Almost all beaches in St. Thomas are free and open to the public. Learn which beaches have entrance fees, parking costs, and what to expect.
Well Yes, almost all beaches in St. Thomas are completely free and open to the public. This is guaranteed by law in the USVI: all beaches below the high-water mark are public property, even when they're in front of private resorts.
## The Two Exceptions
There are only two beaches with entrance fees:
Magens Bay: $7 per person entrance fee for non-residents, $2 for residents, free for kids under 12. This fee supports beach maintenance, lifeguards, and facilities. Parking is free. The beach is run by the Magens Bay Authority, a government organization.
Coral World Ocean Park: This is a marine park with a beach area, not a traditional beach. Admission is $21+ for adults. Most people come for the underwater observatory and sea lion encounters, not just the beach.
Every other beach — and there are dozens — is completely free.
## What "Free" Actually Means
Free beaches mean:
- No entrance fee to access the sand and water
- No charge to swim or snorkel
- No requirement to buy food or drinks
However, beaches don't have magical free parking. Most beach parking areas charge $2-5, or sometimes nothing at all. Some beaches have no official parking lot, just roadside pull-offs.
## Beaches With Free Parking
These popular beaches have free, official parking lots:
- Sapphire Beach
- Coki Beach (small lot, fills up early)
- Lindquist Beach
- Secret Harbor (park at the resort lot)
- Brewers Bay
## Beaches With Paid Parking
- Magens Bay: $2 parking, $5 entrance
- Some beaches near resorts: $5-10 parking
## Hotel Beaches Are Public Too
This surprises many visitors: even if a beach is in front of a resort, it's public property. You can walk up and use it. However, resort chairs, umbrellas, and watersports equipment are for guests only.
For example, Morning Star Beach is in front of Marriott's Frenchman's Reef. You can absolutely use the beach. You cannot use the resort's pool or chairs.
## What You'll Find at Free Beaches
Most free beaches have:
- Bathrooms (sometimes very basic)
- Outdoor showers
- Some amount of shade
- Beach bars or food trucks (varies by beach)
Don't expect:
- Free beach chairs (bring a towel)
- Free umbrellas (bring your own or rent one)
- Lifeguards (except at Magens Bay and resort beaches)
## Best Free Beaches
For families: Sapphire Beach, Secret Harbor
For snorkeling: Coki Beach, Sapphire Beach
For beauty: Lindquist Beach, Magens Bay
For locals' vibe: Brewers Bay
For calm water: Secret Harbor, Sapphire Beach
## What to Bring
Since beaches are free but basic, pack:
- Your own towel or beach chair
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Snorkel gear (saves $20 in rentals)
- Cash for food trucks or bar drinks
- Water shoes for rocky entries
- A cooler with drinks and snacks
## The Beach Bar Reality
Free beaches often have beach bars where you can buy drinks, rent chairs, or get food. Prices are higher than grocery stores but reasonable: $5-8 for a local beer, $10-15 for a rum drink, $12-18 for food.
Some beach bars have a "house rule" that if you use their chairs or tables, you should buy something. Fair enough — that's how they stay in business.
## Private vs. Public Access
While all beaches are public, some are easier to access than others. Resort beaches are accessible by walking through the resort (they can't legally stop you), but you might feel awkward. Beaches with public parking lots are obviously easier.
The most "local" beaches (Brewers Bay, Hull Bay, Lindquist) are where island residents actually go. You'll see more families, fewer tourists, and get a real sense of island life.
## Local Secret
Lindquist Beach requires a short drive through a somewhat rough access road, which scares off tour groups. The beach is stunning, rarely crowded, and totally free. It's the best "hidden" beach that's not actually hidden. There is a secrete entrance that locals use to sneak in without having to pay the fee but this works better at night when the beach is less crowded.
## Some Tips
- Arrive before 10 AM to get parking at popular beaches like Coki and Magens Bay
- Weekdays are less crowded than weekends (when locals go)
- Some "secret" beaches have no facilities at all — plan accordingly
- Bring your own snorkel gear instead of renting for $20-30
## Find the Perfect Beach for Today
Download Island Hype to see which beaches are crowded right now, check the water conditions, and discover hidden spots locals actually recommend.
- Access to all beaches below the high-water mark is protected by USVI law
- Even resort beaches are legally public property