Magens is more popular, so there will be more people that day, but it is much larger, so it doesn't feel as crowded. Since you will have 'lots of kids', I'd go with Coki. More to do there (snorkeling, Coral World, parasailing and jet skiis nearby, etc.). The adults would enjoy Magens more, due to the quiet, serene beauty. But, if the kids aren't happy, neither are the adults! Haha! Magens doesn't have parasailing, jet skiis, or any decent snorkeling, so they may become bored after an hour or two of swimming and lying in the sand.

Darn, I hate to disagree with Marty because I tend to usually agree with him. But, Marty, forgive me....

I vote for Megans for the following reasons:

Megans is much, much larger (as marty points out), so more ships won't necessarily mean you'll be relegated to the "back of the beach".

Megans has a larger shallow area. Coke gets deeper faster. If the kids are small, they may find that they can stand more in Megans than Coki. Megans is also calmer. They are both VERY calm...but Megans is like being in a swimming pool with no current (normally)...Coki has a slight current...nothing a small child can't handle, but it's there. If you're sitting on the sand in water up to your chest, you'll move back and forth a bit at Coki and probably not at Megans.

Megans has a nice "explorers" area (my term, not an offical name) off to the right side and along the rocks. The water stays pretty shallow ALL the way out along the side. As you walk along, you'll come across lots of little creatures if you take your time and peek under rocks, etc - sea stars, colorful fish, sea anemones--and you'll find little grottos little sandy spots where you can sit. This is my daughter's favorite exploring area.

Megans offers opportunity for shade under sea grape trees. Taking an extra towel or two would help because you can drape the towel across the seagrape branches (which are low) and make a canopy - under which children (and adults!) can nap. If you want shade of Coki, you'll need to rent an umbrella. As someone who burns easily, I appreciate shade - especially AFTER I've burned myself, which always happens!

The downside to Megans is that it doesn't have the abundance of local food shacks that Coki has. There is a snack bar at Megans. But, I bet the food is mroe expensive than Coki and maybe less tasty. I admit I don't recall the last time I bought anything to eat at Megans - maybe 20 yrs ago.

IMHO, Coral World is a nice palce to visit if you have young kids and a good number of days on the island - it's a good cloudy day thing to do. I wouldn't burn up any time there if I only had 1 day.

On the way back from Megans, you might stop for fresh Ice Cream at Udder Delight, which is at the STT Dairy Farm. It's just up the road from Megans, and on the way back to town. You can also get an alcoholic shak/smoothie - YUMMMM! Highly recommended after a day at the beach.

Coki used to be my all-time fav beach...way back when...before Coral World. Now, I only enjoy it after 3pm..when the sun has gone down a bit and the people are gone. There used to be shade, before all of those food and clothing stands were built!

Here's an easy way to settle it. Do you want to go snorkeling? Yes - go to Coki for some great snorkeling. No - go to Megan's. Both will probably be very crowded.

I guess actually having some kids gives one a bit better perspective! Haha!

Ill let it slide THIS time, Bluwater! Haha!

Thanks Marty. 😉

And I'll have to defer to you on all things "adult" - like Waterlemon Cay, the fabulous restaurants (those that don't serve chicken nuggets) and good books to read on the beach.

If you want to better your "child-friendly beach trip" skills, I'll let you borrow my daughter for a day or two while I'm down and you can sharpen those skills. I won't even charge you her her time - I'll just ask for a bottle of rum to keep me busy in her absence.

I can definitely wax poetic regarding anything adult related...but I am only guessing with the kids! Haha!

And NO I don't wanna borrow your daughter! That is, unless she's 18! (wink-wink! Just kidding! I'm married! )

Hello Peggy,

What is the age range for the kids? And how many people in the group?

--Islander