St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
The Caribbean's busiest cruise port, with Charlotte Amalie's duty-free old streets, Magens Bay beach and ferries to St. John's national park.
St. Thomas is one of the main islands of the US Virgin Islands, covering about 83 km². Its capital, Charlotte Amalie, is the busiest cruise port in the Caribbean. The islands were once a Danish colony until the United States bought them in 1917, so the old town retains Danish-style red-roofed warehouses and a fort, while the US dollar and English are used throughout. Sightseeing falls into three areas: the capital's old town, with the 99 Steps, Fort Christian and the duty-free Main Street; the north shore, with Magens Bay, hilltop lookouts and Drake's Seat; and the East End, with Coral World, beaches such as Coki and Sapphire, and the Red Hook ferry dock. From Red Hook, a 20-minute ferry ride takes you to St. John, most of which is Virgin Islands National Park; the Trunk Bay underwater snorkeling trail and the Annaberg ruins make a classic day trip. The best time to visit is the dry season from December to April; hurricane season peaks in August–October. US citizens don't need a passport; Chinese visitors need a valid US visa, and visiting the British Virgin Islands requires separate formalities. Driving is on the left, mountain roads are steep and narrow, and taxis charge per person. Plan to stay 3–5 days.
Top sights
- Magens Bay – Saint Thomas's most famous beach, a 1.6-km horseshoe bay of white sand and calm water that regularly tops world's-best-beach lists.
- Charlotte Amalie Historic District – A historic port town with red roofs from the Danish colonial era. Its main street and warehouse alleys are full of duty-free jewelry, watch…
- Virgin Islands National Park (St. John) – A national park covering about 60% of St. John, with tropical forest trails, sugar plantation ruins and a string of stunning bays.
- Trunk Bay – St. John's flagship beach, with an underwater snorkel trail. White sand, clear water and a small islet make up the Caribbean's most classic…
- 99 Steps & Blackbeard's Castle – Old steps paved with bricks that were once ship ballast from the Danish era. At the top stands the stone tower where the pirate Blackbeard…
- Fort Christian – A red Danish fort built in the 1670s, the oldest surviving building in the US Virgin Islands. It houses a history museum.
- St. Thomas Synagogue – A synagogue rebuilt in 1833 with a sand-covered floor, one of the longest continuously used synagogues under the US flag.
- Emancipation Garden – The site where the Danish West Indies declared the end of slavery in 1848. A small plaza in the heart of the old town, often hosting market…
- Coral World Ocean Park – An ocean park on the northeast coast, where an underwater observation tower lets you watch coral reefs through glass. You can also interact…
- Skyride to Paradise Point – A cable car from beside the cruise terminal to the mountaintop, overlooking Charlotte Amalie harbor and the giant cruise ships docked there…
- Water Island – The “fourth island” of the US Virgin Islands, a few minutes away by ferry. Honeymoon Beach is quiet and laid-back, and old fortifications c…
- Mountain Top – An observation deck and shop at one of the island's highest points, said to be the birthplace of the banana daiquiri, with views over Magen…
- Drake's Seat – A roadside lookout where Sir Francis Drake is said to have watched his fleet, offering a panoramic view over Magens Bay and a must-stop on…
- Sapphire Beach – A resort beach on the east end, facing St. John and the British Virgin Islands, where snorkelers can spot sea turtles over the nearby reef.
- Coki Point Beach – A small bay beside Coral World where fish gather just off the shore, making it a favorite for beginner snorkelers and dive courses.
- Lindquist Beach – An undeveloped natural beach in Smith Bay Park, with clear water and few crowds, and one of the locals' favorite beaches.
- Hull Bay – A fishing-village bay on the north coast, the island's only surf spot in winter, with laid-back beach bars and few cruise visitors.
- Brewers Bay – A calm bay beside the airport runway, with shallow, gentle water, planes landing overhead, and food trucks in the evening.
- Red Hook – A harbor town on the east end where ferries to St. John and the British Virgin Islands depart, lined with bars and restaurants.
- Frenchtown – A French-descended fishing-village neighborhood west of the capital, with waterfront restaurants where locals go for seafood and a drink.
- Hassel Island – An uninhabited island at the harbor entrance, part of the Virgin Islands National Park, with a British fort and old dry-dock ruins from the…
- Buck Island (St. Thomas) – An uninhabited island south of St. Thomas where snorkeling in Turtle Bay almost always brings sea turtles, plus a shipwreck; a popular half…
- Cruz Bay – The ferry gateway town on St. John, with colorful shops, restaurants, and the national park visitor center near the dock.
- Cinnamon Bay – The longest beach on the north shore of St. John, with a national park campground and a plantation ruins trail nearby, and kayak and paddle…
- Annaberg Sugar Plantation – The ruins of an eighteenth-century Danish colonial sugar plantation, with stone windmill towers overlooking the strait; an important site f…
- Maho Bay – A shallow bay right beside the road where green sea turtles graze on seagrass beds, making it the easiest place on St. John to see them.
Where to eat
- Gladys' Cafe – A long-standing local favorite tucked away in an Old Town alley, famous for its conch fritters, stewed oxtail, and home…
- Oceana Restaurant & Bistro – A waterfront restaurant at the tip of the Frenchtown peninsula, housed in the former Russian Consulate—ideal for sunset…
- Petite Pump Room – A harbor-view classic located above the ferry terminal, serving local breakfast and lunch since 1970 to locals and tour…
- Virgilio's – An Italian restaurant tucked away in an Old Town alley, offering an extensive selection of handmade pastas for lunch an…
- Duffy's Love Shack – A lively tiki bar next to the Red Hook ferry dock, famous for its flaming giant volcano cocktails, tacos, and chicken w…
- The Easterly – A waterfront restaurant at Red Hook's American Yacht Harbor, popular for its wood-fired fish, whole Caribbean lobster…
Itineraries
- US Virgin Islands 3-Island Itinerary – Spend two nights each in historic Charlotte Amalie, Virgin Islands National Park on St. John, and the Danish colonial t…