Find your shoreline
Brewers Bay
Calm swimming and seagrass where sea turtles are often spotted; food trucks are nearby.
The WelcomeToVI take
Why it belongs
on your list.
Brewers Bay works best when you choose it for the kind of water and atmosphere it actually offers. Calm swimming and seagrass where sea turtles are often spotted; food trucks are nearby.
A local favorite by the airport
Calm water, wide sand, no rush.
Near the University of the Virgin Islands and the airport, Brewers Bay offers a broad, relaxed shoreline, a sandy swimming area, and the possibility of watching sea turtles graze in the nearshore seagrass.
Brewers feels woven into everyday island life. Families, students, walkers, and longtime residents share a bay that is less polished than a resort beach and appealing precisely because of that easy local character.
The sandy bottom and often-gentle water can make swimming approachable, but weather and marine conditions still rule the day. Plane activity nearby adds an unmistakable sense of place.
Green and hawksbill turtles may feed in the seagrass, though sightings are never guaranteed. Watching from a calm distance protects their feeding behavior and produces a better encounter than swimming after them.
There are no reliable on-site gear rentals, so bring what you plan to use. Food trucks may serve local favorites such as pates and johnny cakes, turning a simple beach stop into a distinctly St. Thomas afternoon.
Explore the official visitor sourceWhat to expect
Walk it like
you live here.
Come self-contained
Pack water, shade, towels, and snorkel gear rather than relying on rentals or full beach-club services.
Watch the seagrass
Scan quietly for turtles from the surface. If one appears, stay well back and never block its route to open water.
Enjoy the local rhythm
Expect a casual public beach rather than a curated resort experience, including nearby aircraft and changing food-truck activity.
Taste what is available
If vendors are operating, try a pate, johnny cake, or other local bite and carry away every item you bring onto the beach.
Plan it well
Know before
you go.
Pack for this beach
Bring water, sun protection, snacks, and the beach gear you expect to use; services may be limited.
Choose the right conditions
Wind, swell, and sea life can change the character of any bay. Follow posted guidance when you arrive.
Leave it better
Carry out what you bring, keep space from wildlife, and use reef-conscious products around the water.
The practical field guide
Plan the visit,
not just the photo.
Use this page as your working plan, then verify anything time-sensitive with the source closest to the operation.
A low-key swim and shoreline day close to the airport.
Bring cash for independent food trucks when present.
Visit when visibility and sea conditions suit your ability.
Plan transportation rather than relying on instant pickup.
ARRIVAL + PARKING
Know the last mile.
Reach the bay by car or planned taxi near the University of the Virgin Islands and airport. Roadside parking is informal and can be limited.
FACILITIES
Know what is—and isn’t—there.
Treat facilities as limited. Food trucks may operate nearby, but carry water and everything essential for your beach time.
MOBILITY + ACCESS
Plan for the actual terrain.
The shoreline is natural and services are minimal. Travelers who need firm paths, adapted facilities, or close assistance should confirm another beach setup first.
SAFETY + CONDITIONS
Let today’s conditions lead.
Sea state, current, heat, and marine life change daily. Follow posted and lifeguard guidance, keep distance from wildlife, and never stand on coral.
BRING WITH YOU
A small kit makes the day easier.
- Drinking water
- Reef-conscious sun protection
- Footwear and a dry layer
- Cash or card for local vendors
LIVE-DETAIL CHECKReviewed September 2026. Use Visit USVI for current hours, fees, access, booking, and closure information.
Open Visit USVI Make it a downtown walk
One climb.
A fuller story.
Turtle encounters are a privilege, not a promise. Do not feed, touch, chase, or crowd wildlife, and avoid standing in seagrass beds. Bring your own beach gear, secure return transportation, and expect normal airport noise from the nearby runway.
Settle along the wide shore
Choose a base that leaves access open and gives your group clear sightlines to swimmers.
Swim the sandy bay
Enter only after checking the water, and stay aware of changing weather and vessel activity.
Observe, do not pursue
Let turtles feed naturally in the seagrass and enjoy any sighting without touching, chasing, or surrounding them.
Add a local bite
Check nearby food trucks, then leave the beach clean and allow plenty of time for your return transport.
STAY ON WELCOMETOVIBuild the rest