Michelle's Guidebook for Sapphire 211
Drinks & Nightlife
Its iconic, and close (in Red Hook). Perhaps for the younger crowd, but still has great food and fun, this PARKING LOT bar and restaurant, is an icon in Red hook. Lobster on Wednesdays is unbeatable but show up EARLY. At 9pm, the restaurant transforms into a street party night club. Check it out!
94 Einheimische empfehlen
Duffy's Love Shack
6500 Red Hook RdIts iconic, and close (in Red Hook). Perhaps for the younger crowd, but still has great food and fun, this PARKING LOT bar and restaurant, is an icon in Red hook. Lobster on Wednesdays is unbeatable but show up EARLY. At 9pm, the restaurant transforms into a street party night club. Check it out!
Great burgers during the day, and can have a fun, party vibe later on. They make STRONG drinks and have cheap options during HH.
68 Einheimische empfehlen
The Tap & Still Redhook
Great burgers during the day, and can have a fun, party vibe later on. They make STRONG drinks and have cheap options during HH.
If you want a nightcap, and hang out to meet fellow tourists and Sapphire locals, this is the place to go after dinner (but they do close at 10pm). This is mere steps from our unit.
15 Einheimische empfehlen
Slice Vi - Craft Pizza & Cafe
If you want a nightcap, and hang out to meet fellow tourists and Sapphire locals, this is the place to go after dinner (but they do close at 10pm). This is mere steps from our unit.
Beaches & Nature
Its just a short walk away, has a coffee shop, beach bar (with great burgers) and a pizza place -- plus a cute boutique. And Sapphire Beach bar has music/parties at least once a week -- usually on Sundays. It has a really fun vibe.
94 Einheimische empfehlen
Sapphire Beach
Its just a short walk away, has a coffee shop, beach bar (with great burgers) and a pizza place -- plus a cute boutique. And Sapphire Beach bar has music/parties at least once a week -- usually on Sundays. It has a really fun vibe.
If Sapphire Beach is really windy, its always calm here. Its a small, fun, CALM beach with a nice bar and casual restaurant during the day and fancy restaurant (Sunset Grille) at night. Good snorkeling too!
51 Einheimische empfehlen
Secret Harbor Beach
If Sapphire Beach is really windy, its always calm here. Its a small, fun, CALM beach with a nice bar and casual restaurant during the day and fancy restaurant (Sunset Grille) at night. Good snorkeling too!
Less than a mile away this is a national parks beach so it's not commercialized. Very quiet and pristine beach. Good snorkeling as well.
88 Einheimische empfehlen
Lindqvist Beach
Less than a mile away this is a national parks beach so it's not commercialized. Very quiet and pristine beach. Good snorkeling as well.
Favorite spot to spend a day on St John. Beautiful beach with great facilities (chair rental, snorkel gear, kayaks, paddle boards, etc).
22 Einheimische empfehlen
Honeymoon Beach
Main RdFavorite spot to spend a day on St John. Beautiful beach with great facilities (chair rental, snorkel gear, kayaks, paddle boards, etc).
Take the water ferry from crown bay (right next to Tickles restaurant) to Water island ($10 round trip) and then take the free shuttle or walk the 1/2 mile to Honeymoon beach. Your won't regret spending a day here. You can use the free chairs and umbrellas at Dinghy's beach bar/restaurant. Enjoy the beautiful calm beach and the party vibe.
46 Einheimische empfehlen
Water Island
Take the water ferry from crown bay (right next to Tickles restaurant) to Water island ($10 round trip) and then take the free shuttle or walk the 1/2 mile to Honeymoon beach. Your won't regret spending a day here. You can use the free chairs and umbrellas at Dinghy's beach bar/restaurant. Enjoy the beautiful calm beach and the party vibe.
A great place to people watch, and the snorkeling is great too. The fish are extremely “friendly.” My suggestion is get there early (at 9-10am) and head down to the far left of the beach. It is less crowded and the best snorkeling is right along the rocks on the left. You’ll have the place to yourself until 10-11am. Its beautiful. Don’t go if there are >2 cruise ships, unless you like crowds. The food service is decent and there’s some shopping type options in little vendor stalls. You may want to go to Coral World, an aquarium that is attached. Its very fun and a must-do if you have kids. Clip a coupon out of the “This Week in St. Thomas” magazine you can grab at the airport and save something like $3/pp. I think the price is $18 adults/$12 kids, or something like that. There is food and some small beach shops too. $6 taxi each. Parking is $5. Beach chairs are $5.
