Athick fringe of palms lines this mile-long, horseshoe-shaped strip of white sand and turquoise waters—a prime contender on any short list of the world’s most beautiful beaches.


With alluring views of other islands just beyond where it opens to the sea, the beach is so shallow that you can wade out hundreds of feet without getting your shorts wet. Finding it is half the fun: Ask an island local to point you in the direction of the Magens Bay Discovery Trail. St. Thomas, purchased from Denmark in 1917, is the most developed of the three U.S. Virgin Islands and one of the most popular stops for cruise ships: Duty-free shopping, a little Danish architecture, and a trip to Magens Bay Beach are all de rigueur. To avoid the legions, go when the ships aren’t in port or do what the locals do: Hang out on Hull Bay Beach, the island’s most popular surfing beach, just one bay to the west; it offers niceties, such as a restaurant and bar, along with your own private stretch of sand. Visitor info: www.usvitourism.vi. Best times: Nov–Apr for nicest weather; Mar for International Rolex Regatta; Apr for Virgin Islands Carnival; Jun–Oct for blue marlin angling; Aug for U.S. Virgin Islands Open/ Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament.