Going to be on St.Thomas for a day during a cruise in January. Don't really want to do any tours. Where's the closest nice beach to the cruise dock so my kids can play in the sand and we're not shuffled along with 200 other people. We'll probably get our own taxi and make arrangements for a pick up back to the ferry dock.
Any thoughts???

depending what you are looking for, Meagan's Bay and Coki will be the busiest. Brewer's Bay by the college or Lindburg by the airport would be nice. Sapphire on the east end is nice, but they are not very friendly to non guests, especially in the pool area.

Dave: If it is just playing in the sand you want: John Brewer's and Smith Bay are good candidates- neither has a lot of amenities which keeps the crowds down. BYO picnic and beverages to Smith Bay There is a mobile truck and bath house at Brewer's. In January, you'll have to check on current conditions. If there is a north swell, stay on the south side of the island.

The closest beach to Havensight is Morning Star, then Bluebeard's/Lime Tree. The closest beaches to Crown Bay are Lindbergh and Honeymoon, Water Island (have to take a ferry and hike.)

Lindbergh looks and sounds perfect. Knew I'd get great answers on TTOL !
Thanks

Absolutely Emerald Beach Resort, they will charge you for chairs $5/each but you can go in the pool and on the beach. Walk all the way down the beach toward the airport and there is a really nice kiddie playground. At Emerald there is a great restaurant and beach bar and many water toys too !

Get a private cab to Crown Bay Marina, take the Ferry to Water Island and spend the day at Honeymoon Beach.



Food available, chairs for free, and a roped off swim area.

Jay

Wow,
That looks absolutely beautiful. I have seven people in our party, two seniors, just not sure I want to put them through a cab AND ferry ride to get to a beach. If it was just the two of us though..... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />

this is not the ferry like going to BVI, it is on schedule and runs like every hour. It would be the exact same cab and distance to Lindberg. Water Island is a great choice and Tickles Dockside Restaurant is right at the ferry. If your ship docks in Crown Bay and not Havensite, you will not even need a taxi

We'll that doesn't sound so bad after all <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

On the other hand, there is a short hike once you get to Water Island. Also,doesn't run exactly every hour. With a big group, Lindbergh is a great choice.

Do not recommend the Honeymoon beach trek for seniors, especially since you are so many in your party. I love it there but the "short hike" to the beach has a serious incline and then a pretty long walk down hill to the lovely beach. The walk out however, is a really serious uphill walk out. Capt. Jay goes in with his own boat easy peasy...I was lucky to make friends with a guy with a golf cart type vehicle who gave me a lift back to the ferry, I would have hated the walk out.

Here is the ferry schedule, not every hour, but almost: http://www.vinow.com/general_usvi/interi...illip-s-landing

Brewers is a pretty beach and very calm. Good for kids.

As seniors, one of the things that we have become very conscious of as we age is the drop off from the beach into the water.

A gradual incline, or better yet no incline is now safer for us than some of the steep inclines or sudden drop-offs that sometimes happen. However, this can be different at the same beach at different times. That lack of drop-off or incline also makes getting out of the water and back on the beach easier and safer.

Sue

They now rent golf carts on WI.