104 Einheimische empfehlen
Coki Beach
A great place to people watch, and the snorkeling is great too. The fish are extremely “friendly.” My suggestion is get there early (at 9-10am) and head down to the far left of the beach. It is less crowded and the best snorkeling is right along the rocks on the left. You’ll have the place to yourself until 10-11am. Its beautiful. Don’t go if there are >2 cruise ships, unless you like crowds. The food service is decent and there’s some shopping type options in little vendor stalls. You may want to go to Coral World, an aquarium that is attached. Its very fun and a must-do if you have kids. Clip a coupon out of the “This Week in St. Thomas” magazine you can grab at the airport and save something like $3/pp. I think the price is $18 adults/$12 kids, or something like that. There is food and some small beach shops too. $6 taxi each. Parking is $5. Beach chairs are $5.
One of the most highly-filmed beaches on the planet and for good reason. Once you've been there, you'll see it in movies and say "I've been there!". It did take a bit of a beating in the hurricanes, but I hear the services are mostly back and running.
Getting there and back: Sapphire is really close to the Ferry Dock, so that is great. Ride the Safari to the Ferry ($1 each). Take the Ferry to St. John. Leaves every hour. $8.15 pp each way. Take a Taxi to the beach ($7 pp). Hang out at the beach all day. SOOOO nice. Trunk has the famous underwater trail that goes out to the rock. Then taxi back ($6-7 pp) -- stop in town for some shopping/eating if you want -- and Ferry back ($6) and Taxi back to Sapphire ($4). It can get a little spendy with all the transportation.
This is the most "famous" beach on St. John. But keep reading for MY favorite.
69 Einheimische empfehlen
Trunk Bay
One of the most highly-filmed beaches on the planet and for good reason. Once you've been there, you'll see it in movies and say "I've been there!". It did take a bit of a beating in the hurricanes, but I hear the services are mostly back and running.
Getting there and back: Sapphire is really close to the Ferry Dock, so that is great. Ride the Safari to the Ferry ($1 each). Take the Ferry to St. John. Leaves every hour. $8.15 pp each way. Take a Taxi to the beach ($7 pp). Hang out at the beach all day. SOOOO nice. Trunk has the famous underwater trail that goes out to the rock. Then taxi back ($6-7 pp) -- stop in town for some shopping/eating if you want -- and Ferry back ($6) and Taxi back to Sapphire ($4). It can get a little spendy with all the transportation.
This is the most "famous" beach on St. John. But keep reading for MY favorite.
This is the most famous beach on St. Thomas. It is gorgeous. It is usually calm and seriously beautiful. But...Avoid it like the plague on days with lots of Cruise Ships in town (check out the VINOW cruise ship schedule to figure this out). Generally, it is quietest on the weekend, sometimes including Fridays. Sundays tend to be the day that all the locals visit here.
There is a nice bar and a beach cafe with suitable choices for lunch. Snorkeling isn't great so don't bother. Chairs are not too expensive and can be bought in the beach shop (which has some really cute stuff by the way!). There are life guards.
I'd suggest doing a 2 hour island tour (check out Franko and Brenda's Fun Tours), have them take you to Mountain Top for some souvenir shopping and a seriously gorgeous view of Magens and then drop you off at Magens for the rest of the day. It will be unforgettable.
257 Einheimische empfehlen
Magens Bay Beach
This is the most famous beach on St. Thomas. It is gorgeous. It is usually calm and seriously beautiful. But...Avoid it like the plague on days with lots of Cruise Ships in town (check out the VINOW cruise ship schedule to figure this out). Generally, it is quietest on the weekend, sometimes including Fridays. Sundays tend to be the day that all the locals visit here.
There is a nice bar and a beach cafe with suitable choices for lunch. Snorkeling isn't great so don't bother. Chairs are not too expensive and can be bought in the beach shop (which has some really cute stuff by the way!). There are life guards.
I'd suggest doing a 2 hour island tour (check out Franko and Brenda's Fun Tours), have them take you to Mountain Top for some souvenir shopping and a seriously gorgeous view of Magens and then drop you off at Magens for the rest of the day. It will be unforgettable.
