2026-9-24 Sapphire Beach, Smith's Bay, Brewers, Duffy's Love Shack

 Another morning of Grandma/Layla time!  Monkey Yonkey even joined us.

and whatever that fidget thing is

got to see a great white egret by our beach, too.

Soon after Mom and Dad got up we were on our way to Sapphire beach.

love the view of the distant islands from here

it was another beautiful calm day 

Layla was ready to get in

it was a little rocky where we entered, but it was doable

looking back towards the bar area

 lots of fishies to greet us

proof they were here

lots of parrot fish here

and schools of blue tangs

wrasse and parrotfish

butterflyfish

the Layla fish

Layla using a dolphin kick

She was constantly going from me to MOm and dad and telling me all about what she saw

turning to check on me after she went motoring away

she is fast!!!

 a fair distance to the right is a great place to snorkel---lots of coral and rocks

and fish---like this cottlefish

spotlight parrotfish

 feather worm

another parrot fish

yellow fin snapper and some other little fish

a conch

towards the area we like to snorkel

Layla loved wearing her snorkel vest, too.  Angie wasn't making her wear it, but she insisted on it.

back on the beach and admiring the sand---until Josh realized Layla's snorkel was missing.  apparently she handed it and her mask to Dad when she was getting out and neither noticed it slipped off or wasn't on the mask.  We walked up and down the beach to see if we could find it.  finally gave up and were getting ready to head out when some lady down in the water near the bar held up a snorkel then tossed it to shore.  fortunately Angie saw her during that minute and quickly went and retrieved it before it floated back out

From there we decided to head to Smith's bay -- another $7/person (Layla free) and $2 car.  Parking was up the hill, but they had a golf cart shuttle to take people from the parking area.  We were able to drive down to unload---including a picnic lunch of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and Doritos.  they had picnic tables here.   the views were great---being so close to Sapphire, but the snorkeling wasn't.  We didn't stay here long. 

this guy tried to join us for lunch

heading in

palometa fish

snapper

Layla was itching again, so we went back to the condo for a bit.  we were only about a mile from there.

Later we decided to go in search of turtles.  angie and Josh had been here years ago after dropping me off at the airport and just chanced upon this beach.  they were anxious to go back and show it to Layla and me.  It was a good distance away (about 30minutes) but well worth the trip---and it was free. 

Didn't take long for our first turtle to show up

Layla was excited

lots of short grass that they love

even 2 traveling together with a large sucker fish on one

Layla checking out the turtle

going in for a closer look

Layla and Mom

loving it

and I found a lot of little fish by the rocky shoreline

black longspine urchin

feather duster worm

there were also a lot of rays here.

After a couple hours there, it was time to go home and get ready to go to dinner.  Our favorite place on Stl Thomas---Duffy's Love Shack.  It's a quirky bar in a parking lot.  They play great music from the 70s and even have a dancing shark and bubble machine.

also have cute kitchie ceramic mugs that they sell with drinks in them.  Layla even got a virgin pina colada.

Angie and I got real ones

I also go the Maui burger (with pineapple on it).  It was great as usual.

Another great day of snorkeling and visiting and eating!