Coki Beach or Magen's

[bogino]

I was all set to spend the day on St. Thomas at Coki Beach so my 5 and 8 year old girls can snorkel. I've read that the snorkeling there is pretty conducive for kids (was planning on going the Coki Beach Dive Club route). I've also read that Magen's Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches around and that you can snorkel there as well. The snorkeling I'm interested in is really for my 2 girls. Is the snorkeling at Magen's O.K. for young children? Any suggestions between these two options would be appreciated. Thx.

 

[sandee]

Can't speak about Coki but Magen's bay is awesome. Water very calm which my DGrD enjoyed. We saw some fish while snorkling - water was crystal clear. Probably other places recommended for serious snorkling but for 1st timer kids it was great. On page 2 of this cruise forum you can find a question posted by Caseysmom titled "Looking for St Thomas/ St. Marten suggestions". It has several reviews you might using in making your decision. Whatever you decide, have a great time.

 

[pal2pluto]

Coki's is excellent for snorkeling. Picture perfect beautiful. But next time we go I'm gonna try Magens. I think we got to the beach later than most people and had a hard time finding chairs and a "nice" place to sit. We ended up pushed up against the snorkeling shack. The view, was unbelieveably beautiful.
One thing to take into possible consideration....I think Magens is a pay beach....if I remember correctly, they charge $2-3 pp. Just a heads up........

 

[Euphscott]

OK - how about trying Trunk Bay if you want great snorkeling and a stunning beach?

We have tried both Magen's and Trunk Bay and foudn Trunk Bay more exciting, plus you get a tour of around St. Thomas and hisory of the area on your way to St. John.

 

[kplatt]

Please look into Sapphire Beach for snorkeling, too. We spent a week there two years ago and had a fantastic snorkeling experience. The reefs start just a few yards from the shore in shallow water and cover a wide area. The kids didn't need to go far to see many, many fish. We packed one foam kickboard for the family to share. Just put that under your abdomen and you can float above the reef for hours.

Karen
Wonder 11/01
Magic 3/02
Wonder 11/02

 

[wishiwasgolfing]

We have never been to St. Thomas but I have read about all the beaches and checked them out on the internet etc... We could definitely use some help from all of you out there. How crowded do the beaches get? We are going in May. Are there any less popular beaches that we could take a cab to? We would at least like to stop by to see Magens Bay but then maybe head off to spend the day at another beach. We were thinking about stopping at Magens and then head over to Coki or Sapphire. Do you think this is doable with only one day? Or do think it would be wise to just select one beach only. I'm not sure how easy it is to get around the island etc... Plus we have a 3 and 6 year old that might influence our plans.
For those of you who have been to St. Thomas which beach would you recommend for a first time visitor?
thanks,

 

[Zipper]

We went to Sapphire Beachand it was very nice. $5pp taxi, you could rent snorkle equip, floats, chairs. There is a bathroom , food and small shop. The Sapphire Beach Resort is right there. The coolist thing is all the Iguana's (many and quite large) walking around. My kids were fasinated with them, one of the highlights of their trip. Other cruisers that went to the other beaches didn't see them.

 

[wishiwasgolfing]

Thanks Zipper. Sapphire does seem real nice. Any suggestions on St. Martin?

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by wishiwasgolfing

Any suggestions on St. Martin?

Depends on what you're looking for in a beach. There are 37 beaches on Sint Maarten/Saint Martin. The answer for you depends on your tastes and whether or not you want to see or object to seeing naked people or topless women.

Check out this <a href="http://www.odrc.com/beaches/beaches.htm" target=newwindow>site</a> and this <a href="http://www.kctravel.net/sxm/beach.html" target=newwindow>site</a> for excellent unbiased reviews of all St Maarten beaches.

In addition, I found this editorial comment somewhere:

Some like it hot, some like it shady, some like it quiet, some like to party… but no matter what type of beach you love to sink your toes into, there's a good chance this island has a beach just for you. Here are a few favorites:

<b>Best for Swimming</b>
Gentle surf, shade, refreshment stands and change facilities make <b>Mullet Bay Beach</b> a swimmer's dream. Good snorkeling, too. Tops optional.

<b>Best for Snorkeling</b>
Known for its spectacular sunrises, <b>Dawn Beach</b> is also the place for fish spotting. <b>Little Bay</b>, a popular meeting spot for locals, is another snorkeling favorite. Water sports also available. Facilities for both beaches are at nearby hotels.

<b>Best for Romance</b>
<b>Simpson Bay</b> features a mile-long beach ideal for leisurely strolls and romantic swims. Picturesque fishing village and refreshment facilities nearby. <b>Baie Longue</b>, the island's longest beach, offers pristine privacy. Keep your eyes open for visiting celebrities… this is their favorite haunt. No facilities. <b>Baie Rouge</b> is another idyllic spot with beautiful scenery, plenty of beach space and refreshment facilities. Look for Devil's Hole, an amazing anomaly of nature. Tops optional.

<b>Best for Food</b>
Granted, eating isn't really a best beach category, but <b>Grand Case</b> is a unique stretch of sand for the gourmet lover. Good swimming and scenery, but it's most famous for its incredible dining spots and on-the-beach chicken and ribs lolo fare.

<b>Best for Kids</b>
A virtual sea paradise, <b>Galion Beach</b> has shallow waters protected by a coral reef. It also offers boardsailing and windsurfing rentals and instruction. Full facilities. <b>Anse Marcel</b> is another terrific family beach with lots of shade, calm waters and nearby facilities. The delightful little island of <b>Isle Pinel</b>, just a 5-minute water taxi ride from French Cul de Sac, offers great snorkeling and lots of shallow water and protection from the pounding surf. Food and drinks available.

<b>Best for Scenery</b>
<b>Cupecoy</b> is the island's most breathtaking beach, with towering, craggy cliffs and sea-worn caverns. Cupecoy is constantly changing: sometimes there's sand, sometimes there isn't. No facilities. Clothing optional.

<b>Best for People Watching</b>
<b>Maho Beach</b>. It's great fun watching sunbathers lounging peacefully on the beach one second, then looking up at a 747 directly over them the next (the beach is just off the runway touchdown point of Juliana Airport). Those in the know park themselves out of the way on either side of the flight path. Spectacular photo ops. Facilities.

<b>Best for Bodysurfing</b>
Check out <b>Guana Bay</b>, a natural treasure with rugged beauty and great waves. Only a few minutes drive from Philipsburg. Limited facilities.

<b>Best of Everything</b>
Called the Riviera of the Caribbean, <b>Orient Bay</b> has it all. Every kind of water sport, including parasailing and jet skiing, tons of eateries and bars, live music, gorgeous scenery, you name it! The far end is a naturist retreat, but there is often nudity along the entire strip of beach.

 

[Zipper]

We went to Dawn Beach. $5pp taxi ride, there is beach chair and float rentals also bathroom. The natives were selling stuff but they didn't bug you. My girls got there hair braided beautifully here, about $15.00 for crown of head, about 75 cents a braid. My husband liked the hut selling 75 cent bottled beer.

 

[wishiwasgolfing]

75 cent beers? Your kidding! I guess I know where to go now. Yee Ha!
thanks for the reply Zipper