best free snorkeling beach in saint thomas

hello, looking for the best free beach in saint thomas for snorkeling on our own with our own equipment.

Thanks!

hello, looking for the best free beach in saint thomas for snorkeling on our own with our own equipment.

Thanks!

There isn't anything of note from any beach being totally "free".

Best of a bad bunch is "Secret" but you must rent chairs etc.

If you want some good sport, take a boat snorkel trip.

Both Sapphire and Coki have decent off the beach snorkeling. You can take the ferry to St John & snorkel at one of the many beaches there, including Trunk Bay. Here is a Sapphire live cam https://www.skylinewebcams.com/en/webcam/us-virgin-islands/st-thomas/east-end/saint-thomas-virgin-islands.html

Well I believe you have to pay for transportation but you can just sit on the sand at Sapphire and snorkel.

All the beaches in St Thomas are public, and therefore free with the following exception. The two beaches that are part of the Magen's Bay Authority, Magens and Smith Bay Beach both charge a small amount. Coki & Sapphire should have chairs to rent and both have good snorkeling by the reefs at each beach. Maybe someone who has been there post hurricane can speak to the food/drink situation at Coki. I know food is available at Sapphire now.

As mentioned most beaches are free and open to the public and day visitors. Just bring a towel. And if you don’t want to buy lunch and drinks at the beach just grab a lunch at Gourmet Gallery and enjoy the gorgeous view at Sapphire after snorkeling.

We can’t comment on snorkeling conditions at Lindqvist, but what a beautiful beach!

Would not spend the $$ or time going to STJ for snorkeling unless you have transportation and a guide to less-traveled spots.

Best of a bad bunch? :confused: These East End beaches are all gorgeous.

 

Best of a bad bunch? :confused: These East End beaches are all gorgeous.

The thread was snorkelling, my reply was for snorkelling.

Apology if it confused you.

The thread was snorkelling, my reply was for snorkelling.

Apology if it confused you.

Aah - ok, thanks.

But the snorkeling at many of these beaches can be quite good. Having your own gear also makes Cowpet a very attractive option.

[EDIT] Although we have not been since the hurricanes of a year ago so we would need to rely on recent experiences.

Gourmet Gallery has not reopened yet.

Gourmet Gallery has not reopened yet.

Thanks for that Ms411

We don’t snorkel but would love a clean quiet nearby beach with restrooms, food for sale and chairs and umbrellas to rent. If you were off a cruise ship for a day and these were your requirements, which beach would you choose?

Emerald Beach, have cab drop you off at EB Hotel.

We don’t snorkel but would love a clean quiet nearby beach with restrooms, food for sale and chairs and umbrellas to rent. If you were off a cruise ship for a day and these were your requirements, which beach would you choose?

Sapphire, hands down for all of the reasons noted in the many recent threads.

If your ship is at Crown Bay then Lindbergh Bay (aka “Emerald Beach”) is closer and nice enough...just not the same gorgeous beach, water colors, and island views...