Magens Bay Beach

Magens Bay Beach

Magens Bay (18.366°N 64.930°W) is a bay on Saint Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, located in the Caribbean. Much has been made of the fact that National Geographic magazine voted Magens Bay one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. You’re bound to second that, especially if you visit this mile-long, horseshoe-shaped trip of white sand when it’s uncrowded j duty-free shopping frenzy in Charlotte Amalie (most visitors to the island are either in a i or vegetating at their hotel’s private beach).


The beach sits at the head of a deep bay, the arms of which are Peterborg peninsula to the east and Tropaco Point to the west. The bay's northwest exposure means its waters are usually calm, although storms in the North Atlantic can occasionally generate large waves in the winter months. The sandy bottom means snorkeling is of limited interest,although turtles, tarpon and other fish are commonly spotted. Local fishing boats anchor in the eastern part of the bay where there is a boat ramp.

The Nature Conservancy created a trail to Magens Bay from a spot off the road in the hills above. The trail provides signs identifying native trees. It is approximately 3/4 mile long.

Magens Bay was previously owned by Arthur Fairchild, who gave most of it as a gift to the Municipality of St. Thomas and St. John in 1943 for use as a public park. The far Western portion was donated by Fairchild's nephew's widow, Christine Wheaton, in 2002. The beach and surrounding park are currently administered by the semi-autonomous Magens Bay Authority. The services provided by the Authority include lifeguards, parking, showers and bathrooms. There is a snack counter, bar and souvenir shop. Beach chairs, floats, windsurfers and small sailboats can be rented. The Authority is a self-sustaining entity which funds its operations through a per-person entrance fee (currently $4.00 for visitors and $2.00 for locals), parking fees, and payments received from the park's restaurant and rental concessions.

The thick fringe of palms that lines the bay’s calm blue waters makes the admission charge the best $1 you’ll spend in your life.
WHAT: site.
WHERE: north coast of St. Thomas, 3miles/5 km north of the capital, Charlotte Amalie; magensbayvi.com.
COST: admission $1.
WHEN: open year-round.