Best beach near the dock

[mag0737]

I've read on this board about beaches that are close to dock in F'sted. I'm wondering, for those of you who have visited, which one is nicer/better/etc?

I've read about Fort Frederick Beach, Sandcastle Beach, Rainbow Beach and Sprat Hall (?). If there are any others, let me know!

Thanks for your help.

[The Islander]

What are you looking for at the beach if anything besides sand and sea... ie food/drink, chairs, watersports, snorkeling, shade?

 

--Islander

[dna1990]

I will jump in say for myself - we are looking for a beach with chairs, shade, and snacks/drinks. Doesn't have to be that close to pier for us, maybe with 20 min taxi ride.

 

Not looking for super fancy resort (ie $$), but willing to rent a little piece of sand for a few hours. There are six adults in our group.

 

Any suggestions?

[mag0737]

What are you looking for at the beach if anything besides sand and sea... ie food/drink, chairs, watersports, snorkeling, shade?

 

--Islander

 

Not much. It's our last port day and we have a busy itinerary. We just want to find a decent beach to rest and relax on - chairs and food/drink would probably be good though. Any suggestions?

[The Islander]

Mag0737 - the four you mentioned are all close to the dock. Fort Frederick Beach is right by the dock, very short walk. They apparently have chairs on days when ships are in port. Otherwise there usually aren't any. Rainbow Beach and Sprat Hall are also pretty close, both are small beaches. Sprat Hall is a bit rocky along the shore and in spots in the water. Unless the bars bring in chairs on cruise ship days - I've not seen chair rentals at either. Usually just a couple chairs at Sprat Hall. Both have beach bars/restaurants. At Rainbow Beach its Rhythms: http://www.liminatrainbowbeach.com/ and at Sprat Hall its: Sunset Grill http://www.sunsetgrill-stx.com/index.html. Sandcastle Beach is also close, short taxi ride. Its a longer beach. From Frederiksted up to Sandy Point is basically all a sandy shoreline, with a few names given to different stretches of it. You can take a stroll up the shore in either direction. There are chairs here and a restaurant/bar. Check the hotel for details on whether they rent the chairs to non-guests, their restaurant menu and other information: http://www.sandcastleonthebeach.com/. The bar and hotel websites have some photos of the beaches. And you can also check a beach guide: http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0oGkyHgqAlKUKYA19dXNyoA?p=st.+croix+beach+guide&fr=yfp-t-305&fr2=sb-top&sao=1/.

 

dna1990 - if you don't need it to be very close to the dock, you might also look at Cane Bay. Nice beach, some natural shade under the trees. The dive shop across the street rents chairs and also snorkel gear - as there is a good snorkeling here. There is a restaurant/bar - here is their website http://www.fullmoonbeachbar.com/. There is a also a second beach bar usually open on the left side when facing the water, can't think of the name. Try the beach guide link mentioned above and check out the various options.

 

--Islander

[familycruzer]

Sandcastle Beach is also close, short taxi ride. Its a longer beach. From Frederiksted up to Sandy Point is basically all a sandy shoreline, with a few names given to different stretches of it. You can take a stroll up the shore in either direction. There are chairs here and a restaurant/bar. Check the hotel for details on whether they rent the chairs to non-guests, their restaurant menu and other information: http://www.sandcastleonthebeach.com/. The bar and hotel websites have some photos of the beaches. And you can also check a beach guide: http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=...=sb-top&sao=

 

I emailed them yesterday and the reply I got was ...

Hello There, Thank you for your inquiry, in answer to your questions , getting a taxi back to the ship will not be a problem and the rate will be around 3 or 4 dollars each way . we are located just a few miles down along the same waterfront , There is a $5 dollar charge for a day pass which gives you access to the beach, pools and bathrooms and beach equipment , yes our bar does accept credit cards. if there is anything more I can assist you with please let us know, Jayne Sand Castle Staff

 

 

 

Would it be easy to catch a taxi back from Sandy Point ( if its even open in July) or Cane Bay and what would the rates be?

[The Islander]

Finding a taxi to take you to/from Sandy Point would be tough, the road is narrow with a lot of bushes. It's also not paved. There are some that will go but again most don't like to as they don't want to risk dinging up their vehicles or getting stuck. The Reserve is closed from April to the end of August, should reopen in September with its regular hours which is only on weekends. For more information http://www.fws.gov/caribbean-ecoteam/sandy_point_index.htm.

 

Cane Bay, yes you should be able to easily get a taxi there and back. If there isn't one around when you are ready to leave you can have someone at the restaurant or dive shop across the street call one for you. Allow time for this so don't wait until the last minute. Or you can ask the driver that takes you there to return for you at a set time, get their business card/telephone number just in case. Maybe $8-$10 pp, ow.

 

--Islander

[robinsongirl]

We just returned from a cruise aboard the AOS that stopped in St Croix. This was the port we had the most difficulty with since there is not much information on the board. When you get off the ship walk to the end of the pier. There are tables set one of them is for the "beach Bus" For $12 per person it will take you up and down the coast on the Fredrickstad side stopping at the different beaches. You can use it all day and get on and off going to as many beaches as you choose.

[cruisemenace]

If you are looking for a great beach with snorkeling from the cruise ship dock walk across the street to the Dive Shop. They will arrange transportation to and from Cane Bay, rent snorkeling (or dive gear), give you a beach chair and tell you where to eat all for $25. There are trees on the beach so there's shade too. It was a great day and they are awesome people.

[kellyclayt]

Is Cane Bay a better beach than those closer to the port?

[The Islander]

Kellychayt - depends on what you are looking for at the beach (shade, snorkeling, chairs, food/drink...) whether one is better for what you are looking for then another. Also which of the beaches close to port were you considering??

 

--Islander