Discover the best things to do in St. Thomas, an island paradise filled with sublime beaches, intriguing history, lush, hilly landscapes, and a lifestyle dedicated to fun in the sun. Days here pass in a happy haze of reggae rhythms, iced rum punch, conch fritters, and carefree days on the beach. Yet there’s much more to this idyllic spot.
The U.S. Virgin Islands were once a Danish colony, and you’ll find plenty of examples of the Danes’ legacy as you wander around Charlotte Amalie. Delicate wrought-iron balconies, grand mansions, leafy gardens and Danish street names are everywhere, with the colors of the Caribbean brightening the old houses in yellows, greens and reds.
Here are some of the best things to do in St. Thomas.
Drink Daiquiris With a View
Mountain Top
You can spot the scrub-covered hillocks of 15 islands and white sand cays scattered across the sparkling aquamarine of the Caribbean from the lookout point of Mountain Top. Some 1,500 feet above the sweep of Magens Bay, on top of St. Peter Mountain, this bar, restaurant, shopping emporium and observation deck claims to be the home of the banana daiquiri.
Banana daiquiri
This famous Caribbean cocktail was allegedly invented here some 50 years ago by British sea captain George Soule. A happy combination of ripe bananas, lime juice, sugar cane extract, locally made Cruzan rum, and a secret banana liqueur create the iconic drink, and this is the perfect place to try it and take in the views.
Kick Back at Magens Bay
Magens Bay
A mile of sugary white sand framed by steep green hills, Magens Bay, is one of St. Thomas’ most gorgeous beaches. A day here is, without doubt, one of the best things to do in St. Thomas.
You’ll find everything from food vendors to water sports concessions for the perfect day in the sun. Splash around in the glass-clear water, try your paddleboarding skills, or just unwind under a palm tree with an iced rum punch.
Play Castaway at Smith Bay Beach
Smith Bay Beach
Smith Bay Beach, on the eastern side of the island, is completely undeveloped, and the waters here are protected as a marine park. This is the place to head for a real off-the-beaten-track day, basking on sugary sand and snorkeling among shoals of brightly colored fish. Children will enjoy exploring the tide pools at the western end of the beach, where you might encounter small craps, fish, and shrimps in the warm, shallow water.
You won’t find bars and restaurants here, so pack a picnic first and bring your own water. There’s some shade from palms and sea grape trees where you can spread your towel on the sand and relax, gazing across the water to lush St. John and the hazy outlines of the British Virgin Islands.
Explore Charlotte Amalie Historic District
Charlotte Amalie Historic District
Pretty Charlotte Amalie has an enchanting historic district, filled with narrow alleys, leafy squares, elegant old buildings, and cozy bars. You’ll see colonial Danish architecture with a Caribbean twist in the bright colors of the old facades.
The town was founded in 1672 and named after the then Danish Queen. It quickly became known as a lair of pirates and other suspect characters, and in the early 19th century was, for a spell, occupied by the British.
Fort Christian
There’s much to see of historic interest, and a good guide will help you peel back the layers of time. The oldest Danish fortification is the red brick Fort Christian, built in 1672. The fort served over the years as a jail, the governor’s residence, and a church, and was restored in 2017.
You’ll also see the small but poignant Emancipation Garden, which commemorates the end of slavery in the islands on July 3, 1848.
Blackbeard’s Castle
Skytsborg, better known as Blackbeard’s Castle, is a five-story tower built by the Danes in 1678. Legend has it that the ferocious Edward Teach, aka Blackbeard, a feared pirate, used the tower as a lookout.
The tower is located on top of Government Hill at the top of a flight of 103 stone stairs, created in the 18th century out of ballast brick from ships. The Danes built several of these “step streets” as a more convenient way of negotiating the steep hills of Charlotte Amalie. The 99 Steps, as they’re inaccurately known, are lined with leafy palms and tropical gardens.
