Beach Reccommendations on a Busy Port Day

We are in St. Thomas on a day where there are 5 large ships (19,000+ passengers) docking. Any recommendations for a beach on St. Thomas or St. John that won't be wall-to-wall people?

The beaches that won't be crowded are beaches that don't have chair rentals, snorkel rentals, restaurants, and ready taxi service. Do you want a beach with limited amenities?

Do you want snorkeling? If so Coki, Secret Harbor, and possibly Sapphire will be crowded on STT, and Trunk will be swamped on STJ. That leaves Cowpet Bay (Elysian Beach) which has amenities and will be very quiet, I'm just not sure about snorkel gear rentals. Anyone help there?

If snorkeling isn't a requirement Magens will be swamped, Lindbergh (aka Emerald) and Morningstar are decent bets, and Brewer's and Hull Bay will be the least busy normally.

We've stayed at Sapphire Beach with 20k cruisers in port and it never felt crowded there so we'd be confident in going there as there's a lot of room and it's beautiful. But that's us, everyday is differend and no guarantees. For more certainty we'd head for Cowpet for snorkeling or even no snorkeling...

Morningstar Beach.

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Thanks everyone.

Snorkeling would be good but we have our own gear. Limited facilities are OK too. Is there snorkeling at Lindbergh?

No snorkeling at Lindberg/Emerald.

Thanks everyone.

 

Snorkeling would be good but we have our own gear. Limited facilities are OK too. Is there snorkeling at Lindbergh?

Elysian would be perfect. See it next to the Ritz on the East End in this map. You can also see where Secret Harbor, Sapphire, and Coki are in relation. All good snorkeling options, just different vibes.

http://www.virginislandsthisweek.com/assets_c/2014/02/st-thomas-island-road-map-9.html

In the harbor you can go to Honeymoon beach on Water Island. Small ferry's leave from downtown.

In the harbor you can go to Honeymoon beach on Water Island. Small ferry's leave from downtown.

On a five ship day this very small beach will be super crowded. Better to go to one of the larger beaches where people can at least spread out a little.

The ferries to Water Island leave from Crown Bay Marina, next door to the Crown Bay port. If there are ships in Crown Bay, Water Island will be busy.

Ah, and if you don't mind limited amenities, John Brewer Bay on the UVI campus has some good snorkeling.

If you are okay with limited amenities, Lindqvist is beautiful. It's between Sapphire and Coki-- not too well known, yet.

If you are okay with limited amenities, Lindqvist is beautiful. It's between Sapphire and Coki-- not too well known, yet.

That was true for decades but no longer unfortunately.

The taxi drivers may not take you to the less popular beaches. You have more options if you rent a vehicle. Do you plan on doing that?

I ended up renting a car for about the same price that it would cost 4 of us to go to Red Hook on a taxi (1 way).

Thanks for all of the recommendations. We may just have to try more than 1.

I ended up renting a car for about the same price that it would cost 4 of us to go to Red Hook on a taxi (1 way).

 

Thanks for all of the recommendations. We may just have to try more than 1.

So what beach did you visit???

So what beach did you visit???

I'll let you know after we get there next month. :D

I'm planning on taking a copy of the map you posted and see if we can get lost for the day. Thanks again for the help.

I'll let you know after we get there next month. :D

LOL - ok, great way to see the island - enjoy, and keep your shoulder to the shoulder!

We just got back from the cruise and had a wonderful day at Sapphire Beach. Thanks to all those that recommended it.

While it was far from deserted, even with 5 large ships in port, it never felt crowded.

Thanks j. Today with 2 ships it was busy but not crowded. Expect more tomorrow with 4 ships and Wed with 7 :eek:

Think we'll head off island on Wed...

We just got back from the cruise and had a wonderful day at Sapphire Beach. Thanks to all those that recommended it.

 

While it was far from deserted, even with 5 large ships in port, it never felt crowded.

SAPPHIRE BEACH: Are there chair rentals any more? We have our own snorkel equipment so that isn't necessary and I'm sure we can do without snacks till we get back into town. So, just curious what IS still there?

Chairs are $9pp, food and drink are available. We love the mahi mahi sandwich ($14) at Banana Cabana beach grill which is between condo bldgs B & C, and you will find cheaper prices for beer and rum punches at the dive center.

We haven't snorkeled Libdqvist but for limited amenities with some chairs it is gorgeous as 2PinaColodas said.

Justing adding another recommendation for Secret Harbor - it is quiet and gets less crowds (and is very pretty!) so it could be an option for a pretty beach day. The day we went it rained (too bad!) but we still did get some stand-up paddle boarding in. I wrote about the facilities and how to rent loungers (in advance) at the dive shop there, in my review at the link below.

Have fun!