Which beach on St Thomas?

[suttonsammie]

I was planning on going to Dawn Beach on St Thomas but have read several posts about "sea lice" at this beach. I know I've read good things about Coki Beach. So, what beach should we go to? My children will 'freak' about this lice thing so I want to be prepared in case they're everywhere.

Eileen

[Dave_from_Marietta]

The two most popular beaches at St Thomas are Magen's Bay and Coki Beach. Magen's Bay is among the world's most beautiful, but the snorkeling there isn't as interesting as at Coki Beach. As far as Coki... I've never heard anyone say they didn't have a wonderful time there.

Here's a photo of Magen's Bay:

www.vibj.com/phototour/pt-02.htm

Here's a photo of Coki Beach:

www.vibj.com/phototour/pt-05.htm

[duskysmom]

I just got back from a fantastic 7 day on Magic...and did Coki Beach....don't know if I'll go there again. It was a beautiful place to sit on the beach and look across the water....water was beautiful and warm. But I found it crowded as any other beach I've been on. The public rest rooms were filthy and toilets clogged with unmentionables. :rolleyes: We saved money by hailing our own cab, rather than booking an excursion. However, both drivers scared the beegeebers out of me...he sped so quickly, I was sure we'd fall off the truck going over the mountain! Please don't get me wrong, it was a great day....but quite an adventure....I'm gonna check out magen's next time. (see, I plan a next time!:D )

[Mdgirl]

I vote for Coki Beach. We ( kids, 4 and 11 included) had a great time there last summer. It is a beautiful beach and there is an aquarium there with lockers and bathrooms to use. We made a day of it there and did not regret it at all. Bring a mask and snorkel if you have it and some Milkbone-like dog biscuits ( the bigger the better) to feed the fish while at the beach. Or you can rent the gear and buys the biscuits, 5 for a dollar, at the beach. There is also a bar on the beach if you chose to indulge just a bit while sitting on one of their beach chairs, under one of their umbrellas... all available for rent. Check previous threads about Coki Beach for the name of the aquarium because we were able to print a coupon for the aquarium directly from their website. Their name escapes me right now.

Have a great time.

Michelle

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by Mdgirl

Check previous threads about Coki Beach for the name of the aquarium because we were able to print a coupon for the aquarium directly from their website.

www.coralworldvi.com

[annorken]

We did Magen Bay last January. It was also crowded, but if you keep on walking down the beach, it was less crowded. However, it is a long way back to the bathroom/food. Magen Bay is beautiful, but the best beach is still the Castway Cay.

I think sea lice is only a problem during certain months. We did not encounter any sea lice during January.

Ann

[stephmarty]

Wife and I loved Magans Bay Beach last January. Take a left when you arrive and walk down the beach and eventually it was basically deserted. Also, all the way down (though long walk from the "facilities"), the snorkeling was much better. There are rocks and several interesting fish. The day we were there, there were big sea birds dive-bombing time after time into the water on this end of the beach. We were able to get very close to them. At least a couple dozen birds that just kept diving time after time from a height of 30 feet or more, head first. Probably the best beach I've ever been to anywhere.

[3GuysandaMom]

Can you get to Magen's Bay by sea taxi? We have an infant and don't want to take a land taxi - too fast and dangerous.

Can you rent snorkeling equipment on Magen's Bay? Buckets and Shovels? Is there shade for the baby? Thanks.

[duskysmom]

I believe the only way there is by land taxi as it is on the opposite side of the island from port. Look for a taxi that you can get in the cab....I would not feel comfortable with a baby in the "back". Most of the taxi's I saw were pickup trucks with the beds converted into benches with a step or two up, and are covered. What is scarey to me is that there are no doors to keep you in. They are open. You can find bigger taxi's that can seat 4 or so inside the cab....that would be my preference.

[princsdi1]

We went to Sapphire Beach, It was a private resort that allows Disney Cruise people to go there. It was beautiful, not really crowded, and there is snorkleing offered right on the beach, the coral reef is in 2 minute walking distance and you go up to your thighs in the water put your face in and there are the fish. I was so surprised. We snorkled for about an hour. We also saw Iguanas on the rocks and right next to the beach where there is a little store. You can go in a buy some cookies or pretzels or snacks to eat on he beach 30 second walk from the beach. It was Beautiful, sorry to repeat myself. You could see St. John across the water. We took an open truck ride from the magic to the beach, there were 16 of us, the ride took about 20- 30 minutes if I remember correctly and the ride was nice, you could see a lot on the way. Hope this helps. Princsdi1@aol.com