St Thomas - Beaches?

[richtersl]

I can't believe that anyone would want to visit Coki beach at any time. Sure the snorkeling was good but you have to overlook the filth when you enter the area- the piles of rubbish have been ignored for years. Besides that the stench of urine & smell of pot drifting on the beach was enough to make us leave early. Do yourself a favor & choose any other beach until they get the place cleaned up. (which I hear they are doing shortly). I wish I had taken a few pictures of the garbage when we were there in Feb.

If you do decide to go there, be sure to take a photo of what I described & post it when you return.

 

:eek: OMG! Has is really gone down the toilet like that? We passed through a seedy area on the way there but the beach itself was fine. What a pity. :( Thanks for the update.

[rcacace]

:eek: OMG! Has is really gone down the toilet like that? We passed through a seedy area on the way there but the beach itself was fine. What a pity. :( Thanks for the update.

 

The water is OK, especially for snorkeling but the place is otherwise a mess. I'd advise going to any other beach- Megan's Sapphire, Emerald.

[blyle]

We just returned from our cruise. Years ago we loved the beach the the renaissance but it is now abandoned and full of sea grass. Last year after many years at Coki, we went to Sapphire and enjoyed it but now the restaurant and bar are closed. The beach hut will rent chairs and has lotion, snorkel gear , drinks and beer. There is a pool and its a lovely setting. The snorkeling was good. The bathrooms were horrible and the Hotel is looking run down but the beach will never change. I felt very safe and we saw many other cruise passengers there with us. Easy to get a taxi and everyone was very friendly. The tourist office at the pier suggested we try Secret Harbor next time. Its supposedly in better shape. I would also return to Sapphire Beach.

[Riley's Mom]

What are anyones thoughts on Emerald Beach. I am thinking of going to Emerald and using the Emerald Beach Resort. It is free togo to the resort and you just pay for the chair rental, snacks, etc.

From the few/limited photos I can find it looks like a nice beach,.Has anyone been there?

Thanks Carla

[rcacace]

What are anyones thoughts on Emerald Beach. I am thinking of going to Emerald and using the Emerald Beach Resort. It is free togo to the resort and you just pay for the chair rental' date=' snacks, etc.[/size']

From the few/limited photos I can find it looks like a nice beach,.Has anyone been there?

Thanks Carla

 

EXCELLENT ! It's close to Crown bay- $4 p/p for a shuttle or a 20 min walk. There are plenty of spots to lay out a towel under a shade tree. Clean beach, although it drops off rather quickly from what I hear. There are clean bathrooms & places to get something to eat. Rental chairs are also available.

I only had the opportunity to take photo's & not swim on my last trip but I will go back for sure.

http://inlinethumb09.webshots.com/42056/2066835900103243266S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/41776/2574765970103243266S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb37.webshots.com/43748/2642804180103243266S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb36.webshots.com/34595/2190713400103243266S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb10.webshots.com/41801/2705292000103243266S600x600Q85.jpg

[Ei_N_Tom]

We only stopped by Secret Harbour to see what it looked like and it was really nice. It's gotten some good reviews on this forum, too. And if we get a chance to go to St. Thomas again, we'll probably head there.

 

Do you know the distance from Havensight to Secret Harbour?? The resort is rated #1 on TripAdvisor. The beach looks very nice.

 

After reading additional posts about Sapphire Beach and the poor state of its bathroom facilities, I think we're counting that one out.

[richtersl]

Do you know the distance from Havensight to Secret Harbour?? The resort is rated #1 on TripAdvisor. The beach looks very nice.

 

After reading additional posts about Sapphire Beach and the poor state of its bathroom facilities, I think we're counting that one out.

 

It's about a 20 minute cab ride from Havensight.

 

Yeah, I've read reviews from folks who've reported bathrooms were pretty bad at Magen's, Coki, and Sapphire. I think it has a lot to do with how crowded each beach gets and how fast the maintenance crews can keep up with things. When we went to these beaches it was off season and the bathrooms were tolerable but you could definitely see where problems could arise if the beaches were crowded.

[herb]

after reading through all the choices, we're glad that we've decided to go to Emerald Beach this time. Never been there and it sounds like a winner :D

[The Islander]

EI and Tom, with the snorkeling added in there you could try Coki, Sapphire, Secret Harbor, Cowpet. These four have from shore snorkeling. They all have chairs for rent, although at Secret Harbor they sometimes will not rent chairs to non-guests if their hotel is full. All four have food/drinks but it varies: Coki its booths with fast food type things and a couple local dishes, Sapphire there is a small open air place with sandwiches and some other things and also a restaurant up by the condos a maybe 12 minute walk form the beach, at Secret Harbor its a beachside restaurant and bar and at Cowpet there are two beachside restaurants/bars. Restrooms available at all four, again they vary. At Coki think public restroom, hit or miss for being clean, at Sapphire its similar. At Secret Harbor and Cowpet the restrooms are affliated with the restaurant/resort so well kept/clean. For the snorkeling, at Coki and Sapphire its pretty easy to find and the watersports booth people can point you in the right direction. At Secret Harbor its good on the right side when facing the water swim out along the rocks. At Cowpet its good on the left side when facing the water, swim out a bit passed the initial parts of the rocks and then its good toward the point. Try a beach guide for photos and more information, http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=st.+thomas+beach+guide&fr=yfp-t-305&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8.

