Iguanas – Take a Closer Look
If you have spent time in the U.S. Virgin Islands, particularly St. Thomas and St. John, you have likely come across the popular resident, the
Overall Rating
Overall rating
4.5
Scenery/View
4.7
Water
4.6
Shore/Sand
4.3
Snorkeling
4.2
Magens Bay is St. Thomas' most popular beach. The beautiful one mile stretch is a public park and was donated to the people of the Virgin Islands by Arthur Fairchild. It is 1 of 2 beaches on St. Thomas that has an entry fee; funds are used to maintain the facilities and the beach. The water is usually very calm with no waves or current, great for floating along and for swimming. The bay deepens gradually from shore making it perfect for small children. Snorkeling is possible along the rocky coast, but Magens Bay is not known for good snorkeling. A water sports booth rents paddle boats, kayaks and sunfish. Beach chairs, floats and snorkel sets are available at the concession.
Also at the concession is a bar and restaurant that serves burgers, pizzas and other snacks, a gift shop and a hair braiding stand. The beach is a popular stop on island tour itineraries and can get crowded on days when there are several cruise ships in port. Most beach goers pick a spot close to the restaurant area, so typically if you walk down the shore a bit away form the concession you will find fewer people. On weekday afternoons you will find residents relaxing after work and getting in some exercise. It is common to see mom's pushing strollers while power walking, men and women jogging, kids riding bikes and people swimming laps between 5 and 6pm. On Sundays and holidays the beach is a favorite destination for residents; and parties ranging from small picnics to loud gatherings are common on those days. Lifeguards are on duty everyday.
Beach Amenities
- Swimming
- Food Vendors
- Bathrooms
- Taxi's Available
- Parking Available
- Entry Fee
Photos
Map
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Magens Bay Beach bar
Overall rating
3.9
Scenery/View
4.0
Water
4.0
Shore/Sand
3.0
Snorkeling
4.5
Wee visited Magen Bay and it is a beautiful beach. We also visited the Magens Bay Beach bar and we have never been treated so rudely and poorly in our lives. The staff at the bar acted like they we were an intrusion and had to go out of their way to have to take our order and serve us. We had planned to have food and drinks and after we decided it was not worth spending our hard earned dollars there and decided to leave, we were verbally accosted because we did not eat as we had originally intended. We will never return and never have a positive review of this bar and the people that work there. You would think after being shut down for so long, they would welcome guests and be happy to serves us as other venues did for us, but not these people. So disappointing in their complete rudeness and disdain for their customers. I guess when you have a monopoly on the beach venue, you can treat your guests like shit and get away with it. scale of 1 to 10, they receive a Zero.
S
Sammy
Bummer
Overall rating
5.0
Scenery/View
5.0
Water
5.0
Shore/Sand
5.0
Snorkeling
5.0
Everything was perfect until we went to leave. We accidently drove down the wrong way of a one way and being out first time there, I wasn't familiar with things. I missed the sign and went to exit the park. I saw no on the road. Then a party office flagged me down and started telling at me. Loudly, raising his voice. I politely apologized and began to explain how I missed the sign. He continued to tell and even said you wouldn't see a small child in the road?! I said yes sir I would have. He yelled then why you no see the sign. Then he told me to drive safe and motioned for me to continue driving. Sad because my family and I had such a wonderful time there. We won't be returning to that beach and we found other beaches with more polite staff.
R
Ryan
August 2019
Overall rating
4.5
Scenery/View
5.0
Water
5.0
Shore/Sand
5.0
Snorkeling
3.0
Beautiful beaches and clear water, great snack stand for the kids. Treacherous driving to get there, but worth it!
KM
Karen Muldowney
Best Bay on the Island
Overall rating
5.0
Scenery/View
5.0
Water
5.0
Shore/Sand
5.0
Snorkeling
5.0
Nick the bartender is AMAZING!!!! Give him a raise!!!! Hope to see you again!?????
KH
Kim Higgins
Megan’s Bay
Overall rating
4.0
Scenery/View
5.0
Water
5.0
Shore/Sand
3.0
Snorkeling
3.0
Beautiful place to spend the day . The people behind the bar and lunch grill
not very friendly. Down right rude ! They must hate their job!!!
Looking for a new spot
not very friendly. Down right rude ! They must hate their job!!!
Looking for a new spot
K
Kathie725
Magen’s Bay staff disappoints
Overall rating
3.1
Scenery/View
3.5
Water
3.0
Shore/Sand
3.0
Snorkeling
3.0
Lovely setting and beautiful beach, however staff is not friendly and in fact, some are downright surly. I would likely choose another beach for my next visit.
