Water Island

[10july86]

Has anyone been to Water Island recently? How was the ferry over to the island? We went on our honeymoon there 28 yrs ago and want go to the beach while we're docked on St. thomas next month but want to make sure is feasible to do. thanks.

[VaCruzers]

We were there in December and it was a easy and enjoyable trip. We were docked at Crown Bay, so we were able to walk to the ferry dock. If you are docked at Havensight, a taxi will be required. Be sure to allow plenty of time to return. The ferry capacity is limited and there were several local workers on our return ferry. Some tourists were not able to fit and had to wait for the ferry to make a special return for them. Not sure they will always do this. The beach at Dinghy's was wonderful. On our day, it was uncrowded and relaxing. Excellent drinks from the bar. We were befriended by some folks staying on the island and they treated us to a ride back to the ferry dock, which was very helpful as my husband had injured his knee earlier on the cruise and there is a steep hill to climb when leaving the beach. Would go again if given the opportunity. Hope you enjoy!

[xeriod]

Has anyone been to Water Island recently? How was the ferry over to the island? We went on our honeymoon there 28 yrs ago and want go to the beach while we're docked on St. thomas next month but want to make sure is feasible to do. thanks.

We were there last week. If you dock at Crown Bay it is about a 5 minute walk to the marina where the ferry is, right next to Tickles . The ride is $10 round trip and takes about 7 minutes. The ferry schedule varies by season by seems to go over on the hour and return on the 1/2 hour. If you catch the 3:30 return trip you should have no problem , but the ferry only holds 25 people. If you get there early it is great , but the party boats from the cruise tours start showing up by 11 and things are busy if there are a lot of ships in port. There is a free ride over the hill ,plus tips , if you dont want to walk. Snorkleing is fair there , on our day we saw turtles , star fish and various types of fish. If the Kon Tiki boat shows up the beach will be crowed as it dumps about a 100 people there at once. The party boats seem to stay for only over an hour each though.

[Livethelife]

Has anyone been to Water Island recently? How was the ferry over to the island? We went on our honeymoon there 28 yrs ago and want go to the beach while we're docked on St. thomas next month but want to make sure is feasible to do. thanks.

 

The Water Island that you experienced 28 years ago is not the same Water Island that you will find today. Much has changed. I’m guessing you honeymooned at the hotel which was destroyed by hurricanes about 2 decades ago and was not rebuilt. The facilities and services associated with the hotel are also long gone. Today Honeymoon Beach has been discovered and is the destination of multiple cruise excursions each day. Beach usage varies from moderate to excessive. There are days when more than a thousand people filter through the beach on excursions starting about 10am and ending around sunset. Currently there are two places to purchase food/drinks, one either end of the beach. Honeymoon is still a nice beach although not nearly as pristine or unpopulated as it once was. Most people are hoping to go to a pristine tropical beach when visiting the Virgin Islands, but a percentage of visitors are inconsiderate and do little to keep the beach that way. Every day cans and bottles, cups, straws, and cigarette butts are thrown down or left on the beach. The VI government does not have the resources to clean and groom this beach so local residents pick up after the offenders. I think you will probably enjoy seeing how the island has changed but do not hold expectations for recreating the atmosphere of your previous visit. :)

[10july86]

We went to Water Island in July 1986 and it was beautiful. We rented a private villa that was magnificent and yes, we heard it was destroyed by a hurricane in 1987. We'll be with our daughter and thought it would be nice to show her where we honeymooned. When we were there it felt like we had the island all to ourselves. I don't even remember anyone else on the beach with us.

 

If we decide to not to go there can you recommend a quiet (is there really one) on St Thomas? We don't like crowds and have done the Megans Bay beach and were not impressed. We've been to the BVI but I'm hesitant to risk missing the ship if we go over there. We loved Virgin Gorda-we went to the Baths.

 

Thanks for your help.

[O2B@Cagain]

10july: The Baths are also overrun by visitors. The quietest beaches on St Thomas have few amenities- John Brewer's, Hull Bay, Smith Bay/Lindquist (and that is getting busier by the day).

[Livethelife]

10july: Please send me an email at my gmail address bongo00802 dot gmail dot com. I can send you some current photos if you would like and perhaps you can contribute some of your photos to a WI archive project. Thanks.

[10july86]

O2B-when you say few amenities, does that include bathrooms? We're not looking for a beach club, but rather a beautiful beach and water. We're not unsocialble, but rather enjoy the beauty of the beaches and water. When we went to Magens Bay yrs ago we thought maybe we were missing something. The water was nice, but I've been to better beaches on Bermuda and in Greece.

[O2B@Cagain]

The three I mentioned have bathrooms. Well, Smith Bay/Lindquist has portapotties. You asked for quiet. I think Magens is one of the most beautiful, so maybe I am not a good one to ask. :o