Megan' or Emerald Beach for NON-Snorkelers

[olya1972]

Hello, everyone. We will be tendering in St.Thomas on NCL Gem in Jan., 2016 with total of seven ships in ports. We have been to Magen's Bay previously (though years ago) and liked it. I have been reading about Lindbergh Bay. We are not snorkelers, just like soft sand, calm waters and some shade. Is Emerald Beach a place for us? I have read somewhere that tender will bring us to Downtown. How far is Emerald beach from there? Tere is only two of us. Would taxi take us or is it only vans overfilled with people? What is the price for taxi ride? Do we have to book a resort day in BW or BI or can we just go directly to the beach? All those questiones asked, should we go to Emerald beach or is Megan's bay a better option for what we are looking for? Thank You all who will reply.

[blue_water]

Magens will be quite crowded, Lindbergh (aka Emerald) most likely not as bad. Between the two we'd choose Lindbergh - nice beach with better food and restrooms if you go to the Best Western, or Island Beachcomber which is a more casual, locals spot in the bay...

 

On a busy day like that, if you want to feel a world away from the rest of the day visitors we'd suggest looking at Hull Bay...you may have to get a taxi on your own, or a safari taxi going to Magens may drop you...Hideaway opens at 10...

http://www.hullbayhideaway.com/

Edited December 28, 2015 by blue_water

[Hlitner]

We also like Emerald (Lindburgh Bay) and usually go over there when we are docked at Crown Bay (often go to Morningside if we are docked at Havensight). Keep in mind that if Crown Bay has a couple of large ships, it can result in a larger crowd at Emerald since this is a popular beach with the crews of many ships.

 

Hank

[O2B@Cagain]

Almost all of the "taxis" are either vans or safari vehicles. So to your question if someone will take the two of you, yes. And if it will be overfilled with people, probably yes, also. ;) The taxi system is run by folks who mostly do not have other job options and they try to maximize their income. Not the best system, but it isn't going to change in the near future.

 

Lindbergh Bay has two hotels with restaurants, bars, etc. along the shore. Magens, being territorial park, has just the food and bar concession and a beach shop. BTW, as they are on opposite sides of the island, so if the water is rough on one side, it may be calm on the other.

[blue_water]

We also like Emerald (Lindburgh Bay) and usually go over there when we are docked at Crown Bay (often go to Morningside if we are docked at Havensight). Keep in mind that if Crown Bay has a couple of large ships, it can result in a larger crowd at Emerald since this is a popular beach with the crews of many ships.

 

Hank

 

With ships docked at Crown, Lindbergh will be busier. But still more comfortable than Magens, and much better food options as mentioned.

Often drivers want to take you to the more popular beaches with the rest of the folks. For example, Coki is pushed because the drivers want to support their friends/family who are vendors there. And drivers make more $ by dropping everyone at one stop so they can return to town for more fares. Just business sense. So if you decide on Hull Bay on this busy day a safari driver will probably drop you there aFter dropping folks at Magens, but it would be better to find a van taxi, even if you pay a few $ more. So just check out your options when you arrive. Lindbergh is also walkable but would just take a taxi. BW will be where most folks go, any crew will head for a public section or the IB because it's less expensive and more a locals spot.

[olya1972]

With ships docked at Crown, Lindbergh will be busier. But still more comfortable than Magens, and much better food options as mentioned.

Often drivers want to take you to the more popular beaches with the rest of the folks. For example, Coki is pushed because the drivers want to support their friends/family who are vendors there. And drivers make more $ by dropping everyone at one stop so they can return to town for more fares. Just business sense. So if you decide on Hull Bay on this busy day a safari driver will probably drop you there aFter dropping folks at Magens, but it would be better to find a van taxi, even if you pay a few $ more. So just check out your options when you arrive. Lindbergh is also walkable but would just take a taxi. BW will be where most folks go, any crew will head for a public section or the IB because it's less expensive and more a locals spot.

Thank You all for the replies.Bluewaters, You are saying that Lindbergh is walkable. Do you mean we could walk there from tender drop off in downtown? How long is the walk? I would love to do that rather then taking a taxi/van.

[blue_water]

Sorry, Lindbergh is walkable from Crown Bay, not town.

[olya1972]

Ok. Thanks

[geegee1]

fyi, the Best Western at Emerald (Lindbergh Bay) is permanently closed

[Ms411]

The resort dropped their Best Western affiliation but is still the same as an independent property. The franchise concept is not as valuable since the internet makes it easier for people to find quality accommodations.

 

Still open!

[geegee1]

The resort dropped their Best Western affiliation but is still the same as an independent property. The franchise concept is not as valuable since the internet makes it easier for people to find quality accommodations.

 

Still open!

 

Thanks for the info. Was just going off what the Google said.

[Tyskie]

The resort dropped their Best Western affiliation but is still the same as an independent property. The franchise concept is not as valuable since the internet makes it easier for people to find quality accommodations.

 

Still open!

 

So the new owners are still allowing access to the beach through their resort? I know the beach is public but sometimes hotels make it difficult to access the beach. Emerald has always been our "go-to" beach, surprised to see the note that BW was no longer the operator. :(

[blue_water]

Thanks for the info. Was just going off what the Google said.

 

I called for confirmation, that was a big shocker! :eek::p:eek:

[Ms411]

Nothing has changed except the removal of Best Western. They need to put themselves on Google as Emerald Beach.

[blue_water]

Since the BW name was Best Western Plus Emerald Beach Resort can they still use "Emerald Beach Resort"? Or was "Emerald Beach" synonymous with Lindbergh Bay prior to the BW? Was the property named that prior to the BW buying it, perhaps?

Just curious...

[Zooguy]

Sorry, Lindbergh is walkable from Crown Bay, not town.

 

 

How much of a walk is it?

[heartscontent]

How much of a walk is it?

 

Walking from Crown Bay to Emerald Beach is not something I would choose to do. The road is narrow, hilly and goes through an ugly industrial area. It is only a 5 minute taxi ride from Crown Bay but from Havensight you must take into consideration extremely heavy traffic when crossing town. It took us a good 45 minutes on a particularly bad day to return to the ship at Havensight.

[blue_water]

Walking from Crown Bay to Emerald Beach is not something I would choose to do. The road is narrow, hilly and goes through an ugly industrial area. It is only a 5 minute taxi ride from Crown Bay but from Havensight you must take into consideration extremely heavy traffic when crossing town. It took us a good 45 minutes on a particularly bad day to return to the ship at Havensight.

 

Many walk from Crown to Lindbergh because it's an easy walk but the taxi makes more sense for most.

Traffic is a problem when returning from Lindbergh to Havensight by taxi and that's why most folks docked at Havensight will head for Morningstar or even Sapphire.