Oasis of the Seas and Magen's Bay

[shellunderwater]

Arrived in Crown Bay and caught a taxi to Magen's Bay. The taxi process was extremely easy. Follow the signs out of the port to the taxis. Yeah, they are really just pickup trucks with the beds converted to seats. The stated cost for the trip as $12.

 

The taxis go over a pretty steep hill, which was an experience. But, it allows for some fantastic views on the way up and down the hill.

 

Arrival at Magen's Bay requires a $4 per person entry fee. The taxi driver let us off at the building, which includes chair and water float rentals, gift shop, food stand and bar areas. The taxi driver only charged us $10 per person for the trip. Not sure if this is normal or not. Paid $10 for the ride back too.

 

Rented chairs (have to pay a refundable deposit) and dragged them into a spot of our choice under some trees for shade. Lots of space out in the sun or in the shade.

 

Something I thought of interest, Magen's Bay had lifeguards on duty during our day there.

 

Water entry is nice, with a pretty good step down just into the water. Mostly, the beach is nice soft sand, but there are some shells, etc at the "ledge" in the water. Otherwise, its a very nice beach.

 

Food was burgers, pizza, hot dogs, fried chicken, french fries, etc. Not really anything on the menu that I would consider local. But food was pretty decent, incredibly average. Nothing wrong with the food. Burgers were $8 - 10, fries $4 (large), cans of soda $2.50, beers were $3 - 5 (I think). Minimum charge card transaction is $15.

 

The ocean was rather rough on the cruise, but the beach just had nice little waves most of the day. It got a bit rougher as the day wore on, but a storm was kicking things up just before we were leaving. Still, it wasn't rough.

 

Very nice day, very nice beach.

 

Overall, for two people

taxi - $40

rentals (we rented floats too) - $30

food - $35

No alcohol drinks for us on this stop.

[shellunderwater]

 

Overall, for two people

taxi - $40

rentals (we rented floats too) - $30

food - $35

No alcohol drinks for us on this stop.

 

Forgot to add the $8 entry fees.

 

 

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Forums mobile app

[blue_water]

Thanks for your report, Magens is a nice bay with generally very calm water. Very pretty from any of the vantage points up high. Glad you enjoyed your day!

[OntarioTraveller]

Thanks for the information!

We have been to Emerald bay the last times we were in St. Thomas but want a change and were going to do Magens Bay next Feb. There will be only 2 ships in port the day we are there on the Valor.

Were the chairs the nice lounge chair type? Do you remember what the deposit was?

Could you rent umbrellas? or is there enough shady spots?

Thanks again!

[canadarocks]

Thanks for the information!

We have been to Emerald bay the last times we were in St. Thomas but want a change and were going to do Magens Bay next Feb. There will be only 2 ships in port the day we are there on the Valor.

Were the chairs the nice lounge chair type? Do you remember what the deposit was?

Could you rent umbrellas? or is there enough shady spots?

Thanks again!

 

We're thinking of heading to the Best Western Emerald Beach. Can you give me a review please?

[OntarioTraveller]

Sure, we were there the last 2 years. Both times there were not lots of ships in port. last time was in Feb./13.

It is closer to the Crown Bay port. We were at the other port (cant think of the name!) where the Carnival ships dock.

Taxi was $8 each way per person. It didn't seem to matter if there were just the 2 of us or many crammed into one the the "safari" truck cabs.

The beach is nice but I hear not the best on the island. You can look up pictures on Tripadvisor.

Chairs were $7 each. We rented one of the nice big thatched palapas very close to the water and it was $20 for 2 chairs under the palapa. We settled on the chairs and someone was around to collect payment. There is shade under trees if you want that or if the palapas are taken.We did get there early (one of the first off the ship right after docking) as it did fill up as the day wore on. We enjoyed the morning when it wasn't as busy. Bring your beach towels of course. There were taxis waiting in the parking lot to take you back.

The water was nice for swimming and warm in February. Very enjoyable.

It was fairly quiet, no music playing.

There was free wifi (someone at the bar will give you the password) and nice bathrooms. It is part of a small hotel. There is a small pool which I did jump into although I think it is for guests only.

It is on a small bay with a more rustic hotel sharing the cove.

We bought a few drinks, can't remember the prices but typical of the islands. We split a burger and fries (quite good) for about $12.

We enjoyed the day so much we replicated the day on our next cruise.

Next time we want to go to Magens Bay for the change.

Hope this helps.

Edited November 25, 2013 by OntarioTraveller

[blue_water]

Their site is helpful with the rental and/or room and daypass prices and there are many helpful reviews on TA too. For what we feel are the nicest beaches (for snorkeling or just staring at the water and islands) we would head east to Sapphire. But Lindbergh and the Best Westerns are closer to Crown Bay if you're docked there, and it is a nice enough beach to spend a day at, same with Magens. There is some shade at Magens, the chairs are the typical type.

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147405-d150893-Reviews-BEST_WESTERN_PLUS_Emerald_Beach-Charlotte_Amalie_St_Thomas_U_S_Virgin_Islands.html

Edited November 25, 2013 by blue_water

[VancouverKory]

Arrived in Crown Bay and caught a taxi to Magen's Bay. The taxi process was extremely easy. Follow the signs out of the port to the taxis. Yeah, they are really just pickup trucks with the beds converted to seats. The stated cost for the trip as $12.

 

The taxis go over a pretty steep hill, which was an experience. But, it allows for some fantastic views on the way up and down the hill.

 

Arrival at Magen's Bay requires a $4 per person entry fee. The taxi driver let us off at the building, which includes chair and water float rentals, gift shop, food stand and bar areas. The taxi driver only charged us $10 per person for the trip. Not sure if this is normal or not. Paid $10 for the ride back too.

 

Rented chairs (have to pay a refundable deposit) and dragged them into a spot of our choice under some trees for shade. Lots of space out in the sun or in the shade.

 

Something I thought of interest, Magen's Bay had lifeguards on duty during our day there.

 

Water entry is nice, with a pretty good step down just into the water. Mostly, the beach is nice soft sand, but there are some shells, etc at the "ledge" in the water. Otherwise, its a very nice beach.

 

Food was burgers, pizza, hot dogs, fried chicken, french fries, etc. Not really anything on the menu that I would consider local. But food was pretty decent, incredibly average. Nothing wrong with the food. Burgers were $8 - 10, fries $4 (large), cans of soda $2.50, beers were $3 - 5 (I think). Minimum charge card transaction is $15.

 

The ocean was rather rough on the cruise, but the beach just had nice little waves most of the day. It got a bit rougher as the day wore on, but a storm was kicking things up just before we were leaving. Still, it wasn't rough.

 

Very nice day, very nice beach.

 

Overall, for two people

taxi - $40

rentals (we rented floats too) - $30

food - $35

No alcohol drinks for us on this stop.

 

 

 

Thanks for the great Info!!

[canadarocks]

Thanks so much OntarioTraveller! :)

Edited November 25, 2013 by canadarocks