Why St. Thomas is famous for its beaches

Ever pause mid-scroll and wonder what the actual deal is with St. Thomas beaches? People talk about them as if there’s something magical happening in the water. Well, don’t worry, because once your feet hit the warm sands as part of your Princess® Caribbean cruise, you’ll understand.

Located among the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas has a shoreline that feels like it was designed with your experience as the top consideration. The land folds into sheltered bays, absorbing the brunt of the ocean’s waves so you can wade out and enjoy the warm Caribbean waters without feeling like you’re going through a spin cycle. And it’s worth mentioning just how easy and available these beaches are; you don’t need a wild trek or a secret handshake to find the best spots. You step off the ship and, before you know it, you’ve settled into the kind of dream spot that would take a full vacation’s worth of trial and error to find practically anywhere else.

That combination — gentle water, quick access and that unmistakable Caribbean glow — is exactly why these beaches are the crown jewel of the St. Thomas port.

Key takeaways

St. Thomas beaches are easy to access from port, with gentle, swimmable waters that make the most of your limited time on shore.

Each beach offers a different experience — from laid-back coves like Lindquist to activity-packed spots like Coki and Trunk Bay.

Booking a Princess excursion simplifies logistics, helping you fit more into your beach day without stressing return times.

Arriving early and packing right (reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes) makes a big difference, especially during peak cruise hours.

The best beaches in St. Thomas for cruise visitors

If you only have a few hours on land, let’s make every second count. These spots are the ones you should press toward first. Think of this as your beach sampler lineup:

A sweeping view of a tropical beach with turquoise water gently lapping at white sand and rocks. Lush green hills dotted with villas rise in the background under a vibrant blue sky with fluffy white clouds.
Soak up the sun along the pristine white sands of Magens Bay.

1. Magens Bay Beach

Magens Bay Beach leads the pack when it comes to St. Thomas shorelines. It’s a long crescent of soft sand cupping peaceful, almost bathtub-level water. Walk a bit from the entrance and you’ll find things that help turn a day at the beach into a proper vacation destination: shaded chair rentals, delicious beachside food options, and honest-to-goodness restrooms.

If your plan includes organized time on land, the Best of St. Thomas: Mountain Top, Magens Bay Beach & Vistas excursion is a fun and practical way to bucket multiple highlights into one day. You roll up Skyline Drive for those vast island views, then ease into a couple hours at Magens Bay where you’re swimming, sunning and not worrying about transport. After that, there’s a shot to see historical Downtown & Kongens Quarter with manor houses and old-world vibes before winding back to your ship.

Magens Bay earns its reputation for a reason: simple, satisfying beach time where you can enjoy the sea and sun without shorting yourself on the amenities.

High-angle view of a crescent-shaped white sand beach bordering vibrant turquoise water with lush green hills and small rocky islets under a bright blue sky.
Dive into the clear blue waters of Trunk Bay for the ultimate Caribbean escape.
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2. Trunk Bay Beach on St John

Trunk Bay Beach gets talked up a lot. There’s a reason for that. The water stays clear, the sand stays soft and the underwater snorkeling trail makes it easy to spend time looking down without checking your watch.

Getting here from St. Thomas involves a ferry ride that feels like a mini adventure itself. If you pick the St. John Trunk Bay Beach & Swim excursion, you ride the south coast ferry out into open water first. As you near Cruz Bay on St John, the sharp greens and shimmering blues basically announce, “You’re here.” Once ashore, there’s a short and scenic drive into the national park. Then you land at Trunk Bay with a solid window to swim, relax or strap on snorkel gear to see what’s below. Chairs and gear are available if you want them. Grab a bit at the local concession stand before heading back.

High-angle view of a crescent-shaped white sand beach bordering vibrant turquoise water with lush green hills and small rocky islets under a bright blue sky.
Dive into the bright blue waters of Honeymoon Beach for the ultimate Caribbean escape.

3. Honeymoon Beach on St John

No need to be freshly hitched to enjoy Honeymoon Beach; whether you’ve got commitment issues or not, this stretch of sand is ready for you to fall in love. Shallow water, soft sand and just enough shade to make staying put feel like an activity all its own.

The St. John Champagne Catamaran Sail, Snorkel & Beach excursion delivers the full experience. You ride out from St. Thomas on a breezy catamaran, cut across Pillsbury Sound and drop anchor just off Honeymoon Beach. Then it’s all yours for a good 90 minutes of swimming, snorkeling, sunning or whatever else you feel like doing. And once you’re back on board the catamaran, it’s champagne, rum drinks and actual food (not just a sad bag of chips), which hits especially well after a salty swim. 

Call it a casual fling or something more serious — when it comes to the best beaches in St. Thomas (or near St. Thomas), Honeymoon Beach is easy to fall for.

Snorkeler wearing a mask swims over a coral reef with colorful tropical fish in clear turquoise water near a palm-lined island.
Dive straight into reef life and snorkel alongside vibrant tropical fish at Coki Beach.

4. Coki Beach

Enough of this ‘easy relaxation’ and ‘sun-drenched contentment.’ Coki beach is geared toward people who want their beach day with a little kick. The big draw here is snorkeling — some of the best shore-access snorkeling on St. Thomas. You’re in the water fast, and once you’re in, there’s coral, schools of fish and just enough current to keep things interesting.

It’s no secret spot, so expect a crowd. But that means you should also expect (or should we say anticipate) food vendors and easy access to rental gear. And sure, you’re welcome to just spend your time there sunbathing, but somehow Coki makes sitting still feel like a missed opportunity.

