STT Beach Ratings Thread

[blue_water]

Our personal beach rating for our 6 favorite beaches based on what we look for 😉

Share yours!

GORGEOUS WATER COLOR(S)

Sapphire *****

Smith Bay/Lindqvist ****

Coki ****

Magens Bay  ***

Secret Harbor **

Lindbergh Bay **

 

BEAUTIFUL ISLAND VIEWS

Sapphire *****

Smith Bay/Lindqvist *****

Coki ****

 

Secret Harbor **

Lindbergh Bay **

Magens Bay *

 

GOOD FOOD & DRINK OPTIONS

Sapphire *****

Secret Harbor *****

Lindbergh Bay ***

Coki **

Magens Bay **

Smith Bay/Lindqvist

SNORKELING

Sapphire ****

Coki ****
Secret Harbor ****

Smith Bay/Lindqvist ***

Lindbergh Bay **

Magens Bay

 

AMENITIES/RENTAL GEAR

Sapphire *****

Secret Harbor *****

Lindbergh Bay ****

Coki ***

Magens Bay **

Smith Bay/Lindqvist 

 

Average * Ratings (out of 5):
Sapphire 4.8

Secret Harbor 3.6

Coki 3.4

Lindbergh Bay 2.6

Magens Bay 1.6

[CroozeNoob]

This is much appreciated! We are trying to figure the beat beach or two to shoot for our short time there at Port.

[blue_water]

There are other factors or considerations that can make or break your beach experience of course. All of these beaches are popular and beautiful, and you can’t make a bad choice. Just depends on how busy a vibe you want, and whether you want to snorkel or just lime…

 

Sapphire gets busy but has space to spread out and get a nice spot;

 

Coki is a much smaller bay and has a much busier vibe with many vendors;

 

Secret Harbour Resort accommodates day visitors but there is less space, and they restrict where you can sit. AADivers rents lounges/umbrellas, and if you are not arriving very early you should reserve the lounges in advance;

 

Smith Bay/Lindqvist does not have any amenities other than restrooms, at least the last I knew. But arguably the nicest beach on the island. I’m sure MS411 and others can share the current situation there;

 

Lindbergh Bay (AKA Emerald Beach) is a convenient option from Crown Bay;

 

And Magens Bay is gorgeous from high above, and is rated highly for good reason. But it gets very crowded and it is a deep, protected bay and great for families with young kids…

 

For a getaway there are other options but transportation is less easy…

 

 

[Ms411]

One issue blue_water hasn't included on his list is how easy it is to enter and exit the water at some of the beaches.

 

Lindqvist/Smith Bay and Lindbergh have steeper shorelines and some people have difficulty getting out of the water. Not an issue at Magens and Coki. 

 

Can others comment on ease of entry?

[CroozeNoob]

20 minutes ago, Ms411 said:

One issue blue_water hasn't included on his list is how easy it is to enter and exit the water at some of the beaches.

 

Lindqvist/Smith Bay and Lindbergh have steeper shorelines and some people have difficulty getting out of the water. Not an issue at Magens and Coki. 

 

Can others comment on ease of entry?

Maybe adding travel time from Port would be a nice addition as well

[Ms411]

Great idea!

[blue_water]

5 hours ago, CroozeNoob said:

Maybe adding travel time from Port would be a nice addition as well

Yes that does matter sometimes. 
Looking at a St Thomas map, you can see that Lindbergh Bay (aka Emerald Beach for the Emerald Resort) is the most convenient to those docked at Crown Bay. Brewers is a short ride, closer to the airport. The East End beaches (Coki, Smith Bay Park, Sapphire, Secret Harbor, and Cowpet) are all a ~30 - 35minute taxi.

 

From Havensight (WICO), Lindbergh Bay is on the other side of Charlotte Amalie, so not convenient at all. The East End beaches are a ~20 - 25 minute ride.

 

Magens may be 15 minutes from either port, MS411 can you comment on that? We rarely go there…

 

And yes some beaches are typically calm and have a shallow entry, Magens and Secret Harbor for example. 

[blue_water]

The map on the virginIslandsthisweek site is a good one.

Edited April 1 by blue_water

[vacation44]

Great thread.......anyone else have any input?

[TTEllis]

Well I have to agree with blue_water.

The beach you want to go to is based upon the vibe you're looking for. 

Don't let anyone fool you, you can find a nice beach and have a wonderful day on St. Thomas even with 5-6 ships in port. I've done it many times.

 

Sapphire gets a little busy on port days. It doesn't matter there's plenty of room great beach fabulous water and excellent views. 

Sapphire is a great never fail you beach experience. 

 

I've made my thoughts on Magens Bay clear for years. Awesome, one of a kind bay and beach more than 3 ships in port, it falls apart after that I can't do it. 

I love Magens Bay just like everyone else does getting in and getting out with 5-7 ships in port, exactly Sapphire Beach😎.

I prefer the east side of the island beaches, a little quieter better views chillin vibe. It's nice over there. 

 

Secret Harbor is great if you like to snorkel it's a great swimming beach love the Sunset Grille I love that place the beach is somewhat small though. 

If it were me get on your roll call, put a group together. As a group head over to Sapphire Beach or at least one of the nicer beaches on the other side of the island. Another thing on the way back you can have your taxi driver stop and you can pick up a drink or a cold beer. That's what's so nice about St. Thomas you can responsibly drink alcohol, openly.

Exactly that's why we keep going back. 

