Need beach suggestion with 4 ships in port

[flwinejunkie]

Hello!  We'll be in St. Thomas on Dec 5 when there are 4 ships in port.  We're on Carnival Magic which is the last ship to arrive at 11am.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions for a beach to go to on such a crowded day especially since the other ships arrive before us?  We were there on a land vacation in Sep and liked Magen's Bay, but concerned what it would be like with 4 ships in port.  They had a large part of the beach roped off for a ship's excursion but we want to do the excursion on our own to be in control if we want to leave early or late (ship departs at 7pm).

 

By the way, we need umbrella, chairs and prefer to have food/drink available.

 

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

[OCruisers]

No Problem.  Having 4 or 5 ships in port is a NORMAL day.  Enjoy!  

[Ms411]

Very few beaches offer umbrellas because the wind can blow them away (see YouTube videos). They no longer rent umbrellas at Magens for that reason.

 

Emerald Beach may rent umbrellas and there is a restaurant serving food and drinks. Nice beach.

 

[flwinejunkie]

Thanks for sharing your insight!

[NeedsVitaminSea]

We were at Maegans last month and they did have umbrella rentals.  They have replanted some trees but they are not large enough to provide shade.

 

That's the only beach we've been to on St. Thomas.  We were there on Disney Fantasy and one other Carnival ship pulled in.  Maegans got very busy by the snack bar but the southern end of the beach looked calm and nice.  If you are not on a ship excursion, you could just head down there for some peace and quiet.

[rjwinneberger]

We were on the Oasis in back in 2014 with three other ships. We went to Secret Harbor Beach for the day and there were maybe 20 people total at the beach for the whole day. It was quiet, the beach is in a protected cove and the water was perfect. Secret Harbor has a restaurant/bar right there, beach chairs and nonmotorized water sports for rent if you want them. Even though it rained all day we had a blast!

 

We are going back next week on the Harmony and planning to spend the day there again!

[lvz2cruz]

On 11/7/2018 at 10:14 AM, rjwinneberger said:

We were on the Oasis in back in 2014 with three other ships. We went to Secret Harbor Beach for the day and there were maybe 20 people total at the beach for the whole day. It was quiet, the beach is in a protected cove and the water was perfect. Secret Harbor has a restaurant/bar right there, beach chairs and nonmotorized water sports for rent if you want them. Even though it rained all day we had a blast!

 

We are going back next week on the Harmony and planning to spend the day there again!

We love Secret Harbour but both times there we had a hard time getting a taxi back to the ship.   I think when one dropped off somebody, we got it.   What was your experience?

 

[cathep]

On 11/12/2018 at 7:24 PM, lvz2cruz said:

We love Secret Harbour but both times there we had a hard time getting a taxi back to the ship.   I think when one dropped off somebody, we got it.   What was your experience?

 

 

We had the front desk of the hotel call one for us.  But that was in 2001.  We're hoping to go back in April.  

[2PinaColadas]

With four ships in port, personally, I would avoid Coki and Magen's.  Secret Harbor would be a nice choice--as another post said, ask the hotel or bar to call a cab for you.  Otherwise, it may take a while. 

[blue_water]

Secret Harbor, being a smaller beach will probably be very crowded by the time you arrive, and they are known to run out of umbrellas early. They (AADivers.com) did allow folks to reserve umbrellas/lounges ahead of time and their cancellation policy was acceptable, you’d have to contact them to see if that is still an option.

http://aadivers.com/

 

Sapphire is our favorite because there is some room to spread out and it is a much nicer beach (IMHO) with gorgeous water colors and beautiful island views, and lounge and food options. But with either beach many others will be leaving before you of course.

 

If you want a quieter beach that is nice enough with a beach bar but no lounge rentals - and no or few fellow day visitors -  consider Hull Bay on the north shore. It can be harder to get a taxi there, but since you are arriving after the busier taxi times finding a driver wouldn’t be a problem. Just another option...I’m reading there is new management with a new bar and new restrooms and reviews are great. Cash only still based on reports...

 

But enjoy your day whatever beach you experience!

 

[Ms411]

Hull Bay is a surfing beach in winter (not sure exactly when it starts for the water conditions) so water can be rough on many days.

 

If you do the ship excursion to "Secret Sands" the ship provides chairs, limited beverages, and maybe a small snack in addition to transportation.

 

[blue_water]

Yes thanks MS411 - I should have noted the water can be rougher on the north side so if swimming in calmer water is desired not a great choice. But a nice option for getting away from the rest of your fellow cruisers with a beach bar on site!

 

As I mentioned to someone else Lindqvist (Secret Sands excursion) is arguably the nicest beach of all, but going on the ship excursion minimizes ones time and experience I think. But going on your own with a stop for lunch/drinks is a nice day as you are on your own time. Is Gourmet Gallery open now? If not Moe's Market in Red Hook is a great spot to stop for baguette subs and drinks.

[Ms411]

Gourmet Gallery hasn't reopened. You can get sandwiches at the Subway across the street from Havensight and beer at the Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy in Havensight.

 

At Crown Bay you can get pre made sandwiches at the Pueblo Supermarket. Not sure if they sell canned beer by singles or six packet.

 

You don't pass Moe's on the way to Sapphire. Most of the taxi drivers will stop for the passengers to get food and drink if they're on a private tour. Not sure if they do that for regular tours or trips. Some taxi drivers sell beverages enroute. Look for those with a cooler on the back.

 

 

 

[blue_water]

4 hours ago, Ms411 said:

 

4 hours ago, Ms411 said:

Gourmet Gallery hasn't reopened. You can get sandwiches at the Subway across the street from Havensight and beer at the Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy in Havensight.

 

At Crown Bay you can get pre made sandwiches at the Pueblo Supermarket. Not sure if they sell canned beer by singles or six packet.

 

You don't pass Moe's on the way to Sapphire. Most of the taxi drivers will stop for the passengers to get food and drink if they're on a private tour. Not sure if they do that for regular tours or trips. Some taxi drivers sell beverages enroute. Look for those with a cooler on the back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes I know the safari taxis take Rt 38 to drop off at Coki first, and some take Rt 30 to drop folks at Secret Harbor and Red Hook. With a later arrival time we would look for a “private” taxi that would stop at Moe’s in Red Hook enroute to Lindqvist, but the food/drink options you suggested at the dock make it easier for the OP. Too bad about GG - any expectations of a reopening of both stores?

 

 

[Ms411]

They have sued their insurance company so who knows? Moe's opened in town on the Waterfront so that's a good place to stop if at Crown Bay though they get very busy at lunch with the salad bar. Moe's at Red Hook is still open. Both make sandwiches to order.

 

A good place to stop for food on the way to Sapphire is Chester's Fried Chicken across from the road to Coki Beach.

 

[blue_water]

Yes Moe’s is our favorite, we go there all the time when staying at Sapphire because it’s so convenient and well-stocked. Thanks for letting us know they have a new place in CA!

[Ms411]

The one in town is smaller and not as good a selection.