beach help please

[alert]

I am looking for a clean, quiet beach where one can do a bit of snorkeling from shore (will be bringing my own equipment). I prefer a beach that is not too far from the pier to minimize travel time and travel cost.


Please give me some recommendations.


Thanks

[oncruisecontrol]

We went to Morningstar Beach back in September. It was only a 10-12 minute ride from the port. It's adjacent to the Marriott Frenchmen's Reef Resort. We were able to use the lounge chairs and umbrellas on the beach free of charge (of course it was in the off season and no one was there apart from us and a couple of hotel guests). There was waitress service on the beach from the hotel. Very good tropical drinks. Our waitress knew that we were not guests of the hotel so that was not an issue. We received excellent service, and tipped her well. It's probably different when the hotel is busy. There were a couple of people snorkling from the shore, but I don't know how good it was or if there is a significant reef. The beach was immaculate, though, and the water was clear and calm. We had a great day.

[dvan68]

We spent a week at this resort, and although the beach is lovely, there is not much in the way of fish life. I would go to Sapphire instead. The closest beach would be Emerald/lindquist at the Best Western, but that is sandy and not good for snorkeling either. Sapphire will be about a 20 min taxi ride from Havensight. It was $8 pp each way last Jan. The prices will be posted at the taxi stand.

[O2B@Cagain]

If you are out of Crown Bay, there is great snorkeling at John Brewer's Bay, near the airport. There are no anemities besides some picnic tables and a couple of mobile vans, so it is usually quiet. It is on the University of the Virgin Islands campus, so you might see some of the Marine Science students out there doing research.

[running girl]

Is Sapphire Beach far from the port? Is there much in the way of food and water act. to do? We will be having teenagers with us?

[Adeena62]

To be honest, I'm afraid you may have to do a little traveling in order to make your snorkeling worth while. The beaches closest to the docks have poor to fair snorkeling conditions. For a truly quiet spot, I would recommend the east side of the island. Either Cowpet Beach or Secret Harbor. Both are small, uncrowded beaches with good snorkeling.

[worldcruiser1]

Hi there,

Why don't you try Hull bay. There's a great beach there, the area is safe, it's in a bay and protected by a point from the Atlantic and a fairly short and easy drive from either port. Hope that helps.

For running girl: Sapphire is an awesome beach and worth the time to get there though it is a ways from the port. Give yourself about 45 minutes to be on the safe side. There is food and drink available at Sapphire and an excellent beach

It is possible to snorkel around this area as well. So this could be an option as well

[running girl]

It sounds like Sapphire beach will be out for us because of travel time. But Hull Bay sounds nice but does it have anything as far as teenager to do? Or food and drinks??? Thanks for the help..

[O2B@Cagain]

running girl: Hull Bay does have a bar/restaurant. When there is a swell, it is the surfing venue. What does a teenager do differently from others?

[The Islander]

alert - beaches with good and easily accessiable from shore snorkeling are Coki, Sapphire, Secret Harbor, Cowpet and Hull Bay. Which dock are you going to be at?

RunningGirl - Havensight to Sapphire is about a 20 minute drive in low/medium traffic, with traffic longer - more ships means more traffic. Crown Bay to Sapphire is about 30-35 minutes again low/medium traffic. There is a small open air grill with burgers and sandwiches at Sapphire; and the condo restaurant up on the hill has wait staff that takes and delivers orders on the beach (for a %). Also the pizza place in Red Hook will deliver to Sapphire Beach; you can ask at the watersports booth for help placing a pizza order by phone. The watersports booth with kayaks and windsurfers. Plus at the marina, around the corner from the beach, there are jet skis and parasailing.

--Islander