Magen’s Bay, St. Thomas USVI – A Beautiful Beach With a Colorful Past

If you’ve ever seen photos of an unbelievably gorgeous gently curving white sand beach, calm, azure colored waters and swaying palm trees under a perfect sky, odds are that it’s Magen’s Bay on St. Thomas. Magen’s Bay Park features 68 acres of pristine land–-one full mile of white powder sand beach, a six acre arboretum, a two acre campground, five acres of coconut groves and fifteen acres of mangroves and wetlands. There’s even a nature trail for hikers, but the real attraction is the beach. It’s absolute paradise.There’s an entrance fee to get into Magen’s Bay park ($4 for adults, $2 for kids over 13, children 12 and under are free), but it’s well worth the money.

Plan to spend a full day at Magen’s Bay. You won’t need to leave for food or even bring your own lunch because the park has a concession stand and bar.There’s even cocktail service on the beach–and in the water! If you’ve forgotten suntan lotion, no problem–you can get whatever you need–including souvenirs and t-shirts at the sundries store. The concession stand serves pizza and ice cream as well as other munchies.

Rent some beach chairs for the day, or even a kayak or paddleboat.There are lifeguards on site at all times while the park is open, as well as restrooms and showers.

Magen’s Bay beach is fully protected by land on both sides so there are almost no waves. The sand is powdery soft and gently slopes into warm crystal clear waters. This beach is great for swimming only; it lacks the reefs that create a great snorkeling environment, which means you’ll find just soft sand. Relax in the gentle waters and sip a cool drink that the beach wait staff is happy to bring to you.

Legend has it that Sir Frances Drake used Magen’s Bay as an anchorage while waiting for ships to plunder. Above Magen’s Bay is a lookout called “Drake”s Seat” where he was rumored to watch for enemy ships of the Spanish fleet. In 1568, he was surprised and captured by a Spanish fleet and eventually escaped due to his outstanding ability to swim. From then on, he devoted his life to working against the Spanish empire, who now regarded him as a pirate and outlaw. The view of Magen’s Bay from Drake’s Seat is absolutely spectacular.

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