If you’re searching for an idyllic seaside escape, look no further than the Caribbean island of St. Thomas. One of the best Virgin Islands to visit, this treasure boasts many beautiful beaches to be discovered.
Turquoise waters, white sand, and warm sunshine provide the perfect setting for a blissful vacation. With numerous beaches located all around the island, there’s a stretch of sand for every interest, whether you’re looking to lounge and read or get active and enjoy some watersports.
Uncover your ideal tropical destination in the Virgin Islands. From quiet coves to lively beachfront bliss, here are the best beaches in St. Thomas.
Smith Bay Beach Park & Eco Reserve
Smith Bay Beach Park & Eco Reserve
Perched on the eastern side of the island, Smith Bay Beach Park and Eco Reserve is a picture-perfect beach destination. The 21-acre park includes the popular Lindquist Beach. Light pink sands adorned by coconut trees skirt the azure waters that beckon for a swim. Admire the coastal ecosystem in this preserved marine park as you laze in the sun.
This quiet beachside respite is an ideal spot for those looking to fully relax in a more remote and uncrowded cove. Stroll the sand, search for seashells, marvel at the clear waters, read a book, or just take a nap—uninterrupted. The western edge of the bay has shallow waters great for families with young children and tide pools for them to explore as well. Enjoy the view of St. John and the British Virgin Islands from this stretch of sand. Sundays are popular with locals, who enjoy beach picnics and parties here. This is one of St. Thomas’s best beaches.
Honeymoon Beach
Honeymoon Beach
Just offshore from St. Thomas is another small island with a beautiful beach that’s known as one of the best honeymoon destinations in the Caribbean. Water Island is located on the southern coastal area, just west of Charlotte Amalie, and is host to a popular beach destination for visitors. Accessible by ferry or small passenger boat, this secluded stretch of sand is an ideal place to spend the day lounging, swimming, and enjoying the tropical scenery.
Kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding is also available and a great way to explore the waters surrounding the island. Honeymoon Beach and its clear, tranquil waters make for a fantastic place for a snorkeling adventure. Swimmers with snorkeling gear will likely encounter vibrant coral reefs, schools of exotic and colorful fish, and possibly even some sea turtles. All sporting equipment can be rented right on the beach.
A beach bar and grill provides refreshments and a laid-back atmosphere. An authentic Caribbean barbeque in this sun-filled backdrop will be a day to remember. If you’re looking to explore outside of the beach, the historic Fort Segarra is worth a visit, where you’ll get 360-degree views of the surrounding beauty.
Sapphire Beach
Sapphire Beach
On the eastern coast of St. Thomas, Sapphire Beach lures with the promise of bright blue seas, white sand, and plenty of fun in the sun. Visitors will enjoy a striking view of the neighboring island of St. John in the distance while relaxing on this beach. Gentle waves lap the soft sand, creating a calming beach soundtrack.
For those looking for a beachside thrill, windsurfing is a popular activity here. Kayaks are available for rental, where you can paddle through clear waters, spotting tropical fish and sea turtles from above. Or, grab some snorkel gear to discover the exciting marine life in the mesmerizing underwater world.
Sapphire Beach is host to one of the best spots for snorkeling on the island with its reef at Pettyklip Point, located on the edge of the cove. Enjoy a picnic lunch from the local bar and grill under the shade of palm and sea grape trees for a fulfilling day at the beach.
Magen’s Bay Beach
Magen’s Bay Beach
One of the top beaches in St. Thomas—and one of the best beaches in the Caribbean—Magen’s Bay Beach on the northern coast of St. Thomas is a gorgeous cove backed with azure waters. The powdery soft white sand stretches almost a mile long with plenty of space for beachgoers.
Swimming in the warm sea while the sun glistens off the pristine water will have you feeling like you entered a real-life postcard from paradise. The sandy ocean bottom and calm seas create the perfect scene for families to swim and play on the beach.
Many facilities for restrooms, showers, rentals, and refreshments are available for a comfortable beach experience. Picnic tables and plenty of shade make this an easy spot to spend the entire day. On your way to or from this beach from Charlotte Amalie, make sure to take a short detour to Drake’s Seat for an incredible view of the island. Prepare to be awestruck by the island beauty from this panoramic overlook.
Buck Island
Buck Island
Just south of St. Thomas lies Buck Island, a haven for snorkeling enthusiasts and one of the best white-sand beaches in the Caribbean. This remote island destination is a marine and nature sanctuary where you can explore sea life in clear blue waters. The National Wildlife Refuge is home to numerous species of birds, tropical fish, and marine life that inhabit the ocean reef surrounding this rocky island. Although you can’t set foot on the island due to its protected wildlife refuge status, you’ll enjoy the sights and sounds while in the water and on the boat.
