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My review of Sapphire Beach & Paradise Point

mitsugirly

By mitsugirly,
in St. Thomas/St. John

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drmomto3kids

drmomto3kids

Posted
Posted

Thanks for the review. Very useful! We've been to Sapphire Beach a couple of times and loved it too. Glad to hear it's still in good shape. We're plannning to go next week.

 

I didn't read through all the pages here, but did anyone else mention it isn't a good idea to feed the fish? It upsets the balance of nature (not to mention Fruit Loops are so artificial.) If we all want to keep this beach the treasure it is, we have to be careful. Please don't take it wrong. Just thought those unaware should know.

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ladybug1s

ladybug1s

Posted
Posted

Yes, we rented from a guy name Chuck in condo C. It is a corner unit as well so extra space. We haven't talked to much since the trip is in July. I hope he has a grill so we can cook some burger on the deck. Also I heard it's a good idea to bring some frozen meats down with you in a carry on? Anyone did this? I think we will rent a car van since we have more than 5 in our party! Is it hard driving around in St Thomas? My husband thinks we will be hijacked or something. LOL:D

 

 

 

 

 

 

The most important thing is that you rent through an owner via VRBO or HomeAway. Never rent through the resort because you don't know the condition of the condo. Do you already have a contact?

 

Also if on 1st floor you have a patio and direct access to the beach. Higher floors you have a balcony, a nicer view, no sand fleas and more privacy and can leave the door open but you have to walk from around the bldg to access the beach.

 

The sandy swimming area extends from the dive center over to bldg B if I remember but no worries, you're close.

 

If you rent from Budget you can take your rental car on the car barge for $50 all in. Otherwise you'll have to taxi to a beach.

 

Yes to the passport, if you have passports I can give recommendations. Otherwise look at New Horizons which departs Sapphire marina and moors off STJ and Great St James for lunch and snorkeling.

 

You'll get more help if you post on tripadvisor, this thread is very long and hard to use anymore...

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beshears

beshears

Posted
Posted

I haven't had a chance to read all the postings, but read most of your review. A couple questions.

 

To see the fish you are talking about there at Sapphire Beach in St. Thomas,you have to have to be snorkling, not just go to the edge of the water to see some of the fish?

 

You may have said what cruise line you were on, but we are cruising in on Carnival. I thought you said you got your pass for the skylift as you thought it was cheaper from the ship, than just getting the pass there in front of the skilift? If this was the case, did you get it once you were on the ship, or did this ahead of time through the cruise line?

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  • 8 months later...
CAC104

CAC104

Posted
Posted

Do you still have your photos of Sapphire Beach up anywhere? When I went on the link provided in your review, I kept getting a "Page Not Found" notice, and no photos:(

 

I am going to be in St. Thomas in Jan. and would love to see what the beach looks like.

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blue_water

blue_water

Posted
Posted
Do you still have your photos of Sapphire Beach up anywhere? When I went on the link provided in your review, I kept getting a "Page Not Found" notice, and no photos:(

 

I am going to be in St. Thomas in Jan. and would love to see what the beach looks like.

 

There's a great webcam here -

http://www.sapphireinthesun.com

 

Be sure to check out the drone video too!

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  • 1 month later...
Patstone

Patstone

Posted
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I read on another site that there are no chairs to rent on Sapphire Beach. Anyone know if this is true? Also interested in umbrella, restroom, food and beverages. Trying to find a nice, relaxing beach where we can jump in and snorkel from the shore. Thanks!

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zqvol

zqvol

Posted
Posted
I read on another site that there are no chairs to rent on Sapphire Beach. Anyone know if this is true? Also interested in umbrella, restroom, food and beverages. Trying to find a nice, relaxing beach where we can jump in and snorkel from the shore. Thanks!

 

 

I let you know how Sapphire is in about 10 days. We will be staying there for 8 night beginning this weekend. :D:D:D

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blue_water

blue_water

Posted
Posted
Please do! We want to know more about this beach!!

What other info do you want??? There is a thread with descriptions of Sapphire and other beaches (The beautiful beaches of St Thomas) as well as tons of reviews on the St Thomas forum on tripadvisor with more photos. The drone video on the webcam site I provided earlier is also a good visual. We stay there each year for the gorgeous beach, water, snorkeling, island views, and prime location.

