Morningstar Beach Resort and the Marriott Frenchman’s Reef. There is a restaurant and bar on the beach so you have your choice of soaking up the sun, having lunch on the beach or playing in the waves. This beach can get rough so the snorkeling is not great here but if you like to body surf or just play in the waves this is the beach for you. There is limited shade but you can rent chairs and umbrellas. The water deepens quickly and many areas have a rocky bottom. It is wonderful for cooling off and for enjoying a nice swim. The shoreline is smooth, soft sand. A water sports booth offers paddleboats, kayaks, sailboats, jet skis and more. Chairs, umbrellas, snorkel gear and floats are available to rent from the hotel. Early in the am and in the afternoon Morningstar offers a great view of cruise ships and boats coming into and out of the Charlotte Amalie Harbor.

MAGENS BAY

Entry Fee: Adults $4 ($2/residents),
Children under 12, free. Car Parking $2
Swimming: Calm
Beachside: Sand
Food/Drinks: Yes
Water Sports: Yes
Accessibility: Taxi, Car
Snorkeling: Poor
Amenities: Restroom, Showers, Changing Rooms, Chairs, Gift Shop, Lockers, Lifeguards
Taxis: Almost Always at Taxi Stand

Magens Bay is St. Thomas' most popular beach. The beautiful one mile stretch is a public park and was donated to the people of the Virgin Islands by Arthur Fairchild. It is one of two beaches on St. Thomas that has an entry fee; funds are used to maintain the facilities and the beach. The water is usually very calm with no waves or current, great for floating along and for swimming. The bay deepens gradually from shore making it perfect for small children. Snorkeling is possible along the rocky coast, but Magens Bay is not known for good snorkeling. A water sports booth rents paddle boats, kayaks and sunfish. Beach chairs, floats and snorkel sets are available at the concession. Also at the concession is a bar and restaurant that serves burgers, pizzas and other snacks, a gift shop and a hair braiding stand. The beach is a popular stop on island tour itineraries and can get crowded on days when there are several cruise ships in port. Most beach goers pick a spot close to the restaurant area, so typically if you walk down the shore a bit away from the concession you will find fewer people. On weekday afternoons you will find residents relaxing after work and getting in some exercise. It is common to see mom's pushing strollers while power walking, men and women jogging, kids riding bikes and people swimming laps between 5 and 6pm. On Sundays and holidays the beach is a favorite destination for residents; and parties ranging from small picnics to loud gatherings are common on those days. Lifeguards are on duty everyday. This is the DON’T MISS beach on St. Thomas.

LINDBERG BAY

Swimming: Calm
Beachside: Sand
Food/Drinks: Yes
Water Sports: Yes
Accessibility: Taxi, Car
Snorkeling: Poor
Amenities (Hotel): Restroom, Chairs

Lindberg Bay, also known as Emerald Beach, is a picturesque beach near the airport, located at Emerald Beach Resort. Palm trees and sea grape trees line the shore and provide natural shade. Typically sparsely populated, it is a great beach for laying back and relaxing. The water is usually very calm; perfect for swimming, wading or floating along. The shoreline provides for pleasant strolls. The beach is home to Emerald Beach Resort and Island Beachcomber Hotel. Both have open air beach front bars. Each hotel has a restaurant and you will also find a local favorite, Walkers by the Sea. Families with young children will enjoy the small playground located just past the end of the beach. It is common to see iguanas in the hotel gardens and along the rocky coast close to the playground.

BREWER’S BAY

Swimming: Gentle to Rough Surf
Beachside: Sand
Food/Drinks: Occasional Food Vans on Road
Water Sports: NO
Accessibility: Taxi, Car, (Arrange for pick up time if taking taxi)
Snorkeling: Good
Amenities: None

This beach is located alongside the road just west of the airport and the University of the Virgin Islands. There are no facilities but the beach is big and sandy and the water is good for snorkeling and swimming. Bring your own chairs. There are some shade trees. Bring your own drinks and food if you are going to stay a while. The water can be rough sometimes but more often is calm and nice for swimming. There will often be a food van parked on the street. If you take a taxi to this beach be sure to arrange a pick up time with the driver.

HULL BAY

Swimming: Gentle to Rough Surf
Beachside: Sand
Food/Drinks: Yes, at restaurantWater Sports: No
Accessibility: Taxi, Car (Arrange for pick up time if taking a taxi)
Snorkeling: Fair
Amenities: None

You will often find surfers at this beach located on the north side of St. Thomas. This is the bay west of Magen’s Bay and fishermen often anchor in the tranquil parts of the water. Lots of shade at this beach. No chair rentals so bring your towel and your chair. No water sports and snorkeling is not great here. This is a nice quiet beach with another fantastic view.