Which Beach for a Nice Beach Day?

[luv2cruise2thebeach]

My wife and I are on the Carnival Fascination in September and our first stop is St. Thomas.  We have been to St. Thomas once before and went to Magen's Bay, which we found to be a nice beach.  My question for all of you is that the best beach to go to if we just want a chair and some drinks and nice soft sand or is there something better?  We are in port from 7 - 5 so we definitely have time for beach and then shopping.  I am also wondering what time some of the beaches would open as well as the shops.

[blue_water]

Sapphire would be  our choice.

All beaches except Magens and Smith Park are open to the public and are open. With 10 hours in port we'd hit Paradise Point after Sapphire, and hit some shops right in Havensight on the walk back to the ship from the tram.

[2PinaColadas]

Sapphire is our first choice too.  

[rcsharp121]

we liked emerald beach. it's quick and easy to get to and not busy. 

[blue_water]

Lindbergh Bay (aka Emerald Beach) is a popular beach option for those docking in Crown Bay, very convenient to Crown and a nice enough beach...

 

From Havensight Lindbergh is a long ride through town so we'd look at the East End beaches which are nicer...

[luv2cruise2thebeach]

It looks like we dock in Havensight and are the only ship in port for the day.  I'm wondering how long a taxi ride would be to Sapphire from the port.  And also wondering if we could take our own cooler to the beach.  It looks like that is allowed at Magens Bay.

[blue_water]

20 - 25 minute taxi, $10pp each way. Cooler yes...

[royalcfan]

Where do you find out how many ships are in port? Still trying to navigate all the forums.

[blue_water]

There are a few reliable sites, Cruise TT is one -

http://ports.cruisett.com/schedule/US_Virgin_Islands/620-Saint_Thomas

You can search by port and date and see what ships are in port and their arrival/departure times.

 

For St Thomas specifically, there are two primary portages, Havensight which is to the east of Charlotte Amalie, and Crown Bay which is to the west and the cruise calendar at VINow dot com shows where ships are docked. This can also be helpful when deciding your day. For example Havensight is closer to the gorgeous East End beaches like Coki, Sapphire, and Secret Harbor, while Lindbergh Bay (aka Emerald Beach) is a short taxi from Crown Bay. The tram to Paradise Point is also walkable from Havensight.

Edited February 16, 2019 by blue_water

[sldbolt2]

We docked at Havensight - walked over to the ferry and headed to Water Island.  At the dock you can take Dinghy's shuttle to Honeymoon beach.  There is no charge for beach chairs - just eat & drink a little at Dinghy's.  They also have restrooms set up.   Beautiful beach.  We saw all kinds of fish and even turtles.  It was a great day and can't wait to return next year. 

 

http://dinghysbeachbarandgrill.com/

 

[blue_water]

>> We docked at Havensight - walked over to the ferry and headed to Water Island.  At the dock you can take Dinghy's shuttle to Honeymoon beach.  <<

Are you sure you weren't actually docked at Crown Bay where the small ferry leaves for Water Island?

 

We enjoy lunch at Dinghys and the beach, but HB gets very crowded today, especially with a ship docked at Crown. Heidi's Honeymoon Grill at the other end of the beach is even better!

Edited February 19, 2019 by blue_water