TomAndJane Posted January 1, 2009 #1 Share Posted January 1, 2009 My wife and I are going to St. Thomas for the first time. I have read a lot on this board about the beaches in St. Thomas. The more I read the more confused I get about which beach we should go to. We will be in port with about 9000 other passengers so here goes what we like: We would like to go to a BEAUTIFUL beach that is not overly crowded, has a bar or at least somewhere to buy drinks and a beer, a bite to eat or at least snacks, clear water that is calm is a must, hopefully shade and chairs to use or rent. I like to put on a mask and see a fish or two but it doesn't have to be like I am in an aquarium. My wife just likes to float and swim around in water that doesn't go from ankle deep to chest deep in one step. O.K. what do all the experts think? Your advise will go a long way in us choosing what beach we go to. By the way, we will only be there from 9 - 6 if that matters. If you know how much a taxi would cost that would really be helpful as well. HELP, PLEASE!!!!! Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swom Posted January 1, 2009 #2 Share Posted January 1, 2009 I went to Sapphire Beach last year and enjoyed it. They did have a place to rent snorkel equipment and a snack bar where we bought beer. Not too crowded at all. Next year we have decided to try Coki because I hear the snorkeling is excellent!! Hope that helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaribbeanBound Posted January 1, 2009 #3 Share Posted January 1, 2009 I second Sapphire Beach. St. Thomas, Trip #2: Sapphire Beach This trip, we opted to enjoy Sapphire Beach on our own and shop Havensight at the pier. 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 each way 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. Here are more of our Secrets of the Caribbean! http://www.lavasurfer.com/info/caribbean-secrets.html These are our very detailed personal reviews, hints, and tips for ports of call that you will be visiting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swom Posted January 1, 2009 #4 Share Posted January 1, 2009 CaribbeanBound, I really enjoyed your summary of your travels through the Caribbean. You even gave me some ideas for destinations that I'll be visiting next year. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomAndJane Posted January 1, 2009 Author #5 Share Posted January 1, 2009 Thanks so much for the quick reply and I am going to check out those secrets as well!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papillon Posted January 1, 2009 #6 Share Posted January 1, 2009 :confused:Thanks for your tips on S.Thomas. I clicked on the astericks and could not open your website; any idea why? Thanks,John I second Sapphire Beach. St. Thomas, Trip #2: Sapphire Beach This trip, we opted to enjoy Sapphire Beach on our own and shop Havensight at the pier. 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 each way 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. Here are more of our Secrets of the Caribbean! ********************************************************* These are our very detailed personal reviews, hints, and tips for ports of call that you will be visiting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC GSS Posted January 1, 2009 #7 Share Posted January 1, 2009 :confused:Thanks for your tips on S.Thomas. I clicked on the astericks and could not open your website; any idea why? Thanks,John A moderator probably removed the link. The site is at www dot lavasurfer dot com. I found the link under their public profile. I was able to get to the "Secrets" at their homepage! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaribbeanBound Posted January 2, 2009 #8 Share Posted January 2, 2009 Thanks folks. Please ask the host to reinstate my links. I am not advertising anything. I am simply providing a link back to my website which provides incredibly useful information from my travels which I have shared with my fellow travelers at Cruise Critic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuvTheGoodLife Posted January 2, 2009 #9 Share Posted January 2, 2009 My choice would be Morningstar Beach - it is by the Marriott Morningstar resort and has bar, restaurant, lounge and umbrella rentals. Nothing there is cheap but the beach has always been quiet when we have been there and food is good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomAndJane Posted January 2, 2009 Author #10 Share Posted January 2, 2009 Thanks for the suggestion. That is one we haven't heard about it... Any others? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomAndJane Posted January 5, 2009 Author #11 Share Posted January 5, 2009 Any other beaches that we should consider? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fligster Posted January 5, 2009 #12 Share Posted January 5, 2009 We went to Magens Bay last year (May 2008). We didn't snorkel, and I think I have read that snorkeling isn't good there. It cost $4 pp to get in. We took an open air taxi to get there. Here are pictures: http://good-times.webshots.com/album/563535690rYamcw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCSunshine Posted January 5, 2009 #13 Share Posted January 5, 2009 Megans Bay is a beautiful area for just floating around. We took a taxi from town who took us on a private tour, the dropped us off at the bay for about 2 hours and returned to pick us up and back to the ship. This was a few years ago. Don't remember paying anything to "get onto" the beach. The showers are salt water . (or were) but I remember getting a hamburger, fries and drinks from a snack bar. Nice day over all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reisling Posted January 6, 2009 #14 Share Posted January 6, 2009 only $2 for a 30 minute ride? It doesn't seem possible, but I would like to read more of your reviews of things to do in port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Islander Posted January 15, 2009 #15 Share Posted January 15, 2009 Check out a St. Thomas beach guide for photos and information, http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=st.+thomas+beach+guide&fr=yfp-t-305&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8. --Islander Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happymom88 Posted January 16, 2009 #16 Share Posted January 16, 2009 CaribbeanBound, I enjoyed reading you secrets of the Caribbean. We are thinking of going n a tour with Godfrey-You would recommend this? Thanks for your input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTyler Posted January 16, 2009 #17 Share Posted January 16, 2009 My choice would be Morningstar Beach - it is by the Marriott Morningstar resort and has bar, restaurant, lounge and umbrella rentals. Nothing there is cheap but the beach has always been quiet when we have been there and food is good. Can you tell me how far this beach would be from the port? thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuvTheGoodLife Posted January 17, 2009 #18 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Morningstar is the closest beach to Havensight port area. It is about a 10 min ride. Not sure of the taxi cost because last time we went there we had docked in Crown Bay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikenbabbs Posted January 17, 2009 #19 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Maegan's Bay is nice and when we went it was not very crowded. It's secluded. The Travel Channel rates it as a top beach, but don't let that scare you into thinking it's over crowded. We took our time getting there with a tour and loved all the scenic views from atop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmndlil Posted January 18, 2009 #20 Share Posted January 18, 2009 Are there chairs/umbrellas at Magens Bay? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Islander Posted January 19, 2009 #21 Share Posted January 19, 2009 There are chairs for rent at Magens at the concession area. No umbrellas, lots of natural shade under the coconut and seagrape trees. --Islander Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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