Thanks to all of you in regards to the differences between Sapphire and Secret Harbour. I appreciate you taking the time to comment. I welcome any others who have been to either of these two beaches. Thanks again! We can't wait to go and experience St Thomas for ourselves once again!

Exit, I don't think Sapphire will become "the next sacrifial lamb". Mainley because it is ALOT different then Coki. It's well taken care of, it's a resort, not just a beach you can drive to there are no people there setting up shacks to sell whatever on the beach.

Coki has it's own flavor. Not that I agree with what it looks like when you drive up, it does look messy. But what a great beach. I've found that if you just sit down, say "No" to whomever that you can have a really nice day on the beach.

Aren't they starting to clean up Coki anyway?

I was at Cokie the other day and the governent is going to put the vendors in box like rooms. I think about 10 foot x 10 foot.

I agree that the vendors are pushy but they back off if you say no.

My advice is not to bring anything to cokie of value. Bring some cash and that is all.

And sapphire will never become a cokie.

billd

My experience is that the "rocks" at Sapphire are to the right side of the beach as you face the water. They are actually part of the coral and should NEVER be climbed over! If you walk to the left towards the center of the beach, it becomes mostly sandy and very easy to enter the water. From there it is easy to snorkle by keeping the reef to your right. The depth does gradually increase as you go towards the point, but there is a lot to see. It also can get a little rough with wind waves as you get closer to the point, but you can turn around and follow the reef back to the beach with no problem. Sapphire is my favorite beach on STT for snorkleing, with Secret Harbor a close second. Either way, you and your family will have a wonderfull day and will be thinking about scheduling a longer stay for the next time!

Have a fun trip!

Dana

Thanks Dana for the info at Sapphire-I just love these boards when you can hear from people who have actually snorkeled these beaches. Sounds wonderful! Thanks again, I know I'll want to return....I'm counting the days right now!

We stayed at Sapphire this past June. The beach allows for a sandy entrance up near the dive shop. Even the rocky areas are not too bad if you watch where you step. We actually spent 2 days there as the beach is beautiful and the snorkeling is very good -when we were there there were lots of fish and they seemed much larger than at Coki. The water was warm and calm with just a slight breeze that kept the air moving and felt quite nice. There is a vendor that sells mahi, chicken and hamburger sandwiches, drinks (including mixed drinks), chips (lunch fare). Not bad for a lunch. Up past the dive shop there is an area you can get drinks (beer, soda, etc.) There was a guy who was running the beach and I think he was delivering pizza and sandwiches (not sure). Anyway that is a wonderful family friendly beach. We will definitely stay there again one day.

That said, one of the days we were at the beach there, the cruisers descended. The beach got a little crowded, but, not too bad. Our personal experience was a family pod that thought it was OK to use our chairs and towels (!!!!!) while we were out in the water. Talk about invading one's space. I guess I came across a little cold to them. We moved our towels and chairs and they know we were watching. . .

seaweed wrote:
We stayed at Sapphire this past June. The beach allows for a sandy entrance up near the dive shop. Even the rocky areas are not too bad if you watch where you step. We actually spent 2 days there as the beach is beautiful and the snorkeling is very good -when we were there there were lots of fish and they seemed much larger than at Coki. The water was warm and calm with just a slight breeze that kept the air moving and felt quite nice. There is a vendor that sells mahi, chicken and hamburger sandwiches, drinks (including mixed drinks), chips (lunch fare). Not bad for a lunch. Up past the dive shop there is an area you can get drinks (beer, soda, etc.) There was a guy who was running the beach and I think he was delivering pizza and sandwiches (not sure). Anyway that is a wonderful family friendly beach. We will definitely stay there again one day.

That said, one of the days we were at the beach there, the cruisers descended. The beach got a little crowded, but, not too bad. Our personal experience was a family pod that thought it was OK to use our chairs and towels (!!!!!) while we were out in the water. Talk about invading one's space. I guess I came across a little cold to them. We moved our towels and chairs and they know we were watching. . .

Thanks Seaweed for the information about Sapphire Beach. Unbelievable ....the family using your chairs and towels! I've heard everything now! Can I ask if the water was calm, since I have seen some pics with some waves rolling in. I much prefer calm water for snorkeling. Thanks on the info on what food/drinks are available. Sounds wonderful. I keep hearing good things about Secret Harbour and Sapphire. I appreciate your time in writing the review. Thanks again! I was just wondering if the two days you spent there if it was relatively calm?
Thanks so much!

We stayed at the resort the entire week, but, we did not go to other beaches on 2 days. Karen and I are low impact snorkelers and the water there was perfect - very clear and very calm and warm. Very easy to get out around to the coral and back to the beach. It is a great family beach. There were lots of snorkelers from early morning to late afternoon. If I can make some time, I will try to put a trip report together.

