QUICK! Best south shore/east end beach for all ages!

SusieQT · Post by **SusieQT** » Wed Mar 26, 2014 7:09 am

For today!!

Thought about doing Salt Pond but concerned about the hike back to the car. 5 cruise ships in STT so want to head toward Coral Bay.

Our group is 5 years old to 70 years old!

lprof · Post by **lprof** » Wed Mar 26, 2014 7:27 am

My first thought would be Vie's beach.

BillVT · Post by **BillVT** » Wed Mar 26, 2014 7:55 am

Ditto.

Keep in mind that the wind is out of the east south east so it might be a little choppy. How about Francis? Bring bug dope.

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Wed Mar 26, 2014 8:15 am

Little Lameshur has shade and sand. Salt Pond and Vie's get hot. We wear water shoes at all the South Shore Beaches.

Cheers, RickG

SusieQT · Post by **SusieQT** » Wed Mar 26, 2014 8:38 am

Thanks all! There are 5 ships in STT, a part of our desire to 'get out of town'!

Great suggestions all around.

Lindy · Post by **Lindy** » Wed Mar 26, 2014 9:01 am

I second Lameshur. The drive there will ensure that there would be no cruise ship people at all. Plus once you get there it's a level, easy access beach with lots of sand and good snorkeling along the rocks. Something for everyone! Not a lot of parking though so get going now.

nikkiki · Post by **nikkiki** » Wed Mar 26, 2014 2:36 pm

Can someone please point me to the link where we can check what cruise ships will be in during our vacations? Always nice to have a heads up.

Ed S · Post by **Ed S** » Wed Mar 26, 2014 2:39 pm

http://www.vinow.com/general_usvi/cruis ... hedule.php

lprof · Post by **lprof** » Wed Mar 26, 2014 2:48 pm

Right here on VIOL! Usually posted the first of each month!

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/c ... ules.shtml

nikkiki · Post by **nikkiki** » Wed Mar 26, 2014 2:49 pm

Thanks Ed S and lprof!

SusieQT · Post by **SusieQT** » Wed Mar 26, 2014 7:35 pm

OP here! We had an amazing day at Little Lamesur. Plenty of parking at 11am, other groups came & went throughout the day. Several large groups, we are a group of 9 & were outnumbered. Great shade & snorkeling for all abilities. I could not believe the anoemonaes right at the shore, our non-swimmer only had to put her face in the water from standing in ankle deep water. Our advanced snorkeler went all the way to the point on the left. The rest of us saw squid & a sea cucumber & really beautiful coral & fish.

I suggest keen type shoes, there is a rocky path on the left to some tide pools but shoes are necessary!

dreamshark · Post by **dreamshark** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 2:56 pm

I would say Salt Pond if it weren't for that killer hike back to the parking lot. It's only about a quarter-mile, but very steep and in full sun much of the day. If you arrive before 9am you can walk down in shade, and if you leave after 3pm you'll have at least partial shade coming back up, but it still might be too painful for the oldest and youngest in your party. However, it's a beautiful shallow, sandy beach with good snorkeling at both ends and an easy hike to Drunk Bay to see the breakers crash in on a rocky coral beach.

If you don't want to deal with the hike, Little Lameshur is your best bet. Nice shady picnic tables if you get there early enough to grab one, a mostly sandy beach, and cool sugar mill ruins to explore at the the far end of the beach. The road is rough, but you can park right by the beach.

snorkeler525 · Post by **snorkeler525** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 5:18 pm

This cruise ship schedule gives you ship sizes too:

http://ports.cruisett.com/schedule/US_V ... int_Thomas

Glad you had a great day - put that beach on our list for our July trip this year.

usvi-on-line