Embrace Romance on Honeymoon Beach
Honeymoon Beach
A short hop across the water by ferry, Honeymoon Beach fringes one side of Water Island. You’ll soon see how it got its name; this is as dreamy as a Caribbean beach comes. Tall palms wave in the breeze, while turquoise water laps the pale gold sand. Just offshore, you’ll find coral reefs teeming with fish—and sea turtles may join you on your swim.
There are rustic beach bars offering fish tacos for lunch, stand-up paddleboard rentals, and umbrellas to complete a blissful, lazy, and undeniably romantic day. Just don’t miss the last ferry back.
Read: Best Caribbean Islands for Couples
Sample Creole Cuisine
Creole cuisine
Explore the culinary culture of Charlotte Amalie on a guided walk to local restaurants. Strolling through the old town, characterized by its Danish colonial architecture, you’ll wander through old “gadas”, or alleyways, to off-the-beaten-track spots.
Local dishes you might try include curried chicken, an island classic, or rice ‘n’ peas, a tasty combination of rice cooked in stock with kidney beans and spices. Creole fungi is nicer than it sounds—it’s actually cornmeal, not some kind of fungus. And nobody will be able to resist banana rum flambé for dessert.
But wherever you are on the island, there are opportunities to eat like a local from food trucks and roadside shacks. You could try anything from spicy curries to souse, a soup using up various body parts of the pig (possibly not one for the squeamish), or Johnnycakes, cornmeal pancakes drenched in syrup.
Snorkel Off Sapphire Beach
Sapphire Beach
Pure white sand and glittering, deep blue sea are part of the allure of this blissful beach in Red Hook, on the eastern side of the island. You can rent paddleboards and kayaks from the beach concessionaires, or bring your own snorkel and head for the reef to the right, off Pretty Klip Point, to admire electric-blue tang, rainbow-colored parrotfish, and sunshine-yellow butterflyfish.
There’s a bar and grill under the trees here for snacks and cold beers. On weekends, you’ll be joined by locals enjoying picnics and gatherings with friends and family.
Read: Best Snorkeling in the Caribbean
Shop in Charlotte Amalie
Charlotte Amalie
The downtown area of Charlotte Amalie is devoted to eating, drinking, and above all, shopping. The vast Havensight Mall stretches along one side of the bay, crammed with retail opportunities including perfume, jewelry, watches, cameras, and cosmetics, all at duty-free prices.
In town, shops line Main Street on both sides, spilling over into the narrow alleys that connect the two. Amid all the duty-free stores, you’ll find designer fashion, surf gear and quirkier establishments selling anything from old ship models to spicy rum cakes.
Head Up to Paradise Point
Paradise Point, Charlotte Amalie Photo by Matt H. Wade on Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
There are gorgeous views everywhere on hilly St. Thomas, but one of the best has to be from Paradise Point, at the top of Flag Hill. You’ll ride up 700 feet on the St. Thomas Skyride gondola, with seven minutes during the ascent to admire the lush scenery, lavish villas and the rooftops of Charlotte Amalie below.
At the top, there’s a nature trail and an assortment of souvenir shops, as well as a restaurant and bar. Take time to absorb the view; you’ll see yachts bobbing on the turquoise water, floatplanes buzzing back and forth, and on a clear day, the distant outline of Puerto Rico.
While at Paradise Point and in need of refreshment, there’s only one thing to do. The signature cocktail served up here is the Bushwacker, an innocuous-looking but boozy concoction of coconut rum, chocolate, Kahlua, amaretto, and Baileys, over ice. It’s refreshing, like a milkshake, but with a kick.
Island Hop on a Catamaran
Catamaran ride
There’s no better way to admire St. Thomas’s lush coastline than by boat; a day on the water is one of the best things to do in St. Thomas.
