USVI-On-Line

This may seem like a dumb question, but are Gibney Beach and Denis Bay the same thing? How do you get there? I'm finding some websites that say there is a trail from the road with a gate, and other websites that tell you to take the trail from the Peace Hill trail. Also, the whole Gibney/Oppenheimer thing is confusing. Can someone clarify? Thanks!

They are different beaches. Denis is accessed from Peace Hill, Gibney/Oppenheimer from that gate on the side of the road. Gibney and Oppenheimer are the same beach. I think the half in front of the rundown building is considered Oppenheimer while the other half is Gibney.

Gibney is the beach just east of Hawksnest(just past the rocks on the right side as you look toward the water). Parking at Gibney is at the Iron Gate. There are only a few parking spots for Gibney.

Denis is around the point from Gibney. You will park at Peace Hill parking lot and head up the hill towards the ruined windmill. At almost the very begining of trail (where it leaves the parking lot) there is a small trail to the right. This will take you to Denis Beach right at Perkins Cay. While on Denis, (to the right of the trail you took) be considerate and stay on the sand. The landowner is very protective of his property and it begins at the tree line. You can also access Denis (I have heard) from Jumbie Beach via snorkeling.

While driving North Shore from town you will come to Hawksnest (left) then white picket fence (left) then Gibney Gate (left)then Easter Rock (left) then Peace Hill (left) then Jumbie parking (right side of road)

So if I understand you correctly, Gibney is labeled wrong on Google Maps? It should be down and to the left (south-west) of where it is labeled, correct? Is Gibney the larger beach next to (east of) Hawksnest or the really little bay/piece of sand just to the west of the Peace Hill parking lot?

Bryan,

The google map is incorrect. Gibney/Oppenhiemer beach is in the same bay as hawksnest but divided from it by the rocks, just to the right of the label for hawksnest on google maps. Denis bay/Beach is labeled correctly.

Hope this helps.

I got it now! Thanks everyone.

Where does the private property begin on Denis? Does it begin where the posts are in the water?

Patty wrote:Where does the private property begin on Denis? Does it begin where the posts are in the water?

Having never been to Denis Bay (yet) I cannot tell you much, but according to http://www.seestjohn.com/beaches_denis.html
"Denis Bay is now part of the Virgin Islands National Park, but the structures and some of the land behind the beach have been leased to private interests. Please confine your visit to the area between the sea and the line of first vegetation."

It is pretty clear at Denis that you just stay away from the house.

The last time we went (Thanksgiving) the surf was very high and lots of erosion, hope it gets better, it was one of my favorite beaches.

ssssssssssssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, we are not suppose to be discussing the location of Gibney.

Boston Mike wrote:ssssssssssssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, we are not suppose to be discussing the location of Gibney.

Or Denis for that matter...there's a beach I've heard called Trunk Bay that's nice...hehehe

shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Trunk bay is not too nice. Never go real early in the morning. Go later.

I am not sure where the private property begins at Denis. I would suggest that you stay on the sand portion of the beach and if you need shade move near the point at Perkins Cay where the trail from Peace Hill enters the beach. I have only read about the landowner who has allegedly harassed visitors to the beach. I have no idea if the stories are true or if the visitors were on the beach below the vegetation line or on private property.