Coakley Bay Beach, St. Croix USVI
Though the Caribbean has a plethora of beaches designed to fulfill the needs of the tourists who come through, the truth is some of the beaches are suited to keep the original, raw and unmarred beauty of the islands intact. With that in mind, there are some beaches that have maintained their uncorrupted state of being and have been frequented only by those who see fit to enjoy the US Virgin Islands at their leisure without the bother of an onslaught of tourists. One such beach is located on St. Croix --Coakley Bay.
It’s a thin line we tread when we’re looking for the perfect Caribbean getaway. On the one hand, you want to be able to visit the beach and have as much fun as possible without worrying about not having what you need to enjoy the beach; however, on the other hand you don’t want to disrupt the natural beauty of the beach. Coakley provides its visitors with the chance to experience the austere glamor of the beach without all the hubbub of a main tourist draw. During the week, this beach is very rarely --and sparsely-- populated. It is a gorgeous stretch of sand that lends itself to the stuff that Caribbean fantasies are made of.
If you’re interested in enjoying the privacy of some of the beaches found in the US Virgin Islands, then Coakley Bay is just the beach for you. It’s mostly private and very rarely experiences a high season --which retains a very loose understanding of the phrase “high season”. You’ll be able to rest your bones on the soft, white sand and soak in the Caribbean rays. You’ll also be able to allow the spume of the Caribbean waters to sprinkle your skin as the waves roll onto the shoreline. There isn’t much in the way of amenities; however, if you bring your own provisions --picnic basket, beach blanket-- you’ll be able to enjoy the beach as if you owned it, though you may not be too keen on laying out on the beach --unless you like sharing it with some seaweed.
The water is easy to enter and doesn’t fall prey to the turbulence of trade winds. This East End beach is perfect for the family who wants to enjoy the serenity of the beach, giving the kids a Caribbean experience they’ll not soon forget. The snorkeling is rather pleasant on this beach --the water plays host to a series of reefs and rocks where the snorkeling is magnificent and the underwater wildlife is plentiful. Be wary, though. There is an abundance of sea urchins who wouldn’t mind poking up to say hello.
Coakley Bay is perfect for families or the individual who wants to have a quiet day at the beach --spent snorkeling, swimming, or even just enjoying the glint of the rays off the clear and pristine waters. If this sounds like your kind of heaven, then you simply must find your way to the East End of St. Croix.