Top stories
Magens Bay
USINFO | 2013-05-21 10:14
Magens Bay is a bay on Saint Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, located in the Caribbean.
Located on the North (Atlantic) side of the island, Magens Bay features a well-protected white sand beach stretching for nearly three quarters of a mile. It is one of the most popular tourist beach destinations on the island.
The beach sits at the head of a deep bay, the arms of which are Peterborg peninsula to the east and Tropaco Point to the west. The bay's northwest exposure means its waters are usually calm, although storms in the North Atlantic can occasionally generate large waves in the winter months. The sandy bottom means snorkeling is of limited interest, although turtles, tarpon and other fish are commonly spotted. Local fishing boats anchor in the eastern part of the bay where there is a boat ramp.
The Nature Conservancy created a trail to Magens Bay from a spot off the road in the hills above. The trail provides signs identifying native trees. It is approximately 3/4 mile long.
Magens Bay was previously owned by Arthur Fairchild, who gave most of it as a gift to the Municipality of St. Thomas and St. John in 1943 for use as a public park. The far Western portion was donated by Fairchild's nephew's widow, Christine Wheaton, in 2002. The beach and surrounding park are currently administered by the semi-autonomous Magens Bay Authority. The services provided by the Authority include lifeguards, parking, showers and bathrooms. There is a snack counter, bar and souvenir shop. Beach chairs, floats, windsurfers and small sailboats can be rented. The Authority is a self-sustaining entity which funds its operations through a per-person entrance fee (currently $4.00 for visitors and $2.00 for locals), parking fees, and payments received from the park's restaurant and rental concessions.
Legend has it that Sir Francis Drake used Magens Bay as an anchorage while waiting for ships to plunder.
Located on the North (Atlantic) side of the island, Magens Bay features a well-protected white sand beach stretching for nearly three quarters of a mile. It is one of the most popular tourist beach destinations on the island.
The beach sits at the head of a deep bay, the arms of which are Peterborg peninsula to the east and Tropaco Point to the west. The bay's northwest exposure means its waters are usually calm, although storms in the North Atlantic can occasionally generate large waves in the winter months. The sandy bottom means snorkeling is of limited interest, although turtles, tarpon and other fish are commonly spotted. Local fishing boats anchor in the eastern part of the bay where there is a boat ramp.
The Nature Conservancy created a trail to Magens Bay from a spot off the road in the hills above. The trail provides signs identifying native trees. It is approximately 3/4 mile long.
Magens Bay was previously owned by Arthur Fairchild, who gave most of it as a gift to the Municipality of St. Thomas and St. John in 1943 for use as a public park. The far Western portion was donated by Fairchild's nephew's widow, Christine Wheaton, in 2002. The beach and surrounding park are currently administered by the semi-autonomous Magens Bay Authority. The services provided by the Authority include lifeguards, parking, showers and bathrooms. There is a snack counter, bar and souvenir shop. Beach chairs, floats, windsurfers and small sailboats can be rented. The Authority is a self-sustaining entity which funds its operations through a per-person entrance fee (currently $4.00 for visitors and $2.00 for locals), parking fees, and payments received from the park's restaurant and rental concessions.
Legend has it that Sir Francis Drake used Magens Bay as an anchorage while waiting for ships to plunder.