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  • 1 year later...
parkesyau

parkesyau

Posted
Posted
St Thomas

 

 

I was really skeptical about this island due to all the negative news reports after the shooting of the teenager from the cruise ship a few months ago and all the gang related violence taking place on this island. However, I’m SO glad I decided to go ahead with my plans for the island.

 

 

We knew before going on our cruise that we wanted to go places on our own by taxi instead of a tour service. Our plans were to visit Paradise Point first for pictures, then on to Sapphire for some snorkeling, then on to Maggens for a short period before heading back to the ship.

 

 

When we arrived at Paradise to get on the skylift, they were not open yet to my surprise. They did not open until 9am. It was only 8am. I was not only disappointed but shocked knowing that the ships come in this early, you would think that they would be open this early to make more money. We did buy our tickets on the ship (which is actually CHEAPER than purchasing them at the skylift box). Our cruise line also offered your money back if you didn’t use the tickets. WOW. The only time you would ever see that happen.

 

 

So, we decided to walk back to the port and catch a cab and go on with our plans to Sapphire Beach. A lady was there to take us to the beach. She waited until that van was OVER PACKED and people sitting on laps before she would leave. People in the van where complaining and saying “seriously you think you are going to fit more people in here-no way” only for her to get more people in the van. 4-5 people in a 3 person seat!

 

 

The driver was very talkative and talked about the island. She told us how they basically only rely on the cruise ships coming in to make a living. She stated how much it hurt them if a ship didn’t come in that day or rearranged their schedule. She told us that living in the “ghetto” would cost you no less than $250,000 per house and above. She said the nicer homes would cost you an average of 1 million. WOW.

 

 

 

She took us to Sapphire and dropped us off. Upon entering this beach area, all I can say is WOW!!! I had found Paradise finally! The beach was absolutely beautiful. The beach was lined with natural shade grape trees, clear blue water and white sandy beaches. We quickly put out things under a tree and claimed our area then headed out to the water. Instantly fish greeted us. I didn’t realize just how many where under there until I put on my mask and went under. They were SURROUNDING ME! They followed us all over the place. They were very friendly and would get right up in your face. I couldn’t believe it. We swam over to the shaded area that we knew were coral and started investigating. When my husband went under the first time, right in front of him was a jelly fish. I ran back and got my camera and started taking pictures. I found it very hard to focus on something that clear in clear water to begin with. It was a task and I wasn’t very happy with the results, but continued on exploring for fish. They were everywhere. So many different species, colors and types of fish and coral everywhere. We were absolutely amazed at this place.

 

 

 

I ran up and grabbed the box of fruit loops I had brought with me and began feeding the fish. They became our friends the rest of our visit and even took the food right out of my hand. It was amazing. We swam over to the right (in front of the Sapphire Beach Resort) and found even more types of fish. We snorkeled nonstop for hours only getting out a select few times to rest for about 10 min. When we did get out, we were exploring the sand and trees that were full of huge Iguana’s at that point looking down on us and watching us like a hawk. How amazing was that! The best of both worlds-sand and water animals!

 

 

 

I have to say hands down, this was the absolutely BEST beach I have ever been to. We decided right then and there that we not only wanted to come back someday soon, but we wanted to actually stay on the island for an extended visit (not just on a cruise ship). I was that impressed with this beach.

 

 

We had brought our own snorkeling tube and goggles, but I was having a problem with my goggles fogging up for some reason. My husband did not. We were also lacking the fins to be able to adventure out deeper. So we decided to rent the entire snorkeling package (which included everything you needed) and it was only $7. The hut also sold ice cold pop and beer that hit the spot. I mean ICE COLD. We spoke to the workers there for awhile and they commented on how much they LOVE their job there at the beach hut. What a wonderful way to spend your working day.

 

 

 

We snorkeled for awhile longer and decided that we had better head back toward the port if we wanted to try to squeeze in our trip to Paradise on the skylift. (As much as we hated the thought of EVER leaving this paradise)!!!

 

 

We quickly caught the skylift up to Paradise Point after only having to wait for 1 round of trams to pull in (there are 3 together-one set going up while one set comes down). It was beautiful up there. Breath taking. However, I was very disappointed that I had my camera on for HOURS non stop taking fish, beach, and Iguana pictures that my battery was now dead. I managed to get it to come on long enough to snap a picture, then it would die, then another picture, then it would die again. I did this several times before it would no longer turn on. We then order the famous Bushwacker drink. We were going to order food, but the waitress was taking FOREVER 1) giving us a menu 2) coming back for our drink order 3) coming back with our actual drinks then 4) coming back again to see what we wanted to order. This process was about ½ hour already. So we told her to forget the food, we’d just have our drinks. She acted very disturbed about this and rolled her eyes and walked away. It took another 15 minutes for me to flag her down to tell her we were still waiting on our check for the drinks. Then another 10 minutes to come back with the bill. Geesh. Either they need more help or different people. I did not find them friendly at all.

