Charlotte Amalie

Magen’s Bay

Magen’s Bay

Magen's Bay, located on the northern coast of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, is renowned for its pristine beauty and crystal-clear waters. Anchoring in Magen's Bay offers sailors a truly breathtaking experience, surrounded by lush tropical greenery and the gentle sounds of nature. This is a nice calm anchorage unless there is a northern component to the wind, in which case the swells would be uncomfortable.

The calm, turquoise waters of Magen's Bay are perfect for swimming and snorkeling along the edges of the bay. Relax on the soft sands of Magen's Bay Beach and soak up the Caribbean sun. The breathtaking water colors are ideal for unwinding and enjoying the natural beauty of the surroundings.

Magen's Bay Park has a 6 acre arboretum at the east end of the parking lot, which allows you to observe local and imported plants, trees and birds. You can also pack a picnic lunch or enjoy a delicious food from Magen’s Point Bar and Grill.

Charlotte Amalie Anchorage

Charlotte Amalie is the capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands, situated on the island of St. Thomas. This bustling port city is known for its colorful colonial buildings, vibrant culture, and duty-free shopping opportunities. Visitors can explore historical sites like St Thomas Synagogue, 99 steps, Fort Christian, and Main street. Yacht Haven Grande offers a variety of restaurants for everyone’s taste and budget.

Helpful tidbits for cruisers:

• Yacht Haven Grande has a nice dinghy dock for cruisers, still good idea to lock the dinghy but you can use their dumpster for $5 a bag; pay in the office. There is a Pueblos market, Moes Market, and Kmart all within walking distance. If you need a fair amount of mail delivered, you can get a mailbox address for $90/3 months (as of Mar 2024) at Island Mail.

• There is a dinghy landing by the coast guard station, but we did not use that option, and you can drop your trash there for less.

• We ate at Tap n Still, Smokin Rooster, Mutiny Kitchen, Beni Iguana’s and Stir it up cafe. The prices were typical for a cruise line destination. The food was good, serving sizes adequate our favorite was Mutiny Kitchen, and it was the most expensive by far a special occasion event for us.

Brewers Bay Anchorage

Brewers Bay is located in the US Virgin Islands, right behind the airport runway and is therefore a very protected anchorage. The bay's crystal-clear waters are home to a diverse array of marine life, from colorful tropical fish, to majestic sea turtles and the occasional stingray and dolphins. We have even heard it said there is an octopus, but we cannot personal confirm that one. The soft sandy beach of Brewers Bay stretches along the shoreline, inviting visitors to relax under the warm Caribbean sun. The rhythmic sound of the waves lapping against the shore creates a soothing ambiance, perfect for an afternoon of beachcombing or simply unwinding with a good book.

Overall, Brewers Bay offers a serene escape where visitors can immerse themselves in the natural wonders of the sea and the tranquility of a quiet beach setting. There are planes landing periodically during the day which can be entertaining to watch, but it quiets down right about dinner time.

Tips for Cruisers:

• Dinghy can be left on the beach to the left of the swim area, there is no place to lock it up.

• Its possible to catch a bus into town for a $2 as of April 2024. Be sure to head back before 3pm as they dont run this direction as frequently after that. Note: it’s hard to tell the buses from the taxi’s so ask the price before hopping on.