Sapphire Beach

St. Thomas may be only 32 miles long but there are lots of beaches packed into those miles.  Whenever I asked locals about the best beaches on the East End,  Sapphire Beach was always the first suggestion.  With deep blue waters the color of the gem it’s named for, Sapphire Beach is a popular snorkeling, windsurfing and jet skiing spot.  But this serene stretch offers much more than just water sports.

There are two restaurants to grab sandwiches and wraps and all the fruity cocktails you can down.  You’ll see a lot of beach volleyball games as well as iguana photo ops. Because Sapphire Beach is a popular cruise ship itinerary stop, it can get crowded but not too crowded to eke out your own space to sunbathe and catch glorious views of neighboring St. John.  Because the reef is so close to the beach, snorkeling is wonderful, with colorful fish and sea turtles a highlight.  The water is warm but the bottom is rocky so wear swim shoes if you’re not planning on snorkeling. Kayaking and para sailing, available at the marina, are also great options.  Sometimes, you might see a vendor selling hats woven out of palm leaves but other than that, you won’t be hassled or expected to do anything but relax.

Photo courtesy of Rosalind Cummings-Yeates