Which beach Magen's Bay or over to St. John?

[Cruz Crazy]

If there's only time for one beach which would you prefer, St. Thomas beach (which one) or St. John's (which beach)?

[LisaK]

my personal preference is Trunk Bay - St. John Island

Have not done Magens bay but just did Trunk bay--a long ride to get there but worth it all--we had perfect weatherm calm seas--just beautiful! It's a great national Park!

[PapaBill]

Save the travel time and stay on St Thomas. Maegens Bay is large , gorgeous and sometimes crowded, but a great beach. Coki Beach, smaller , great beachside food and drink, good snorkelling. Next door to Coral World. Saphire , good beach full facilities , good snorkelling. Why waste two hours or more (and cost)of )travelling.
Sure trunk Bay is nice, but, so are the beaches on St Thomas and you save money and time.

Went to Magens Bay last Friday, it is absolutely gorgeous and the cab ride over offers some spectacular views as well. it is not a cheap day though, cab fare from the ship is $6 per person each way, then $3 per to get on the beach, $6 for chair rentals. Yes, it is much less travel time then St. John but Trunck Bay is beautiful as is Honeymoon Bay. There is no snorkeling at Magens Bay and good snorkeling at Trunk. Don't think you can make a bad choice just a matter of preference. Have fun and enjoy!!

[Donna]

My vote is also Trunk Bay on St. Johns....it is a ride to get there, but well worth it. If you go early in the day, you can still have time to come back and shop at the mall by the pier.

What's the best way to get to Trunk Bay? Take the ferry from which location as I think there is 2.

Thanks,

Leanne

[Gene]

...or skip Trunk, go Cinnamon, the next beach down, beautiful beach, facilities, great snorkeling, no admission charge and 1/4 the number of people at Trunk (and 1/10 the number of people at Megans).

[Donna]

Hi Leanne,
Yes, there are 2 ferries, we took the Red Hook ferry, here is a link to their schedule:

St. Thomas ferry Schedule

The other ferry leaves from Charlotte Amalie, which is also in the schedule.

[LisaK]

the ferry from Red Hook Harbor leaves every hour on the hour. The other ferry is from downtown Charlotte-Amalie.
Cinnamon Bay -a great beach - its right next door to Trunk . No fee to get in. Its a campground actually. They have clean facilites, a nice little snack bar and general store. There is a shack where you can rent floats, snorkel gear, stuff like that. There is a nice path to the beach, but you might have to climb over some driftwood. But you will find a nice spot on the beach and be able to spread your stuff out- not crowded at all. You have to swim out a bit to get to the reef. There is an little island in the bay and the reef surrounds that island, lots to see when snorkeling. Nothing fancy but the scenery is still beautiful.

[Cruz Crazy]

Thanks to all you beach goers!

I've been writing my notes in my little black travel book. Can always count on you guys.

Since I have to have time to shop in St. Thomas as well, and we love ferry rides, we will give St. Johns via Red Hook Ferry to Trunk Bay.

We are heading back to the Eastern Caribbean again in January '05 with family, so we will then get to Papa Bill's Coki Beach. My hubby may not let me shop on this trip as well, but then there's always the Havensight Mall before boarding after the beach.

We'll just have to go on another cruise to see Magen's Bay. No problem twisting my arm.

Two weeks to go and just got my cruise documents today!

Thanks again.

[Cruz Crazy]

Donna, just went into the website you recommended. Great site. I put it in my list of favorites.

I could just travel all day on the ferries. We did that in Bermuda, great way to get up close and personal with the BVI.

Thanks.

If this is your first visit to St. Thomas I would recommend you stay on St. Thomas. Wander around the shops downtown. And then take a tour with one of the independent tour operators.

They will be cheaper than the ships, and will take you up to Mountain Top. From there ask your tour guide to drop you off at Magens Bay.

Its not deserted, but its not crowded like Daytona Beach either.

St. John is more travel time. But im definetly headed there the next time our ship stops in St. Thomas.

[pg.]

Magens beach was such a disappoinment, crowded, crowded, crowed, and no snorkling at all, boring . I wish with all my heart we didn't chicken out a "settle " for it. Take the plunge and the travel time and go the St Johns, or at least Coki beach.

At Cinnamon Bay you can also rent kayaks and go out to a little island that has an old stone building on it. There was hardly anyone at Cinnamon and the staff was quite helpful. Don't miss the wild donkeys on St. John. They are very friendly when they come looking for a handout.

[Mandy]

If it is rainy when the ship docks and you choose not to go to St John, don't hesitate to go to Magen's. We did on our first cruise to St Thomas, and we were just two of about 8 people on the ENTIRE beach. The rain slackened up, and we practically had Magen's Bay to ourselves. It was perfect!! I was going to get wet swimming in the ocean, so a little "liquid sunshine" didn't bother me at all.
There was shelter we could go to in the rain if we wanted to, but we just occassionally ducked under a lifeguard stand. Otherwise, we strolled hand in hand along the beach - even with the raindrops.

However, St John is awesome. We've taken a land vacation there and are headed back this summer (and we married there). One week is just not enough time to soak in St John....

[Tauruschick]

Magens,, by far!

Take the ferry to St John's you won't be sorry.........

[srpilo]

Does Cinnamom bay "rent" chairs and umbrellas ??

Thanks
Srpilo