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The Virgin Islands…a haven for sun lovers and beach enthusiasts!
About 24 years had passed since we first visited the Virgin Islands…it was high time that we went back, especially since our children had yet to experience its magnificence.
Deciding that it was best to stay on St. Thomas for a wider array of things to do, we left bright and early and arrived to beautiful, blue skies and warm temperatures.
Though our condominium was located on stunning Sapphire Beach, known for its snorkeling, it was advantageous to have a car in order to experience some of the other beaches located throughout the island.
It is helpful to know that all of St. Thomas’ beaches are public and accessible to anyone, however, visitors should avoid using hotel or condo chairs and other equipment reserved for those staying in these properties.
We tried out three other beaches while visiting St. Thomas…Magen’s Bay, Secret Harbor and Coki Beach.
Magen’s Bay is truly one of the most stunning beaches I have ever visited. Such an impression it made on us all those years ago, we knew we had to make it a priority on this trip.
The drive to Magen’s Bay from the part of the island on which we were staying is a bit harrowing with hairpin turns, narrow lanes and a lack of shoulders, but if you’ve got the guts, you’ll pass some stunning overlooks along the way and be rewarded on your arrival.
After paying our entrance and parking fees, we secured a convenient parking spot and grabbed a picnic table under the shelter of a large, shady tree. Since we had our own beach chairs (courtesy of our condominium) we spread out in the white sand, lathered up and admired the azure waters of Magen’s Bay.
Magen’s Bay public park was donated to the people of the Virgin Islands by Arthur Fairchild and consists of a one mile of white sand beach, a six-acre arboretum with trees from four tropical continents, a two-acre camping ground, five acres of coconut groves and fifteen acres of mangroves and wetlands. It is the only beach on St. Thomas that charges an admission fee which is used to maintain the facilities and the beach.
After relaxing for a while, we then grabbed our snorkels and dove in, eager to see what was below the water’s surface. While our waters at Sapphire Beach offered an amazing amount of coral and marine life, sadly, Magen’s Bay did not. A bit more coral borders the rocky outcropping at each end of the beach, but the most impressive thing we encountered was the large, shoaling silver-side fish whose location was apparent by the diving seagulls.
A perfect day for visiting with no cruise ship in port, the beach was uncrowded even with a group of summer camp-goers learning to paddle board. Though more visitors tend to congregate nearer to the concession stand area, if you desire more privacy, a short walk to either end of the beach will offer more space. We loved swimming in the calm, crystal clear waters and picnicking under the large shady trees. It is advisable to bring a cooler if you have one available. Although there is a concession stand, drinks and food are on the pricey side. Drinks and lunch for a family of four could potentially run over fifty dollars.
Make sure to to wade through the shallow waters to the boulders, on the right side of Magen’s Bay, to experience some rock climbing and amazing photo opportunities.
After Magen’s Bay, trying to decide on another beach was tough. Would any other measure up?
Our next trip was nearer to our end of the island. On our first visit to St. Thomas, many years ago, we stayed in a private home near Secret Harbour. Unspoiled, it was actually a little primitive and unkempt. After a quick walk to check it out, we spent most of our vacation time on St. John since we were so close to the ferry in Red Hook Harbor.
After reading that Secret Harbour beach was considered one of the best beaches on the east end of St. Thomas and we were only a couple of minutes drive from it, we decided to spend the morning there. Parking in front of Secret Harbour Beach Resort, we made our way down the right side of the resort to the dive shop. After inquiring about the best area to snorkel and which part of the beach was best for non-residents, we set up camp on the right side of the beach.
The beach area is not as large as Magen’s Bay but offers many shaded areas due to the large number of palm trees that line the coast. Most of the beach is clean and sandy with the surface becoming a bit more rocky to the right. A swimming raft is located just offshore and a few of the dive operator’s boats are moored in the bay on the right side of the bay.
My husband and sons did a bit of snorkeling along the rocky areas on the right side of the bay which extends quite a ways out. Lots of coral was present as well as a great bit of marine life. The water was calm and perfect for swimming, however, they admitted that at times the water was not as clear as Sapphire Beach or Magen’s Bay.
Two sit-down restaurants are located along the beach area, however, again, it would be advisable to bring a cooler if you don’t plan to have a more formal meal.
After an enjoyable morning at Secret Harbour, it was time to try another nearby strand…Coki Point Beach.
Our final visit, was located on the North East side of the island adjacent to the Coral World Ocean Park. Greeted by a local upon pulling into the parking area, we were charged five dollars to park. Though it is stated that there are no fees to use any of the beaches besides Magen’s Bay, I was a bit skeptical as to whether the locals charge this fee unofficially.