 

 

There was some type of parrot/bird show going on up there, but we did not have time to watch it since we had spent so much time just taking care of the drink situation. It was time to head back to the port and catch a few stores along the way before boarding again. The ride back down did take a little longer. We caught the 3rd tram that came up. But, they run every 7 min (the guy up at the top said 5 min to us so I’m not sure). Either way, it didn’t seem too long. Each lift holds 8 people per cabin. We noticed only 6 per cabin seem to be getting in. Had people been filling them the way they should, we would have been on much sooner.

 

 

All in all, we didn’t find really GOOD prices on tee-shirts there or any good discounts you would normally see in tourist spots. We got a tee for $18.99 and sun glasses for $20 (since my husband accidentally broke mine the first day on the cruise). We stopped in the jewelry stores to find that the prices they quoted us were outrageous compared to those on the ship.

 

 

My final conclusion: St Thomas is by far is a beautiful island of Paradise. I hate the thought of everything bad going on at the island and hope that things continue to improve in the months and years to come. It would really be ashamed if cruise ships stops coming to such a beautiful place. I really hope to visit again soon and actually stay on the island. I would still like to visit Maggens Bay. But if you want to go somewhere with excellent snorkeling and beautiful beaches, I highly recommend Sapphire!!

 

 

If you have any questions that I might be able to answer, I'd be happy to try.

 

 

Here are some picture I took while I was there. Enjoy!

 

 

http://kimbakerphotography.smugmug.com/Vacation/4th-day-St-Maarten-1/13875332_BZdcm#1017703050_nhpoV

 

 

Yourreviews and photos have been an amazing help. I am trying to plan our first cruise we will be in St T with Carnival in April 18 and I'm trying to decide between sapphire and Coki for us. Family of 4 kids aged 7 and 9 that want to see fish. I can't seem to open your pics is there anywhere else I can find them? I know the beach would have changed with an extra 7 years worth of visitor

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TMW67

TMW67

Posted
Posted

Has anyone been to Sapphire beach recently? I was all excited about going here until I read some other reviews on how it's not so great any more. This was also after a hurricane I believe, so it could have just been from that. Would love some out put & pictures would be helpful also. Thanks. :)

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parkesyau

parkesyau

Posted
Posted
Has anyone been to Sapphire beach recently? I was all excited about going here until I read some other reviews on how it's not so great any more. This was also after a hurricane I believe, so it could have just been from that. Would love some out put & pictures would be helpful also. Thanks. :)

 

I've been looking on trip advisor at recent pics and it looks wonderful

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blue_water

blue_water

Posted
Posted
Has anyone been to Sapphire beach recently? I was all excited about going here until I read some other reviews on how it's not so great any more. This was also after a hurricane I believe, so it could have just been from that. Would love some out put & pictures would be helpful also. Thanks. :)

Not so great anymore? Gorgeous as ever ;), just depends on what you are looking for. Pictures really don't do justice to beaches like Sapphire, at least IMHO.

How about a couple webcams?

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

http://www.sapphireinthesun.com/

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blue_water

blue_water

Posted
Posted

Secret Harbor and Elysian are also nice, just not quite as nice as Sapphire in our opinion.

 

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

 

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

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Ms411

Ms411

Posted
Posted

Some of the negative review of Sapphire are actually those who are disappointed with the grounds and some of the buildings on the Sapphire property - not the beach itself. Some of the negative reviews are from people who are annoyed tbat there are rocks and coral near some parts of the shoreline because they only want a sandy beach. A very few negative reviews are based on a windy day or a day after a heavy rain which sometimes clouds the water somewhat.

 

I have friends who say they don't like the Dominican Republic. When I asked why, they described conditions at the resort which has little or nothing to do with the country. It's a shame that a country's beauty can be tarnished because of poor services at a resort.

 

Sapphire Beach has always been a beautiful beach regardless of the grounds or a building or two.

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  • 3 months later...

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