Saint Thomas, one of the three U.S. Virgin Islands, along with St. Croix and St. John, is one of the most beautiful island destinations in the world, thanks to its dusty beaches and sunny weather.
The second largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas spans 32 square miles of tropical wonder. The island is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south. Its highest peaks rise to 1,550 feet above sea level, offering unforgettable views from almost all directions.
St. Thomas offers the natural wonders of the tropical islands with a sophisticated and cosmopolitan atmosphere. Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the US Virgin Islands, is one of the most unforgettable ports in the world and the busiest port in the Caribbean. Sophisticated cuisine and lots of the world’s best duty-free shops in Charlotte Amalie make it a top destination for any taste. In fact, its reputation as the best shopping capital of the Caribbean attracts thousands of visitors from all over the Caribbean and the world every year.
What to see & what to do
Beaches
Lindbergh Bay Beach
15 min by car from the cruise port. Located close to the airport and several hotels and resort. So food and drinks are available from the hotel bars. Despite the busy area, the beach is surprisingly un-crowded most of the time and sheltered by the bay.
Lindquist Beach
20 Min by Car from the Cruise Port (Either Crown Bay or Havensight). Lindquist Beach is one of the most beautiful and pristine beaches of St. Thomas. It is part of a protected area of 21 acres called Smith Bay Park. The beautiful crystal clear and turquoise water is perfect for swimming. Heading west, the pool area gives way to another area of the bay, a very low platform with tide pools. The shore is covered with white sand and bright with a light touch of pink. The sand is soft and perfect for a game of Frisbee, building sand castles, stroll along the shore or just sitting and enjoying the fantastic view of St. John and the British Virgin Islands.
Magens Bay Beach
20 Min by car from the Cruise Ports. This is an absolute must-see. The award-winning beach and raised in St. Thomas, attracts both locals and tourists for its sandy shores love in the embrace of the famous green rolling hills of St. Thomas, in the view of Drake's Seat. It is also one of the most developed beaches. The full facilities make it a perfect place for water sports, picnicking, sunbathing and people watching. The concessions feed the appetites for beach food, beer, kayaking, relaxing on the beach and other sandy activities. On weekends, locals come to celebrate, so go early in marginal areas if you are looking for peace and quiet. sea grape trees and several picnic tables line the fine white sand.
Sapphire Beach
30 Min by car from the Cruise Ports. Sapphire is a beautiful white sand beach. The sea grape trees on the right side provide shade for swimmers; and the sun worshipers can enjoy basking in the sun on the left side where the trees are less. Iguanas and ducks are often seen on the left side near an artificial pond. There is a stand for water sports offering wind surfing, kayaking and snorkeling equipment rental and rental of chairs. At the nearby marina you can rent jet skis or go paragliding. Sapphire is a great beach to relax and enjoy water sports. A shallow coral reefs and rocky ledge on the right side offer good snorkeling. Food and drinks are available from a small open-air barbecue, a drinks machine and the nearby condominium restaurant. Sapphire Beach Resort, Condos and Marina are all within walking distance from the coast of Sapphire Beach.
Secret Harbour
30 Min by car from the Cruise Ports. Secret Harbor is a lovely little beach. Immersed in a quiet and protected bay, the water is generally very calm; perfect for swimming. Snorkeling is good along the rocky coast on the right side. Palm trees are scattered along the coast giving the beach a very tropical atmosphere; hammocks suspended between the palms help to improve the atmosphere. A floating raft anchored in the middle of the bay is ideal for lying down and catching some rays. Even children enjoy the raft; swimming, climbing and jumping down. Secret Harbor is home to the Secret Harbor Resort. A tasty restaurant and a nice beach bar are available. Secret Harbor is the perfect beach for snorkeling, swimming, having lunch, having a drink and relaxing!
Trunk Bay in St. John
If you are not new to visiting St. Thomas, the close smaller island of St. John is worth definitely a tour. With just a 15/20 minutes boat ride, is within an easy reach. Especially, beach and snorkel are just perfect in Trunk Bay. This is a paradise for senses and a it's a natural wonder you cannot get used to. The spectacular sight as soon you arrive on the beach is breathtaking. It's quite a trip to get here, but you will be rewarded.