Board a 63-foot turbo-cat, a fast catamaran with the feel of a private yacht. You’ll speed along St. Thomas’ southern coast and drop anchor in the pristine waters of Buck Island Cove, a marine reserve where there’s a good chance of spotting green turtles gliding over the colorful corals. You can jump straight in from the cat’s swim platforms.
Next, you’ll head to idyllic Honeymoon Beach on Water Island for an afternoon of basking on the sand and cooling off in the turquoise shallows of one of the best beaches in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The rum punch flows to a soundtrack of tropical tunes as you head back to port after a blissful day.
Get Back to Nature on St. John
St. John
The smallest of the three US Virgin Islands, sleepy St. John is a world apart from its busier neighbor. National park occupies more than two-thirds of the island, and as such, the beaches here are completely unspoiled.
Here, long swathes of white sand are backed by bottle-green shrubs and palms with coral reefs offshore. You’ll still find rustic restaurants and beach bars, but St. John attracts a more outdoorsy, nature-loving crowd than its chic neighbor.
One of the loveliest beaches is Trunk Bay, named after the leatherback turtles which are endemic here and are known locally as “trunks”. There’s great snorkeling, following a self-guided coral reef trail that stretches 650 feet through shallow water. Signs embedded in the rock tell you what you’re looking at, so this is an educational experience and fun for all ages.
Take time away from the beach and try out some of the Caribbean hiking trails while you’re here. You’ll spot green iguanas draped across branches in the trees, and you may encounter wild donkeys on your hike. Turtles lay their eggs on the beaches here, so follow the advice of the rangers when it comes to avoiding turtle nests.
Take in the View From Drake’s Seat
Drake’s Seat
The legend that Sir Francis Drake actually stood at this very lookout point to watch out for passing ships is a spurious one, but Drake’s Seat, a simple green bench on the north side of St. Thomas, certainly offers dazzling views.
Make your way up here and gaze out across Magen’s Bay Beach all the way to the British Virgin Islands, where you will see the hilly outline of Jost Van Dyke. You can also see St. John, the quieter neighbor to St. Thomas.
Drake’s Seat can get busy with visitors trying to capture the sweeping views on camera. In the late afternoons and on weekends, locals come here simply to contemplate the beauty of the scenery.
Take the Plunge on a Scuba Dive
Sea turtle
Certified divers can join a two-location dive when in St. Thomas, where colorful coral reefs and exciting shipwrecks abound. There’s excellent visibility even down at 100 feet, and you could spot sharks and octopuses as well as brilliantly colored corals and sponges.
There are numerous wrecks around the island, and which one you visit depends on your experience. The WIT Concrete, a WW2 fuel carrier, has been taken over by marine life and attracts sharks and rays.
Beginners might prefer the HMS Warwick, which sank in 1816 and lies in shallower water. Although the wreck is scattered across the sea bed, the marine life here is impressive, ranging from shimmering angelfish to barracuda and triggerfish.
Or opt for a one-day course where you will learn how to use the equipment before being taken on a carefully supervised, very shallow dive for your first underwater experience. There’s really no better place to start, thanks to the warm, clear water and diversity of marine life of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Taste Caribbean Rums
Caribbean rums
Rum is inextricably linked to the history and culture of St. Thomas. Extra Virgin Rum is a famous island brand made in small batches on the islands with first-press virgin sugar cane. You can join a detailed rum tour, which teaches you about the production of rum in the U.S. Virgin Islands since the 17th century, or simply opt for a tasting.
The rum, which is aged in oak barrels from the Cognac wine-producing region of France, comes in different flavors and strengths. Try Old Rum, the powerful Old Navy Rum, or some of the flavored rums. Guava Rum makes a delicious Guava Spritz with passionfruit juice and champagne over ice, while coconut rum with pineapple juice and seltzer water is wonderfully refreshing.
