Emerald Beach is a lovely spot... the beach is nice and usually not busy. There is really no good snorkeling there if that interested you so you will have to drive to another beach for that. The restaurant there serves great lunch in a nice atmosphere - mostly because its right over the beach. The pool is small but nice... there is a bar over the beach next to the pool... rooms are nice and some are right on the beach so you can basically walk right onto the beach. The airplanes for the nearby airport are not a nuissance somewhat because you are out visiting the island during the day and at night the airport is closed. Sapphire Beach is also a great beach resort... a bit more busy, some cruise ship folks use the beach there so it tends to be busier... they have more beach activities because of the water sports kiosk they have - with kayaks, windsurfing.. jet skis at the marina... and Sapphire offers good snorkeling and is close to Coki Beach and Red Hook - fairly close maybe 5-10 minutes depending on spot you are going to. Emerald Beach is closer to town and you would have to drive further to get to the East End if you wanted to go the beaches there or retaurants. Emerald Beach is close to the Subbase if you wanted to take the ferry over to Water Island for a day - very relaxing - you can hike around and visit Honeymoon. But hotels are close to the ferry dock for travels to St. John which is worth doing. East End offers more in line with watersports - Coki, Sapphire and Secret Harbor offer good snorkeling, Red Hook is where many charters start if you want to sail, dive operators often have various locations so that isn't a big deal you could call and book a dive and then go the nearest location for a boat dive. Coki offers beach dives. You will want to rent a car to get around - and this is even more important if you are at Emerald because it is further from things that seem to interest you in your post. If you are definately renting a car then either one is fine because you can drive to the spots you want to go. If you weren't renting a car Sapphire would be better as the taxi routes will be a shorter distance to the points of interest in that area and therefore less $$.

All the best.

--Islander

I have stayed at the Emerald Bay, and I can assure you it was the best of other places I have stayed. I highly recommend it!!!! Food, entertainment, pool, bar, location, all good! Beautiful beach too! Lolita