U.S. Virgin Islands / Beach Life

The USVI have many excellent beaches. Almost all have bright white sand, crystal clear waters and many are backed by palms and sea grape in classic Caribbean style. They vary from active strips with watersports and a backdrop of beach bars to charming hidden coves with untouched rainforest that descends to the sand and shoreline. Some more remote beaches cannot be reached by car and require a hike (Make sure you take all you need in the way of water and food). Others, the more popular ones, may be overrun for a few hours by cruise ship passengers. Ask around before going.

There are beach bars on many of the beaches, sometimes vendors with a container selling chilled drinks, but others have nothing at all. The more popular beaches have lifeguards, but this is by no means universal and will not be case on the remoter beaches. 

Below is a selection of the best beaches in the US Virgin Islands.

St Thomas Beaches 

Magens Bay - The best known and most popular beach on the island. A superb mile-long stretch of fine sand and coconut palms in a deep cove on the north side of St Thomas. Snorkelling equipment for hire, changing facilities, beach bars and restaurants along the beach. Gets crowded at weekends. 

Hull Bay and Dorothea Bay - Isolated coves west of Magens Bay, used as a base by local fisherman. Nice local feel but the sand is a bit stony. The rougher waters at the western tip of the island attract surfers.

Brewers Beach and Lindbergh Beach - On the south side of St Thomas, either side of the airport, relatively free of crowds. Snack stalls and facilities nearby and a great place to relax in the week. 

Morningstar Beach - At the Frenchman’s Reef Hotel, east of Charlotte Amalie, with plenty of activities and facilities. Snorkelling gear is available for rent to explore the reefs at either end of the beach. 

Bolongo Beach, Cowpet Bay - Public beaches with hotels on the southern shore of the island. Water sports equipment available for hire and a variety of food on offer.

Sapphire Beach - Good snorkelling beach on the Atlantic-facing east side of the island. Amenities include a marina, restaurants and a beachside dive shop.

Coki Beach - Busy beach on the north east side of the island, adjacent to the entrance of Coral World. Good snorkelling (scuba dive shop), brightly painted stalls, beach bars and food stands.

Mandahl Bay - Quite a secluded beach, to the east of Magens Bay. Good snorkelling but the surf can get up.

Offshore Islands - To get away from it all, you might consider taking a trip to one of the offshore islands. Hans Lollick to the northeast, Great St James to the east and Saba and Buck Island off the south coast are all recommended. Watersports operators can organise transport. Make sure to take all you need in the way of food and water if you are not on an organised excursion. And book return transport! 

St John Beaches 

St John has some magnificent beaches, often quoted as amongst the best in the Caribbean. The sand is powdery soft and the sea excellent. The beaches are distinctly more secluded than the beaches on St Thomas, though this does not prevent crowds from building up on the more popular ones. 

Trunk Bay - The most popular beach on St John, Trunk Bay has crystal clear water and sparkling white sand backed by coconut palms. There are modern and convenient facilities, including changing rooms, hire rooms and snack bars; and the beach has its own lifeguards. A snorkelling trail underwater gives you the chance to enjoy the array of coral and tropical fish that live in the waters. 

Cinnamon Bay - Another lovely stretch of light sand with a campground hidden in the trees, so there are plenty of activities and watersports on offer, including kayaking, windsurfing and volleyball. A snack bar and changing room facilities are available. 

Maho Bay and Francis Bay - Coves with excellent sand near to Cinnamon Bay. Both bays have a superb view out over the other islands and are easily accessible. 

Salt Pond Bay and Lameshur Bay - Away from the crowds on the south coast of the island, good sand and calm water. There are no facilities nearby, so it is a good idea to take picnic and drinks if you plan to stay for the day. 

Solomon Beach - A beautiful stretch of sand that requires a scenic mile-long hike, often deserted. No facilities.

Caneel Bay - Public beaches within Caneel Bay Resort, so access is however restricted over land. Seaside restaurants and facilities.

Gibney or Oppenheimer Bay - Secluded and charming small strip of sand west of Trunk Bay. Nearby are other thin strips of sand where you can usually find quiet spots to enjoy the beaches alone. No facilities.

Offshore cays - It is worth taking to trip out to one of the offshore cays, Henley Cay (out from Caneel Bay) and Lovango Cay (further out) are both recommended. Off Leinster Bay in the north is Waterlemon Cay, a short ride out from Francis Bay. 

St Croix Beaches 

Most of main beaches in St Croix have some development on them but there are also many isolated coves tucked in between where it is possible to find a secluded spot. The snorkelling is good in places and there are reefs close to shore. There are several beach bars at the western end of the island. Watersports are also available on many of the beaches.

Buck Island - The best beach in the area is actually an offshore island, a couple of miles off the north east coast of St Croix. The island is a National Park and there is an excellent snorkelling trail through the corals where it is possible to see a variety of colourful fish and even turtles.

Protestant Cay - The closest beach to Christiansted is on the small island in the bay. It’s just a couple minutes swim off the waterfront – or you can go by ferry. Watersports equipment is available to hire.

Beauregard Bay - Public beach at the Buccaneer Hotel, five minutes east of Christiansted. Food and drink amenities as well as rafts and beach chairs available to rent. Non guests are charged admission.

Shoy Point - One of St Croix’s most unspoiled spots, located on the south western tip of the island. Superb quiet half moon curve of luscious sand. No facilities.

Chenay Bay - Great beach for children due to its shallow calm waters. On the north coast. Facilities, hammocks and equipment for hire and watersports.

Cramer Park Beach - Popular beach on the north east top of St Croix. Good snorkelling but limited equipment available for hire so take your own gear. Changing rooms available.

Isaac’s Bay - Brilliant snorkelling beach which requires a walk from Jack’s Bay. Isolated and quiet, on the east of the island.

Grapetree Bay - Secluded strip of white sand on the south-eastern side of the island, not far from the Divi Carina Bay resort and Casino.

Sandy Point - A national Wildlife Refuge at the western tip of St Croix. Quite isolated and you will need to take your own food and drinks. Nesting ground for the leatherback and green sea turtles during May to July.

Cane Bay - Great views, snorkelling and diving in this beach on the north west coast of the island. A dive centre and bar and grill is located just off the beach.