SP
Susan Patterson
A 4 day perspective on Magen's Beach
Overall rating
5.0
Scenery/View
5.0
Water
5.0
Shore/Sand
5.0
Snorkeling
5.0
We are staying right on Magen's Bay so we have been to the actual Park beach often. I think it is like anything- sometimes it is more perfect than others. We have been to beaches all over and as far as the sand and water quality goes- it ranks with pretty much any of the mile long beaches- lovely. The set up is great for children- We have three- You can get food and they have waitresses who will wait on you while they play in the sand. A nice break for the parents. Be aware that you pay to get in and then you also pay for all the amenities. But they have anything you could need. Chairs are $5 a day and rafts are $10 a day- that sort of thing. A slice of really decent pizza is only $3 and they even have a really good salad selection. I can't really tell you much about the bathrooms- I have yet to find one that is awesome at any public beach, sadly. Or any resort beach accessed bathroom-just part of it. The best thing about the beach is just the beauty of the water and the absolute lack of feeling creeped at anything in it. That being said- snorkel somewhere else-but we take the masks and see little fun things so it is not boring. The kids love it. The cruise ship thing is what it is- it is keeping the USVI
places going. And all beaches, really, will have some cruise ship people. The boat folks are all really nice and having a fun day so even when ships are in and more people are there you can always get a chair and a nice place to sit in the shade. Since we have gone more than 4 times, I think a lot depends on the day (attitude s also key), but we have yet to have a bad time and I spend a lot of time just looking at the view and the amazing water color. The little gift/convenience shop is typically resort expensive but you can get sunscreen, swimsuits, anything you need. It has been Crazy windy this whole week and Magen's just stays calm and easy to be in. My one thing I have noticed is the staff at the restaurant just seems a little over it-civil but not super thrilled. Sure, you can imagine it is not easy to deal with, but that is one place some improvement could be made to make it even better. Overall- I think if you visit St Thomas and don't visit , it would be a shame.
LL
Laura Loe
ALWAYS FAVORITE
Overall rating
3.0
Scenery/View
4.0
Water
2.0
Shore/Sand
2.0
Snorkeling
4.0
LAST TIME AT MAGENS BAY 2 YEARS AGO IN JAN.THE BEACH WAS ERODING AND NEEDED SOME WORK. ALWAYS BEFORE I FELT CALM AND RELAXED, BUT THIS TIME THE WAVES WERE ROUGH AND YOU COULD NOT STAND UP IN THE WATER WITHOUT GETTING KNOCKED DOWN. I HOPE THEY HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM, I WOULD LOVE TO TAKE FRIENDS OF MINE THERE WHEN WE GO BACK IN JAN 2013.WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM ANYBODY WHO HAS INFO.
CC
CATHY CALVERT
nice beach but not perfect
Overall rating
4.3
Scenery/View
4.0
Water
5.0
Shore/Sand
4.0
Snorkeling
4.0
We decided to visit this beach because so many ppl commented on how wonderful it was. It was very clean and not crowded the day we were there, only one cruise ship that day. The taxi drivers are VERY pushy, always offering a taxi. The bar and snack bar served good food and good strong drinks at a reasonable price. This beach just did'nt have the welcoming environment we expected. Smelly and dirty bathrooms and a view of the surrounding area, I can get that at nearly any beach. Long story short, we will probably go to Coki as our guide suggested next time.
NH
Nick Hood
Magen's Bay and Me...
Overall rating
5.0
Scenery/View
5.0
Water
5.0
Shore/Sand
5.0
Snorkeling
5.0
This beach was rated one if the top ten beaches in the world for good reason. It is the reason my husband and I come to St. Thomas! Last two times we were there the pelicans were feeding. It is an awesome experience to be swimming and have a pelican dive right next to you for his feed! The beach bar is also awesome. They make the best Bushwacker on the Island! This beach is a must see!!!
DH
Deborah Humbert
My favorite place in the world!
Overall rating
5.0
Scenery/View
5.0
Water
5.0
Shore/Sand
5.0
Snorkeling
5.0
You know when you go to seminars where they tell you to close your eyes and go to your "happy place". This is where I go! The sand is so soft, even in the water. The gentle rippling of the water is so soothing. It is great on days when there are little to no cruiseships in port. Even if it is crowded when you go, it is a huge beach so you will find a good spot and you get to hear several different languages and see many different people, which I think is fun too!
MB
Melissa B
Great Time!
Overall rating
5.0
Scenery/View
5.0
Water
5.0
Shore/Sand
5.0
Snorkeling
5.0
Went several times, usually in the late afternoon. Beautiful long beach for taking a walk or run, nice sand for laying on and building castles, calm water for swimming and playing in. Great Time.
C
coconut
Use a Map
Hiking on St. John is a popular activity that lets you enjoy the tropical outdoors. We recommend using the St. John Trail Bandit Hiking Map/Guide to plan your hikes.
Virgin Islands Nature
Hiking Tips
- Tell someone where you are going and when you will return. Avoid hiking or swimming alone.
- Allow for sufficient time to explore, swim and rest.
- Remain on park trails – some trails cross private property, do not trespass into private property.
- Wear cool clothing, comfortable walking shoes. Sandals are not recommended. Sneakers are your best option.
- Protect yourself against the sun and insects.
- Bring water and snacks.
- Do not leave items or garbage on the trails. Make sure you leave with all the items you brought with you.
- Do not remove anything from the park property; this includes but is not limited to shells, rocks, artifacts, flowers, plants and animals.
- Pace yourself to prevent fatigue. Watch footing on wet rocks and trails made rough and slippery at times by heavy rainfall.
- Do not eat unknown fruits, nuts or berries. Some plants and fruits are poisonous and can cause allergic reactions. Do not touch unfamiliar plants. Avoid handling or picking plant life that may harbor stinging insects, cause rashes, scratches or skin punctures. Many plants have thorns beware, look but don’t touch. Some ground covering shrubs cause severe itching – it is in your best interest to stay on trails.
- Do not climb on fragile historic structures. Leave artifacts in place.
- Hike early and return early.
