Beaches

Sapphire Beach: Sapphire Beach is a pretty white sand beach. A few sea grape trees on the right side offer shade to beach goers. The middle and left side are developed and are the location of; a beach bar, restaurant, water sports booth, hotel lobby and gift shop. The water sports booth offers wind surfing, kayaks, jet skis and more. Shallow reefs on the right side of the beach offer good snorkeling. It is common to find volleyball games and live music on Sunday afternoons at the beach bar. Sapphire Beach Resort, Condos and Marina are all within walking distance of the Sapphire Beach shoreline.
Swimming: Calm to Mild Surf
Beachside: Soft Sand, Coral Pebbles
Food/Refreshments: Yes, Hotel Restaurant & Bar
Water Sports Center: Yes, Variety/Hotel
Accessibility: Public Bus, Taxi, Car
Snorkeling: Good
Amenities: Bathroom/Hotel, Chairs
Child Friendly: Yes

Coki Beach: A small beach with lots of popularity. Coki Beach is a favorite for visitors and locals. Tour buses frequently stop at Coki beach. The beach is calm and pretty. A near shore rocky area offers great snorkeling and is easy for beginners. Coki is a touristy beach; you can find hair braiders, chair rentals, taxis, food, drinks, vendors and more. Restaurant and bar are beach shacks with picnic table eating. Bathroom is primitive. Coki Beach is located right next to Coral World.
Swimming: Calm
Beachside: Soft Sand
Food/Refreshments: Yes, Restaurant
Water Sports Center: No but Dive Shop, Jet Skis
Accessibility: Taxi, Car
Snorkeling: Excellent
Amenities: Bathroom, Chairs
Child Friendly: Yes

Bolongo Bay: This lovely beach is nestled in a small cove surrounded by the Bolongo Bay Beach Resort. The resort buildings extend almost the length of the beach with rooms, pool, restaurant and bar. On the right side there are palm trees and a fun beach restaurant/bar. Bolongo Bay is often quiet and offers a relaxing day. The water can be choppy with a coral pebble bottom in some areas. A water sports concession offers kayaks, water bikes and other water accessories.
Swimming: Gentle to Mild Surf
Beachside: Sand, Coral Pebbles
Food/Refreshments: Yes, Hotel Restaurant & Bar
Water Sports Center: Yes, Variety/Hotel
Accessibility: Taxi, Car
Snorkeling: Poor to Fair
Amenities: Bathroom/Hotel, Chairs
Child Friendly: Yes

Vessup Bay: Vessup Bay is popular among locals. During the week it is sparsely populated while on the weekends there are often several family picnics and barbeques. The beach is undeveloped so you will find a variety of flora here; including sea grape trees, cacti and century plants. The shoreline makes for a nice walk. It often has a lot of sea grass in the water and washed up on the shoreline.
Swimming: Calm
Beachside: Soft Sand, Sea grass
Food/Refreshments: No
Water Sports Center: No, Sometimes Windsurfing
Accessibility: Taxi, Car
Snorkeling: No
Amenities: None
Child Friendly: Yes

Bluebeards Beach: Bluebeards Beach is a calm, well maintained beach. Home to the newest Ritz Carlton Resort addition, what was formerly a quiet, somewhat isolated bay is now surrounded by palm lined walkways, restaurant, pool, bar and rooms. The beach still offers quiet relaxation and frequently the view is of passing sailboats. The water is calm. There is an abundance of sea grass in the water.
Swimming: Calm to Gentle Surf
Beachside: Sand, Pebbles, Sea grass
Food/Refreshments: Yes, Hotel/Restaurant & Bar
Water Sports Center: Yes, Variety/Resort
Accessibility: Taxi, Car
Snorkeling: No
Amenities: Bathroom/Resort, Chairs
Child Friendly: Yes

Magens Bay: Magens Bay is popular with visitors and locals alike. The beautiful 1 mile long stretch is undeveloped. Arthur Fairchild gave the property to the people of the Virgin Islands to be used as a public park. A concession offers food, drinks, rentals and a small boutique. Magens Bay’s sandy bottom and calm, clear waters are ideal for swimming. The beach gets busy on days when numerous cruise ships are in port, on Sundays and holidays. Visiting in the late afternoon (around 5:30pm) is a great time to enjoy the beach when it is sparsely populated; some residents walk on the beach for exercise on weekday afternoons. Magens Bay is a great family beach.
Entry Fee: Adults $3 ($1/residents), Car $1, Kids .25 cents
Swimming: Very Calm Beachside:
Soft Sand
Food/Refreshments: Yes, Beach Restaurant & Bar
Water Sports Center: No but Kayak/Sailing Crafts
Accessibility: Taxi, Car
Snorkeling: No
Amenities: Bathroom, Beach Chairs, Floats
Child Friendly: Yes

Hull Bay: Hull Bay is a tranquil little beach located on the north side of the island. It is undeveloped. Sea grape trees line the shore and provide shade. The bay serves as an anchorage for local fishermen. Waters on the western tip of the bay attract surfers. The beach is often sparsely populated. Within walking distance is a bar and restaurant where you can enjoy cool drinks and great food.
Swimming: Calm, Mild Surf
Beachside: White Sand, Coral Pebbles
Food/Refreshments: Yes, Restaurant & Bar
Water Sports Center: No but Dive Center
Accessibility: Taxi, Car
Snorkeling: Fair to Good
Amenities: Bathroom/Bar
Child Friendly: Yes
Note: Observe caution many boats anchored in bay.

