beautifulbill

I am just watching national and local news and there has been far more coverage of St Martin than the USVI

People on our VI are US citizens. They need help

Sr Thomas and St John were devistated in the hurricane

I don't know how many cruise ships are involved but some have volunteered to transport supplies to those islands they will then bring stranded tourists back to the states

The tourist areas look like war zones. I dont know how much damage the piers and docks suffered

I doubt any ships will be visiting St Thomas for some time

For reasons unknown, the media is not reporting on the damage the USVI suffered. These islands will need any and all help both financial and political that people can provide

Please help if you can

Secret Harbor or Sapphire

There are two different ports so it depends on which one , but figure $10 to $12 per oerson

They are both beautiful beaches and which is number one is purely subjective

Both have chairs to rent, restrooms, and food and drink, but not much snorkeling at Magens.

St Thomas isn't a big AI destination so there are only a few and none of them are on top beaches. Most of the East End beaches are rock free except in spots but pebbles are another matter because the beaches change from day to day. One day there will be nothing but sand and another day you could get pebbles or a few rocks.

Most of the major beaches have some food and drink options you don't have to be at a big resort.

Things work a little bit differently in the islands. Let's say you are at Magens and want to go to Sapphire. There will be taxis there and they will take you but they do so at there own time frame. The driver may wait to see if anyone wants to go to a beach along the way, Coki, Margarettaville, or Lindquist

My point being don't expect the driver to respect your time frame. Let's just say they don't rush

Your time is limited. I wouldn't waste it in going from beach to beach. If you like St Thomas then come back and stay that is really the best way to learn the island and see the beaches

Just to be clear the pizza restaurant is up the hill at Sapphire Village. The Village is walkable but it is a completely separate Resort

There are restrooms but they leave a lot to be desired. Let's just say they are used reluctantly but when needed they are there

Sapphire has a grill and full bar on the beach and there is a full service restaurant specializing in pizza up at Sapphire Village

The Gourmet Gallery has good quality food but is expensive

There is no problem bringing food or drinks on to the beach. I think a lot of the cruise folks bring food from the buffet at the ship

Yes it is safe to take a taxi. Most taxis are vans so there is a step up. They have an area for luggage in the rear that would accommodate a wheel chair

The vehicle should display a taxi emblem

Sapphire has had bathrooms for some time, and there is a bar/grill on the beach

Simple. Better beaches

On a heavy cruise day Sapphire gets very crowded. The heavy days are usually Monday to Wednesday. On those days it is wall to wall people many of them drinking to excess. Other days are pretty quiet

The rumor is that the Sapphire Beach grill is getting a pizza oven, but I don't know if it is true or what the timing is.

All the beaches in St. Thomas are free to the public with the exception of Magens and Smith Bay Park

The Sapphire Beach Grill is run by the St Thomas Restaurant Group. They run the Carribean Fish Market and Sangrias beach bar at the Elysian They run the beach bar and Sunset Grill at Secret Harbor, Pesce's Restaurant and Melt in Red Hook, and Havana Blue. I think they also run a few others so they know what there doing

Is lunch worth an extra $20 ? It depends on what's included. Most of the sandwichs are in the $10 to $12 range if the lunch includes a drink or something else maybe worth it but it's marginal

They no longer allow outside food vendors on the beach but you can still walk to Slice for a full service restaurant

Blue I hear the Mahi sandwich is still good but Banna Cabana is gone for good

The food is pretty good . Its basic not at all fancy. I had a big cheese dog with bacon and I'm not sure my arteries appreciated it but it was very good.

There are almost always taxis waiting and if not one soon comes. You can also have the dive shop or bar call a taxi for you.

It takes to much time to go over to Trunk. I would do Sapphire, Secret Harbor and/or Coki. They are all close enough that you could do all 3.

The dive shop will rent you fins if you want them. If you are staying there many owners provide snorkel equipment as part of the rental

Emerald Beach but your transport time severely limits your beach selections

There are no lockers.

Bring as little as possible and buy a water proof pocket pack if you want to keep the little you bring with you.

A credit card some cash is all you really need

Bring your own as I have not seen any for rent at Magens

The beach at Sapphire is not static it changes all the time sometimes a few times in the same day. The stones along the shore come and go but for the most part there is an area in in front of the restaurant building that has very few stones.

There is more than one reef at Sapphire and there is the main one that is maybe 5 feet deep. It may look far out but its not a deep spot. There is a seagrass area that is out further, but that is where the turtles, rays, and squid hang out.

Please respect the beach and do not litter or throw cigarette or cigar butts on the beach, and please do not stand on or touch the coral