Park & Landmarks
Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge
30 min by boat from the cruise ports. The place is just 2 miles south of St. Thomas harbor and is reached usually by catamaran. Buck Island is surrounded by beautiful coral reef habitats, with a shipwreck working as an artificial reef. The marine area is home to a variety creatures, like many species of fishes. Particularly, endangered sea green turtles are living here and they cannot be missed!
Drake's Seat in Mountain Top
15 Min by car from the Cruise Ports. Francis Drake was an English explorer during the Elizabethan era. He was the first Captain ever to conduct a complete world circumnavigation, remaining as leader for the entire expedition. He's said to have kept watch over the harbor from this spectacular view.
Mountain Top
15 min by bar form the cruise ports. Mountain Top is the highest point on the Island and it allows a full panoramic view of St. Thomas harbor on the south and Magens Bay on the East (from the famous Drake's seat). Here is served the world famous Banana Daiquiri enjoyed by more than 3 million visitors a year.
Paradise Point
Paradise Point is a panoramic spot from where the entire harbor bay is visible. It offers a spectacular view after few minutes on a cable car. The base station in just 3 minutes walking from Havensight cruise terminal; while if you are coming from Crown Bay marina, then 10 minutes taxi ride is needed. If you are wondering to have a walk through the hill, you can also reach the top by foot. A paved road allows to easily climb it in just 20/30 minutes.
Snorkelling
Coki Beach
30 min car from the cruise port. Coki Beach is a white sand beach on the North East (Atlantic) side of the island Saint Thomas, adjacent to the Coral World Ocean Park. Coki is well known for snorkeling, and is generally considered the best shore snorkel on the island. The beach is a popular tourist site, and taxi service is frequent. Vendors sell a variety of goods, including food, drinks, and crafts, and offer services such as hair braiding. In 2011, a boardwalk and bathhouse were added to the beach. There is also a dive center on the beach which rents snorkel and scuba diving gear and offers guided dives. (text by Wikipedia)
Sapphire Beach
30 Min by car from the Cruise Ports. Sapphire is a beautiful white sand beach. The sea grape trees on the right side provide shade for swimmers; and the sun worshipers can enjoy basking in the sun on the left side where the trees are less. Iguanas and ducks are often seen on the left side near an artificial pond. There is a stand for water sports offering wind surfing, kayaking and snorkeling equipment rental and rental of chairs. At the nearby marina you can rent jet skis or go paragliding. Sapphire is a great beach to relax and enjoy water sports. A shallow coral reefs and rocky ledge on the right side offer good snorkeling. Food and drinks are available from a small open-air barbecue, a drinks machine and the nearby condominium restaurant. Sapphire Beach Resort, Condos and Marina are all within walking distance from the coast of Sapphire Beach.
Sea trekking and snorkel in Coral World Ocean Park
30 Min by car from the Cruise Port. With no scuba certification required, this is an underwater trail through the vibrant coral reef surrounding Coral World Park’s Undersea Observatory. It's just an option in this Ocean Park, which is full of amazing activities for nature lovers.
Snorkel in Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge
30 min by boat from the cruise ports. The place is just 2 miles south of St. Thomas harbor and is reached usually by catamaran. The refuge is characterized by a thorn scrub habitat with rocky coastline surrounded by spectacular reefs.
Trunk Bay in St. John
If you are not new to visiting St. Thomas, the close smaller island of St. John is worth definitely a tour. With just a 15/20 minutes boat ride, is within an easy reach. Especially, beach and snorkel are just perfect in Trunk Bay. This is a paradise for senses and a it's a natural wonder you cannot get used to. The spectacular sight as soon you arrive on the beach is breathtaking. It's quite a trip to get here, but you will be rewarded.
Animal Encounter
Coral World Ocean Park
30 Min by car from the Cruise Port. At Coral World, you will experience the beauty and magic of life both below and above the Caribbean Sea as you explore five acres (217,000 square feet) of exotic aquariums, swimming pools, nature trails and stunning underwater observatory tower. You can feed stingrays while learning about shark and see the colorful Lorikeets and red footed tortoises. With various exhibitions and interactive activities for families, Coral World will have something for everyone!
