Sapphire Beach
 

Beach-goers will discover Sapphire Beach strategically placed on the Virgin Islands' eastern coast. There are three U.S. Virgin Islands, and St. Thomas is the head of the trio, with plenty of trade, history, and visitors.

Sapphire Beach's spectacular views of the Caribbean and St. John greet guests. The wide, soft sands and blue waters are popular with families and watersport enthusiasts, especially windsurfers. Two coral reefs provide excellent snorkeling opportunities at Sapphire Beach on the east side of St. Thomas.

Although the Virgin Islands has beaches that are more secluded than Sapphire Beach the natural setting, personality and other attributes offered by this location might be just what the doctor ordered.

Travelers looking for a place away from the cities of the Virgin Islands may find that Sapphire Beach is just the right spot. You'll find urban areas without going far, but your travels won't take you too far away from cities either, it is an excellent middle ground.

You'll want to remember that, although Sapphire Beach is by no means secluded, it remains one of the beaches in the Virgin Islands furthest from civilization. This makes it an excellent choice for travelers where a bit of beach activity is the preference - without having to fight for a spot on the sand.

Many visitors feel that the level of activity at a beach and its amenities are particularly important attributes. For others, getting the chance to spend a day in the sun and experience seclusion is extremely important. There are plenty of beaches in the Virgin Islands, and you may find what you're looking for at Sapphire Beach.

For some visitors to the Caribbean the attractions and amenities at a beach are important factors to consider. Others feel that the chance of having lots of privacy and pure relaxation is what really matters. There are hundreds of beaches in the Caribbean, so Sapphire Beach is not your only option. By studying the information that follows, you can determine if this one matches your ideal specifications.

Food

It doesn't matter what kind of meal, an ideal way to start the day off or end a day at the beach is sometimes patronizing a local restaurant, where you'll be able to sample the local cuisine without having to go far from the beach.

A list of restaurants is included in the following table.

Restaurants Near Sapphire Beach
Restaurant NameCuisine TypeMeals ServedDistanceDirection
Seagrape French breakfast, lunch, dinner 0.1 mi. SW
Off the Hook Seafood dinner 0.6 mi. S
Texas Pit BBQ, Red Hook Barbecue dinner 0.6 mi. S
Romanos Italian dinner 1.1 mi. W
Blue Moon Cafe American dinner 1.2 mi. N.A.
Raffles International dinner 1.5 mi. SW
Fish Trap Seafood dinner 3.6 mi. NE
Cafe Roma Italian dinner 3.6 mi. NE
Stone Terrace Eclectic dinner 3.6 mi. NE
Luscious Licks Vegetarian lunch 3.7 mi. E
Lime Inn Seafood lunch & dinner 3.7 mi. N.A.
La Tapa International dinner 3.7 mi. NE
Asolare French dinner 3.8 mi. NE
Sun Dog Cafe Eclectic lunch 3.9 mi. NE
Paradiso American dinner 3.9 mi. NE
Global Village Cuisine at Lattitude 18 American breakfast, lunch, dinner 3.9 mi. NE
Old Stone Farmhouse Eclectic lunch & dinner 4.3 mi. W
Texas Pit BBQ, Wheatley Barbecue dinner 4.5 mi. SW
Banana Tree Grille International dinner 4.9 mi. SW
Herve Restaurant American lunch & dinner 5.4 mi. SW
Tavern on the Waterfront Eclectic dinner 5.5 mi. SW
Greenhouse Bar and Restaurant American breakfast, lunch, dinner 5.6 mi. SW
Hard Rock Cafe American lunch & dinner 5.6 mi. SW
Texas Pit BBQ, Waterfront Barbecue dinner 5.8 mi. SW
Cafe LuLu Mediterranean dinner 5.8 mi. W
Hook, Line and Sinker American lunch & dinner 6.0 mi. SW
The Chart House Seafood dinner 6.1 mi. SW
Texas Pit BBQ Barbecue dinner 6.9 mi. SW
Tickle's Dockside Pub American breakfast, lunch, dinner 6.9 mi. SW
Le Chateau Bordeaux French lunch & dinner 7.5 mi. NE
Skinny Legs Bar and Restaurant American lunch & dinner 9.2 mi. NE
Serafina Seaside Bistro International dinner 9.2 mi. NE
Shipwreck Landing Seafood lunch & dinner 9.2 mi. NE

The Virgin Islands offers plenty of dining choices, but not every meal needs to eaten in a formal setting. Many vacationers enjoy eating a meal right at the beach. Your hotel may be happy to pack a picnic lunch for you, or you can pick up some food en route to the beach.

