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I'll confess that I've never been a fan of beaches. I hate feeling sand in between my toes and in other undesirable places and trekking it into the car afterward. In the words of Anakin Skywalker, "I don’t like sand. It’s coarse and rough and irritating… and it gets everywhere." I hate being uncomfortable in wet bathing suits. And I don't do well in the heat, especially once it hits above 90 degrees (Fahrenheit). I don't like being that bare in front of so many other people in public. Sometimes the water is dirty and murky or there's a ton of seaweed and rocks on the shore. So, yeah, I don't go to too many beaches voluntarily.
Magens Bay is different.
Pronounced may-gen's bay and located on the north side of the island, it's #15 on US News's Best Beaches in the World for 2023 list, and for good reason. This magnificent tropical beach in the shape of a horseshoe (it's surrounded by two peninsulas) has something for everyone. Take a stroll along the white sandy beach or take a dip in crystal clear, pristine, ocean blue water. The views of the Caribbean Sea are spectacular and truly unparalleled. It's clean and calm and full of charm, and it's ideal for swimming, kayaking, scuba diving, paddle boarding, and other water sports (minus surfing). Don't want to go into the water or sit on the sand to get a tan? Trek one of the many trails to get unparalleled scenic views of the island.
There is a restaurant on site (that I can't recommend because I didn't try it so not sure if there are vegan/plant-based options) and the beach does have an entry fee, which varies if you're a resident versus non-resident. The daily rate for a non-resident is $5 per adult with an additional $2 parking fee; children under 12 years are free. The fees go toward conservation efforts and beach upkeep so it's the least visitors can do. There are monthly passes available if you're staying longer and plan to come back more than once, and beach and lounge chairs are available to rent. More information can be found here.
I also wouldn't recommend going on a weekend or on days when there are cruise ships scheduled to arrive. Because it's one of the better, more well-known beaches, you will see a lot of tourists. We visited on a Friday morning and it was fairly empty. We wandered a little further down to the left of the main concession area and found a picnic bench for our belongings with no problem, and we stayed in the water for a long time.
I'm not a fan of going on vacation and sitting on a beach for a week. There's so much in the world to see that I would get antsy after a few hours. And before this visit, I hadn't stepped foot on a beach in five years. Yes, five years. Even then, I prefer laying on the beach and reading a book as opposed to wading into the water but this was such a different experience than what I was used to. But this beach? I would gladly come back and live on the sand for as long as I could. It is a must-visit on the island and in the world.
(I might actually be a beach person now.)
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