Magens Bay at a glance
Magens Bay is a beach park on the north side of St. Thomas, in the US Virgin Islands. It is run by the Magens Bay Authority, which also looks after Smith Bay Park, better known as Lindquist Beach. This guide is independent and is not connected to the authority.
You pay at the gate, and the fee is per person and per day. The figures below are the ones the authority publishes for 2026. If a hotel leaflet or an old blog post quotes a lower price, such as $4, it is out of date.
Magens Bay entry fees in 2026
Prices in US dollars, as published by the Magens Bay Authority.
| Who | Day entry | Monthly pass |
|---|---|---|
| Adult non-resident | $7 | $40, parking included |
| Resident, with local ID | $2 | $25, parking included |
| Resident senior | – | $10, parking included |
| Child under 12 | Free | – |
| Parking, per vehicle | $2 | – |
Visitors who are not residents pay the $7 rate, and there is no separate senior day rate for tourists. If your child is exactly 12, ask at the gate which rate applies. The monthly passes only pay off if you plan many visits, for example during a long stay.
The authority also links online passes from its website. Look at the website before you go if you want to buy ahead, and bring a card or cash for the gate. The authority can be reached by phone at +1 340 777 6300.
Our picks: Magens Bay
Island tours with beach options; Magens Bay entry is not included in the prices.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Four-hour island tour with Mountain Top and Magens Bay
Pickup and return, a guide with live commentary and a drive past historic sites. Magens Bay entry, souvenir photos and tips are not included.
Check availability →
Island tour with shopping and an optional beach stop
A guide with live commentary, shopping and sightseeing stops, pickup and return. Magens Bay entry and lunch are extra, and beach time only comes with the beach option.
Check availability →St. Thomas island tours and beach days
Island tours with a stop at Magens Bay, plus snorkel trips, cruises and city tours on St. Thomas, with live prices and availability.
How to get to Magens Bay
The authority names two ways to reach the park: car and taxi. A bus line that stops at the beach gate is not documented, so do not plan your day around one.
- By taxi from the cruise port. One taxi operator lists $15 for one passenger and $12 per person for a group from Havensight (WICO) to Magens Bay. From Crown Bay the fare is $18 for one passenger and $15 per person for a group. The park fee is extra.
- By rental car. Traffic in the US Virgin Islands drives on the left. Read the airport and car rental page before you pick up a car.
- On an island tour. Many tours include a stop at the bay. Check whether the park fee is part of the price, because it often is not.
Taxi fares are set by the territory and vary by source, so confirm the destination and the total with the driver before you get in. If you arrive on a cruise ship, the cruise port guide shows both piers.
Water quality and reef-safe sunscreen
Two things to check on any St. Thomas beach day.
Weekly water tests
The territory's environment department tests beaches for enterococci bacteria and publishes a weekly beach advisory. In the report of 16 October 2026, Magens Bay met the swimming standard. That is a snapshot of one week, not a promise for your day. Avoid the water after heavy rain, near sewage runoff, in large amounts of sargassum, or if the water looks discolored or smells bad.
Sunscreen rules
The US Virgin Islands ban sunscreens that contain oxybenzone, octinoxate or octocrylene. Look for mineral sunscreen with non-nano zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Do not rely on a "reef safe" label alone, because it is not a guarantee. Read the ingredient list.
Turtles and wildlife
Admire sea turtles from a distance and do not touch them. Boaters are asked to stay at least 50 feet (about 15 m) away from turtles and to slow down. You cannot count on seeing one on any given day.
Plan your Magens Bay day
A few practical points that save time at the gate.
Arrive with time to spare
The hours shown on the authority's website are 7:00 am to 5:30 pm every day, with no weekly closing day. Pay the fee, park, and plan to be out before closing, especially if your taxi is waiting.
Bring what you need
Pack a towel, water, a hat and mineral sunscreen. Ask about food, drinks and rentals on site rather than assuming that everything is available.
Combine it with the north side
Hull Bay is another north shore beach, where small boats sit in the water (see the photo above). It is covered with eleven more bays on the St. Thomas beaches page.
Have a second option
If the bay is not right for the day, Coki Beach on the northeast side has clear water and snorkeling, and Sapphire Beach has snorkeling at its rocky ends.
More on St. Thomas
Other pages to help you plan the rest of the trip.
Magens Bay: frequently asked questions
How much does Magens Bay cost in 2026?
Non-residents pay $7 per person and day. Residents pay $2 with a local ID, and children under 12 are free. Parking is $2.
What are the opening hours?
The authority's website shows 7:00 am to 5:30 pm every day. Check the website before you go in case of a closure.
Do I need to reserve in advance?
The authority links online passes, but a general booking requirement is not published. Many visitors pay at the gate. If you want to buy ahead, use the authority's own website.
Can I reach Magens Bay by bus?
Plan on a taxi or a rental car. Only car and taxi access is named by the authority. A direct public bus to the beach gate is not documented.
Is Magens Bay safe for swimming?
The report of 16 October 2026 listed Magens Bay as meeting the standard. Conditions change from week to week and after heavy rain, so read the latest weekly advisory and look at the water yourself.
What about the nearby Lindquist Beach?
Lindquist Beach is in Smith Bay Park on the East End and is run by the same authority, with the same $7, $2 and $2 parking rates. See the Sapphire and Lindquist page for details.