The restaurant at the beach serves hungry sun worshipers.

Amenities and Ambience

Snorkeling at the offshore reefs is popular and a nearby dive shop rents equipment and beach chairs. Windsurfing is also a prime activity in the waters of this beach. A restaurant and a beach bar serve island snacks and fruity drinks for your convenience.

Who you share these sands with will depend on the time of year, day of the week, and other factors. Some of the Virgin Islands' beaches may rarely be crowded, while others are often crowded especially during the high tourism season. An important element to consider when planning a day at the beach might be, at least for some vacationers, the crowds you'll meet. While some prefer a crowded beach filled with people and activity, others enjoy a quieter beach atmosphere.

Like many other aspects of the Virgin Islands this beach has a distinctive personality which will attract certain visitors. The personality of this beach is somewhat different from other beach locations in the Virgin Islands. The view to St. John from Sapphire Beach is has been called glorious, and the waters are often calm, creating a very family-friendly atmosphere, attracting both locals and island visitors.

Attractions

The beach is also close to a fair number of worthwhile natural attractions, like National Park Headquarters, which is located 0.8 miles to the southeast of Sapphire Beach.

Historical attractions such as Plantation Ruins offer a nice complement to the scenery of Sapphire Beach, allowing visitors to learn more about the Virgin Islands without having to leave the coast.

If you're looking for plenty of activities for your vacation, this beach isn't far from any of the items in the following table.

Attractions Near Sapphire Beach
Attraction NameDistanceDirectionType
National Park Headquarters 0.8 mi. SE Natural Attraction
Coral World Underwater Observatory & Marine Park 1.4 mi. NW Natural Attraction
Race Track 2.2 mi. SW
Tillett Garden Art Center 2.5 mi. SW Museum
Fort Mylner 2.6 mi. SW Historical Site
Ferry Terminal 3.6 mi. NE Watersport
U.S. Customs 3.7 mi. NE Tourism Oriented Business
Visitors Bureau 3.7 mi. NE Tourism Oriented Business
Elaine Ione Sprauve Library and Museum 4.0 mi. N.A. Museum
Hospital 4.3 mi. SW

Location

Travelers will find this beach on the eastern coast of the Virgin Islands. It is located next to the Sapphire Beach Resort & Marina. Sapphire Beach is near Red Hook, so a trip into town is a convenient option.

Nearby Hotels

Whether or not you encounter a lot of other visitors will vary depending on the time of day, particularly in the high season. You can typically expect to see vacationers who are staying close by. You'll find a fairly substantial hotels located near this beach. Those who would like to stay in this vicinity shouldn't have much difficulty.

Other Beaches

Travelers searching for the perfect beach can choose from more than Sapphire Beach when they visit the Virgin Islands. Vacationers may also stop in at Lindquist Beach, which is home to plenty of activity. It is located 0.3 miles to the northwest. One of the best secrets on St.. Thomas is Lindquist Beach, a perfect Caribbean beach, that resides off of an unmarked dirt road, and thus stays unpopulated in a busy tourist area.

If you're looking for a more secluded beach experience, you may find what you're looking for at Salt Pond Bay. The secluded little beach at Salt Bay offers beachgoers privacy as well as excellent swimming conditions. So on your next trip to St. John, go off the beaten path and sample these sandy shores. You'll find it 9.8 miles to the east.

Travelers may also want to consider Secret Harbor; it is located 1.3 miles from Sapphire Beach. Secret Harbor Beach, on St. Thomas, is a supreme Caribbean beach with white sands, cool waters, excellent snorkeling, and minimal crowds.

Sapphire Beach may not be right for you, and if this beach doesn't strike your fancy, the Virgin Islands is home to many other options.

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