You don't comprehend it but, however St Thomas is the tropical paradise of your goals. Sugar-white sands line this US Virgin Island, and swaying inexperienced palms present light shade while you're not floating dreamily within the Caribbean Sea.
Whether or not you need to stretch out on the seashore and chill out, snorkel amidst the wealthy marine life or park your self at a seashore bar, St Thomas has the perfect seashore to fit your wants. These are seven of our favorites, from the heavy hitters that hold vacationers coming again for extra to the hidden-away coves locals love.
1. Magens Bay
Finest seashore for households and services
A frequent inclusion on lists of essentially the most lovely seashores on the earth, Magens Bay actually is well worth the hype. Sure, you’ll have to pay a charge to enter (US$7/21, day/month for non-residents). And sure, it does get full of vacationers (particularly when cruise ships are in port). However there's no different seashore on St Thomas fairly prefer it – it's tucked on the finish of a deep horseshoe-shaped cove with inexperienced hills snaking off into the horizon on both finish. Altering services, eating places, water sports activities leases, picnic tables and lifeguards all make it an incredible alternative for households.
2. Honeymoon Seashore
Finest seashore for laidback adventures
Take a 15-minute ferry from the Crown Bay Marina to the dock on close by Water Island, hike for 10 minutes over a small hill, and also you'll end up at a picturesque cove lined with towering palms often called Honeymoon Seashore. Blessed with extremely calm waters, it's an incredible place to hire a kayak or paddleboard for a leisurely mid-morning journey. It's additionally dotted with the umbrellas of low-key seashore bars, making it a really perfect spot for a type of lunches that unintentionally turns into an early comfortable hour.
3. Lindbergh Bay
Finest seashore for budding aviators
Aircraft spotters love Lindbergh Bay – as you lay again on a towel basking within the tropical solar, you’ll be able to watch jets descend into the neighboring Cyril E. King Airport. Named after the pioneering American aviator Charles Lindbergh – who landed right here on a victory tour in 1928 after finishing the primary solo transatlantic flight – this lengthy, broad seashore shaded by seagrape bushes is nice for strolls or swimming laps. Anybody flying out early ought to take into account the 2 motels on both finish, Lindbergh Bay Lodge and Emerald Seashore Resort, which make handy final-night stays.
4. Lindquist Seashore
Finest seashore for photograph alternatives
Nestled within the protected Smith Bay Park, Lindquist Seashore is a real imaginative and prescient of paradise, with delicate white sands main out to calm aquamarine waters. Off within the distance, emerald inexperienced cays roll throughout the horizon, making it a well-liked backdrop for each island weddings and American commercials. Households love the place, too, as a result of there's at all times a lifeguard on responsibility, picnic tables for lunching and a bathhouse with showers the place you’ll be able to rinse off the salty sea.
5. Brewers Bay
Finest seashore for price range vacationers
Sea turtles and stingrays are steadily noticed ambling by the seagrass of this vast bay behind the airport, which is a favourite with college students from the close by College of the Virgin Islands. Regardless of being among the finest locations on the island for sea life, Brewers Bay sees much more locals than vacationers, who typically come for picnics and gatherings on the weekend, chowing down on pates (meat pies) or johnnycakes (fluffy fried bread). On weekdays, it's typically abandoned. With snack vans, restroom services and easy accessibility by public bus, it makes an incredible vacation spot for vacationers on a price range.
6. Sapphire Seashore
Finest seashore for windsurfing
It might be known as Sapphire Seashore, however the water right here is so turquoise that you simply'll suppose your eyes are tricking you. Guests typically base themselves within the apartment leases and resort motels that encase this East Finish seashore for its sweeping views over St John and offshore cays which are as spectacular because the snorkeling on the reef close to Pettyklip Level. Sure, it's unabashedly touristy, but it surely by no means feels overrun with day-trippers. And with a gradual breeze, it's additionally the very best spot on the island for windsurfing.
7. Neltjeberg Bay
Finest seashore for privateness and peace
Pristine sand traces and an ideal half-moon bay are the rewards on the finish of a 20-minute hike out to St Thomas's best secret seashore. Neltjeberg Bay lies on the far facet of a thick tangle of bush – together with wild-growing pineapple and guava – to the west of the extra accessible Dorothea Seashore. The one signal of civilization is a solitary – and fairly opulent – home atop Ruy Level, in addition to the vine-clad ruins of an outdated sugar plantation. BYO all the pieces (and cart it again out) as there are zero services; it'll simply be you, the sand and some curving coconut palms!
8. Coki Seashore
Finest seashore for snorkeling
If you wish to snorkel proper off the coast of St Thomas, nearly everybody will level you within the path of Coki Seashore. Whereas the corals right here aren't what they was – and the scene is something however serene – most guests do encounter loads of tropical fish (thanks, in no small half, to the controversial observe of fish feeding). Needless to say as a result of it lies adjoining to the flashy theme park, Coral World, this slender strip of sand can get completely slammed with vacationers.
9. Mermaid's Chair
Finest seashore to paddle from the ocean to the ocean
The possibility to place one foot within the Caribbean, then one other within the Atlantic, is what lures intriguing vacationers to the distant double-sided seashore often called Mermaid's Chair. This small strip of sand on the wild western tip of St Thomas is greatest seen at low tide. To succeed in it, plan to hike about 1.3 miles (2km) downhill from The Protect at Botany Bay on a largely paved street with in depth views over the westerly cays.
