Being the second largest US Virgin Island, there’s no shortage of fun things to do in St Thomas.
I have visited St Thomas, and put together this list to help you plan your next trip. From scenic tram rides to snorkeling tours, there’s something on this list for you.
Here are the top 20 best things to do in St Thomas.
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20 Things To Do in St Thomas
1. Try a Banana Daiquiri From Mountain Top
Visit the highest point in St Thomas – Mountain Top, on St. Peter Mountain. Perched 1,500 feet on the mountain, this scenic overlook gives incredible views of the surrounding islands and coastline.
Make sure to try out a world-famous banana daiquiri from the Mountain Top cafeteria and bar!
The Mountain Top also has the largest souvenir shop on the island, so you won’t want to miss this place before leaving.
2. Snorkel At Buck Island
Situated 2 miles off the shore, Buck Island is a beautiful little island with a turtle cove and shipwreck cove.
You can visit the island on a boat tour or catamaran cruise. On this 3-hour catamaran cruise, you’ll be provided with snacks, unlimited drinks, and snorkeling gear.
If you’re looking to snorkel, this is the place to go. You’ll get to spot everything from green sea turtles to barracudas.
3. Relax at Magens Bay Beach
Head to Magens Bay Beach to relax on St Thomas’s most picturesque white sand beach. This 1.5 mile long beach has powdery white sand and crystal clear waters.
The entry fee is $5 USD, and it has bathrooms, showers, snack stalls, watersport rentals, and lifeguards.
While at the beach, stop by Magens Point Bar & Grill to try out conch fritters and jerk chicken.
4. Get Scenic Views At Drake’s Seat
Head to Drake’s Seat Overlook for breathtaking views of the coastline and nearby islands. Drake’s Seat is minutes away from the Charlotte Amalie Overlook, on the north side of St. Thomas.
You can stop by for photos, relax on the bench, and try street food from a local vendor.
5. Visit The Charlotte Amalie Overlook
For scenic views of the harbor, stop by the Charlotte Amalie Overlook. This scenic overlook has a large parking lot, souvenir stalls, mural art, and local food vendors.
Although it’s minutes away from Drake’s Seat, this vantage point overlooks the Havensight harbor – on the southern side.
You’ll get spectacular views of the island’s colorful buildings and boats docking in the harbor.
6. Explore Cas Cay
Situated a mile offshore from eastern St Thomas, Cas Cay is a small island that’s brimming with wildlife. You can visit the island on a kayaking tour.
On this guided tour, you’ll get to kayak through mangroves, race hermit crabs, hike, and spot fascinating wildlife while snorkeling.
The tour provides snacks, drinks, and all snorkeling gear. If you’re looking for an adventurous activity, this island is the place to go.
7. Visit Landmarks and Museums
With a rich history, St Thomas has various landmarks and museums. Fort Christian, the 99 Steps, and Blackbeard’s Castle are just a few of the many interesting sites to stop by.
These places are all located in Charlotte Amalie within a few miles from each other. Built over 300 years ago, Fort Christian is an old military fort that was constructed to protect the harbor.
You can explore the fort on a self-guided audio tour from 9 AM to 3 PM on weekdays, for $10 USD. After visiting Fort Christian, head to the 99 steps to walk up an 18th century staircase.
From the top, you’ll be led to Blackbeard’s Castle – an old watchtower built in the late 1600’s!
Besides landmarks, visit the Pirates Treasure Museum and St Thomas’s Historical Trust Museum to learn more about St Thomas’s history.
The Pirates Treasure Museum is open weekdays, and St Thomas’s Historical Trust Museum is only open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
8. Go Beach-Hopping
With over 40 beaches, St Thomas has many beautiful beaches to swim, snorkel, and rent out water sports. If you want to spend most of your time enjoying the beaches, I definitely recommend staying in an all-inclusive resort in the East End or South Coast.
Head to Lindquist Beach, Secret Harbour Beach, or Coki Point Beach to swim in some of St Thomas’s most picturesque beaches.
Lindquist Beach is a serene white sand beach with picnic tables, and bathroom and shower facilities. If you’re looking to snorkel, however, Secret Harbour is the place to go. This beach has a dive shop, watersport rentals, and a restaurant and bar onsite.
Coki Point Beach is St Thomas’s most popular public beach. The beach has food vendors, water sport rentals, and a restaurant. Plus, it’s right next to the Coral World Ocean Park aquarium.
This aquarium is an incredible place to take kids, and offers guided tours, swimming with dolphins, and more. They’re open daily from 9 AM to 4 PM, and the general admission is $29 for adults, and $16 for children.
Keep in mind that the ticket booth closes at 3 PM, so you may want to purchase tickets beforehand.
9. Parasail Over Sapphire Beach
If you’re an adrenaline junkie, head to Sapphire Beach Marina to go parasailing. This parasailing adventure lasts 5 to 10 minutes, and you’ll get breathtaking aerial views of St Thomas from the top.
Despite it being a thrilling activity, the staff is safe and professional, making the overall experience peaceful.
Additionally, you can rent out go-pros to share the experience with friends and family.
10. Visit Water Island
Ride the ferry from St. Thomas to visit Water Island – the fourth largest US Virgin Island! Water Island has golf cart rentals, a historical fort, campgrounds, and Honeymoon Beach.
