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Best Beaches in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

Two palm trees on a sandy beach with clear blue water and sky.

Ahoy! Looking for that perfect stretch of sand where you can idle away the day? Then welcome aboard! 

 

While St. John, the little island across the water from St. Thomas, routinely gets mentioned for having the best beaches, especially Trunk Bay, which earned the #1 spot on The Worlds Best Beaches – Best of the Best; St. Thomas is no slouch when it comes to wide expanses of white sand and turquoise waters. In fact, there are 40 beaches to choose from on St. Thomas – everything from full-service areas with chair set ups, drinks and lifeguards to secret hideaways where you might not have to share your patch of sand with anyone else. Here’s a look at some of our favorite picks.

 

All-Time Favorites

According to Tripadvisor, Magens Bay ranks #1 with its followers for the best beach on St. Thomas. Some even refer to this horseshoe-shaped, mile-long stretch of sand as “the crown jewel of the U.S. Virgin Islands.” Located on St. Thomas’s quieter, lusher Northside, Magens Bay’s beauty and appeal are well known, making it a popular location for weddings, movie shoots, and tourist stops.

 

There’s a lot to cheer about at this beach as it offers restrooms, showers, options for chair service, umbrella rentals, scenic hillsides to gaze upon and a great store to buy souvenirs, snacks and everyone’s favorite purchase – the locale’s World Famous Banana Daiquiris. (Smooth, refreshing and oh so flavorful!) Did I mention that Magens Bay is also a watersport haven? Snorkeling, swimming and kayaking are all viable options (rentals available) and when you’ve had enough of those perfectly clear waters, dry off and explore the nature trails surrounding the beach.

 

Because of its popularity, be prepared to share this piece of paradise with numerous visitors. To get there from Charlotte Amalie follow the Northside Road (Route 35) for about six miles until you see the entrance to Magens Bay Park on your left. (For those who don’t want to drive, taxi service is available.) Follow the signs to the beach and be prepared to pay an entrance fee, which ranges from $2.00 for local adults to $5.00 for non-residents. Children under 12 are free. There’s also a $2.00 parking fee. The good news? Sunshine, happy vibes and wandering iguanas come free of charge! For an added bonus, stop by Drake’s Seat on the way down to the beach and enjoy the breathtaking views.

Scenic beach with turquoise water, rocky foreground, sandy shore, and lush green hills under a blue sky. Two palm trees on a sandy beach with clear blue water and sky.

Other Popular Choices

While Magens Bay is located on the Northside of the island, it’s the East End of St. Thomas (where Red Hook and numerous hotels are located) which contains more beaches than any other part of the island. That’s where you’ll find Coki Point Beach, located adjacent to the Coral World Ocean Park. Like Magens Bay, Coki Beach has ample parking, taxi service, and vendors who sell a variety of foods and drinks. You can even get services like hair braiding at this location. Generally considered “the best shore snorkel” on the island, the local dive center offers snorkel and scuba gear rentals as well as guided dives. A bathhouse and boardwalk are additional amenities that add to this beach’s appeal. Check the cruise schedule before planning your visit, though, as the crowds are especially large on those days.

Two people in a kitchen behind a counter with fruit and drinks. Beach scene with people, blue umbrellas, and a boat on clear water under a partly cloudy sky.

Another popular location on the East End, nestled along the jagged coastline, is Sapphire Beach, aptly named for its luminous blue waters. This spacious white-sand enclave with inspiring views offers offshore cays which are perfect for snorkeling when the seas are calm. Otherwise, try your hand at windsurfing or book a parasailing experience. Whatever the activity, the waters of Saint John Bay will lull you into a tropical haze of contentment. Don’t miss out on the interesting rock formations at the far end of the beach or the white-cheeked pintail ducks that wander along the shoreline.

 

Hotel Beaches

If you’re looking for beaches with resort amenities, here are several top picks.

 

Hidden Gems

If avoiding the crowds is your goal, there are still plenty of options. Some, though, will require a bit of work to get there. Let’s start with the easiest one to reach!

