Cowpet Bay Condo Photography: Cowpet Bay East & West, Anchorage & Elysian in St. Thomas
Cowpet Bay is one of the most sought-after addresses on St. Thomas's East End. Four condo communities wrap around this calm, palm-lined bay: Cowpet Bay West, Cowpet Bay East, the Elysian Beach Resort, and the Anchorage, with the St. Thomas Yacht Club nestled in between. Guests and owners get a sandy beach, sailboats bobbing in the bay, on-site restaurants, and Red Hook and the St. John ferry just minutes away.
It's a beloved spot for locals, repeat visitors, and buyers alike. It's also a competitive one. With more than 250 condos around the bay, many with similar views and layouts, your photos are what make guests and buyers choose your unit over the one next door.
This guide covers what makes each Cowpet Bay community unique, the photos every listing needs, and how MBVI helps owners, property managers, and agents showcase these East End condos for Airbnb, VRBO, and the MLS.
Quick Answer: Cowpet Bay East, Cowpet Bay West, the Elysian Beach Resort, and the Anchorage surround Cowpet Bay on St. Thomas's East End, next to the St. Thomas Yacht Club and just minutes from Red Hook. The best listing photos show bright HDR interiors with the bay view visible, waterfront and hillside decks, aerials of the bay with the sailboats and beach, and amenities like the pools, tennis courts, beach, and on-site restaurants. MBVI is a St. Thomas–based photographer offering HDR photography, licensed aerial media, and packages for Cowpet Bay condos, including $250 off the Island Bundle for three-bedroom condos.
Cowpet Bay East, Cowpet Bay West, the Elysian Beach Resort, and the Anchorage | St. Thomas, USVI
Welcome to Cowpet Bay
Cowpet Bay sits on St. Thomas's East End, in Estate Nazareth, just about two miles from Red Hook. It's a peaceful, protected bay framed by palm trees and a white sand beach, with views across the water toward Great St. James and St. John.
The St. Thomas Yacht Club
At the heart of Cowpet Bay is the St. Thomas Yacht Club, home to sailing programs and regattas. The sight of sailboats on moorings and racing across the bay is part of what gives Cowpet Bay its classic Caribbean charm, and it makes for beautiful photos.
The Beach
The communities share a sandy beach with lounge chairs, palm trees for shade, and calm water for swimming. Cowpet Bay West has a wide, flat grassy area leading to the shoreline, a rare feature on hilly St. Thomas.
On-Site Dining
Restaurants at the Elysian, including Caribbean Fish Market and Sangrias, are just a stroll down the beach from every community, so guests can walk to dinner with the sand still on their feet.
The Location
Cowpet Bay is just a few minutes from Red Hook's restaurants, bars, shops, grocery store, and the ferry to St. John and the BVI. The Ritz-Carlton is right next door, and Secret Harbour Beach is about a minute's drive away.
For your photos, that means: show the lifestyle. The beach, the boats, the restaurants, and the easy access to Red Hook are all part of what guests and buyers are paying for.
Anchorage condo, St. Thomas USVI
The Four Cowpet Bay Communities
Cowpet Bay West
The setting: Cowpet Bay West is the largest of the four, with about 102 units. Windward Way sits right on the water and beach, while Leeward Way climbs the hillside behind it. A sidewalk connects the community to the St. Thomas Yacht Club.
The units: Two- to four-bedroom condos, some with two-story layouts, many with an en suite bathroom for each bedroom.
What to photograph:
Waterfront units with the beach and bay right outside the door
Hillside units with elevated views over the bay
The grassy lawn leading to the shoreline
Two-story layouts and generous bedroom suites
Cowpet Bay East
The setting: Cowpet Bay East has about 60 units, with waterfront condos on Tracy Way and hillside condos on Tara Way.
The units: Two- to four-bedroom condos, some two-story, many of them renovated.
What to photograph:
How close waterfront units are to the beach
Hillside views over Cowpet Bay and the sailboats
Renovated kitchens and bathrooms
Decks and patios with the bay in view
The Elysian Beach Resort
The setting: The Elysian, also known as Cowpet Bay Beach Resort, sits in the middle of the bay between Cowpet Bay East and West, built on a hillside rising from the beach. It's the newest of the four complexes and is home to the bay's on-site restaurants.
The units: Studios through three-bedroom units, including penthouses and units with lofts or rooftop decks. Many units have a flexible layout where each section has its own entrance.
The amenities: A large pool, hot tub, and tennis court, plus restaurants and a beach bar on site.