 

Hope that helps.

 

--Islander

[trixie54]

We want to swim, snorkel from shore & have shade & access to clean restroom/food/drink AND will have a 7 month old baby with us. Given those wishes, which beach would you recommend? Thanks so much for your help!

[The Islander]

Hello trixie, the same suggestions made for EI and Tom just above your post would apply since you want some snorkeling, so Coki, Sapphire, Secret Harbor and Cowpet. The restroom and food/drink information is mentioned in that reply. As for shade, Coki has umbrellas for rent but not much natural shade. Sapphire has some natural shade mostly on the right side when facing the water, under the seagrape trees; no umbrellas. Secret Harbor and Cowpet have lots of natural shade under the palm trees; again neither has umbrellas. All would be ok for wading with a baby, Sapphire deepens more quickly than the others but if you are just sticking close to shore wading its no problem.

 

--Islander

[trixie54]

Thanks for the quick reply Islander! I've ruled out Coki, having been there before & finding it pretty dirty. I know the view from Sapphire Beach of St. John would be gorgeous. How about Secret Harbour & Cowpet for "ambiance"?

[Ei_N_Tom]

Thanks, richtersl and Islander! Your insight and comments are much appreciated. Secret Harbor is at the top of our list. I haven't read much about Cowpet, so I now have a little more research to do before sailing. :D

[Evelina101]

I've been to St. Thomas 7 or 8 times and I've never used a Tour Guide so I can't recommend using one or not. We either rent a car and drive ourselves or just grab a cab. The cabs will be waiting at the end of the pier and they fill up with 10 to 12 people and let you know how much it costs to go to Sapphire. I did this last April, but I don't recall what I paid. There are plenty of cabs at Sapphire to bring you back. We will be in St. Thomas in early April and going to Sapphire so I should be able to provide an update for ya if someone else doesn't by then.

 

 

Hi, you are actually the first person I have heard of that rented a car here in St. Thomas... My husband and I are going in May and I have rented a car here.... I't almost $100.00 did you think it was worth it... we can't rent on all of the islands but this looks like a good one to do that because it is so small. Can we actually drive up to Paradise point or is it just by tram? We also want to Snorkel so I am thinking Sapphire for sure...

 

Evelina

[The Islander]

Trixie - For ambiance; Sapphire is nice. Pretty view, you can take a stroll along the beach, out along the penisula, out to the marina. Secret Harbor is a small bay so not much if you wanted to take a walk, you certainly can walk along the beach itself. It is pretty, lots of palm trees and its a protected cove so you see the hills around. Cowpet has lots of palm trees also which adds to the scenery, the view is mostly of boats in the bay as the Yacht Club is right next door. And also you can see some of the various condos around, as the bay has several condo developments behind and around the hills.

 

Evelina - yes you can drive up to Paradise Point. The road is just across from Havensight shopping/dock area.

 

--Islander

[caribbeanchickie]

It's St Thomas airport & the air traffic doesn't present any noise problems since they don't take off over the beach.

 

This is a shot of the entrance leading to the beach.

 

http://inlinethumb10.webshots.com/41801/2705292000103243266S600x600Q85.jpg

 

and a few others on the beach itself. It's worth the time & a break from "shopping". The first shot was taken nearby the water tank on the hill.

 

http://inlinethumb36.webshots.com/34595/2190713400103243266S600x600Q85.jpg

 

http://inlinethumb37.webshots.com/43748/2642804180103243266S600x600Q85.jpg

 

http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/41776/2574765970103243266S600x600Q85.jpg

 

I've been to Crown Bay many times & never took the time to investigate Emerald beach- What a mistake. It's so close & convenient.

 

I've been frantically searching for a beach in St Thomas, after seeing these pics; EMERALD BEACH IT IS.:D

 

Anyone know how much cab is from Havensight? Beach chair rentals?

[rcacace]

I've been frantically searching for a beach in St Thomas, after seeing these pics; EMERALD BEACH IT IS.:D

 

Anyone know how much cab is from Havensight? Beach chair rentals?

 

You'll probably be docked at Crown Bay and not Havensight if you're sailing Princess.

I don't know how much the shuttle fare is from Havensight but it's $4 p/p from Crown Bay one way. I only took a walk to Emerald after lunch on the ship didn't price out chairs or umbrellas but I'm sure that The Islander can answer that question.

btw- There's not much of any shopping at Crown Bay if that's what you're interested in. It's very limited. You'll have to take a shuttle or a walk into town to find the big shopping area & flea market stands.