To get to Water Island, you’ll need to take the Water Island ferry from Crown Bay Marina in downtown Charlotte Amalie. Once you’re at the island, you can rent out a golf cart, or ride a shuttle to visit Honeymoon Beach.
Honeymoon Beach is a pristine white sand beach with lounge chairs, watersports rentals, and Dinghy’s Bar & Grill. Whether you’re looking to relax at the beach bar or explore the island on a golf cart, it’s a great place to visit.
11. Ride the Skyride to Paradise Point
Ride the Skyride to Paradise Point for unbeatable views of the harbor. This scenic tram ride begins in downtown Charlotte Amalie, and travels 700 feet up to Paradise Point.
At the top, there’s a souvenir shop, restaurant and grill. Stop by the bar to try a traditional Bushwackers cocktail, or enjoy a fancy dinner at the Prime restaurant.
This is an excellent activity to do in the evening as the sun sets. The Skyride’s hours change depending on the weather, so make sure to check their schedule before visiting.
12. Taste Local Cuisine On A Walking Food Tour
Try out traditional Caribbean cuisine on a food-tasting tour throughout Charlotte Amalie.
You’ll get to learn how to make island rum drinks, learn about colonial history, and sample food from the most popular restaurants.
From chicken curry to painkiller cocktails, you won’t want to miss this tour if you’re a foodie.
13. Zip-line Through the Rainforest
If you’re up for an adventure, go zip-lining at 35 mph through the rainforest. You’ll get priceless views of the ocean as you zip-line from the top of St. Peter mountain.
This zip-line adventure stops at 6 platforms so there’s excellent opportunities for taking photos of Magen’s Bay and the nearby islands. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, this is for you.
14. Have Lunch At A Beach Bar
Enjoy lunch at one of the many outstanding beach bars in St Thomas. I recommend Duffy’s Love Shack, and The Tap & Still Red Hook.
These bars are both located in Red Hook, and they serve some of the best food and drinks on the island.
Duffy’s Love Shack serves everything from jerk chicken nachos to specialty island drinks. The Tap & Still Bar serves burgers, funnel cakes, and excellent craft beer.
Other bars worth trying out are the Sapphire Beach Bar, and Tickles Dockside Pub in Charlotte Amalie.
15. Sail On A Catamaran During The Sunset
Go on a catamaran cruise throughout Sapphire Beach during golden hour. You’ll get to enjoy champagne, appetizers and unlimited drinks while getting spectacular views of the ocean during sunset.
After sailing, head to Sapphire Beach Bar or Sea Salt for a fancy sunset dinner on the beach.
16. Visit the Phantasea Tropical Botanical Gardens
Visit the Phantasea Tropical Botanical Gardens to see orchids, succulents, and beautiful tropical plants.
The botanical gardens are just a mile away from Drake’s Seat Overlook, and they’re open Thursday to Sunday from 9 to 4 PM. The admission fee is $10 USD for adults, and $5 USD for children.
17. Shop Duty-Free
Stroll the streets of Charlotte Amalie and shop duty-free at the stores. US residents can shop up to $1600 worth of duty-free goods in St Thomas, which is double the amount as other islands!
There’s no shortage of places to shop in St Thomas, with plazas, malls, and boutiques scattered throughout the island.
The best places to shop in St Thomas are Main Street in Charlotte Amalie, the Havensight Mall, and the Crown Bay Center.
18. Have A Fancy Sunset Dinner On The Beach
Have a sunset dinner at one of St Thomas’s incredible beachfront restaurants. I recommend Sunset Grille at Secret Harbour, and the Caribbean Fish Market.
These fine-dining restaurants serve some of the freshest seafood on the island, and have beautiful ocean views.
19. Take A Day Trip To St. John
Take a ferry from Red Hook to Cruz Bay, St John for a fun day trip. Ferries depart every hour from 6 AM to 8 PM, and it takes 15 minutes to get between each island.
You’ll arrive in Cruz Bay, St John which has restaurants, bars, dive shops, and gift shops. You can take a taxi to visit Maho Bay Beach, Trunk Bay, and other beautiful beaches throughout the island.
While in St. John, make sure to stop by Miss Lucy’s for authentic johnny cakes and conch fritters.
20. Go Kayaking At Night
Kayak through the Charlotte Amalie Harbor at night on illuminated kayaks. You’ll get to spot tarpons, sea turtles, and stingrays while getting views of the city lights at night.
It’s located at Marriott’s Frenchman Cove, and tours are available at 6:30 PM, 7 PM, 8 PM, and 8:30 PM.
Also read:
- Things to do in St Thomas at night
- Best private villas In St Thomas
- Best places to stay In St John
- St Thomas vs St John
Summary
Whether it’s going on a cocktail cruise or zip lining through the rainforest, there’s endless ways to enjoy your time in St Thomas.
With beautiful beaches, fascinating landmarks, great shopping and incredible restaurants, St Thomas is one of the best US Virgin Islands to visit.
Also it’s just a short ferry ride away from Water Island and St John – which you can explore on a day trip.
Check our list of things to do in St Thomas at night for the best night time activities!
