Snorkeling St Thomas Usvi
If you've decided on a beach wedding on St. Thomas, USVI, how do you choose a beach?
<!-- p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px} p.p3 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px} p.p4 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times} p.p5 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times} span.s1 {font: 12.0px Times} -->
St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands is a prime spot for a wedding for a few reasons. The first obvious reason is because it's gorgeous: crystal-clear Caribbean waters, calm lagoons, miles of coral reef, white sand and classic beach scenes in all directions. Next, being a US territory, the US Virgin Islands are more convenient for traveling compared to other islands. You aren't required to have a passport, and the currency is the same. Finally, St. Thomas is a transportation hub with the large docking area in Charlotte Amalie for cruise ships and the airport.
If you've decided to get married on St. Thomas for these reasons or others, the next question soon to follow is where on St. Thomas? From private luxury villas to traditional churches to beaches, St. Thomas has beautiful selections for each. In our experience, most couples are looking for a beach wedding to experience Paradise and nature as they take the step to start their lives together. St. Thomas has over 40 major beaches along its sun-drenched coasts. Some shores are rugged and rocky offering the solitude and the opportunity to daydream and reflect. Then there are widely popular bays with amenities like restaurants and chair rentals.
There are several beaches that, in our experience, tend to be the top picks for weddings on St. Thomas:
Magens Bay on the north shore is the most popular beach. Hundreds of people visit this beach every week from cruise ships and island visitors to locals. The beach is heart-shaped and vast, with many areas available to have a small private ceremony. It's rated by National Geographic as one of the world's ten most beautiful beaches, is one of our most frequently requested wedding sites. Some people like to stay at the beach for a while after the wedding. There are pavilions and changing areas available if you decide you want to stay.
Lindquist Beach (a.k.a. Smith Bay Beach) on St. Thomas offers natural simplicity and seaside intimacy for your wedding ceremony. With the waves beside you and the surrounding islands behind you, your new life together can begin with the touch of grace that only nature can provide. Because it is undeveloped, the beach is only accessed by a dirt road. There are few amenities; lifeguard, a couple picnic tables and port-a-johns. Often sparsely populated during the week, the beach comes to life on weekends, particularly Sundays with residents having picnics and parties. We often recommend couples choose this beach when they are looking for the solitude that some of the other popular beaches may not always have.
Brewers Bay is a lovely beach. The waters there are almost always calm and crystal clear. Palm trees and sea grape trees are scattered along the shore. The beach is not developed, but it is located in walking distance from the University of the Virgin Islands campus. Roadside food vans sell local foods like meat and saltfish pates, johnny cake, fried chicken, rice and beans and various drinks & snacks. While on weekdays the bay is sparsely populated, on weekends it is a favorite with residents for family picnics and gatherings.
Coki is a small, pretty beach located on Coki Point. The crystal clear water is usually very calm and deepens gradually. Natural shade is limited, however umbrellas are available for rent. A near shore rocky, reef area offers great snorkeling. A favorite with visitors and a popular stop on island tour itineraries, the beach gets crowded when multiple cruise ships are in port. It's located next to Coral World Marine park, so it's often populated with visitors from cruise ships and vacationing tourists. On crowded days the parking can be tricky, but that's because it's a great place to be!
Bluebeard's Beach and Sugar Bay on the east side are both beaches with lots of activities and things to do. You can rent jet skis here, go kayaking and find some good snorkeling. The waters are usually calm. Sugar Bay beach is accessible from Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort. The resort bar and spa are a short walk from the beach. Bluebeard's Beach is home to the Ritz Carlton.
Bolongo Bay and Lindquist Bay, two other popular beach locations, are on the south side. They are both fun beaches with activities and bars nearby, they are accessible from resorts.
There are other beaches on St. Thomas, but some are less accessible and don't lend themselves to setting up a beach ceremony. With a little research on Google for "st thomas beaches" you can find links to descriptions and photos. Take a look around and write down some of your questions. That way, when you speak to a wedding coordinator or local vendors to plan your ceremony, you'll have a better understanding of what you want and what's available.
About the Author
Erica Hebert has been planning and coordinating weddings on St. Thomas, USVI for over 23 years. More information about St. Thomas and her company, Weddings the Island Way, can be found at http://weddingstheislandway.com