volk904 Posted January 27, 2020 #1 Share Posted January 27, 2020 We will be in St Thomas in 2 weeks. Been to Meagans Beach, Coki Beach and 3 times to St John’s. Looking to try something new this year. seems like people suggest Water Island, Sapphire Beach and Secret Harbor. Water Island sounds interesting but with the ship arriving at 8 it would seem the 9 or 10am Ferry is the earliest we can go but my concern is the return trip. Would we have trouble getting on the 3:15 Ferry? love to here some feedback on all 3 beaches? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2PinaColadas Posted January 28, 2020 #2 Share Posted January 28, 2020 Water Island is closest to Crown, but I have read that it gets very busy when there are ships in port. We've never been there, so I can't help you with the ferry questions. Sapphire is my favorite beach -- it is beautiful and a must see/do, IMO. Secret Harbor is nice as well. Both have a bar with food options and the natural shade is coming back. Hull Bay may be another option for you. It would be about the same distance from Crown as Megan's. Nice, uncrowded beach with a bar/restaurant--locals beach. You would probably want to set up a time with your cab driver to come back for you as cabs there are not plentiful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms411 Posted January 28, 2020 #3 Share Posted January 28, 2020 Not many taxis want to go to Hull Bay unless you have a group. Taxi drivers don't like to go to "local" beaches because locals have their own transportation to beaches so taxi drivers can't get a fare back. If you want to go to local beaches, best to rent a vehicle unless you have a group. I learned long ago to never ask a taxi driver where the "Best" of anything is. It will always be the furthest from where you are so they can earn a higher fare. The "Best" will never be a few blocks away.😊 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
volk904 Posted January 28, 2020 Author #4 Share Posted January 28, 2020 4 hours ago, 2PinaColadas said: Water Island is closest to Crown, but I have read that it gets very busy when there are ships in port. We've never been there, so I can't help you with the ferry questions. Sapphire is my favorite beach -- it is beautiful and a must see/do, IMO. Secret Harbor is nice as well. Both have a bar with food options and the natural shade is coming back. Hull Bay may be another option for you. It would be about the same distance from Crown as Megan's. Nice, uncrowded beach with a bar/restaurant--locals beach. You would probably want to set up a time with your cab driver to come back for you as cabs there are not plentiful. How are the prices at Sapphire? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MrSchwump Posted February 1, 2020 #5 Share Posted February 1, 2020 On 1/28/2020 at 3:11 PM, volk904 said: How are the prices at Sapphire? We were at Sapphire a couple of years ago. I thought the prices were reasonable. Maybe $10-15 for 2 chairs and an umbrella. Drinks weren’t bad either, $3 for a beer. The bar makes an outstanding Painkiller too. Nice view of St. John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms411 Posted February 1, 2020 #6 Share Posted February 1, 2020 The chairs are now $9 each. They may not have umbrellas now because of the natural shade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue_water Posted February 1, 2020 #7 Share Posted February 1, 2020 There are umbrellas at Sapphire now. Yes a specific return ferry from Water Island can indeed be tough. We’ve seen people waiting for the ferry (two in a row once) only to miss it because more aggressive folks pushed ahead of them. Honeymoon also gets crazy with the excursions stopping in, and more so with a ship docked at Crown. Secret Harbor can also make you think “sardines” on busier days, and day visitors to the resort are usually confined to one section when renting lounges. Sapphire would be our choice of the 3 - Gorgeous beach and water and a little more room to find a nice spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giventofly Posted February 6, 2020 #8 Share Posted February 6, 2020 If you are worried about the ferry to water island, there is a tour called ConTiki that leaves from the cruise ship docks, goes over to the island and gives you a couple hours of beach time. Water island is AMAZING, and honeymoon beach is about as picturesque as you can get for a Caribbean beach. Bonus: there are nearly always sea turtles inside the swim area. I stayed on the island for a week (twice) and even with 2 or 3 party boats on big ship days, it never feels "crowded" Pro Tip: Heidi's Grill (left side of the beach facing land) has KILLER fish tacos! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue_water Posted February 7, 2020 #9 Share Posted February 7, 2020 We’ve felt like sardines on HB with just 1 ship in Crown and 1 in Havensight. The excursions that stop in add to that crowded vibe, and the excursion operators don’t do a good job of keeping their boats out of the swimming area which is in front of Dinghy’s. So just another perspective. WI and HB were once a great option, but like other spots HB has become very popular with the bigger day visiting crowds of today... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mitsugirly Posted July 8, 2020 #10 Share Posted July 8, 2020 On 2/6/2020 at 8:03 PM, blue_water said: We’ve felt like sardines on HB with just 1 ship in Crown and 1 in Havensight. The excursions that stop in add to that crowded vibe, and the excursion operators don’t do a good job of keeping their boats out of the swimming area which is in front of Dinghy’s. So just another perspective. WI and HB were once a great option, but like other spots HB has become very popular with the bigger day visiting crowds of today... Blue, can you tell me more about Water Island? When you get off the ferry is it right there within walking distance? Or do you have to get a cab? Is there any snorkeling in the area or is it strictly just a relaxing hanging out at the beautiful beach day? Do they rent chairs/umbrella's there and if so do you know the prices? Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue_water Posted July 8, 2020 #11 Share Posted July 8, 2020 (edited) 12 hours ago, mitsugirly said: Blue, can you tell me more about Water Island? When you get off the ferry is it right there within walking distance? Or do you have to get a cab? Is there any snorkeling in the area or is it strictly just a relaxing hanging out at the beautiful beach day? Do they rent chairs/umbrella's there and if so do you know the prices? Thanks in advance. We haven’t been recently and someone living there can give you a better view of HB and snorkel areas. Search the TA STT forum (sort search results by date), or ask folks there for current feedback... You need to get a ferry token at the office near Tickles’ Pub to board the ferry. Arriving you can rent a golf cart to get to HB and also tour the island. When we were there a lady who was staying on her boat gave us a ride to Dinghy’s food truck in HB in a small pick up for tips. Good food, free tables and lounges, swimming area there, contact them about umbrellas. https://dinghysbeachbarandgrill.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Dinghysbeachbarandgrill/ At the other end of the beach was Heidi’s Honeymoon Grill - not a nice beach but a popular spot... https://www.facebook.com/Heidishoneymoon/ Edited July 8, 2020 by blue_water Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coscab Posted December 11, 2022 #12 Share Posted December 11, 2022 On 1/27/2020 at 3:26 PM, volk904 said: We will be in St Thomas in 2 weeks. Been to Meagans Beach, Coki Beach and 3 times to St John’s. Looking to try something new this year. seems like people suggest Water Island, Sapphire Beach and Secret Harbor. Water Island sounds interesting but with the ship arriving at 8 it would seem the 9 or 10am Ferry is the earliest we can go but my concern is the return trip. Would we have trouble getting on the 3:15 Ferry? love to here some feedback on all 3 beaches? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coscab Posted December 11, 2022 #13 Share Posted December 11, 2022 Just now, coscab said: I know this is an old post but I have the same question, anyone been to Sapphire Beach or Water Island recently, we will be going in March 2023, planning on snorkeling, would like to do both but only time for one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue_water Posted December 13, 2022 #14 Share Posted December 13, 2022 We’ve seen folks left to wait for the next ferry from Water Island, it is small. Some were in line first but weren’t as aggressive as others…So that could be a concern. For snorkeling the recommended beaches are Coki, Sapphire, and Secret Harbor. Coki is beautiful but just too busy for us. The water at Secret Harbor is typically dead calm and you can snorkel there, good restaurant as well. But also crowded, reserve lounges/umbrellas from AA Divers in advance. Sapphire has all the amenities as well, and offers a coral area and a seagrass area. Sapphire is our choice for the beach, water, and island views, others can give you more feedback on the snorkeling there vs the other two… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tunafish Posted December 19, 2022 #15 Share Posted December 19, 2022 On 12/11/2022 at 6:08 PM, coscab said: I know this is an old post but I have the same question, anyone been to Sapphire Beach or Water Island recently, we will be going in March 2023, planning on snorkeling, would like to do both but only time for one. Just went to Sapphire last week. Last two times water was rough so had to go somewhere else after about an hour or so. will be happy to answer any specific question Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coscab Posted December 24, 2022 #16 Share Posted December 24, 2022 Thanks for the reply On 12/19/2022 at 11:45 AM, tunafish said: Just went to Sapphire last week. Last two times water was rough so had to go somewhere else after about an hour or so. will be happy to answer any specific question Thanks for the reply, we went there once a while ago, there was nothing there except some ducks with blue beaks, snorkeling wasn't the best but its easy to get to, I think we will try it again in March. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jean87510 Posted December 25, 2022 #17 Share Posted December 25, 2022 I'm on St. Thomas right now. Was at Sapphire, then Lindquist, then Coki. We have a rental and a car. Coki is marijuana beach and snorkeling not as good as the past. Blasting 9000 decibel music. Sapphire I didn't see any umbrellas. We were only there an hour. Lindquist was really nice. Coral is unfortunately too bleached now but we did see a turtle and a ray. Heading out to hike to Mermaids chair then Magens bay later today. Pictures below are Lindquist. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms411 Posted December 25, 2022 #18 Share Posted December 25, 2022 Beautiful! Thanks for posting. Who did you rent your vehicle from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jean87510 Posted December 26, 2022 #19 Share Posted December 26, 2022 We rented from Dollar. Through Expedia. About $400 for the 5 days. Taxis are so expensive here especially if you like to check out certain places. We went out to Mermaids Chair yesterday and Brewers beach. I can't even imagine what the cab fare would be. Speaking of Brewers, THIS is the beach for turtles. Wow!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamin jul Posted January 1, 2023 #20 Share Posted January 1, 2023 Jean 87510- Was Brewers beach pretty? Palm trees? Was there food trucks? Taxis? Love HB on water island- what is the comparison?thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now