Are you looking for the best beaches in St. Thomas? Well, look no further! Each year more than 500 cruise ships dock in the harbor of St. Thomas. Thousands of Americans also travel here by air, since you do not need a passport to visit! It is estimated that close to two million tourists travel to the USVI each year.
When people arrive in St. Thomas they have two things on their mind, shopping (it’s the shopping capital of the Caribbean), and the beach. In this post, we’ll outline where to find the best beaches in St. Thomas!
Grab your snorkel gear, a towel, and some sunscreen and let’s get started!
Table of Contents
The 5 Best Beaches in St. Thomas, USVI
Magen's Bay
We’ll start with the most obvious choice, first: Magen’s Bay. Magen’s Bay is often called the most beautiful beach in St. Thomas and frequently ranks as one of the Top 10 Beaches in the Caribbean. The one-mile-long horseshoe-shaped stretch of white sand is absolutely stunning. While many cruisers book an excursion to get to the beach, it’s actually quite easy to get to the beach on your own– in fact, we suggest not booking an excursion.
There is also a rental shop where you can rent:
- Beach chairs
- Lounge chairs
- Floats
- Snorkel gear
- Paddleboards
- Kayaks
There is also a 1 1/2 mile trail, a coconut grove, a mangrove, and an arboretum.
Coki Beach
Coki Beach is another popular choice with tourists. Though it is not as large as the nearby Magen’s Bay, it still offers the same soft white sand and clear, turquoise waters.
Thanks to the calm waters, it is popular for snorkeling and diving. You can even snorkel right from the beach! Over the years, tourists have been encouraged to buy dog biscuits to feed to the fish. Because of this, the friendly fish are quick to approach swimmers looking for a little snack!
The beach is right next to the Coral World Ocean Park. There are plenty of amenities and little shops where you can purchase souvenirs, local food, and beverages. Coki Dive Center is also located nearby. They offer intro diving lessons for children and adult, certification classes, and beach and boat dives.
You’ll also find options for renting SUP, jet skiis, beach gear, and more!
Sapphire Beach
This lively beach gets its name from the stunning shades of blue water that dance along the shore. We love this beach because it has stunning views of the neighboring island of St. John.
Sapphire Beach is popular with families because of the trees that provide shade. Your little ones will love seeking out the iguanas and ducks that are known to hang out by the pond close by.
A nearby reef and rocky ledge make this a hot spot for snorkeling. In fact, some say that this is one of the best spots on the island to snorkel.
Sapphire Beach is also popular for jet skiing, parasailing, and windsurfing because of its proximity to the marina. The sports booth offers kayaks, windsurfing, snorkel gear, and chair rentals. If you want to kick it up a notch, you can rent a jet ski from the local marina.
The best thing about this beach? It doesn’t get nearly as crowded as the others!
Lindquist Beach
Lindquist Beach is another popular beach located on the East end of the island. It has shallow waters marking it great for little ones! Grown-ups will enjoy the views of nearby St. John and the British Virgin Islands. There are restroom facilities, which is a huge bonus!
A lifeguard is on duty between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm. There’s an offshore reef that is wonderful for snorkeling. Little ones will love playing in the tide pools and older kids will enjoy the shallow shelf.
Part of the beach is made up of land protected by Smith Bay Park. Smith Bay Park is a 21-acre park managed by the National Park Service. There is a $5 fee per person to enter the beach. If you’re driving to the beach, plan on paying $2 to park.
Hull Bay
I learned about Hull Bay Beach from a local girl who told me it’s very popular with the islanders. According to her, it’s one of the best beaches in St. Thomas! It’s really easy to get to via taxi for travelers but if you’re driving on your own, be sure to type in “Hideaway Hull Bay” rather than “Hull Bay Beach.” If you do the latter, it will take you to private property. Hideaway is the name of a restaurant that is located right on the beach making it an easy landmark.
The stunning beach has a snack bar where you can purchase food and drinks. There is also a dive shop that offers snorkel tours in the protected bay.
Don't Forget to Pack These Items!
We hope you’ve been inspired by our list of the best beaches in St. Thomas! No matter which beach you end up at, we suggest you bring along snorkel equipment! You’re guaranteed to find something interesting in the turquoise waters that surround the island.
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