Sargassum at Lindbergh Bay (St Thomas): today's shoreline
Clear
Chill, go
Lindbergh Bay stretches along the south coast of St Thomas, minutes from Charlotte Amalie and right beside the island's airport. Plenty of travellers take their first or last swim of the trip here, squeezed between two flights.
Check the shoreline before heading over: the bay is graded 0 to 5 every day, with the reading refreshed at daybreak and a map of the southern sector. Enough to fit in a swim before boarding without an unpleasant surprise at the waterline.
Lindbergh Bay Beach on the sargassum map
What to know about this beach
Facing due south, the bay turns its flank to the easterlies that carry sargassum along the island arc. St Thomas itself acts as a screen: mats reach the east- and north-east-facing beaches first, and Lindbergh Bay counts among the island's leeward shores, much like Magens Bay on the north side.
The sector is not sealed off, though. Clumps rounding the island to the south can be steered into the bay by a coastal current or a southerly shift in the wind. Such episodes tend to be brief, and the neatly drawn cove usually gets its clear sand back within days.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lindbergh Bay good for a swim before a flight?
That is exactly how many visitors use it, with the airport right next door. Glance at the morning rating first: if the southern sector is flagged, the map will point you to a clearer shore.
Is the south coast of St Thomas less affected than the east?
As a rule, yes. Mats arrive from the east with the trades and settle first on exposed beaches such as Sapphire Beach and Coki Beach; the leeward south only picks up occasional overflow.
When should I keep a closer eye on Lindbergh Bay?
During the regional season, from spring to late summer. Even then the bay often stays presentable, and a quick morning check is enough to rule out the odd bad day.