Read: Best Things to Do in the U.S. Virgin Islands
Admire Dazzling Marine Life at Coral World Ocean Park
Coral World Ocean Park
Rather than having the fish in tanks, as you would in an aquarium, it’s the visitors who are enclosed at Coral World Ocean Park. A trip here is a win-win for both humans and marine creatures. Observing marine life is one of the best things to do in St. Thomas, as the diversity here is so rich.
Standing 100 feet offshore in depths of 15 feet, the three-story, air-conditioned Undersea Observatory Tower allows you to spend as long as you like gazing out at the surrounding coral reef. Thousands of fish flit around the corals, going about their daily business, unaware of your presence.
Barracudas, turtles, tarpons, and jacks are common visitors, but this is the wild and you never know what might swim past, which is all part of the fun.
Unwind on Coki Point Beach
Coki Point Beach
Pretty Coki Point Beach is right next to Coral World Ocean Park, so you can easily combine a visit to both. And if your visit to the Undersea Observatory has inspired you to snorkel, this is the perfect spot, with a gently sloping sea floor and teeming marine life.
There are chairs and umbrellas to rent on the beach, as well as shade from the large trees that fringe the sand. You’ll also find souvenir stalls and food vendors offering mango juice, rum punch, burgers, freshly caught fish, and ribs.
Visit on a weekend and you’ll find the beach buzzing with locals, as this is a popular spot for picnics and impromptu beach parties.
Get Away From It All at Lindquist Beach
Lindquist Beach
Lindquist Beach is deliciously undeveloped, forming part of the protected Smith Bay Park. The beach occupies a wide sweep of the shoreline and is brilliant with bright white sand with an almost pinkish tinge.
There’s shelter from coconut and sea grape trees, as well as picnic tables and a lifeguard. Otherwise, there are no facilities here, which is part of the beach’s charm.
Underwater rocks to the right-hand side of the beach create a great area for snorkeling. Relax in the shade of a tree, listen to the gentle lapping of the waves, and gaze out at views of St. John and the distant British Virgin Islands.
Learn About Jewish History
St. Thomas Synagogue
Judaism has long-standing roots in the U.S. Virgin Islands. There has been an organized Jewish congregation here since 1796, beginning with Sephardic Jews who came from Denmark. Today, there’s a strong Reform congregation on the island.
The present-day St. Thomas Synagogue was built in 1833 and carefully restored in 2000. It’s one of just three National Historic Landmarks on the islands and is the oldest synagogue in continuous use under the American flag. It’s also the second-oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere.
There’s all sorts of symbolism in this serene place. The floor is covered with sand as a tribute to the courage of the Israelites as they fled across the desert. The mahogany pews were hand-built by a shipbuilder. You can see the poignant Memorial Czech Scroll, one of a priceless collection of 1,564 scrolls seized from synagogues by the Nazis, found by the Allied troops after the war, and sent out on loan to synagogues worldwide.
At the back of the synagogue, the Weibel Memorial Museum tells the story of the Jewish community of St. Thomas and the Virgin Islands in general.
Read: What’s the Best Virgin Island to Visit?
Sample Local Craft Beer
Craft beer
Leatherback Brewing Company, named in honor of the leatherback turtles that are found in the seas here, has breweries on both St. Thomas and neighboring St. Croix. You can visit the tasting rooms to sample their wares.
The tap room on St. Thomas is at Havensight Plaza. You’ll be able to sample the three signature beers here, which include Reef Life, an IPA; Island Life lager; and Beach Life blonde ale. There are plenty more, all inspired by the colors and flavors of the islands.
Fly Over the Rainforest
Tree Limin’ Extreme Zipline Tour
Take in a bird’s-eye view of the island, its shoreline, and the British Virgin Islands beyond as you fly high over the rainforest on a zipline. The Tree Limin’ Extreme Zipline Tour whisks you from the top of St. Peter Mountain and offers thrills for all ages.
