Visit Water Island in The Virgin Islands

If being in the Virgin Islands isn’t island-y enough for you, it’s worth spending a day on beautiful Water Island. Water Island is off the coast of St. Thomas, easy to get to, less crowded than other Virgin Islands’ beaches, and gorgeous.

Oh, and you might see a sea turtle.

About Water Island USVI

Water Island is a small island with 180-ish residents. No commercial vehicles are allowed and there isn’t a “town.” It is definitely the smallest island I have ever set foot on, which was a cool experience. It’s nice to not see a McDonalds.

Getting to Water Island

Taking a ferry to Water Island is easy. We had a flight to catch later in the day, and I was worried this ferry would be like the ferries to get on and off cruise ships. Those ferries are huge, it all takes forever, and everyone cuts in line. Nope. This ferry was a small boat, 100% on time, and only a 10 minute ride (literally).

You catch the ferry outside of Tickles restaurant at the Crown Bay dock. It’s $15 per person roundtrip. It leaves on the hour from St Thomas and leaves at 00:15 after from Water Island. You can catch an 8:00 ferry over and a 2:15 ferry back, for example.

Hours for ferry can be found here.

Once you arrive on Water Island, you can take the “safari”/bus, rent a golf cart, or walk up the hill until you reach a sign that says To Beach or Not to Beach. Obviously, turn left. It is maybe a 7 minute walk or a 3 minute bus ride. The bus is free.

Be sure to admire the views on the way, one of the perks of walking.

How perfect is this water?

Honeymoon Beach

You will soon find yourself at Honeymoon Beach. It is SO lovely. Crystal-clear, turquoise water, palm trees, and rocks. The water is warm and calm enough that you can take a nice swim and snorkel.

As far as we could tell, the chairs on the beach are free to use. Dinghy’s Beach Bar and Grill has food and drinks but also rents out snorkel gear, kayaks, etc.

We did walk past Honeymoon Beach and up the hill but didn’t find anything super picture-worthy.

Pro Tip: Take the early ferry and you’ll have the beach to yourself.

The only ones on this perfect beach.

Where to Eat

There are only 2 “restaurants” on Water Island. You can eat at Dinghy’s Beach Bar and Grill or at a food truck called Heidi’s Hilltop Hideaway. We didn’t eat at either, but I’ve read that Heidi’s is delicious.

Sea Turtle

I had googled how to see sea turtles in the Virgin Islands about 40 times before our trip because it has been a long-time life goal of mine. The only information I could find was about tours or resorts that guaranteed the chance to glimpse sea turtles. These were all at least $100. We try to keep our trips on the cheap side, so I gave up.

We took the 8am ferry to Water Island and were the only two on Honeymoon Beach. A couple snorkeled in from their yacht (no joke), and Kyle asked them how the swim was. They mentioned that they saw a sea turtle out near some buoys.

Cue the freaking out from me.

I grabbed the $3 childrens’ goggles that I had bought in Aruba during another cheap trip (snorkels and adult goggles were above my budget haha) and started out into the ocean. I was all gung-ho about it yet still spent at least 5 minutes getting in the water. (Anyone else have a problem with getting in water that isn’t like 85 degrees?) Kyle rolled his eyes at me, and we eventually swam in the direction of the turtle.

Kyle had the goggles on (did I mention that we had to share a pair?), and he saw the turtle first. He passed me the goggles, I went under, and I SQUEALED. It was the cutest thing. Just this little, perfect turtle swimming along the bottom. He was snacking on things on the bottom and appeared to be as chill as the sea turtles are in Finding Nemo. The water is so clear off Water Island that we had a completely clear view of him.

I don’t have any photos because I don’t have a waterproof camera. I’m kind of glad, though. Some things are meant to be remembered just in our minds.

I hope you make it to the Virgin Islands or somewhere with sea turtles so you too can experience how adorable they are.

Just go here, okay?

Back to St Thomas

After you take the ferry back, stop for ice cream at the little shop by the dock. I don’t know why an ice cream cone tastes so freaking good after a day on the beach, but it does. Treat yo self.

While I realize I had an exceptionally good trip to Water Island, I would still recommend it to everyone. Even if you don’t spot a turtle. The tranquil beach and the feeling of being on a tiny island were worth the ferry over. Bring your towel and some snacks and make a day of it.

Don’t forget your Travel First Aid Kit.

And if you’re ready for your next perfect beach experience in the world.. head to Montezuma, Costa Rica!

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