The fire at Sapphire Resort had no real effect on the beach. The guy selling stuff between b and C building is still there as well as some local folks.

Here is the bottom line. I like Sapphire but go to Coki as well as Secret Harbor. Don't get in a tizzey over which is the best. Just go and enjoy what ever one you go to.

billd

Sapphire. as well as all beaches. may or may not have some wave action, such is the ocean/sea.

Why is it that no one on this board ever mentions Brewer Bay when talking about snorkeling. Too many locals for you? Brewer offers an almost guaranteed look at turtles and starfish not offered on many STT beaches. In addition, if you go over by the small reef near the UVI marine biology dock. there are loads of fish and coral to see.

Do visit as many beaches as possible, each is unique and each is beautiful.

I think the reason you don't see many people promoting Brewer Bay is because many of the tourists don't know about it in the first place. It doesn't get the Press from the Board of Tourism and Resorts. It is kind of like Hull Bay in that regard. Actually we have always enjoyed those places because locals go there more than tourists.

sailing the VI wrote:
Sapphire. as well as all beaches. may or may not have some wave action, such is the ocean/sea.

Why is it that no one on this board ever mentions Brewer Bay when talking about snorkeling. Too many locals for you? Brewer offers an almost guaranteed look at turtles and starfish not offered on many STT beaches. In addition, if you go over by the small reef near the UVI marine biology dock. there are loads of fish and coral to see.

Do visit as many beaches as possible, each is unique and each is beautiful.

Sailing. I have been to St. Thomas about 5 times now. I couldn't even tell you where Brewers Bay is, but I'll look it up. If I was worried about locals, I wouldn't go to Coki :-), but I do. I'll check it out.

Brewer's Beach (it has an "s," formally named John Brewer's Bay) is a lovely spot but not really touted to tourists as there are no amenities there and the snorkeling is only fair.

Visitors who are planning to be here on Sunday August 16th should mark up their calendar and plan to attend the 25th Annual Chili Cook-Off sponsored by the Texas Society of the VI which will be at Brewer's that afternoon. It's one of the biggest fundraising and social events of the year where contestants cook up chili on site to be judged, the beer and the chili flow freely and some excellent musicians come out to play. All for charity, so come and join in! Cheers!

John Brewer's is on the campus of UVI and the students consider it their personal playground! 😀

Chili Cook Off - I'll be there - my daughter and I get there the day before.

carribeancruzer wrote:
Thanks to all of you in regards to the differences between Sapphire and Secret Harbour. I appreciate you taking the time to comment. I welcome any others who have been to either of these two beaches. Thanks again! We can't wait to go and experience St Thomas for ourselves once again!

It appears that on your day in port there will also be three other ships in. The only day in August with four ships in, so it will be a busy tourist day for sure. I see that the Carnival Feedom is in port from 7am until 6pm so you should have adequate time to do several different things during the day. Since Sapphire Beach and Secret Harbour are close to each other you might consider spending several hours at each, that way you won't feel as if you have missed out on something unique. I've sent you a PM also.

Secret Harbor is GREAT! It's only rocky for about a foot and a half... They have a restaurant there - called "Blue Moon" (great burgers/fries/hot dogs). There's also a floating dock you can swim to. Sapphire is very nice - but there is no food, etc. for you & the kids. You can always take a cooler if you go to Sapphire. Coki has great snorkeling also - but is under construction right now. Have a good time!

There is food at Sapphire. A nice little operation is set between two of the buildings and serves up burgers, sandwiches, cold drinks, beer, etc. and the Grapevine Grill at Sapphire Village has a "runner" on the beach to take food and beverage orders. The vendors are still at Coki and the "construction" is to put in a boardwalk and better vendor facilities - the beach is undisturbed. Have fun!

Thank you to all of you who have taken the time to post your thoughts on Sapphire and Secret Harbour beaches. We are so excited and are getting ready for our trip next week! It's finally here! We're actually getting the suitcases ready! Gathering up the snorkel gear, etc..
These boards have been so helpful in our planning and I want to thank all of you! I will certainly post our adventures when we return!
It is so much fun to have these boards and to learn from each other. Any other comments on either of the beaches is welcome-I'll keep checking back while I pack 🙂 Thanks again!

It was good to hear that two tropical storms didn't have a major impact on your vacation cruise. Since you missed seeing Antigua, here are photos taken from the ship on our last cruise visit in 2007. IMO you didn't miss much.

To post photos of your visit to the Virgin Islands, join photobucket.com, upload your photos that you want to post, then paste the URL given by photobucket into your message per these instructions: https://www.vinow.com/info/messageboard.php#images