 

Lindquist Beach – This quiet and pristine beach located between Wyndham Sugar Bay Beach Club and the Sapphire Beach Resort is part of a 21-acre area called Smith Bay Park. Lindquist Beach is protected by the Magens Bay Authority and offers views of St. John and the British Virgin Islands. Make a day of it by bringing a picnic lunch (lots of tables and pavilions to use), snorkel gear, and plenty of reef-safe sunscreen so you can enjoy all that soft, white sand without burning to a crisp. Travel Tips: Bathroom and shower facilities, parking, $5 admission fee, wild chickens and white-cheeked pintail ducks abound.

Sandy beach with lush greenery and a bright rainbow arching across a blue sky above calm turquoise waters.

Neltjeberg Bay Beach – You’ll need a jeep or SUV to access this beach which lies off the beaten path at the end of a long dirt road. (You can also hike in.) To get to Neltjeberg Bay Beach, head West on Hwy 33 (Crown Mountain Rd). Once you pass Thirteen Restaurant, drive slowly so you can spy the old house structure with a white cement arch in front where you’ll turn right onto a dirt road. At the end of the long, bumpy, dusty downhill journey with sharp turns, you’ll eventually reach a fork in the road where people park their cars. Enjoy the solitude of this captivating beach and idle away the hours surrounded by beauty. Travel Tips: The small island visible from shore is called Inner Bass and remember to bring whatever food and drinks you’ll need.

Beach scene with a leaning palm tree next to clear blue ocean under cloudy sky. Jeep in muddy forest path with people enjoying adventure Group of people walking on a sandy beach with turquoise water and trees in the background.

Dorothea Beach – This gem is another perfect spot to enjoy some solitude. Directions are similar to accessing Neltjeberg because they’re located next to each other! (It takes about 20 minutes to hike from Neltjeberg to Dorothea Beach.) Travel Tips: Bring a camera as the scenery is amazing, remember to leave enough time and energy to hike back out and don’t forget to have an ample supply of water with you to stay hydrated.

 

Botany Bay – This secluded beach is located in a gated enclave located at the western end of St. Thomas. Getting there involves driving to the Preserve at Botany Bay on Fortuna Road. You must park outside the gate, though choose carefully or you might get a ticket. (The Preserve is a gated community that doesn’t allow non-resident vehicles). Three times a week the Preserve offers a shuttle to the beach, but otherwise, you need to lace up those sneakers and start waking. Once you reach Sandy Beach, you’ll be rewarded with a sparkling white shoreline and crystal-clear waters. Next to Sandy Beach you’ll find Mermaid’s Chair Beach, another intimate spot where the Caribbean meets the Atlantic. Travel Tips: Take plenty of water and snacks with you as this is secluded territory. Also, know your limits as the hike to Mermaid’s Chair is long and has little shade. There is no way to get help if you need it!

 

Head West For A Few More!

The West End of St. Thomas is rather sparsely populated and quiet, save for the airport and the University of the Virgin Islands, but here, too, you can find some spectacular beaches. 

 

Brewers Bay – This is one of the longer beaches on St. Thomas and despite its proximity to the airport, there’s plenty to like about the spot – soft sand, local food trucks and decent snorkeling with plenty of stingrays and conches to see. For a fun day of adventure, do the Brewers Bay Hike and then cooldown with a relaxing swim. Travel Tips: No restrooms at the beach, but admission is free. Chair rentals start at $5.00. Parking is available along Brewer’s Bay Road but bus and taxi service are also options. 

 

Lindbergh Bay – Unlike more exclusive properties, this hotel-front beach welcomes the public. The beach, which is known for its palm trees, calm water and the many iguanas that roam the rocky shoreline, can be accessed by entering through the lobby of the Beach Resort, located close to Cyril E. King Airport. You’ll find two waterside restaurants to enjoy as well as watersport and chair rentals. For added fun, visit Lindbergh Bay Park, which is next to the airport and features a playground, picnic tables and other amenities. Travel Tips: Facilities, Rentals, Limited Snorkeling.

 

End Notes: While we listed plenty of choice beach locations in this blog, there are still more for you to discover with names like Annaberg Beach, Vessup Bay, Morningstar Beach and Santa Maria Beach. Forty beaches means you’ll have to spend quite a bit of time on St. Thomas before you can say you’ve seen them all, which sounds like an interesting challenge for the 2024-2025 tourist season! Here at Stormy Pirate Charters we’d like to help you meet that challenge, so book a boat day with us and let’s get out on the water to do some exploring! We promise to put the gang plank down and escort you in style.

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