A shipwreck lies just off the coast of Buck Island, creating ideal conditions for a variety of sea life below. Sailing and catamaran trips are popular ways to explore Buck Island. On the northwest side of the island, you’ll find the exciting Turtle Cove, home to numerous endangered sea turtles that you can snorkel amongst.
Coki Point Beach
Coki Point Beach
This small cove on the northeastern shore of St. Thomas is one of the best beaches in the U.S. Virgin Islands, with a little something for everyone. Whether you’re interested in a relaxing day at the shore to sunbathe or looking to go snorkeling, Coki Point is an excellent choice.
Snack and drink huts are available on the beach in case you’re in need of refreshments, as well as chair and umbrella rentals. Sometimes, reggae music plays from the bar to add to the laid-back ambiance of the beach. On-site watersport rentals include jet skis, snorkel gear, and stand-up paddleboards, and there’s even a dive center.
Nearby, Coral World Ocean Park offers a fun up-close and personal experience with a variety of marine life like dolphins, stingrays, sharks, turtles, and more. Combining a visit to the Ocean Park with Coki Point Beach makes for a fun-filled island adventure on St. Thomas.
Brewer’s Bay Beach
Brewer’s Bay Beach
Located on the southwest shore of St. Thomas, Brewer’s Bay is adjacent to the airport and the University of the Virgin Islands. You’ll have the opportunity to watch planes take off and land while enjoying your time in the sun and sand. This beach offers great snorkeling just offshore, with the chance to spot vibrant fish, sea turtles, and eagle rays in clear water. Green and Hawksbill sea turtle species are known to frequent this area, especially in the seagrass on the left side of the beach.
The gradual slope and sandy bottom make for leisurely wading and safer swimming for families with younger children. This low-key, uncrowded beach is the perfect place for kids to play in the calm water. Food trucks are often parked right outside of the beach with a selection of food like burgers, hot dogs, fish, and roti.
Hull Bay Beach
Hull Bay Beach
Just to the west of the famous Magen’s Bay, Hull Bay Beach offers a quieter, less-crowded seaside experience on the north side of the island. Hull Bay is a local favorite and a popular fishing spot. Although the water is clear, the rocky ocean bottom makes swimming a little more challenging.
Your views on this tranquil stretch of sand will include Inner Brass and Outer Brass Islands, nearby Tropaco Point, and resident pelicans looking for lunch. Choose between sunbathing or relaxing in the shade under the trees along the beach.
If you’re interested in snorkeling, the rocky ocean floor provides great hiding places for various sea life. Spot tropical fish, shy squid, and colorful coral formations as you swim along the right end of the bay. Watch as surfers tackle the waves from the laid-back restaurant and bar where you’ll find good food, drinks, and company.
Lindberg Bay Beach
Lindberg Bay Beach
Just west of the island’s capital city of Charlotte Amalie, and on the opposite side of the airport as Brewer’s Bay, Lindberg Bay’s shallow waters are a draw for visitors. This stretch of sand is also referred to as “Emerald Beach” likely because of the color of the water. Families with younger children will enjoy wading in the warm, clear waters and easy swimming that the beach provides.
To get out on the water with a side of adrenaline, jet skis and other water sport equipment rentals are available. Fuel up at the nearby bar and restaurant, or unwind on a rental chair. Visiting Lindberg is one of the best things to do in St. Thomas if you’re looking to relax in the turquoise waters, swim, and sunbathe.
Vessup Bay Beach
Vessup Bay Beach
On St. Thomas’s east end near the fishing village of Red Hook, Vessup Bay Beach is a great stretch of sand where you can watch ferry boats depart and arrive from the nearby islands. Your view of St. John will provide a gorgeous backdrop for lounging, swimming, and fishing on this beach.
Weekends are lively and filled with music, beach barbeques, and get-togethers. Make sure to stop by the town of Red Hook, where you’ll find restaurants, a marina, bars, shops, and plenty of island charm.
Read: Shopping in St. Thomas
Dorothea Beach
Dorothea Beach
If you’re looking to get away from it all, Dorothea Beach on the northern coast of St. Thomas provides the ultimate castaway island feel. The secluded beach is rocky with bigger waves than most of the other beaches on St. Thomas. Greenery and hills back this idyllic beach, and you may even have the whole place to yourself.
This is a great beach for those in search of solitary relaxation and rustic natural beauty. This beach can be combined with Hull Bay Beach, as they’re very close to one another.
If you’re ready to make your tropical beach fantasy a reality, a luxury cruise to St. Thomas will land you on these beautiful beaches. From secluded, tranquil coves to lively stretches of sand with the opportunity to snorkel with friendly fish or try watersports, the top beaches in St. Thomas are what vacation dreams are made of. Browse itineraries and plan your tropical getaway today.
