Platform Beach, St. Thomas, USVI

In the last post, I showcased one of the best beaches in the world, Magen’s Bay. This beach is one of the most well-known places on the islands. Tourists come from all over the world to soak up the sun and swim in its turquoise waters. The environment is vibrant, the people are chill, and the amenities are all there.

However, for some people who may be tired of this scene (the locals), there is another strip of beach just a tiny trek down the road. This beach is just large enough to hold a comfortable number of 10-15 people. Very few people know about this beach, so I hope I don’t get in trouble with the locals for showing it off to the rest of the world!

This was the very first beach in which I was introduced to by other locals. I think of it as sort of my initiation into the super laid-back St. Thomas lifestyle. There is no restaurant or bar. There are no bathrooms, no tents, and no rental stations. But you soon discover, that after the nearly 100 steps that lead you down, there is nothing else that is needed. There is only YOU and the BEACH. Just like your own private beach, that’s all you need.

Platform Beach

Platform Beach, St. Thomas, USVI

Platform Beach is a beach that is loved by many locals. Many, many times, I have heard, “This is my favorite beach on the island.” As I stated above, there isn’t much to it, but sometimes that is best. Getting away from the crowds, setting up a blanket or towel, and laying out for the afternoon is the perfect thing to do on this tiny, secluded strip of sand and rock. As well, dogs are allowed, and are usually welcomed by other guests. Feel free to bring your dog, but be courteous and respectful so as to not disturb the other guests.

Platform Beach, St. Thomas, USVI Dog on Platform Beach, USVI Puppy on Platform Beach, USVI

JUST A QUICK TIP: It is best to go earlier than later. I have noted, that at around 3:00pm, the tide starts to come up a little too close, so there is very little space to layout and enjoy the sand.

How to Get to Platform Beach

Getting to Platform Beach can be a fairly difficult task. If you have trouble walking up and down steps, then this would not be the place for you. Take the Peterborg Road, which is located about a half mile east from Magen’s Bay Beach on Magen’s Bay Rd. Take Peterborg Rd. along the water for about 1 mile until you get to a fork with a private drive with the sign “Via Dominica.” (See the below photo and map for more instructions)

Dominica Rd to Platform Beach Dominica Rd to Platform Beach Dominica Rd to Platform Beach

Parking is allowed on the side of this street, but is limited. Sometimes, people park below on the private drive. This is not advisable (I do not advise this), but I have known several people who have parked here without any issues. Once you’re parked and have your bags/cooler in hand, you will need to do a short walk down some fairly steep wooden steps.

The short walk down is well worth it…

Platform Beach Steps, St Thomas Platform Beach Steps, USVI

Head over with a significant other, or a small group of friends. Pack a cooler with your beverage of choice, some sandwiches, chips, etc. and enjoy the afternoon sun.

Take a dip in the beautiful calm waters of Magen’s Bay. Chase away the afternoon sun, limin’ away with no worries in the sand.

Take a break and sit on the rocks that border both sides of the beach. Pretend the giant white mansion overlooking the bay is your new home.

Enjoy the sunset behind the anchored sailboat. This place really feels like your own private beach.

Platform Beach, St Thomas, USVIPlatform Beach, St Thomas, USVI Platform Beach, St Thomas, USVI Platform Beach, St Thomas, USVI Platform Beach, St Thomas, USVI

Magen’s Bay, St. Thomas – A Top 10 Beach Destination

Magen's Bay, St. Thomas, Jon Blomquist

I’m really excited to welcome all my readers to a new series on the site: “The Beaches of the Virgin Islands“. In this series, I will commit to the daunting task of exploring the best beaches in both the US Virgin Islands, as well as the British Virgin Islands. I know, it’s going to be tough. But I figure I would take a step forward and review the best beaches on the islands, so anybody coming down for a trip will know exactly where to go upon arrival.

In addition to the well-known beaches, I am extremely excited to hunt down and locate the extremely secluded beaches for you. As I have now been here in St Thomas for 5 months building up the site with some information on my previous travels, I am now going to be moving towards writing about the local scene. I will be showcasing more and more of the Virgin Islands over the next few months, and reviewing the lifestyle and culture of the locals.
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A Short Stay in Cartagena, Colombia

Cartagena, Colombia

Besides an awful sunburn that lasted for days, I thoroughly enjoyed my stay in Cartagena, Colombia. From the republican and colonial style architecture of the old town area, to the modern and sleek high rises of the northern shore neighborhood of Bocagrande, this city is extremely beautiful. I guess it’s no wonder why it is always chosen as Colombia’s most romantic city. While walking around the streets, the colors gleam in your face, the architecture brings you back to another time in history, and the music you hear through the local’s windows makes you want to dance. I’ve never really been big on the romance side… but I can see to what they are referring. And, wanting to live out my childhood fantasy of being a pirate since reading “Treasure Island” in 4th grade, I also really appreciate the romanticism that the city holds towards its old pirating days!
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Exploring Medellin, Colombia

Medellin, Colombia cable car

After reading Tim Ferriss’s “The Four Hour Workweek,” I was convinced that I needed to start exploring Medellin, Colombia. Tim raves about it in the book, and I wanted to see what he was talking about. After all, like a lot of people, I had only heard of Medellin, Colombia through the major news headlines. The Medellin cartel is still one of the first things that is brought up when I tell people that I have been there. Hell, I even start off this post by talking about it. But I wanted to do it in order to clear the air. The Medellin that you see on the History Channel is no longer the Medellin of today. I was pleasantly surprised with this city; from the colorful gardens, the beautiful people, the stunning vistas, the thorough transportation system, clean streets, and finally, because it was a city that offered a coffee culture that met my American Starbucks standards!! This was the one major thing that I was missing about my home country. The “Juan Valdez” coffee scene was perfectly timed for my period of withdrawal. After going months in South America without being able to prop up my laptop in a café and down 3-4 large cups of coffee (American style), I was all set. After going straight to the cafe upon arrival, and downing a few cups of amazing, pure Colombian roast, I was shaking, and all jacked-up to start exploring the city.
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Machu Pichu and Cusco

Jon Blomquist, Machu Pichu

While deciding what places I would mark off my bucket-list in South America, Machu Pichu and Cusco were always at the top. “The Lost City of the Incas,” was a travel destination that had always been at the forefront of my mind since a favorite teacher of mine, Mrs. Flynn, introduced it to me in 3rd grade history class. This was the first time that I remember having a deep interest in a school subject, and it peaked with learning how different cultures lived. In a previous post, “El Calafate, Argentina” I stated that I had experienced my first moment of “Awe.” Machu Pichu was the second. The amount of history, culture, and overall beauty of the landscape, overthrew everything that I had envisioned in my head. It is my wish that every traveler make it to this destination at least once in their lifetime.
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