Turtle Cove in Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge
30 min by boat from the cruise ports. The place is just 2 miles south of St. Thomas harbor and is reached usually by catamaran. In this untouched paradise, you can't miss spotting the resident green sea turtles, swimming in their natural habitat.
Family
Coral World Ocean Park
30 Min by car from the Cruise Port. At Coral World, you will experience the beauty and magic of life both below and above the Caribbean Sea as you explore five acres (217,000 square feet) of exotic aquariums, swimming pools, nature trails and stunning underwater observatory tower. You can feed stingrays while learning about shark and see the colorful Lorikeets and red footed tortoises. With various exhibitions and interactive activities for families, Coral World will have something for everyone!
History & Culture
Blackbeard Castle
5 min car from the cruise ports. It was erected in 1679 to serve as watchtower for the harbor. It actually served as a very effective vantage point for soldiers to spot enemy ships. Blackbeard's Castle is one of five National Historic Landmarks in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Drake's Seat in Mountain Top
15 Min by car from the Cruise Ports. Francis Drake was an English explorer during the Elizabethan era. He was the first Captain ever to conduct a complete world circumnavigation, remaining as leader for the entire expedition. He's said to have kept watch over the harbor from this spectacular view.
Fort Christian
10 Min by car from the Cruise Port. The governor Jørgen Iversen Dyppel led the second expeditionary force from Denmark to St. Thomas, where he arrived on 25 May 1672. There, he began the construction of Fort Christian in 1680, named after King Christian V Fort Christian is at sea level, which it was ideal to ward off attackers with canon fire. In the 18th century, the fort was enlarged and in 1874 added a new entrance with a Victorian clock tower. Being the oldest permanent structure of the US Virgin Islands, the fortress was used as the town center, government and prison building. It now houses the Museum of St. Thomas. The fort is one of seven national monuments in the US Virgin Islands.
Frederick Evangelical Lutheran Church
5 min car from the cruise port. This is the oldest Lutheran Church in the Americas. Is a Georgian-style church with a sweeping stairway and antique chandelier.
Government House of USVI
5 min by car from the cruise ports. The building open to public only on weekends. Inside, sever paintings from the native of Saint Thomas, Camille Pissarro, an impressionist artist. Government House was constructed in 1867 as the meeting place for the Danish Colonial Council. Today the governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands uses it as Office.
Walking
Climb the 99 Steps
5 min car from the cruise port. Dozen of stair streets were built to climb though St. Thomas' hills. The 99 Steps are the most famous, thanks to the colored flowers and beautiful building surrounding them. The bricks were used as ballast on a sailing boat during a voyage form Denmark in the mid 1700s. If you climb them all, you can count that the are actually 103!
Paradise Point
Paradise Point is a panoramic spot from where the entire harbor bay is visible. It offers a spectacular view after few minutes on a cable car. The base station in just 3 minutes walking from Havensight cruise terminal; while if you are coming from Crown Bay marina, then 10 minutes taxi ride is needed. If you are wondering to have a walk through the hill, you can also reach the top by foot. A paved road allows to easily climb it in just 20/30 minutes.
The Frenchtown Heritage Museum
5 Min by car from the Cruise Port. The Frenchtown Heritage Museum is housed in two small buildings, both beautiful examples of traditional architecture once common in Frenchtown, and largely still in use today. Enter the museum and admire artifacts dating back 400 years ago that residents donated such as fishing nets, accordions, mahogany furniture, pottery, tools and photographs. They tell the story of the Franco-Caribbean people of St. Barthelemy who settled in St. Thomas and their descendants. The museum also records the genealogies of indigenous families.
Shopping
Havensight Mall
Right in front of Havensight cruise terminal. This area is full of bar and shops of any kind. You can decide to stock up on souvenirs before or after your visit. It's not the typical cruise terminal shopping mall. In fact, other than souvenirs and jewelry, there are more options regarding clothes, and also electronics. Everything is sold in USD.
Main Street in Downtown
5 min by car from the cruise port. In Charlotte Amelie's Main Street (Dronningens Gade) are present the main brands and most famous shops in St Thomas. Find out passages and alleys like the A.H.Riise Mall, the Palm Passage, and the Hibiscus Alley. Don't miss the Belgian Chocolate Factory!
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