Hope this helps.

TTE

[FLcruisergrl]

On 4/1/2024 at 4:47 AM, Ms411 said:

One issue blue_water hasn't included on his list is how easy it is to enter and exit the water at some of the beaches.

 

Lindqvist/Smith Bay and Lindbergh have steeper shorelines and some people have difficulty getting out of the water. Not an issue at Magens and Coki. 

 

Can others comment on ease of entry?

I found Sapphire to be extremely rocky, and I’m not tender footed. It was also extremely rough when we were there. Love Magen’s and Secret Harbour. 

[blue_water]

5 hours ago, FLcruisergrl said:

I found Sapphire to be extremely rocky, and I’m not tender footed. It was also extremely rough when we were there. Love Magen’s and Secret Harbour. 

Yes all bays that are not fully protected by a reef or a deep inlet are prone to shifting sand and rough water when there are undesirable sea conditions or high winds…And of course the area in front of the SBRM condo buildings is all rock, with the sandy area near the beach bar.
Sorry that was your experience as Sapphire is amazing on normal days 🙁

[Ms411]

Blue_water, that's a great explanation. If you look at island maps for many of the Caribbean islands, many of the beaches on other islands are not in protected coves so water conditions may be less predictable. Travel articles are usually written to promote a location, and many of the Caribbean articles give the impression that most Caribbean beaches are the same.

 

If calm water is a priority, look for smaller protected beaches by looking at the island's map.

[Ms411]

Also EPA requires USVI regular water testing for many popular beaches, and the standards are pretty high. I'll see if I can find the site to check which beaches didn't meet EPA standards during the latest check, and post in a separate thread.

 

Beaches that don't meet standards during the test might be a concern for immunity vulnerable people, but usually fine for others. If beach has high levels it will be closed to everyone (or should I say those who heed precautions).😊

[blue_water]

21 hours ago, Ms411 said:

Also EPA requires USVI regular water testing for many popular beaches, and the standards are pretty high. I'll see if I can find the site to check which beaches didn't meet EPA standards during the latest check, and post in a separate thread.

 

Beaches that don't meet standards during the test might be a concern for immunity vulnerable people, but usually fine for others. If beach has high levels it will be closed to everyone (or should I say those who heed precautions).😊

Another good point…I remember when we were staying in SXM, Great Bay was closed for a period of time due to toxins that contaminated the bay during storms…

[TTEllis]

So where would these contaminates originate from? I think it's great the EPA tests the popular beaches in the USVI.

I understand there's all this little thingys in the water we can't see that might hurt us. Did something leak out or was there a "spill". Someone dump something they shouldn't have? 

I never really thought about that but probably should have. 

That's why I keep going back because of the crystal clear water.😎

 

Edited May 2 by TTEllis

[Ms411]

Most contaminates come from water on land flowing into the ocean, and the water can still be clear. The runoff can contain chemicals like motor vehicle oil, pesticides and other chemicals, animal waste, etc. It usually flushes out of the water after a day or 2. If the water is contaminated at an extremely high level, they close the beach. That RARELY happens. Like maybe every few YEARS and usually only at a few beaches.

 

Some tourists get in the water where locals won't go - like the beach at the St John ferry dock. Too many boats that may contaminate the water.

 

I saw a YouTube video about the swimming pigs in the Bahamas, and how the pigs poop in the water when people are feeding the pigs. Most disgusting thing I can think of, yet people love it, but it's not a healthy environment for humans. That video prompted me to let people know that USVI regularly tests many beaches.

[cmurchake]

On 4/25/2024 at 2:06 PM, vacation44 said:

Great thread.......anyone else have any input?

Can only vouch for Sapphire, but I had an amazing time. There were 5 ships in port the day I was there (5th came later in the afternoon) but it was never overly crowded. Got there pretty early in the morning and got seats with shade. I will say that shade areas on the beach fill up pretty quickly. Food, drink, and a boutique shop were all pretty nice. Water was beautiful! Can't wait to get back one day

[blue_water]

20 hours ago, TTEllis said:

So where would these contaminates originate from? I think it's great the EPA tests the popular beaches in the USVI.

I understand there's all this little thingys in the water we can't see that might hurt us. Did something leak out or was there a "spill". Someone dump something they shouldn't have? 

I never really thought about that but probably should have. 

That's why I keep going back because of the crystal clear water.😎

 

What @Ms411 said...pesticides and human waste are the big ones in many areas. 

[Ms411]

I sent an email to the government entity that monitors the beaches asking them if they can email when testing is done, just like other sites that will add you to their mailing list.

 

So far, no response, though this is 21st century.😊

[TTEllis]

18 minutes ago, blue_water said:

What @Ms411 said...pesticides and human waste are the big ones in many areas. 

Damn!! I didn't know that even though it does make sense. 

 

 

Hey Ms411 if you get on the email list that sends you the results of the water testing please let us know here so we can get in the list too. Thank you 

[Ms411]

TT, that was my intent. But, the results are usually a few days after the test and beaches are usually clear by then. 

 

The beaches with the most issues aren't the ones that are popular tourist beaches. The beach at Margaritaville is often on the list, whereas most of the others may be on the list after heavy rains which are predicted for this weekend.

[TTEllis]

Oh I see, what happens if there name is on the list? Is it just a heads up or warning of some type to swimmers?

It couldn't last very long. A good afternoon rain down there never hurt a thing. Thanks for the info.