Where to Stay → Crystal Cove
Crystal Cove
Fifty steps to the sand, a pond full of birds and the only real tennis court on this beach.
START HERE
Crystal Cove is the one people overlook, and I have never understood why. It is FIFTY STEPS to the beach. Not a walk, not a hill, fifty steps.
You are close enough to hear the music from the beach bar and far enough that it is not in your living room. Coffee, food and a cold drink are all a short stroll. So is going back for a nap.
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The grounds are the prettiest at Sapphire and the units have more room than either of the other two properties. Every one is individually owned, so condition varies, which is what the rest of this page is for. Nobody pays to be on it.
THE BUILDINGS
Four buildings, A through D.
Careful here. Crystal Cove has its own A through D and so does Sapphire Beach Resort. They are not the same buildings, and listings almost never say which property they mean.
A
The far right cluster, two stories with the teal trim. Best elevation on the property and the units look out across the lawn and the pond toward the water. Closest to the path that drops you onto the sand.
B
Steps back from A along the same run. Same view line, slightly less of it. There's the friendliest black kitty over here that will come up and say hi to you...petting is free :)
C
The row set behind the pond. You are looking directly over the water and the palms on the island, which is a genuinely lovely thing to wake up to and a completely different feel from a beach view. Quietest of the four.
D
The far left end, closest to the western stretch of sand and furthest from everything else. This is the building closest to the beach bars, restaurants, coffee shop and boutiques.
NOBODY ELSE HAS THIS
There is a pond, and it is full of birds.
A real pond, on property, with wading birds picking through the shallows, ducks doing their thing and whatever else has decided to move in that week. It is the sort of thing you notice on day one and then find yourself walking past deliberately on day four.
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Sapphire is known for what is in the water. This is the bit of it that happens on land, and Crystal Cove is the only property that has it.
Bring the good camera. Early morning is when everything is out.
THE SHORT LIST
Crystal Cove rentals worth booking.
More room than the other two properties, so the groups run all the way up to six or 8.
ONE BEDROOMS W/PULL OUT BED SLEEPS 2 - 4
BLDG B · UPPER LEVEL
Caribbean Retreats
Balcony straight over the pond, which is the whole reason to be at Crystal Cove. Two full bathrooms for four people and a Murphy bed that folds away so the living room stays a living room. Professionally managed, so somebody actually answers the phone.
2 BEDS · 2 BATH · FROM $252/NT
BLDG D · UPPER LEVEL
Sapphire West D12
Two full bathrooms for four people, which is the whole argument for this one. The second king is in the living room though, so it suits two couples who know each other well rather than a family who assumed a second bedroom.
2 BEDS · 2 BATH · FROM $398/NT
BLDG D · GROUND FLOOR
Starfish Studio
Sit under the sea grape trees with St. John, Tortola and Jost Van Dyke laid out in front of you. Studio for two with a real kitchen, coffee down the path in the morning and Sudi's a short walk the other way. You will not move the car all week.
1 BED · 1 BATH · FROM $274/NT
NEED MORE SPACE SLEEPS 5
BLDG C · UPPER LEVEL
Villa Nautilus
A huge living room with the ocean straight out the window, a chef's kitchen with a proper island and a jetted tub in the master. King in the bedroom, two queen pullouts behind a privacy curtain in the living room. A concierge meets you at check in and stays reachable all week.
3 BEDS · 2 BATH · FROM $370/NT
BLDG D · UPPER LEVEL
By the Sea
A thousand square feet with a sunroom looking over the gardens, and forty yards to the sand from your door. King bedroom with its own bath, a proper Murphy bed with a real mattress and a sleeper sofa, so five people fit without anyone drawing the short straw.
3 BEDS · 2 BATH · FROM $322/NT
BLDG B · GROUND LEVEL
Bargain @the Beach
Ground level, so you park at the back and carry the groceries in over four steps instead of a flight. Same family for fifty years and it shows in the small things, like starter coffee filters so you are not buying a pack of a hundred.
3 BEDS · 2 BATH · FROM $295/NT
TWO & THREE BEDROOM UNITS SLEEPS 6 - 8
BLDG A · TWO LEVELS
Julie's 3 Bedroom Condo
The only three bedroom on Sapphire Beach and the only unit with a big private patio. End unit, so there is nothing to your left but sand and water, and with four bathrooms nobody is waiting to get ready. W/D included.
3 BEDROOM · 4 BATH · FROM $1071/NT
BLDG A · UPPER LEVEL
Caribbean Getaway
Two units knocked into one, so both bedrooms are real and there are three bathrooms for six people. King in the master, two queens in the second, and a screened porch that gets used more than the living room. W/D included.
2 BEDROOM · 3 BATH · FROM $699/NT
BLDG D · UPPER LEVEL
Two Bedroom Getaway
Fully remodeled with two king bedrooms and a queen sofa, so six fit without anyone sharing. Second floor means stairs and it also means you look out over the pond and the water while you eat breakfast. W/D included.
2 BED · 2.5 BATH · FROM $522/NT
SEARCH EVERYTHING
Or look at the whole property.
The short list are our top favorites and rotates throughout the season. There are hundreds of Crystal Cove condos and the good ones go early, especially December through April.​​
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This opens every listing on the property, already filtered. Reach out to us if you want a second opinion on one you choose, that's what we're here for.
ON PROPERTY
What you get at Crystal Cove.
FIFTY STEPS
To the sand. Not a walk, not a hill, not a shuttle. Fifty steps and you are on Sapphire Beach.
THE POOL
Being straight with you: no beach view and hardly used. If you want a pool to yourself it is perfect. If you want a scene, walk down to the beach.
TENNIS & PICKLEBALL
The only viable court at Sapphire, right beside the pool. Bring a racquet and you will actually use it.
CLOSE TO THE ACTION
Beach bars, live music, food and coffee are all a short stroll. Far enough that none of it reaches your balcony.
THE POND
Wading birds, ducks and whatever else turns up. The prettiest amenity with a walking path to enjoy.
BACKUP POWER
Water and property lights only. When the power goes out at Crystal Cove you wait it out like everybody else on the island.
NEXT
Once you have picked a door.
The other two properties
Sapphire Village up the hill and Crystal Cove on the east side. Different walks, different rates, different power situation.
Snorkeling & the reef
Three places to get in the water and everything you will see down there. All shot on this reef.
Plan your week
Tell us when you are coming and get the week sorted before you land.