As we made our way to the beach area, we were immediately greeted by a woman offering to get us what we needed…chairs (we had them), food (burgers, chicken and seafood all smelled great), drinks (she actually peeked into our cooler and told me that we need something stronger than water and soda).
The water was clear and calm and deepens gradually, however, the beach was teeming with local families out to enjoy the Friday afternoon and was a bit on the crowded side. Surprisingly, there were large piles of seaweed all along the shore, something I would have thought would have been cleaned up by the many locals in this area, especially those benefiting from the parking fees!
My husband and sons, once again, went out to check out the snorkeling and thought it very similar to Sapphire Beach. The waters were teeming with many species of fish due to the fact that some of the vendors sell food so that snorkelers can attract them for photo opportunities.
Coki Point Beach was a great place to spend a few hours, however, when cruise ships are in port, I have been told that the beach can be quite crowded. The beach has a reputation for locals harassing visitors with offers of hair braiding and souvenirs, although we encountered none of that. There was the distinct odor of marijuana smoke every now and then, although we didn’t actually see anyone partaking.
If you get tired of the atmosphere here, you can wander next door to Coral World where you can come face-to-face with sharks and other underwater creatures. Swimming with sea lions or touching turtles…there’s much to learn about the underwater life that inhabits the waters around St. Thomas. Descend fifteen feet in the undersea observatory tower to marvel at the coral reef, schools of silversides and other fish or take an hour-long cruise on the park’s semi-submarine.
There are many different beaches throughout the island of St. Thomas. Wherever your interest lie, you are sure to find one that fits your needs.
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Magen’s Bay
- http://www.magensbayauthority.com/rates.html
- Address:
- Hours: Daily, 0800-1700
- Admission: Local Residents: Adults, $2.00, Children under 12 years, Free, Children 13 years and over $2.00. Non-residents and guests: Adult, $5.00, Children under 12 years, Free, Children 13 years and over $5.00. Vehicle parking, $2.00
- Concessions: Snack Bar, Bar and Boutique. Beach chairs ($8.00), floats, snorkeling sets, paddle boats, kayaks, and sunfish are available for rent.
- Public bathrooms and changing rooms available.
- Lifeguards on duty every day. No driving on beach. No bottles. No pets. No jet skis. No nudity.
Secret Harbour
- http://www.secretharbourvi.com/
- Address: 6280 Estate Nazareth, St Thomas 00802, USVI
- Hours: Daily, unlimited
- Admission: free
- Restaurant: Sunset Grille (1730-1000, daily) and Cruzan Beach Club Bar (0800-1000 Sunday-Thursday, 0800-1100, Friday and Saturday)
Coki Beach
- http://www.vinow.com/stt/stt-b/coki-point/
- Address: Coki Point Rd, Smith Bay 00802, St. Thomas
- Admission: free, Parking, $5.00
Coral World
- https://coralworldvi.com/conservation/
- Address: 6450 Coki Point, St. Thomas, USVI 00802
- Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 0900-1600, closed Friday and Saturday until November 1, 2017. Ticket booth closes at 1500.
- Admission: Adults, $20, Children ages 3-12, $11, Children under 3, free. Family Day Pass (2 adults, 4 children, ages 3-21), $65. Local family day pass (2 adults, 4 children), $33. Sea Lion swim, Adults, $127, Children under 13 (over 50 pounds), $118, includes admission. Turtle or Shark Encounter, Adults, $60, Children, ages 3-12, $51, includes admission.
To reach the lighthouse, we drove along Ocean Trail, following the signs along the way. There was ample parking near the lighthouse and we were greeted by a volunteer who immediately showed us the best places to capture an amazing photograph of the unusually unpainted lighthouse.
The lighthouse, which had fallen into disrepair, when automation deemed lighthouse keepers unnecessary, has undergone a huge preservation by the Outer Banks Conservationists since 1980. Visitor have been allowed to enter and climb the structure since 1991.
Taking our place in line to await our turn to climb to the top of this towering structure, some members of our group used the time wisely to walk around the grounds and investigate what the gift shop had to offer. In order to keep congestion in the lighthouse to a minimum, only a small number of visitors are allowed inside at one time. So, as visitors leave, others are allowed in.
Finally, our turn had arrived and we began the long, hot, climb to the top…220 twenty steps, stopping only to catch our breath and read the museum-quality displays on each level detailing the lighthouse’s history.
