Brewers Bay
A beach by the university and the airport, where planes come in low over the sand.
Updated 4 September 2026
Brewers Bay runs along the south shore of St Thomas beside the University of the Virgin Islands, with the airport runway at one end so aircraft come in low over the water on their approach. The beach is long, the water is calm and shallow, and food vans park along the road behind it. Sea turtles feed on the grass beds offshore and are seen regularly from the sand. The bay was quiet plantation land in the Danish era, long before the airport or the campus arrived.
What's there
- The low approach - aircraft passing overhead onto the runway alongside.
- The turtles - green turtles feeding on the seagrass just offshore.
- The food vans - the trucks parked along the road behind the beach.
- The university - the campus running along the back of the bay.
When to go
December to April is the dry season. Aircraft movements are spread through the day. Weekends bring local families and students.
Good to know
Aircraft noise is constant and close, which some find the appeal and others do not. There are no changing facilities. Snorkelling visibility is only moderate.
Nearby
Charlotte Amalie is east, and the airport is west.
Key facts
Source: Wikidata, item Q31883473, read on 18 October 2026.
What to pack for Brewers Bay
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Reef-safe sunscreen - High SPF that will not bleach the coral you are swimming over. Find on Amazon
- Your own mask + snorkel - A well-fitting mask is the single biggest comfort upgrade underwater. Find on Amazon
- Binoculars - The single best wildlife tool - even a compact pair transforms a sighting. Find on Amazon
- Quick-dry towel - A microfibre towel packs small and dries in minutes. Find on Amazon
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