Huh? That's pretty bizarre. Can you quote the whole sentence in context?

Verbatum-

"All beaches in the U.S.V.I. are open to the public, so you may walk through any lobby or via any access to get your toes into the soft wet sand! Watersports, chaise lounge rentals, lunch and refreshments are offered at many local beaches. Magan's Bay Beach requires and admission fee of $1 per car and $3 per person for visitors-you may bring a cooler or a picnic to Magan's Bay only (not to other beaches); however, glass items are not allowed."

What up with that?

What's up with that is that It's incorrect. Magens does have picnic tables which is a rare exception but there are no beaches here to the best of my knowledge which prohibit anyone from bringing coolers, chairs or anything else of that ilk. Cheers!

A few things: At the resort/hotel beaches you don't have to walk through the lobby; there are access routes right to the beach. Non-guests can rent chairs and water sports gear in most cases, and they can buy food/drink. You can bring a picnic lunch/cooler with you to any of the beaches. And the Magens Admission prices are: Adults $4 ($2/residents), Children under 12, free. Car Parking $2.

--Islander

I've brought a cooler to every beach that I have ever visited on the island. I even bought a little mini portable Weber and cooked a tri-tip roast at Trunk Bay in January. A lot of the beaches, especially on STJ do not have vendors so a cooler is a must.

Molly

These are the only rules I am aware of:

Great!! Thanks for the good news...8-)

Deb

I'm curious about this line: "All beaches in the U.S.V.I. are open to the public, so you may walk through any lobby or via any access to get your toes into the soft wet sand!"

I thought that the Caneel Bay beaches Turtle, Scott and Caneel are private and open to guests only. I just checked Off the Beaten Track and it states "The Caneel Bay Resort provides public land access to Caneel and Honeymoon Beaches only." This contradicts the line above that you can walk across any access to get to a beach.

We won't be staying at Caneel, but I'd love to spend a day at the beaches there if they are open to the public.

Which book is right on this?

The only beach at Caneel Resort that guests may not visit is Scott. It's due to the villas being so close to that beach and they want it for their guests.

I have talked to several employees.(very kind to people who are not staying at their resort) They said the same thing as above, but they said during the off season it is very quiet and one could go to Scott's but don't use the chairs that are povided. My wife and I have always thought it's not worth the bother, since all the beaches at that resort are wonderful.

As for the beaches at St. Thomas, I believe that the info you have about not bringing coolers is incorrect. I do know that they are very concerned about glass items. The reason possibly a resort would not allow coolers is that they want you to purchase beverages and food at their resort. I will dig around some more, if someone else does not get this answered.

We are heading back in May (9-16) and will be vacationing on St. John. (Getting excited)

Best Regards,

Tim

Even the beaches at Caneel are public and can be accessed by boat.

Linda J is correct. ALL beaches in the USVI are public, it is how you access them that makes the difference! For some beaches, you cannot access them thru the property they are on, in this case you have to access by boat. No one can kick you off! (tho they may try).

You can access the beaches at Scott,Turtle and Caneel's Hawksnest -- - BUT not by boat -[ as in landing a dinghy on the beach ] - they are buoyed off with NPS swim buoys and there is no boating allowed inside that area. Scott has NPS moorings but no anchoring - Turtle has no moorings and no anchoring. I imagine a kayak would be more acceptable?? but really it is a boat !where the swim buoys state 'no boats'