Not sure where to start? Princess’ Shipwreck and Turtle Coves Two Site Snorkel excursion gets you out on a catamaran for two separate snorkel stops. First up is Shipwreck Cove, with coral-covered wreckage and plenty of fish. Then it’s off to Turtle Cove, where rays and sea turtles glide past like they’re working the runway. After the swim, the boat crew breaks out fresh fruit, veggies and a rum-fueled open bar for the ride back.

Rocky shoreline meets shallow turquoise water at a tropical beach with leafy trees overhead distant hills and a bright blue sky.
Let the shoreline set the pace with crystal clear water and endless island views at Sapphire Beach.

5. Sapphire Beach

Sapphire Beach delivers that crisp-Caribbean-water feel without demanding an all-day commitment. The blues here… honestly, pictures just don’t really do them justice. From the sand, you’ve got wide-open views across the water and a layout that reminds you you're nowhere near your inbox.

Snorkeling works well close to shore, especially on calm mornings when visibility is sharp. You don’t have to swim far to catch flashes of fish weaving through the rocks. Whether you're here early with a plan or just showing up to see where the day goes, Sapphire keeps things easy (making it a perfect addition to any ‘best beaches in St. Thomas’ tour.

Curving white sand beach with calm turquoise water bordered by lush greenery under a clear blue sky.
Claim your slice of paradise on at Lindquist Beach.

6. Lindquist Beach

Lindquist Beach doesn’t pull in the same crowds as other spots. You get more space and less noise, and did we mention that the ocean is as clear as the ambiance? It’s part of a protected area, so the setting stays natural — no heavy development pressing up against the sand.

The water here is usually easygoing, great for floating without having to brace every time a wave rolls in. On most days, there’s plenty of room to spread out without anyone elbowing in for shade. So, if you’re after a quieter, no-hassle beach stop in St. Thomas that still delivers clear water and good swimming, Lindquist does the job without overcomplicating things.

Gentle waves roll onto a sandy beach as swimmers float in clear turquoise water with green hills and small islands in the distance.
Splash into calm Caribbean waters and let the day unfold at Secret Harbor Beach.

7. Secret Harbour Beach

We can’t tell you about this one; it's a secret. 

Oh what the heck. 

Secret Harbour feels tucked in — not remote, just removed enough to make you feel like you’ve slipped off the main grid. It sits inside a protected cove, which means the water stays calm and clear without the constant push of surf. You can swim or snorkel without drifting halfway to Puerto Rico, and the coral close to shore makes the snorkeling worth bringing a mask for. There’s a small resort nearby, but the beach never feels overrun. It feels like it prioritises low-key over luxury, with just enough services to keep you comfortable. A beach bar, a bit of shade and space to float… it’s everything you could hope for in a St. Thomas beach.

Secluded white sand beach with clear blue water gentle waves anchored sailboats and lush green hills beneath a bright sky.
Wander down a quiet shoreline where turquoise water meets untouched sand at Brewers bay.

8. Brewers Bay Beach

Brewers Bay is worth a mention because of how close it sits to the airport and yet how unbothered it feels. You’ll hear planes, sure, but not in a way that wrecks the moment. It just sort of adds texture (you’ll see what we mean when you get there).

St. Thomas locals are more frequent here than mobs of tourists, so your beach lunch doesn’t feel like a theme park concession moment. The water stays calm enough for easy swimming. If you just want to take a break from crowded shores, this is a good pivot.

Wide tropical beach with shallow clear water rocky shoreline palm trees resort buildings and a bright blue sky dotted with clouds.
Soak up sun, sea and laid-back island vibes at Morningstar Beach.

9. Morningstar Beach

Last on the list but not least, Morningstar Beach earns points for ease. It sits by a resort, which means access to facilities like restrooms and food options.

The beach itself is a mix of sand and low-key surf, with enough movement in the water to keep it from feeling flat, but not so much that it turns into a workout. It’s not the widest or the longest stretch, but it makes up for that with sheer convenience. If your St. Thomas excursion schedule only leaves you with a sliver of time between docking and departure, this is where to spend it.

Choosing the best beach for your island adventure

By now you’ve probably realized that there are a lot of ‘best’ beaches in St. Thomas, and you probably won’t have enough time in port to visit them all. We have you covered! Depending on what you’re looking for, here’s how to match mood with beach:

  • Calm water spots like Magens Bay or Lindquist work best if you want swimming that feels more like floating than wrestling waves. Families tend to favor these because there’s less worry about sudden water movement.
  • If your goal is snorkeling, aim to be in the water when it’s slick — usually early. Beaches like Trunk Bay and Coki lean into clearer conditions in the morning before winds pick up.
  • Keep in mind that St John beaches take a little extra time to reach, and that ferry or boat transfer is part of the experience. But land there and you’ll see what makes them stand out from the crowd.

Planning your beach visit in St. Thomas

A little prep goes a long way when you only have a few hours on shore. Here’s how to make the most of it:

  • Arrive early: Cruise crowds hit hardest mid-morning. The earlier you get to the beach, the easier it is to claim your space without elbowing through towel territory.
  • Pack reef-safe sunscreen and water shoes: That soft sand can turn rocky fast, especially near prime snorkeling spots. Water shoes save your feet. Reef-safe sunscreen is a small way to care for the ocean and the coral that make snorkeling here so incredible.
  • Book an excursion (or more than one…): St. Thomas excursions through Princess keep your timing tight, cut down the stress and help you skip the guesswork on how to get from ship to shore and back again.

If you cruise to St. Thomas, the beach is right there waiting for you. Disembark, pick your shoreline and sink straight into the kind of saltwater simplicity most people spend half their trip chasing. Does that make it magical? You bet your bermuda shorts it does.

Beaches in St. Thomas FAQs