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I heard Jimmy Buffett is opening a margaritaville hotel with Marriott where the old Virgin Grand was. Any info.
It's open.
Unfortunately, Water Bay where Margaritaville and Pineapple Beach are located regularly test positive for high levels of enterococci bacteria by DPNP.
Bobby: Ignore Alana. Margaritaville opened a year ago. It is in the old Renaissance and yes, before that, Virgin Grand. It's actually "fractional ownership" LOL, not a hotel. The property was neglected for many years and it is great to see it spiffed up again.
Don't ignore me.
I check the weekly DPNR Beach Advisories and Water Bay often comes up, along with other resort beaches that test with high levels of enterococci bacteria in their waters. I'm particularly interested in Water Bay as that where Coral World would like to place their dolphinarium, if they get approval by ACE.
Having dolphins in that type of water will not be healthy for them and it will contribute to higher levels of enterococci bacteria in the bay.
People with compromised immune systems, ear infections, open wounds, sores or cuts shouldn't be swimming there.
Coral World, Pineapple Villages, Margaritaville and Point Pleasant all have outflows into the bay which due to its shape and location does not flush contaminants out easily, especially when heavy rains adds runoff waters with its contaminants into the bay.
I am very familiar with the bay there as I worked as a sailing instructor as well as ran a day sail operation for years out of there when it was Pineapple Beach.
Water Bay, Secret Harbor, Frenchman's Bay Beach and others have this same problem as do other beaches. I mentioned those because I see them listed, more frequently than the others.
Until we have better septic systems for residential properties and better regulations for hotel and resort systems, this will continue to be an issue.
I think you really don't know much about the EPA regulations concerning water monitoring when you post such negatives. If the waters were as contaminated as you would have people believe, swimming there would be banned, period. The bar is set VERY high and the slightest divergence mandates that a public advisory be issued. I'm also "very familiar" with the bay and swam there regularly for many, many years - as have and do hundreds upon hundreds of others with no ill effects.
It may surprise everyone how many of the resorts and beachfront businesses are not in compliance with EPA regulations with regard to discharge water.
A good friend is a P.E. and deals with wastewater treatment systems, here and stateside. Ours are sub par. She's in regular contact with Judith Enk and EPA. I've seen reports issued by EPA. Enjoy your swim.
I can't comment about the water purity, but either way it really isn't much of a beach. If you want to stay there it is really a pool centered experience.
Hello Bobby,
Margaritaville-St. Thomas has a website with information and photos, see https://www.margaritavillevacationclub.com/explore/st-thomas.
