best western emerald beach might work for you . It is near the airport but not too many plane activity before afternoon hours. We stopped there on our last cruise. facilities ,nice gradual beach ,some snorkeling and not far from ship piers. would go again on day trip from cruise ship. . just an option.. to consider

Greetings & congrats on your expected little arrival.
You may find this link helpful providing more detailed info about the various beaches on STJ.

http://www.stjohntour.com/BeachesMap.html

Click on the hyperlink from the name of each beach for details.

Magen's Bay wouldn't be my first choice for you for a beach on St. Thomas to meet your needs, mainly because there is little to no snorkeling there. You don't have to do without. I would consider Secret Harbour or Sapphire. Both have great snorkeling, and because they have resorts on property there are rest rooms (I assumed that's what you meant by facilities.) Secret Harbour has a full service restaurant and Sapphire has a small burger stand. There is plenty of shade at both locations and chaise lounges for rent.

This website has some great detailed beach information. Look at the pull down menu under the island and click on the link to "Beach Guide."

I agree with Gerie, Secret Harbor would be your best choice. It is located on the SouthEast side of the Island and easily accesable by taxi. Also depending on the number of Crusie Ships in port, Secret harbor would be less crowded. Food and Restrooms are available.

retrembl wrote:
I agree with Gerie, Secret Harbor would be your best choice. It is located on the SouthEast side of the Island and easily accesable by taxi. Also depending on the number of Crusie Ships in port, Secret harbor would be less crowded. Food and Restrooms are available.

Note though that the last indication from Secret Harbour was that they were no longer renting beach chairs to non-guests. That may well be a consideration for especially someone who is pregnant.

I would also suggest Emerald Beach. You have a full array of facilities, restaurants, a beach bar- can make her a nice cold non alcoholic forzen drink if she'd like, nice bathrooms(very important to a pregnant lady), they'll rent beach chairs to non-hotel guests, and I've seen it listed as one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. I dont like to snorkel, but we've stayed there many times and my husband, son, father, and mother in law all said the snorkeling was great.

bstagg, congratulations on the soon come newest member of your family! You didn't mention which cruise ship terminal/port that your cruise ship would be arriving. Could be either "WICO" (Havensite) or "CB" (Crown Bay). Check out this site to determine which terminal your ship will dock. https://www.vinow.com/general_usvi/cruiseship/ship_schedule.php

If your cruise ship will be docking at CB, consider a nice, short stroll to Crown Bay Marina complex (immediately adjacent to the CB cruise ship termina) and catch the 8 minute ferry to Water Island - nice comfortable boat. Then, a short stroll to Honeymoon Beach/Water Island (if there are any other passengers on the ferry, ask them for a ride to Honeymoon beach - and if any beach go'ers on the beach when you're ready to leave, ask them for a ride to the ferry.....Water Islanders are very friendly and helpful people) where you'll find Heidi Honeymoon Grill which serves delicious lunches, cool drinks and snack. And, benches under shady palapas. Snorkel is interesting to the left-most or right-most areas around the rocks.

STT Resident wrote:

Note though that the last indication from Secret Harbour was that they were no longer renting beach chairs to non-guests. That may well be a consideration for especially someone who is pregnant.

We were there today and saw that is exactly the case, STT Res. Many many people coming in with cruise ship towels were informed by the young man working on the beach that the chairs are for residents and guests of Secret Harbour only, with no option to rent. Luckily for us we have our beachchair-in-a-bag setup.

I would rule out Trunk and Megans. Trunk is a long day with a lot of time riding and small smorkeling. Megan's has no real fish and is a short ride from the boat.

Here are my choices.

Secret Harbor Has pretty good snorkeling, but there may be a problem with chairs.
Sapphire Beach is probably on your day trip list. Best beach in STT, but limited food.

Both are a short ride from the dock if you are going to Havensight.

If you are going from Crown bay then I would go to Emeral Beach. Not much snorkeling but great beach.

Billd

billd wrote:
I would rule out Trunk and Megans.
Billd

BillD - how long have you lived here that you still don't know the proper spelling of Magens? Visitors can be forgiven for calling it Megans, Megan's or Magen's. They can likewise be forgiven for referring to St John as St Johns or St John's or Jost Van Dyke as Yost or Charlotte Amalie as Charlotte.

Forgive me for being a bit of a purist but the history of the Danish Magens family who came from St Croix and settled here on St Thomas should be preserved and passed on. Even if nobody gives a rat's patootie about history, at least get the spelling right.

Billd -- Emerald Beach has some very fine snorkeling -- along the left side is excellent all the way out to the point OR beyond if it is flat and there is also an active reef in the middle of the Bay, lots of conch, starfish, turtles, and a beautiful purple sea fan garden.
EE---Hey at least it wasn't all CAPS in the post, and spelling in English isn't his 1st language.

Zero: Okay, STTRes and I do share the desire to retain accurate spelling and grammar in this day and age of text-speak, but I don't think I jumped in on the Magens deal- this time. 😉