I don't know when you were last here but if you're asking whether the Sapphire beach bar and restaurant have re-opened that would be a no. However, "Banana Cabana" has a nice little set-up on the beach serving drinks and sandwiches, and runners from the restaurant on the hill in Sapphire Village take orders from the beach as well as from the condos, and Senor Pizza likewise. Enjoy a great visit!

We live at CC and NOTHING has changed. The place is is very good shape, WAPA is still a problem, there are no places to eat on the beach except Banna Cabana or you want walk to Twisted Taco (owned by the same person) up a PP.

A little windy but the water is still very warm.

Stop by and see us each nigt as we play Shuffel board.

billd

Bill,

We will stop by the nightly shuffle board game. I believe you will know us from years past.
Thanks for the update.

The wind has shifted to the south east, for now. So it has been a little warmer. The water is great.

billd

Bill...what is WAPA and where is Twisted Taco located? Also, i heard a rumor that the lawsuit had been settled and the restaurants would soon be open, is there any truth to that? Thanks in advance, Jon

WAPA (Water and Power Authority) is our utility company which supplies electricity and potable water. The "Twisted Taco" is the restaurant located at the Pavilions and Pools resort which is a short distance from Sapphire. As far as I know, nothing on the reopening of the restaurant and bar at Sapphire yet, despite the rumors.

God said let there be light
WAPA said not a chance

what is the issue with sapphire and WAPA?

I will sound completely negative but, truthfully....Sapphire Beach is not very nice, compared to all the other places to spend time on St. Thomas and elsewhere. My husband and I just returned from our first trip to St.Thomas a few days ago. We visited St. John...all day tour of island and spent time at Trunk Bay...incredible. We spent a day at Magen's Bay....absolutely beautiful and peaceful (only one cruise ship in that day.) We also spent a morning walking around Red Hook (ate lunch at Fish Tails....highly recommend) and then took taxi to Sapphire Beach....such a disappointment. The place is completely run down....the restrooms had no electricity...total black out and I had to change into my swimsuit in total darkness...people were using phone flashlights to see...smelled horrific and the workers there laughed when I asked why the lights were out...."it's the islands...could be out for an hour or several days"....they thought it was funny. Warm beer as well. The public beach facilities are really beat up....needs a lot of renovation. We sat for awhile at the condo pool...just to get away from the cruise ship crowds...and what was once a poolside bar was completely boarded up.
I'm sure everyone has special memories of their time on the islands but you are wise to research before you visit. We stayed at a hotel on the other side of the island for a week. This beach was our only disappointment....everything else was beyond wonderful! Hope you have a great time where ever you visit and safe travels.

vaheel wrote:
what is the issue with sapphire and WAPA?

There is none.

I'm sorry that poster atarah had such a bad impression of Sapphire as a day visitor but thousands of visitors who stay there regularly have nothing but accolades for the place and the negative reviews are very few and far between. I never have any hesitation about recommending it! 😀

STT Resident wrote:

I'm sorry that poster atarah had such a bad impression of Sapphire as a day visitor but thousands of visitors who stay there regularly have nothing but accolades for the place and the negative reviews are very few and far between. I never have any hesitation about recommending it! 😀

I agree completely STT Resident. We just returned from our second trip in two years to Sapphire Beach Resort (private condo rental through VRBO) and fully intend to return again and again. I am sorry that her day visit to Sapphire did not meet expectations; I guess that is one less visitor to my favorite beach. Oh well.:P

It is unfortunate the lights were out at Sapphire, but I'm sure that our neighbors didn't have power either. WAPA does not single Sapphire Beach out; they spread the joy around.

First things i pack....reading lamp...flashlights...candles for the deck...small charge by hand radio. Just enjoy the dark sky and stars I don"t think it ever gets dark here...unless a tornado is coming!

we have stayed at Crystal Cove several times - 2 years ago, we rented a 2BR/2BA unit from "billd" - a poster on this site. It is our favorite place on St Thomas. Swimming with the turtles ... cooking dinner on the Weber grille - playing bridge inside when it gets too hot outside! Have a great time, as I am sure you will.

Ive been traveling to St Thomas for the last 6 years or so with the last 3 at Sapphire. Quite frankly I would not stay anywhere else. I have found a unit owner who rents privately through VRBO and will hopefully be staying there as long as he continues to rent. I have not really had any power issues, except for 1 during TS Otto, and even then the outages were minimal. It is true I would like to see them finally end the ongoing dispute and make the repairs to both the pool bar and restaurant area. The location cannot be beat close to everything, not sure if I were only on island for a day I would choose to go to Sapphire, that is the one draw back as it does get crowded on heavy ship days. On those days I choose to stay further down the beach under a tree or try one of the less crowded spots I have grown to love. BTW I like the shop there and the guys that run it, they are a blast to talk to and always have suggestions on where to go.

Tues and and Wed are the worst days for cruse ships. When Linquest gets like Megas's then some of the traffice will fo there.

vaheel wrote:
what is the issue with sapphire and WAPA?

Many of the nicer resorts supply back-up generator power during the frequent WAPA outages. Before making reservations at any VI vacation property (private villa, condo complex, hotel) ask what provisions are in place for a black-out? If the property does not have alternative power, then you will not have electric or running water. Sapphire is not a "regulation" resort. I don't think Sapphire has a fully functioning source of back-up power. Nor, does Sapphire operate an independent water plant, either. That and the lack of pool bar and restaurant and general common area up-keep are unattractive to some vacationers. The beach, however, is nice on most non-cruise ship days--breezy and shaded.

blu4u wrote: Nor, does Sapphire operate an independent water plant, either.

I believe that is incorrect.

Then why is water delivered by truck to sapphire. Is the plant fully functional? Regardless, no electricity = no water = hot, dark, gross.