Sapphire Beach Dive Shop Reopended?

[ravens.grl]

I love sapphire beach in St. Thomas, but they had closed the restrooms and no longer rented chairs during the summer when I was there. Apparently, they had closed in March 2014. I've seen some people post that the dive shop is open and that there are bathrooms and chair rentals again at sapphire. Does anyone know if this correct? Also, has anyone been in person to verify this.

[Ms411]

Yes to both questions. They even built a few basic changing rooms near the bathrooms.

[kstetser]

Thank goodness for this thread. We are headed to St. Thomas next week and I wanted to check on the latest for Sapphire (we have never been, but it was top on our list for this cruise).

 

A few months ago I had read that the iguanas were "aggressive" at the beach. Not sure if that is true or what an aggressive iguana even means. Is this a problem?

 

Thanks!

Kathi

[Ms411]

The best ways to keep iguanas away are to not eat food at the beach and to not wear red - not even nail polish. Without those, you have nothing to attract them.

[chris6084]

I was there a few weeks ago. The dive shop is opened and I did not see any iguanas. Although 90% of my time was spent in the water, so I may have missed them.

[Ms411]

There are iguanas there, but they usually don't come out until late morning and are usually out all afternoon. You never know when or where you'll see one.

[ravens.grl]

Thank you for the reply's. Looks like we'll be going to Sapphire again :-)

 

 

I have never found the Iguana's to be a problem. Occasionally, they have come a little closer then my comfort level if they see food but this has been when I've been laying still. Once I move around, they move around and we've never had any trouble with them.

[cv322]

I'm very excited to read this! I've missed Sapphire both in April & October...I didn't know! Will be back in a few weeks & then again in February...woot woot! :D! Thanks for sharing!

[2PinaColadas]

I have spent many hours laying out on Sapphire Beach. The iguanas have never been aggressive unless 1) someone started feeding them or 2) someone tried to grab one.

 

One afternoon at Sapphire I had to frantically stop a teenage boy who was about to pull one down from a tree so his mom could take his picture with an iguana. :eek::eek::eek:

[coolchick23]

My husband and I honeymooned at Sapphire Beach 20 years ago. We would like to take our kids there when our cruise stops at St. Thomas. What types of facilities are available there? Food & drinks, bathrooms, snorkel rentals, chair & umbrella rentals,etc.?

[blue_water]

My husband and I honeymooned at Sapphire Beach 20 years ago. We would like to take our kids there when our cruise stops at St. Thomas. What types of facilities are available there? Food & drinks, bathrooms, snorkel rentals, chair & umbrella rentals,etc.?

 

Dive shop rents snorkel gear, paddle boards, kayaks, lounges, floaties, 2 food & drink options, a beach grill (Banana Cabana) you can order a good mahi mahi sandwich or burger and drinks, and a restaurant behind the marina. Both have runners taking orders on the beach. Restrooms and makeshift changing rooms and shower. The condo restaurant is currently closed. Abundant shade along the beach.

[heeb]

Thanks to all for being so informative. We were trying to decide whether to go to Trunk or Sapphire. I have been to Trunk before but never to Sapp:cool:hire.

Last and final question. Is the water clear of rocks and shells with no big drop off at the waterline? Bad knees so I need to be careful.

[mamagina]

Thank you Blue Water and everyone else. On Sapphire Beach right now. Just beautiful and empty. $10 pp can ride from the NCL Gem. $9 pp for chaired at the dive shop. Empty beach, priceless!

 

 

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[mamagina]

Very easy and short flat walk to the beach from the cab. Very gentle waves. No drop, very gradual walk into the water.

 

 

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[mamagina]

Just had two cups of coffee brought over to us by a lovely woman on the beach. $3 with tip! It doesn't get better than this!

 

 

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[4Tacos]

Thanks mamagina for posting. This is my favorite beach. Take care of it for me. I'll be there in February!!!

 

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[ms sjsky]

We were up in the air about what to do in St. Thomas when we're there in the beginning of February but you pictures Mamagina helped us make our decision! Did you notice how much it is to rent snorkel gear there?

[TnNiteFox]

Can anyone confirm if Euta is still there selling buckets of beer and yummy rum drinks?

[Ottawamomof2]

When we were there a few weeks ago there was a woman and a man walking the beach selling drinks and food. And they do still sell the bucket of beers. I think it was $25 for 6 beers? I found it pricey all together but its really the only palce to get food. We ordered a bushwacker, beer, burger, fries and a fish wrap and it was $43 plus tip. Fish wrap was very tasty though! Dive shop does sell drinks as well.

 

Have fun!!:)

[blue_water]

Can't recall cost of snorkel gear, but they have 1/2 and full day prices. Dive In sells rum punch and US beers for $4, premium for $5. There is a runner (a guy with long hair) from the restaurant and a runner (girl) from the Banana Cabana grill. If Euta was the lady with a cart and rum drinks we've read of her but never saw her the 3 times we've stayed at Sapphire.

Love the mahi mahi sandwich from BC!

[tdreason]

Soon to be in St. Thomas. Any current status updates on Sapphire Beach?