[The Islander]

It's around $5 for a chair rent at Emerald Beach. And if you want one under the palapas umbrellas then there is an addition fee for the umbrella. There is some natural shade under the seagrape trees.

 

--Islander

[Ei_N_Tom]

Thanks, richtersl and Islander! Your insight and comments are much appreciated. Secret Harbor is at the top of our list. I haven't read much about Cowpet, so I now have a little more research to do before sailing.

 

Just reporting in...we visited Secret Harbor on Wednesday, 4/22. It's beautiful! :D The bay is sheltered, so the water is calm and full of fish. The beach is clean and folks are spread out, not lying on top of each other. The restroom facilities aren't luxurious, but they are clean. There are three unisex bathrooms just above the beach bar/restaurant. Two caveats...parking is limited (we squeezed our mopeds into one spot) and the resort no longer rents lounge chairs. The resort greeter offered a warm welcome and advised that the dive shop on the beach offers them...not sure what the fee is, we relaxed on comfy beach towels from home.

 

Hopefully, Secret Harbor remains a "secret," so the ambience doesn't suffer. :cool:

[cruiser429]

We were in St. Thomas last year and went to Coki Beach. Dirtiest restrooms I ever saw. Don't recommend that anyone go there.

We'll be back in July and now I'm trying to decide which beach to go to. Have been to Magens many times. Will have to look a little more at Emerald and Sapphire to make a decision.

[Ei_N_Tom]

We were in St. Thomas last year and went to Coki Beach. Dirtiest restrooms I ever saw. Don't recommend that anyone go there.

We'll be back in July and now I'm trying to decide which beach to go to. Have been to Magens many times. Will have to look a little more at Emerald and Sapphire to make a decision.

 

We drove by Magens Bay Beach. It's beautiful from the overlook vantage point, but didn't seem too impressive at ground level. PLUS, there was an $8 charge :eek: to spend time on the sand. Needless to say, we turned our mopeds toward a "free" beach.

[rcacace]

We were in St. Thomas last year and went to Coki Beach. Dirtiest restrooms I ever saw. Don't recommend that anyone go there.

We'll be back in July and now I'm trying to decide which beach to go to. Have been to Magens many times. Will have to look a little more at Emerald and Sapphire to make a decision.

 

We were at Coki in Jan & found the same thing you did. Did you see the piles of garbage where you entered and notice the stench of urine wafting over the sand? Not the best beach by any standards.

What amazes me is that other people go there & report back that it was one of the best beaches they've ever been to. :eek: It's hard to believe what some people consider beautiful. :confused:

For a real treat especially when stopping at Crown bay go to Emerald beach. The place is immaculate, has shade trees if you don't want to rent chairs and has clean bathrooms. (and no admission fee) I don't know about the snorkeling. It's a 20 min walk from Crown bay or a $4 p/p shuttle ride one way.

 

http://inlinethumb09.webshots.com/42056/2066835900103243266S600x600Q85.jpg

 

http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/41776/2574765970103243266S600x600Q85.jpg

 

http://inlinethumb36.webshots.com/34595/2190713400103243266S600x600Q85.jpg

[waterbound]

sounds like some beautiful beaches to choose from..

 

Thanks everyone for all your info you have shared..

[waterbound]

We were at Coki in Jan & found the same thing you did. Did you see the piles of garbage where you entered and notice the stench of urine wafting over the sand? Not the best beach by any standards.

What amazes me is that other people go there & report back that it was one of the best beaches they've ever been to. :eek: It's hard to believe what some people consider beautiful. :confused:

For a real treat especially when stopping at Crown bay go to Emerald beach. The place is immaculate, has shade trees if you don't want to rent chairs and has clean bathrooms. (and no admission fee) I don't know about the snorkeling. It's a 20 min walk from Crown bay or a $4 p/p shuttle ride one way.

 

http://inlinethumb09.webshots.com/42056/2066835900103243266S600x600Q85.jpg

 

http://inlinethumb49.webshots.com/41776/2574765970103243266S600x600Q85.jpg

 

http://inlinethumb36.webshots.com/34595/2190713400103243266S600x600Q85.jpg

 

are the pictures you have listed above for Emerald Beach?? if so I have to say I like that one.. I'll have to show my husband and see what he thinks..

[rcacace]

are the pictures you have listed above for Emerald Beach?? if so I have to say I like that one.. I'll have to show my husband and see what he thinks..

 

Yep, they're all Emerald beach. The one taken on top of the hill was on my walk to the beach. I took what appeared to be a shorter walk but it' over a steeper hill with no side walks. I used the longer way back along the airport road & still made it back to the ship in 20 min.

The place is really nice & we'll be swimming there next Oct or Nov for sure. I never realized it was so close to Crown Bay.

 

This is a shot leading from the beach back to the front entrance.

 

http://inlinethumb10.webshots.com/41801/2705292000103243266S600x600Q85.jpg