Mandahl Beach: This beach is a popular spot for family picnics on weekends. The beach is nice, however it is pretty rocky. The area around the beach is not developed. The shore is not the best place for swimming as the water deepens very quickly and is often rough. People line fish from the rocky shore and man-made rock wall entrance to the lagoon. Small tide pools on the left side are interesting to explore, particularly for children. It is not usually frequented by visitors and is often unoccupied or sparsely populated.
Swimming: Mild to Rough Surf
Beachside: Sand, Coral Pebble, Rocks
Food/Refreshments: No
Water Sports Center: No
Accessibility: Car
Snorkeling: Fair
Amenities: None
Child Friendly: Fair, with Good Supervision

Lindberg Bay: Lindberg Bay is a beautiful beach. Palm trees and sea grapes line the shore. The beach is developed and is home to the Emerald Beach Hotel and Island Beachcomber. Hotel rooms, restaurant and bar are along the beach. The water is calm and the beach is often sparsely populated. The airport is close by. For families with young children a small playground is located in the area just past the end of the bay. It is a pleasant beach for laying back and relaxing.
Swimming: Calm
Beachside: Soft Sand
Food/Refreshments: Yes, Hotel/Restaurant & Bar
Water Sports Center: No
Accessibility: Public Bus, Taxi, Car
Snorkeling: No Amenities: Bathroom/Hotel, Chairs
Child Friendly: Yes

Morningstar Beach: Morningstar beach is an active yet quiet beach. Lounge chairs, rum punch and daiquiris are in easy access as are jet skis and water sports. The beach is developed; Marriott's Morningstar Resort is located a short distance from the shore. Restaurants, bars, swimming pool and tennis courts are located around the bay. The water often has a gentle surf and in certain areas can be mildly rocky. The beach is a good place to watch sailboats and cruise ships slipping in and out of the Charlotte Amalie Harbor.
Swimming: Gentle to Mild Surf
Beachside: Soft Sand, Pebbles
Food/Refreshments: Yes, Hotel/Restaurant & Bar
Water Sports Center: Yes, Variety/Hotel
Accessibility: Taxi, Car
Snorkeling: No
Amenities: Bathroom/Hotel, Chairs
Child Friendly: Yes

Secret Harbor: Secret Harbor is a small charming beach. The surrounding area is developed; it is home to the Secret Harbor hotel. A restaurant, bar and hotel rooms are a short walking distance from the shore. The shore is lined with many palm trees that provide great shade. The water is calm and inviting. There is good snorkeling near the rocks on the right side of the beach. Secret Harbor is a great beach for having lunch, a few drinks, swimming and relaxing!
Swimming: Calm
Beachside: Soft Sand, Coral Pebbles
Food/Refreshments: Yes, Hotel/Restaurant & Bar
Water Sports Center: Yes, Variety/Hotel
Accessibility: Taxi, Car
Snorkeling: Good
Amenities: Bathroom/Bar, Chairs
Child Friendly: Yes

Limetree Beach: Limetree Beach is a pretty, little beach that runs along a natural cove. Perfect for a quiet day of laying out, having a few drinks, reading a book and just unwinding. The water ranges from mild to rough surf and entry can be difficult as the initial area is rocky. The area around the bay is developed and is home to the Bluebeards Beach Club Time Share/Hotel property. Sitting on the beach in the afternoon to watch the sunset is enjoyable.
Swimming: Mild to Rough Surf
Beachside: Sand
Food/Refreshments: Yes, Hotel/Restaurant & Bar
Water Sports Center: Yes, Limited/Hotel
Accessibility: Taxi, Car
Snorkeling: No
Amenities: Bathroom/Bar, Chairs
Child Friendly: Fair (requires good supervision in water)

Brewers Bay: Brewer's bay is a quiet, often sparsely populated beach. Palm trees and sea grapes trees are scattered along the shoreline. The airport and university are close by. The beach is not secluded but often times is unpopulated. The water is calm, clear and inviting. The busiest days at Brewers are the weekends when locals have family picnics there. Roadside vendors sell local foods like meat and saltfish pates, johnny cakes, rice and beans, drinks and snacks.
Swimming: Calm
Beachside: Soft Sand
Food/Refreshments: Yes, Roadside Vendors
Water Sports Center: No
Accessibility: Public Bus, Taxi, Car
Snorkeling: Fair
Amenities: None
Child Friendly: Yes

Water Bay: Water Bay, also called Pineapple Bay and Renaissance Beach is home to the Grand Palace Resort. Rooms, restaurants, water sports center, pool and lobby are located around the bay. This beach is an ideal location for enjoying water sports like wind surfing, parasailing and kayaking. The water is calm and has an abundance of sea grass.
Swimming: Calm, Mild Surf
Beachside: Soft Sand, Some Coral Pebbles, Sea grass
Food/Refreshments: Yes, Hotel/Restaurant & Bar
Water Sports Center: Yes, Variety/Hotel
Accessibility: Taxi, Car
Snorkeling: No
Amenities: Bathroom/Hotel, Chairs
Child Friendly: Yes