Sapphire or Maegan's for first-timers?

[Sten0127]

We are going to be in St. Thomas for the first time in July and planning to take a cab to a beach for the day. I have read wonderful things about both Sapphire and Maegan's, and for those who have been to both, I was looking for a recomendation of which you think would be the best choice for the day. We have busy days planned for the rest of the ports so wanted to just relax, enjoy the view and hang out in the water.

 

We have two 50-year-olds, two 21-year-olds and an 11-year-old. Would love any feedback - Thanks!

[SeaThruU]

We have been t o St. Thomas two times on a cruise and once for a week. We are getting ready to spend 10 days there. Meagan's Bay is a beautiful calm crescent shaped sandy beach with a nice lunch/snack bar. There are also kayaks and paddle boards for rent and they have a shower house. It is more park-like. Last year we spent a day there and a pod of dolphins swam in the bay all day right along side the kayaks and paddle boards. Sapphire Beach has a great view of St. John and some very colorful snorkeling. The beach is more rocky and they really don't have food unless you walk up the beach to the hotel. We prefer Meagan's Bay.

[Sten0127]

We have been t o St. Thomas two times on a cruise and once for a week. We are getting ready to spend 10 days there. Meagan's Bay is a beautiful calm crescent shaped sandy beach with a nice lunch/snack bar. There are also kayaks and paddle boards for rent and they have a shower house. It is more park-like. Last year we spent a day there and a pod of dolphins swam in the bay all day right along side the kayaks and paddle boards. Sapphire Beach has a great view of St. John and some very colorful snorkeling. The beach is more rocky and they really don't have food unless you walk up the beach to the hotel. We prefer Meagan's Bay.

 

Thanks for the information - very helpful! :)

[mn_isla_girl]

I've been to both and you can't go wrong with either one, they are both beautiful. Magens has a $4 per person entrance fee. Sapphire has good snorkeling. There was also food available at Sapphire when I was there 5 months ago.

[O2B@Cagain]

Magens is a part of a territorial park system. The fee helps pay for the bath houses, the life guards, upkeep, etc. The beach, as was pointed out, is a nice long stretch of sand. The entry into the water is sandy and very gentle. It isn't great for snorkeling and they don't allow jet skis near the beach, so if the kids need excitement, maybe it won't be enough. ;) Here's more:

http://www.magensbayauthority.com/index.html

[Sten0127]

Thanks to everyone taking the time to reply - I appreciate all the feedback!

[CaribbeanBound]

We have yet top visit Meagan's so I can't compare the two. I can tell you about Sapphire which we enjoyed twice.

 

Despite what everyone at the pier will tell you (and they will lie to you), you can get local transportation for $2 per person in an open-air taxi to Sapphire Beach. Simply walk out of the Havensight pier main gate, cross the street, turn left and walk until you get to the Bus Stop (there is a pullover area) across from K-Mart and cross the street so that you are standing on the K-Mart side of the street. It is a leisurely 10 to 15-minute level walk. When you see an open-air taxi drive up, flag him down, tell him where you wish to go and enjoy the trip. The drive takes about 20 to 30 minutes to Sapphire Beach depending upon traffic. Pay upon exiting the taxi. If you are going to Sapphire Beach, you will be dropped off at the entrance to the Sapphire Beach hotels which is at the top of a hill. A short 5-minute walk will get you on the beach.

 

Sapphire Beach is a gorgeous white sand beach with lots of shade trees and awesome views of several nearby islands including St. John. The snorkeling is good. We saw several schools of fish (previously unknown to us), an eel, and a small stingray. Unpadded beach lounge chairs are $5 each if you want to rent one, or free if you just occupy one of the many chairs abandoned by their previous inhabitants. A dive shop, bar and grill, and restrooms are available. Some water sports are also available. Pick up the taxi again where it dropped you off.

 

More Secrets of the Caribbean: http://www.lavasurfer.com/info/caribbean-secrets.html

[Sten0127]

We have yet top visit Meagan's so I can't compare the two. I can tell you about Sapphire which we enjoyed twice.

 

Despite what everyone at the pier will tell you (and they will lie to you), you can get local transportation for $2 per person in an open-air taxi to Sapphire Beach. Simply walk out of the Havensight pier main gate, cross the street, turn left and walk until you get to the Bus Stop (there is a pullover area) across from K-Mart and cross the street so that you are standing on the K-Mart side of the street. It is a leisurely 10 to 15-minute level walk. When you see an open-air taxi drive up, flag him down, tell him where you wish to go and enjoy the trip. The drive takes about 20 to 30 minutes to Sapphire Beach depending upon traffic. Pay upon exiting the taxi. If you are going to Sapphire Beach, you will be dropped off at the entrance to the Sapphire Beach hotels which is at the top of a hill. A short 5-minute walk will get you on the beach.

 

Sapphire Beach is a gorgeous white sand beach with lots of shade trees and awesome views of several nearby islands including St. John. The snorkeling is good. We saw several schools of fish (previously unknown to us), an eel, and a small stingray. Unpadded beach lounge chairs are $5 each if you want to rent one, or free if you just occupy one of the many chairs abandoned by their previous inhabitants. A dive shop, bar and grill, and restrooms are available. Some water sports are also available. Pick up the taxi again where it dropped you off.

 

More Secrets of the Caribbean: http://www.lavasurfer.com/info/caribbean-secrets.html

 

Thanks for the information and the link to the website - very helpful link! :)