St. Thomas has over 40 beaches that can be found all over the island. Many of them include resort style amenities and are great places to lounge on a beach chair with a drink in hand. But if that’s not your vibe, there are some places to go where you can find a quiet spot in the sand to relax. One of my favorite beaches in the US Virgin Islands is Lindquist Beach in St. Thomas.
Lindquist Beach is part of Smith Bay Park, a 21-acre protected preserve. You’ll find the beach just a short walk from the entrance. It’s a low-key spot with no bars blasting music, no lounge chairs available (for the most part) and no one coming up to you asking if you want a cocktail. And depending on what type of beach goer you are, it may or may not be your type of beach.
Personally, I love a secluded beach where you can listen to the ocean, read a book and not be disturbed for a little while. And that’s exactly what you get here. The beach has powdery light tan sand and incredibly blue water with islands and rolling hills in the distance.
At a Glance:
- Location: the east end of St. Thomas, north of Red Hook
- Cost: $5 per person, $2 parking – cash only
- Hours: 8am-5pm
- Swimming: Dependent on water conditions
- Activities: Swimming, snorkeling
- Facilities: Picnic tables, Restrooms, Showers
How to Get to Lindquist Beach
Lindquist Beach is located on the east side of St. Thomas along the northern coast. You can easily locate it on the Maps app on your phone to get directions. The entrance is off of Smith Bay Road and it’s easy to spot it. There is a fee to visit Lindquist Beach which is $5 per person and $2 for parking. Make sure you have cash on hand to pay at the entrance booth.
Parking:
There’s a small lot right across from the entrance where you can park your car. But if you have some beach gear that you’d like to unload first, they’ll let you drive down to the beach to drop it off and then come back up to park. The walk down to the beach from the parking lot is a short 5 minute walk along a sidewalk.
Facilities:
Lindquist Beach does not have many facilities. There are a few picnic tables lining the sand, but otherwise, if you want a beach chair or umbrella, you’ll have to bring it yourself. It does have a nice restroom facility steps from the beach with showers/changing stalls and a place to rinse off the sand from your feet.
*Evidently there may be a handful of lounge chairs available for rent on occasion. I assume from locals offering them and that it probably coincides with cruises coming in.
Each time we’ve gone, we’ve never seen anyone offering them and it seemed like the people who had them had brought them themselves.
The beach does have a lifeguard on duty here to keep an eye out on swimmers at the beach and to have a general eye watching the area. They’re friendly and will point out snorkeling areas and anything worth seeing in the water.
Lindquist Beach, St. Thomas
The beach is lined with large bushes and palm trees that provide just enough shade to put your towel under if you’re looking for some protection from the sun. If you go later in the afternoon, you might not be able to find a great shady spot as it will get a little bit more ‘crowded’.
But shade or no shade, this beach is stunning. Lindquist beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in St. Thomas. The water color is a bright blue and the sand a light colored, powdery tan. Swimming conditions vary by the day, with some days having warnings for the current. If the warnings are up, then you shouldn’t swim, but you can still enjoy the beach.
Both of the ends of Lindquist beach get a little more rocky which makes a good place to bring out the snorkel. The left side of the beach has larger slabs of rock on the sand. But the right side is where you’re probably more likely to see some fish. Swim out far enough and you might see some rays, turtles and schools of fish.
Good for:
People who want a quiet yet beautiful beach, who prefer laying a towel down if it means fewer people, and who don’t mind if there are no amenities such as rentals or places to buy food/drink.
What’s Nearby
- Sapphire Beach – This nearby beach also has beautiful water but has beach chairs along the sand, beach bars nearby for food and drinks and a livelier atmosphere. You can also stay on Sapphire Beach!
- Coki Beach – Another lively beach, though smaller, with beach chairs, snorkeling and food/drinks.
- Red Hook – A town on the east end of St. Thomas with lots of bars and restaurants for a night out and where you can find another marina/ferry port.
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