Hello Bridetobe,

Its been a while but I've been there a few times... what did you want to know about it?

--Islander

Is it still open because I heard it was closed off. I thought all STT beaches were supposed to be public

Hello Bridetobe,

I am not all that familiar with the Open Shoreline Act. It does protect shorelines in terms of guaranteeing that they be open to the public. Where private land owners around shorelines find their legal argument is that the law doesn't say that access to the shoreline has to be allowed through the surrounding private property - or at least that is my understanding. I believe it is access by sea that is protected but only up to the medium or high tide mark or maybe it’s the tree line - not sure. In any case this topic and the interpretation of the law has been the subject of several legal battles. The most discussed right now is Lyndquist on St. Thomas however there are others.

So to answer your question: yes beaches are supposed to be open to the public. Where, how & who is responsible for providing access can be taken up in court.

As far as Sunsi; I haven't been there in a couple years. I remember reading an article that the owners had put up a fence all around their property which blocked access to the trail. Marty responded a couple days ago on a previous thread that there is a hole cut in the fence...

Sorry I couldn’t give you a more definitive answer.

Anyone have more insight into the Open Shoreline Act and care to give some additional feedback.

--Islander

Hi all.

Where is Sunsi beach? This is another new one - very exciting!

Hello Bluwater,

If you were to follow the beaches from Mandahl Bay over to Coki it would be Mandahl Bay, Tutu Bay, Sunsi Bay, Spring Bay then Coki Point. The neighborhood you pass through to get to Sunsi Bay's trail is Estate Tabor & Harmony.

--Islander

There is, indeed, a hole in the fence that I have gone thru to access Sunsi beach. It is right across from the wide spot in the unpaved road where you will park your car. Enter thru the stone gate pillars that say "Estate" on the left one and "Harmony" on the right one. At the T's, take 2 lefts and a right. It's about a couple hundred yard hike down thru the gut to get to it, but it's a beautiful beach. Caught a couple lobsters last time I was there. And remember, what you pack in, you pack out. Accessing this beach by boat is MUCH easier, as the hike back up is a bear...you kinda feel the need for a cool dip in the ocean afterwards! haha!