First, you’ll board a six-wheel Pinzgauer vehicle, used by the Swiss Army, for the trek to the top. After a safety briefing, you’ll be clipped onto a line and set off, flying over the rainforest, wind in your hair, views extending as far as you can see. There are six ziplines in total, as well as two skybridges to add to the entertainment.
Gaze at Tropical Blooms
Orchid
Learn all about the plants of the tropics at the lush Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden. The goal of this peaceful place is both conservation and education. As you wander around the two-acre site, you’ll see blooming orchids in shades of mauve and cream, red ginger flowers, bromeliads, various cacti, and other succulents. There are plenty of places to sit and contemplate the beauty of nature.
The visit takes under an hour and is a peaceful and colorful experience, as well as a great chance to learn about the ecology of the islands.
Lime Like the Locals on Hull Bay Beach
Hull Bay Beach
Hull Bay Beach, on the north side of the island to the west of famous Magen’s Bay, is a gorgeously laid-back spot where yachts come and drop anchor, fishing boats moor, and locals play dominoes in the shade of the sea grape trees. Apart from this, the beach is blissfully peaceful.
You’ll find a dive shop offering gear to rent and a couple of restaurants. The beach is sandy and pebbly, with rocks under the water presenting a beautiful spot for snorkeling, as colorful fish flit around. Hull Bay Beach is a dreamy spot in which to while away a quiet day, watching the pelicans diving for fish.
Soak Up the Superyacht Atmosphere
Yacht Haven Grande
If you love the glamor of the superyacht scene, there’s much to be said from wandering around Yacht Haven Grande, St. Thomas’s upscale marina.
As well as being home to some of the best shops in St. Thomas, there are plenty of places to eat, offering everything from Indian to sushi. And of course, there are sleek superyachts to gaze at as you stroll around.
Spot Turtles & Rays at Brewer’s Bay
Brewer’s Bay
Sleepy Brewer’s Bay, close to the island’s airport, is a great place to sample a beach that’s more frequented by locals than visitors. You’ll find food trucks selling cold beers and other Virgin Islands specialties, such as pate, an island pastry filled with meat or vegetables, as well as Johnny cakes. These aside, there are few facilities here, which is what makes the beach so special for nature lovers.
You’ll find a wide sweep of sand sheltered by palm trees, sea grapes, and vines. Offshore, the sandy sea bed slopes gently away into seagrass beds, which are a favorite feeding place of turtles. Take to the warm, clear water with a mask and snorkel and you may well come across a Hawksbill or green sea turtle feeding, or stingrays darting across the ocean floor and burying themselves in the sand.
You could spot scientists from the nearby university monitoring the marine life, but otherwise, Brewer’s Bay is a tranquil spot. Wander along the sand shore looking for pieces of sea glass—but leave the shells behind, as it’s illegal to remove these.
Discover the Secrets of the Pirates Treasure Museum
Any Caribbean island worth its salt has a pirate museum, and St. Thomas is no different; the islands were a pirate hotspot in the 18th century. The Pirates Treasure Museum, which occupies two stories, has an impressive display of pirate memorabilia, from old ships’ bells to cutlasses, coins, ships’ wheels, ingots, bottles, and items recovered from shipwrecks around the U.S. Virgin Islands. A visit here is one of the best things to do in St. Thomas if you’ve got kids in tow, or if it’s a rainy day.
Interestingly, there are other experiences, including a hurricane simulator, which gives a thrilling—and alarming—idea of how it feels to stand in hurricane-force winds.
There’s also a section on modern deep-sea technology, with a replica of the ZEUS remotely operated vehicle that picks up coins from shipwrecks with a remotely controlled arm. Explore virtual shipwreck sites, including the site of the SS Republic as it was when it was found, with all its treasure intact.
St. Thomas
If you’re already dreaming of basking on sugary beaches and swimming in the warm, turquoise Caribbean, make your fantasy a reality on a cruise to St. Thomas. Browse Caribbean cruise itineraries on our website and start planning the perfect vacation.
