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(@mags murphy)
Posts: 1
 

*Hi Islander, I have been reading your posts for over a year now, and have always found you to be a reliable source of invaluable information about St Thomas/ St John. I would like your advice please. we are arriving in St Thomas on Oct 7th on Explorer and had planned to spend some time on Megans Bay, believing that it would have sea and sand and sun for the ladies and snorkelling for the men. However I read that Coki beach is excellent for snorkelling. Would we have time to do both, are they close enough together? We dont need to spend any more than two hours or so on both beaches. Would I then have time to take the tram up to paradise point. I regretted not doing that last oct. We took a trip across to St John then, and picked up a cab at red hook on the way back. The driver gave us a whistle stop tour, on the way back to the ship. Drakes seat etc, where we got a view of Megans, adn decided that we would spend our beach time there next time we came. disappointed to learn no snorkelling. What do you think, have you any suggestions. I am with a group of 20 from Ireland who will all probably trail me like lap dogs, so I would love to do both beaches and see some sights. we will save the shopping for St Martin, Thanks for all the info since I first discovered you, you are indeed an Island treasure,
Slan Mags

 
Posted : September 11, 2003 6:01 pm
(@theislander)
Posts: 3881
Famed Member Admin
 

Hello Slan Mags!!

So pleased to read your post and comments - Thank you!! Ireland - wonderful, not to many very warm beaches there as I recall, but gorgeous fields and coast lines to walk along are definately fond memories of my visit, as well as very friendly people in the smaller towns, and sheep, lots of sheep in a town called Dingle! Hope you enjoy the USVI with your group!

You certainly have time to do both Magens Bay and Coki beach, they are close enough to each other yes, will of course require a taxi ride of about 15 minutes. And you can finish up with the Paradise Point Tram! Thats a great day and since it seems you are group leader - your group will think you are a superb planner!

I would suggest perhaps Coki first, early in the day - although both Magens Bay and Coki Beach are popular destinations for cruise ship passengers - Coki is a smaller beach and so gets crowded quicker. Snorkel there and then head to Magens Bay where you can lay on the beach, have a drinks and enjoy. Nice beach to walk along as well if the men don't want to stay put with the ladies.

There are showers at Magens Bay but they are salt water showers - but in any case you can shower off the sand and change out of the swimwear and wet cloths (bring some dry cloths with you in your beachbags) and then head to the Paradise Point tram. (my reason in suggesting dry cloths is because from experience staying in wet, salty cloths in not comfortable particularly if you are going to do a bit of sightseeing) After the paradise point tram you can walk accross the street to the your ship, as it is very close to the pier.

With a group of 20 definately bargain on taxi rates!!

Havensight to Coki should be $7 a person and its a 12 minute drive.

Coki to Magens another maybe $6 a person and its about 15 minutes.

Magens entry fee is $3 a person for visitors and $1 for locals... some visitors tell me they get charged $1 so thats why I am telling you both prices.

Magens to Paradise Point is $6 a person and a 15 minute drive.

You might do this - the taxi driver that takes you to Coki tell him/her to come back for you in 2 hours and take you to Magens and then pick you up at Magens and take you to Paradise Point tram starting point... then ask for a special rate for the group!!! Have a figure in mind based on what I have told you it should be.

Also Paradise Point is $15 a person. Visit their web site at http://www.paradisepointtramway.com/ click on bar link there is a coupon there for $1 off a bushwacker! Also if you don't want to take the tram but want to go to the Paradise Point look out and shopping area (which is where the tram takes you) then ask the taxi driver if he/she will take you up to it because there is a road... and then maybe you could ride the tram down, one way is $7.50 each.

Can't think of any other information to add about the places you want to go to, but if you have any other questions feel free to ask. Have a great time!!

--Islander

 
Posted : September 12, 2003 3:52 pm

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