What to photograph:
Private balconies overlooking the pool and Cowpet Bay
Lofts, rooftop decks, and penthouse views
The pool and hot tub with the bay behind them
The restaurants and beach just steps away
The Anchorage
The setting: The Anchorage is a gated community of about 75 condos on Deck Point, on a large, flat parcel right next to the St. Thomas Yacht Club. Its grounds are known for royal palm-lined walkways.
The units: Two-bedroom units and two-bedroom units with lofts, which work beautifully as three-bedroom layouts for families and groups. Three-bedroom condos qualify for $250 off MBVI's Island Bundle.
The amenities: A large oceanfront pool, two tennis courts, a fitness center, and a beach on site.
What to photograph:
The oceanfront pool, one of the bay's standout amenities
The palm-lined grounds and gated entrance
Loft bedrooms and patios
The yacht club and sailboats next door
Why Cowpet Bay Condos Need Professional Photography
Your Listing Sits Next to Your Neighbors'
With four complexes around one bay, guests and buyers often compare several Cowpet Bay listings at once. Your view, your deck, your finishes, and how bright and inviting your unit looks are what set it apart.
Waterfront vs. Hillside Matters
At Cowpet Bay, a waterfront unit steps from the sand and a hillside unit with a sweeping bay view are very different products. Your photos should clearly show which one guests and buyers are getting, and why it's special.
Renovations Deserve to Be Seen
Many Cowpet Bay condos, especially at Cowpet Bay East and West, have been renovated. If your listing still shows original finishes, guests and buyers will never know about your investment.
Buyers and Guests Often Book From Afar
Many Cowpet Bay buyers and renters live off island. Photos, aerials, and video are how they first experience your property.
The Cowpet Bay Condo Shot List
Inside the Condo
✅ Living area with the bay view through the windows or slider, bright and balanced with HDR
✅ Kitchen, highlighting renovations and finishes
✅ Dining area, ideally with the view behind it
✅ Every bedroom and bathroom, including en suites and lofts
✅ Two-story layouts, showing how the levels connect
Decks, Patios, and Views
✅ Your deck, balcony, or patio, styled and inviting
✅ Rooftop decks, if your unit has one
✅ The view, showing Cowpet Bay, the sailboats, and St. John or Great St. James in the distance
✅ A sunrise or golden-hour shot, when your view allows
Aerial Photos
✅ Your building in context, showing its position on the bay
✅ Cowpet Bay from above, with the beach, sailboats, and all four communities
✅ The proximity to Red Hook, so guests understand how close everything is
Amenities and Location
✅ The beach, with the lounge chairs and palm trees
✅ Your community's pool, including the Anchorage's oceanfront pool and the Elysian's pool and hot tub
✅ Tennis courts and fitness facilities
✅ The on-site restaurants
✅ The St. Thomas Yacht Club and the sailboats on the bay
Common Photo Mistakes in Cowpet Bay Listings
Hiding the view. Dark rooms with white, blown-out windows hide the bay view that defines your unit.
Phone photos. They rarely capture the color of the water or the feel of the space.
No aerials. Without an aerial, guests can't see how your unit sits on the bay or how close it is to the beach and restaurants.
Outdated photos. Original finishes in old photos undersell a renovated condo.
Not showing the lifestyle. The beach, the restaurants, the sailboats, and Red Hook are big selling points. Don't leave them out.
Exaggerated or AI-altered views. Making the water look closer or the view wider than it is leads to disappointed guests and buyers.
Photography for Cowpet Bay Vacation Rentals
Cowpet Bay is a natural fit for vacation rentals, with a beach, restaurants, and Red Hook all within easy reach. To stand out:
Lead with your best view photo to win the click in search results.
Show the walk to the beach and restaurants with an aerial.
Highlight your community's pool and amenities.
Feature the flexible layout, if your Elysian unit has separate entrances for each section.
Show off renovations in the kitchen and bathrooms.
Show every sleeping space, including lofts, so families and groups can see exactly how your unit fits them.
Good to know: Each Cowpet Bay community has its own association and rental rules, and some Elysian units are timeshares with their own guidelines. Check your association's current rules before listing your unit.
For package details, see Airbnb Photography, Video & Website Packages in the USVI.
Photography for Cowpet Bay Real Estate
For agents and sellers, Cowpet Bay listings sell on location, views, and lifestyle. Professional photography should include:
HDR interiors with the bay view visible
Aerial photos showing the unit, the bay, the beach, and the yacht club
Community amenities, like the pools, tennis courts, and restaurants
Video tours for off-island buyers
Twilight photos to capture the bay and the glow of the deck at dusk
For pricing, see How Much Does Real Estate Photography Cost in the U.S. Virgin Islands?
