area around Sapphire beach? Ok?

[vmom]

A couple of years ago I remember that there was some problems around the Coki beach area and tourists were avoiding that area for a while. The problems if I remember correctly may have been gang related??? My memory may not be accurate in terms of the details.

 

If I remember correctly, Sapphire Beach is on that same area of the island.

 

How is that area in terms of safety now?

[dankswife]

Just a suggestion, maybe go to Magen's Bay instead. My husband and I were there last week and the beach was absolutely beautiful. Clean and safe.

[Betsy's Mom]

The area around Sapphire is generally considered several steps above Smith Bay where Coki is. However, you must remember you are on a relatively poor island and things do happen. Always be aware and stay around other folks from cruise ships. Leave valuables on the ship in the safe. THe cab drivers usually are very savy about where tourists should and should not go, let them guide you. Enjoy:)

B.

[blue_water]

The previous poster gave you some good guidelines for general safety on all islands.

Sapphire is perfectly safe, anyone saying otherwise is sadly mistaken. There are many "vendors" at Coki in the parking lot that can be seen as a problem, and the area is much more remote than Sapphire. But Sapphire is extremely safe, there are 5 condo bldgs and a dive center lining the beach. We stayed there in April and felt very safe at all times, security was excellent all along the beach.

[marci22]

When you approach the Sapphire Beach complex, it looks like you are entering a big resort. Coki felt different because the beach was much nearer to homes where people were generally just hanging out in their front yard. Lots of men sitting outside, smoking, just generally doing nothing. Area felt sketchy.

 

The two beaches are about 5 min from each other but the surrounding areas, right before you get to the beach, felt very different.

[blue_water]

Coki is more open to vendors/hawkers in the parking area who hang and tend to intimidate some folks. If you drive a little further there is a paved parking area at Coral World, park there and walk the short path to the beach from there. I'm sure that will feel safer to those who feel "threatened" coming in from the other lot. There are several vendors selling food/drink and renting chairs and it will be extremely crowded on mega-ship days.

 

Sapphire is a more comfortable experience. If you drive or taxi you're deposited by the lobby/excursions desk which is right on the beach and escorted to the beach and shown where to go and where not to go. Only the dive center rents chairs and floaties and snorkel equip, and there is one sandwich/grill cabana at the resort and runners from a pizza place in Red Hook. So a very comfortable place and a great day!

[the plumbers wife]

Does anyone know if Sapphire Beach is where the excursion for scuba diving is done? My DS and DH are doing a dive with RCCL, some of the others in the group will go to this beach if so?? Thanks!

[blue_water]

No, not sure where but not at Sapphire

[mitsugirly]

We were at Sapphire just a few weeks after the cruise passenger shooting at Coki last year. Sapphire seems way different than what I've seen at Coki. We felt safe and walked around both on the beach and around the front of the resort. It felt like a beach resort and there wasn't many vendors (actually didn't see any, but then again we were so busy snorkeling because it was awesome). As with any trip anywhere you go, always keep an eye out and be safe. :)

 

My review on Sapphire if you are interested:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=26210037&postcount=1