Magens Bay

This stunning beach boasts great facilities, including lifeguards, showers, a snack stall, and windsurfing and snorkeling rentals. A nearly mile-long nature trail from Magens Bay Road runs along the beach and takes you through tropical forest and mangroves via boardwalks and well-maintained paths. Some guided tours of St. Thomas include a trip to the nearby Mountain Top spot on Crown Mountain, which offers stunning views of the beach.

• If you want to avoid cruise-ship crowds, head away from the taxi drop-off point, which is near the concession stand, and walk to more distant parts of the beach.

• Parts of the nature trail are moderately steep, but there are steps and handrails.

• The Mountain Top shop and bar is the purported birthplace of the banana daiquiri, so be sure to try one if you visit.

Magens Bay sits on the island’s central north coast, bordered by Tropaco and Picara Points. The Charlotte Amalie cruise port is 10 minutes away by bus or car. Guided tours typically leave from the port, and rental cars are available there as well. You can also grab a taxi (which are really open-air buses) from the cruise ship dock or from your hotel.

Magens Bay is very popular with cruise ship passengers, so expect big crowds when multiple ships are docked. Plan to arrive early in the morning to stake out a spot, or come during the late afternoon and stay for sunset. Peak season for the US Virgin Islands (and the busiest time at the beach) is from December to March.

Located about 20 minutes across the island by car from Magens Bay, Mangrove Lagoon offers more scenic views and outdoor activities like kayaking and snorkeling. The lagoon is a protected nesting site for birds, including herons, egrets, and ducks, making it a popular spot for bird watchers. Snorkelers can spot rays, eels, jellyfish, and tropical fish in the waters.