Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A short, broad beach at the head of Water Bay about a half-mile off Rte 38, Pineapple
Beach (also known as Renaissance Beach or Water Bay) is adjacent to Point Pleasant Re-
sort; take the short trail on the beach's right-hand side, where you'll find the cool beach
bar Fungi's. Trade winds often make the water choppy and cloudy, but the beach itself is
spacious and manicured, with lots of room for children to play. When the wind is calm, the
snorkeling along the south shore of the bay is good.
Coki Beach
SNORKELING BEACH
This beach is on a protected cove right at the entrance to Coral World Ocean Park, near
the northeast tip of the island. The snorkeling here is excellent with lots of fish action, and
you can dive from shore with the Coki Beach Dive Club. Coki is the one beach on St Tho-
mas with touts - as soon as you arrive someone will quickly become your 'friend' and try
to hook you up a certain beach chair or snorkel-gear vendor. The touts aren't aggressive,
but they come as a bit of a shock since it is so uncommon elsewhere in the Virgin Islands.
There's an undeniable party atmosphere here: reggae-blasting bars line the sand, where loc-
als hang out and shoot pool. Hair braiders, snack shacks and equipment vendors enhance
the fun in the sun.
For years cruise ship passengers mobbed the place. Then, in early 2010, a young passen-
ger was shot and killed at Coki. She wasn't the target, but a casualty of a stray bullet from
a local fight. Many residents said this was the culmination of an unsavory group that had
been hanging out at Coki in recent years. Authorities have taken the issue seriously. On our
recent visit to Coki, police were on hand keeping an eye on things, and the beach seemed
to be back to business as usual with visitors splashing around and enjoying themselves.
Activities
The East End is a prime spot for outdoor action.
Kayaking
Virgin Islands Ecotours
( 340-779-2155, 877-845-2925;
www.viecotours.com
; 2½hr tours adult/child $77/
43; 10am & 2pm)
Offers a guided kayak-and-snorkeling expedition where you'll
paddle through a mangrove lagoon to a coral rubble beach. Tours depart just east of the in-
tersection of Rtes 30 and 32, at the entrance to the Mangrove Lagoon. There's also a three-
hour tour (adult/child $88/54) that adds hiking to the mix.