Bring snorkel gear and check out all the turtles! Also a great place to watch planes come in as its right next to the airstrip. There are restrooms and a few food trucks. Bring towels or your own chairs.
70 Einheimische empfehlen
Brewers Bay Beach
Bring snorkel gear and check out all the turtles! Also a great place to watch planes come in as its right next to the airstrip. There are restrooms and a few food trucks. Bring towels or your own chairs.
A nice calm beach on St. John where you are bound to see turtles. Check out Vi Ecotours for full day packages.
13 Einheimische empfehlen
Maho Bay
Route 20A nice calm beach on St. John where you are bound to see turtles. Check out Vi Ecotours for full day packages.
Just past Trunk Bay on St. John. This is another lovely beach, a little bigger and less crowded than neighboring Trunk Bay. You can rent chairs and watersports equipment and there's a restaurant for lunch.
37 Einheimische empfehlen
Cinnamon Bay Beach
Just past Trunk Bay on St. John. This is another lovely beach, a little bigger and less crowded than neighboring Trunk Bay. You can rent chairs and watersports equipment and there's a restaurant for lunch.
Essentials
Its close (in Red Hook) and is a cute and friendly market that even caters to special diets (like guten free), which is not too easy to find on STT. Keep in mind that groceries are EXPENSIVE here though. Eating out is normal priced but groceries are much more. Go figure...
78 Einheimische empfehlen
Moe's Fresh Market Redhook
Its close (in Red Hook) and is a cute and friendly market that even caters to special diets (like guten free), which is not too easy to find on STT. Keep in mind that groceries are EXPENSIVE here though. Eating out is normal priced but groceries are much more. Go figure...
If you find yourself in need of a drug store and/or pharmacy, Chelsea if only a mile away in Red Hook.
12 Einheimische empfehlen
Chelsea Drug Store Redhook
102 Red Hook RdIf you find yourself in need of a drug store and/or pharmacy, Chelsea if only a mile away in Red Hook.
If you have medical needs, this is an urgent care clinic right in red hook.
14 Einheimische empfehlen
Red Hook Family Practice
6500 Red Hook RdIf you have medical needs, this is an urgent care clinic right in red hook.
Super Convenient
This restaurant, which is located poolside at our complex, is now called Sudi's Caribbean Grille. Its an excellent choice for good food right onsite, with no need to drive or take a taxi.
15 Einheimische empfehlen
Slice Vi - Craft Pizza & Cafe
This restaurant, which is located poolside at our complex, is now called Sudi's Caribbean Grille. Its an excellent choice for good food right onsite, with no need to drive or take a taxi.
A coffee shop and convenience store at Sapphire Beach. Really good breakfast sandwiches that you can take a few steps away and enjoy while watching the waves.
The Beach Buzz
A coffee shop and convenience store at Sapphire Beach. Really good breakfast sandwiches that you can take a few steps away and enjoy while watching the waves.
Great place for a a drink and a burger. Right on Sapphire beach and only a 3 minute walk from the condo.
25 Einheimische empfehlen
Sapphire Beach Bar
Smith Bay RoadGreat place for a a drink and a burger. Right on Sapphire beach and only a 3 minute walk from the condo.
Food scene
Great inexpensive burgers (best on the island), excellent fries, strong drinks right in Red Hook.
68 Einheimische empfehlen
The Tap & Still Redhook
Great inexpensive burgers (best on the island), excellent fries, strong drinks right in Red Hook.
My favorite restaurant in Red Hook. Where all the locals go. Can go wrong with anything on the menu. Its small so ensure you make a reservation or plan to sit at the bar.
89 Einheimische empfehlen
XO Bistro
My favorite restaurant in Red Hook. Where all the locals go. Can go wrong with anything on the menu. Its small so ensure you make a reservation or plan to sit at the bar.
Great pizza and great vibes, with a view overlooking American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook.
95 Einheimische empfehlen
Island Time Pub
Great pizza and great vibes, with a view overlooking American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook.
The Easterly
1 Red Hook RdA fancy restaurant for a special night out in Red Hook.
Good mexican food and great margaritas (happy hour pitcher specials from 3-6pm). Its inside so the AC feels good and there are large TVs for watching sports.
23 Einheimische empfehlen
Agave
Emile Milo Francis Memorial DriveGood mexican food and great margaritas (happy hour pitcher specials from 3-6pm). Its inside so the AC feels good and there are large TVs for watching sports.