Cowpet Airbnb | St. Thomas, USVI
Photography Packages for Cowpet Bay Condos
The Beach Bundle
For Cowpet Bay studios and condos up to 2 bedrooms
• 25–45 HDR photos
• 2 drone stills + 1 drone clip
• Walkthrough video or reel
• 24-48 hour delivery guaranteed
→ Extra services available at booking as an Add-On
The Island Bundle
For 3 and 4-bedroom units
• 45–75 HDR photos
• 4 drone stills + 3 drone clips
• Walkthrough video or reel
• 5+ bedroom surcharge applies
Save $250 on Three-Bedroom Condos
Own a three-bedroom condo at the Anchorage, Cowpet Bay East or West, or the Elysian? MBVI takes $250 off the Island Bundle for three-bedroom condos, so you get the full package, including aerial video and two Reels, at a condo-friendly price.
Add a walkthrough video, a 360° virtual tour, twilight photos, or extra aerials to stand out even more. Many advanced services are discounted when added to a bundle.
For Property Managers With Multiple Cowpet Bay Units
Managing condos across Cowpet Bay? MBVI can:
Photograph multiple units in one visit across all four communities
Coordinate with your cleaning schedule to shoot on turnover days
Keep a consistent style across your entire portfolio
Photograph shared features once, like the beach, the bay, and the restaurants, for use across your listings
Deliver quickly, so new units can go live fast
Three-bedroom units in your portfolio also qualify for $250 off the Island Bundle.
Learn more in Hiring a Photographer for Multiple Rental Properties in St. Thomas.
How to Prepare Your Condo for the Shoot
Clean windows and sliding doors so the view is crystal clear.
Remove personal items and clutter.
Make beds with fresh linens.
Stage your deck or patio with clean cushions and a set table.
Turn on all lights and open blinds.
Set out beach towels and chairs to highlight the beach lifestyle.
Arrange access for the photographer, including gate access at the Anchorage.
Why Cowpet Bay Owners Choose MBVI
MEDIABOOST.VI is a St. Thomas–based media and marketing agency specializing in vacation rental and real estate photography across the U.S. Virgin Islands.
East End expertise: We know Cowpet Bay, its light, its views, and what guests and buyers look for.
HDR photography: Bright interiors with your bay view clearly visible.
Licensed aerial media: FAA Part 107 certified and USVI DLCA licensed.
Condo-friendly pricing: $250 off the Island Bundle for three-bedroom condos.
Rentals and real estate: Photography for owners, property managers, sellers, and agents.
Honest editing: Photos that make your condo shine while showing exactly what guests and buyers will find.
Full-service marketing: Video, Reels, 360° virtual tours, custom websites, and SEO.
Ready to show off your Cowpet Bay view?
Book Your Cowpet Bay Photoshoot →
Anchorage Condominiums, St. Thomas, USVI
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you photograph condos at Cowpet Bay, the Anchorage, and Elysian?
Yes. MBVI photographs condos at Cowpet Bay East, Cowpet Bay West, the Anchorage, and the Elysian Beach Resort, as well as properties across St. Thomas's East End, for vacation rentals and real estate listings.
Where is Cowpet Bay in St. Thomas?
Cowpet Bay is on St. Thomas's East End, about two miles from Red Hook, next to the St. Thomas Yacht Club and the Ritz-Carlton.
How many condo communities are on Cowpet Bay?
Four condo communities surround Cowpet Bay: Cowpet Bay West, Cowpet Bay East, the Elysian Beach Resort (also known as Cowpet Bay Beach Resort), and the Anchorage. The St. Thomas Yacht Club sits in between.
What's near the Cowpet Bay condos?
The communities share a sandy beach and are a short walk from on-site restaurants at the Elysian. Red Hook's restaurants, shops, and the ferry to St. John are just minutes away, and Secret Harbour Beach is nearby.
What photos does a Cowpet Bay condo listing need?
A Cowpet Bay listing should include bright HDR interiors with the bay view visible, decks and patios, aerial photos of the bay and beach, and photos of the pools, tennis courts, restaurants, and sailboats on the bay.
Do you offer a discount for three-bedroom condos?
Yes. MBVI offers $250 off the Island Bundle for three-bedroom condos, such as loft units at the Anchorage and three-bedroom units at Cowpet Bay East, Cowpet Bay West, and the Elysian. The Island Bundle includes 45 HDR photos, 3 aerial photos, 1 aerial video clip, and 2 Reels.
Can you photograph multiple units across all four Cowpet Bay communities?
Yes. MBVI can photograph several units across Cowpet Bay East, Cowpet Bay West, the Anchorage, and the Elysian in one visit, coordinate with cleaning schedules, and keep a consistent style across your portfolio.