After one last exhausting push, we exited to the top platform into the cool breeze, admiring the expansive views of the Atlantic, the barrier island and the sound. Worth the climb? You bet!
Though access to the lens room is not permitted since the lens (the original) is still a functioning one, it was thrilling to look out over one of the top vacation spots in on the East Coast.
Historical sources point to a nineteen-inch sculpture of the Holy Child with a bird in his right hand as the original Infant Child of Prague. Located in the Spanish monastery of Santa Maria de la Valbonna in Asturias, it was carved in 1340. Other sculptures were carved by famous masters during the Middle Ages and were dressed in the aristocratic fashion of the time period. It is believed, however, that the current statue was a gift from Lady Polyxena to the Carmelites who said upon presenting the figurine, “I am giving you what I most esteem of my possessions. Keep the sculpture in reference and you will be well off”. Since that time, many claims of blessing favors and miraculous healings have been attributed to those who petition the Infant Jesus.
Though my companion was a little disturbed by the fact that such devotion is given to what he only considers a doll, I was fascinated by the history of this icon. When in Prague’s Malá Strana district, take a moment of your time, and visit the Infant Jesus of Prague. Or better yet, try to be there during the coronation celebration held every year on the first Sunday in May. The Infant Jesus is displayed in the presbytery on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, after evening mass, a procession is held with a copy of the statue. The main pilgrimage mass with the coronation of the statue is celebrated at ten o’clock on Sunday.
After the Prague Castle’s origins, the deteriorating castle of Vyšehrad was abandoned as a royal home. After renovations by Charles IV, new fortifications with two gates and a royal palace were added to the complex. Later, however, after the Hussite Wars, the castle was abandoned and fell into ruin. Renovations during the 17th century established it as a Baroque fortress, a training center for the Austrian Army and later incorporated the fort into the Baroque city walls around Prague.
Today, Vysehrad is a place of recreation as well as history. Czech citizens visit the grounds, which have now become a public park, for amusement, relaxation and celebration. Tourists visit to see the many architectural treasures on the site.
Marveling over the Rotunda of St. Martin, it was astonishing that this rare, Romanesque building still stands strong today. Built in the 11th century, it is one of Prague’s oldest surviving buildings. Used for gunpowder storage during the Thirty Years’ War, it is now used for religious purposes. When admiring this ancient edifice, be sure to seek out the cannonball from the Prussian rampage in 1758, which is embedded in the facade to the right of the window.
Behind the church is the Vyšehrad cemetery, the final resting place of many famous Czechs, including author Karel Capek, composers Antonín Dvorák and Bedřich Smetana and artist Alphonse Mucha as well as many other scribes and politicians.
In order to explore all of Vyšehrad, you’ll need a few hours and it helps to have a beautiful day! Bring a picnic or indulge at one of the cafés, and don’t forget to spend some time looking out over the river and the city views…sunset can be quite impressive! But, no matter what time of day you visit…just do!
I love walking through Reykjavik. Everywhere you look, there is something interesting to see…from the harbor and the fishing boats…to the sculpture scattered throughout the town center…to the brightly painted tin buildings…to the interesting graffiti.
A visitor’s center is located on the premises which gives an interpretation of the history and nature of the national park. If you are near the campground, there is also an information center which will provide further information.
The smaller of the two, Strokkur, is more reliable in providing a show. Strokkur erupts about every 10 to 15 minutes, 24 hours a day. There are other, smaller geysers throughout the area as well as mineral springs and mud pots worth the walk around the premises. Since Geysir was quiet during my visit, my attention, however, was always drawn back to Strokkur, with its timely blasts.
After our visit to the Brandenburg Gate, we headed west on Strasse des 17 Juni (17 June Street) and found ourselves at the entrance of the memorial which is located in the Großer Tiergarten, a large public park and a place where Adolf Hitler had plans to build Welthauptstadt Germania. Impressively flanked by two Red Army ML-20 152mm gun-howitzer artillery pieces and two T-34 tanks, the notable monument, a curved stoa, is topped by a towering statue of a Soviet soldier, whose arm is in a position to symbolize the Red Army’s putting down of the Nazi German state. A Cyrillic inscription under the soldier translates into “Eternal glory to heroes who fell in battle with the German fascist invaders for the freedom and independence of the Soviet Union”.
As we walked the property, admiring the tanks, a bunny hopped out from the bushes. A short while later, a fox surprised us as he emerged from the same bushes. Was the fox searching for the bunny? Though the fatalities of the war ended many years ago, this was a reminder of how things once were…when there were those who were pursued and killed…