A cute little sushi bar with good quality food right in Red Hook.
31 Einheimische empfehlen
Raw Sushi & Sake Bar
A cute little sushi bar with good quality food right in Red Hook.
They have GREAT service and really good (authentic) food, with a beautiful seaside location about 15 min from Sapphire.
34 Einheimische empfehlen
Mim's Seaside Bistro
They have GREAT service and really good (authentic) food, with a beautiful seaside location about 15 min from Sapphire.
Hands down my favorite restaurant on the island -- best steaks, phenomenal view, perfect for special occasions. Its about 25 min from Sapphire above Havensight and the Cruise port.
49 Einheimische empfehlen
Prime at Paradise point
Hands down my favorite restaurant on the island -- best steaks, phenomenal view, perfect for special occasions. Its about 25 min from Sapphire above Havensight and the Cruise port.
A really nice restaurant in St. John. Make reservations WELL IN ADVANCE. You won't be disappointed.
21 Einheimische empfehlen
Morgan's Mango
18 First StreetA really nice restaurant in St. John. Make reservations WELL IN ADVANCE. You won't be disappointed.
A lovely nice restaurant in St. John. Reservations strongly recommended.
10 Einheimische empfehlen
1864 The Restaurant
503 Mongoose JctA lovely nice restaurant in St. John. Reservations strongly recommended.
Old Stone Farmhouse
Good food and drinks along with a old world flare.
Caribbean Fish Market
6800 Nazareth RdGreat food and a fun beach vibe.
Pangea Terra Table
Wholesome and tasty food really close by.
Sangria's Beachside Bistro
A casual seaside bistro, nice for lunch. It closes by evening time.
A nice casual restaurant with a wonderful seaside feel. Good HH tacos and more.
Lanai Restaurant @ Limetree Beach
A nice casual restaurant with a wonderful seaside feel. Good HH tacos and more.
A brand new high-end dining option at Sapphire Beach (you can walk from our unit, avoiding the parking issues of Red Hook). The perfect place for a special occasion dinner. Great ambience, food and service. Pricey, but worth it.
SeaSalt
A brand new high-end dining option at Sapphire Beach (you can walk from our unit, avoiding the parking issues of Red Hook). The perfect place for a special occasion dinner. Great ambience, food and service. Pricey, but worth it.
Sightseeing
Virgin Islands Day Sailing
6720 Smith Bay RdA fun day sail or sunset sail right from Sapphire Marina.
Take an exhilerating Parasail adventure (or rent jet skis) right at Sapphire Marina.
23 Einheimische empfehlen
Parasail Virgin Islands
Take an exhilerating Parasail adventure (or rent jet skis) right at Sapphire Marina.
A great way to see the best sights of St. Thomas or St. John, and they can pick you up right at the condo. I've taken the tour and can attest that Mickey and Laurel are great.
Sunfari
A great way to see the best sights of St. Thomas or St. John, and they can pick you up right at the condo. I've taken the tour and can attest that Mickey and Laurel are great.
The boat is right here and the owners live on property. A really nice sailing trip!
Sailing the Cosmos Charters
The boat is right here and the owners live on property. A really nice sailing trip!
If you're traveling with a group and want to do a private tour out of Sapphire Marina, this is the company to use. They have boats from 6-25 people max, and the day is all yours.
13 Einheimische empfehlen
St. Thomas Boat Rental
6501 Red Hook RdIf you're traveling with a group and want to do a private tour out of Sapphire Marina, this is the company to use. They have boats from 6-25 people max, and the day is all yours.
Located right at Sapphire Marina, this is a fun thing to do when the waters are fairly calm.
10 Einheimische empfehlen
Coastal Water Sports, St. Thomas
Smith Bay RoadLocated right at Sapphire Marina, this is a fun thing to do when the waters are fairly calm.
Tipps für Reisende
Was einpacken?
St. Thomas is very casual. Leave the fancy stuff at home.
No need for high heels or long slacks. Even the nicest restaurants accept men in (nice, walking type) shorts and flip-flops, and a casual sun dress/sandals is fine for women.
Was einpacken?
Only reef friendly sunscreen is allowed.
Just buy it in stores here. The kind they sell is the kind that is allowed. The coffee shop and boutique both sell it at Sapphire Beach.