The Best Beaches in St Thomas, USVI — From Magens Bay to Hidden Local Gems

Some islands have more beaches. But St Thomas? St Thomas has better ones. This is the Caribbean the way you imagine it — bright sand, still water, and room to disappear if you want to. But if you’re just visiting for a few hours on a cruise or spending weeks in a villa in the hills, you’ll want to choose your beach wisely. Because timing matters. Tides matter. And knowing where the locals go? That really matters.

All beaches in the US Virgin Islands are public. But that doesn’t mean they’re all the same. Some are busy. Some are quiet. Some come with barbecue smoke and soca.

Others come with nothing but the sound of the sea. We found the best of them — from the famous to the almost-hidden — and we went in person. Here’s where to go.

Lindquist Beach

You’ve seen this beach before, even if you don’t remember it. (Hannah Davis and the horse? DirecTV? Exactly.) But in real life, it’s even better. The turquoise shallows. The soft curve of sand. The breeze moving through the sea grape trees. Lindquist — also called Smith Bay Park — isn’t just the best beach in St Thomas. It’s one of the best in the Caribbean.

There’s new infrastructure here — fresh picnic pavilions, well-kept bathrooms, proper pathways and parking. It’s clean, calm, and stunning. Arrive early or in the late afternoon and you might have it to yourself. Stay long enough and you’ll realize why locals protect this one like a secret.

Magens Bay

It’s the beach everyone talks about. And for good reason.

Magens is the showstopper — a mile-long crescent of impossibly fine sand and shallow, shimmering water. It’s the postcard. The screensaver. The kind of place that makes you stop mid-sentence just to look.

Yes, it gets busy — especially when cruise ships are in port. But come before breakfast, and you’ll find joggers, paddle boarders, and morning swimmers savoring the quiet. The park staff here keep it tidy, and the facilities are solid. This is the kind of place you remember long after you’ve left.

Hull Bay

Hull Bay Beach is a favorite for boaters and water sports lovers. A little further afield and harder to find, this place is far from the madding crowd. On Hull Bay, you will find a personal slice of paradise. Protected by Tropaco Point and smaller than Magen’s Bay, the water in Hull Bay is tranquil and perfect for paddle sports.  A boat ramp and moorings for fishing boats, rental of kayaks, paddle boarding and snorkeling make this beach a favorite for locals and those seeking the quieter sides of always-bustling St Thomas.

Brewer’s Bay

Tucked just west of Charlotte Amalie and hugged by the campus of the University of the Virgin Islands, Brewer’s is low-key, clean, and local. You won’t find vendors or loud music here. Just clear water, soft sand, and students stretching out between classes.

Sea turtles sometimes feed just offshore. The sunsets are reliable. And the vibe is peaceful — even meditative. Brewer’s is easy to reach by car or taxi, and somehow it still feels like a secret.

Mueller Bay

You won’t find it in the brochures. And that’s exactly why it’s worth finding.

Muller Bay is one of those places you stumble on by accident — the kind of beach you spot from the road, pull over for, and end up staying the rest of the day. It’s just off the East End, not far from Coki or Lindquist, but feels like a different world entirely.

There are no beach bars. No lifeguards. No chairs for rent. What you do get: impossibly clear water, a perfect little crescent of white sand, and usually no one else around.

Locals know it for snorkeling — the coral heads here sit close to shore, and the visibility is exceptional. There’s a patch of sea grape trees at one end that gives you just enough shade, and if you pack a cooler, you’re set.

It’s quiet. It’s unassuming. It’s just a beach — but maybe the kind you were hoping to find all along.

Vessup Bay

This is where the locals launch their sailboats. Where paddleboarders glide past mangroves in the morning. Where island dogs chase waves and nobody minds. Vessup Bay doesn’t show off — but that’s what makes it special. And it’s just around the bend from Muller, actually.

Tucked away on the East End near Red Hook, this long, wide beach stays under the radar. It’s not groomed or manicured. There’s driftwood, sometimes seagrass, and always plenty of space. But the sand is soft, the water is calm, and the view across Pillsbury Sound to St John is spectacular.

It’s a favorite for families, kayakers, and anyone with their own gear. No rental stands. No crowds. Just a quiet stretch of sand where you can breathe, float, and forget about time.

Come in the early evening and you’ll often have it to yourself. Stay long enough and you’ll catch one of the best sunsets on the island. Vessup doesn’t try to impress. It just delivers

Coki Beach

If Lindquist is serenity, Coki is energy. This is the loud, colorful, sun-soaked carnival of St Thomas beaches — and it’s a blast.

Beach bars, snorkel rentals, music, chairs, craft stands — it’s all here, right next to Coral World Ocean Park. And the water? Glass-clear and full of fish, perfect for snorkeling right off the shore.

It’s friendly, it’s fun, and it’s always alive. If you’re in the mood for a beach with flavor, this is where to go.

St Thomas doesn’t make you choose between beauty and access. You can have both. From the hush of Hull Bay to the buzz of Coki, every beach has its moment — and the best travelers know exactly when to be there