Located along the scenic Charlotte Amalie Harbor, Yacht Haven Grande is an upscale mixed-use waterfront development. With a full-service luxury yacht marina, shopping, dining, and entertainment options; and residential condos, Yacht Haven Grande is the premier destination in St. Thomas for megayachts.
The West India Company Dock (Havensight) serves as a cruisers’ gateway to St. Thomas and the rest of the US Virgin Islands, a hugely popular stop on Eastern Caribbean cruises. With great shopping, sightseeing, and beach water sports within easy reach of the cruise terminal, the capital city of Charlotte Amalie and the rest of St. Thomas offer everything you need for a perfect day ashore.
If you’re looking to shop while visiting St. John, Mongoose Junction is the place to go. Considered the island's premier shopping and dining destination, Mongoose Junction is home to a number of stores selling local Caribbean products such as furniture and textiles, clothing, jewelry, and beach essentials.
St. John might have the lion’s share of the US Virgin Islands’ natural attractions, but the rich concentration of flora and fauna in St. Thomas’ Mangrove Lagoon makes it a top ecotourism destination that’s especially popular with kayakers and snorkelers. Its mangrove branches serve as a protective nesting site for birds, and the elevated roots are home to young fish.
Ride the aerial tramway to the top of Paradise Point to catch some of the best views of St. Thomas and Charlotte Amalie harbor from 700 feet (210 meters) above the island. At the top, snap a photo of the cruise ships docked below, take in the panoramic sights of the island and harbor, and browse the souvenirs in the surrounding gift shops.
Sun, soft sand, and warm, shallow waters characterize Leinster Bay—a favorite among beach lovers seeking solitude. It’s also one of the best snorkeling and scuba diving spots on St John thanks to the colorful coral reef of Waterlemon Cay, where it’s possible to spot sea turtles, stingrays, starfish, and schools of blue tang and parrotfish.
Crown Bay Marina on St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands bustles with activity as the landing location for pleasure craft and mega yachts, as well as serves as the departure point for the ferry to Water Island and other boat excursions. This full-service marina is also home to plenty of nearby attractions that you can enjoy while waiting to embark.
Located in the East End district of St. Thomas, Vessup Bay is a beautiful but largely undeveloped stretch of shoreline. Featuring a narrow bay and a long stretch of beach with plenty of sea grape trees, cacti, and century plants, Vessup Bay is ideal for boaters and beach-goers looking for a more tranquil experience.
A historic fortress built in the history-rich St. Thomas town of Charlotte Amalie, Fort Christian has been a cultural highlight here since 1672 and acts as one of the finest treasure troves of ancient artifacts in the small Caribbean island’s long history. This Danish-built fortress serves as a beautiful example of Dutch-Caribbean architecture in the Gothic-Revival style and as a modern-day museum.
Coki Beach is considered St. Thomas’ party beach and is always full of families, revelers, and vendors. Snorkelers and scuba divers love the clear water and sea creatures here, while beach-goers enjoy the white sands, sunshine, and wandering vendors who offer drinks and snacks, souvenirs, sunscreen, and hair braiding.
Perched on the scenic southeast coast of St John, Salt Pond Bay shimmers with crystal clear waters fronted by a rocky, white-sand beach. The beach offers an escape from the crowds of Cruz Bay, with calm waters for swimming, tide pools filled with marine creatures, and a coral reef in the middle of the bay for snorkeling.
One of the most beautiful and convenient beaches on St. John, Hawksnest Bay is a favorite for families with children and visitors coming from the ferry docks at Cruz Bay. Swaying palm trees and sea grapes line the narrow beach, which has restrooms, grills, and a shaded picnic area.
Powdery sand and swaying palm trees wrap a deep-blue cove at Magens Bay—and when cruise ships are in port, sunbathers fill the beautiful beach. But there’s more to the northside spot than its tropical scenery: Biodiverse mangrove swamps and networks of hiking trails lie just back from the sea, and active options for exploring the bay span swimming, snorkeling, hiking, and kayaking.
The majority of St. John is covered by the Virgin Islands National Park, a stretch of preserved wilderness that offers protection and preservation for fish, corals, marine life, and tropical and migrating birds. The park also protects the island’s reef, with public access at the mangrove bay of Hurricane Hole, east of Coral Bay. Snorkeling is a popular activity all along the coastline.
Named after Sir Francis Drake, who was said to have used the spot to look for enemy ships, Drake’s Seat was built in 1933 by Arthur Fairchild and offers one of the best views of St. Thomas. Located just minutes from Charlotte Amalie, it offers sweeping views of Magens Bay and the British Virgin Islands.
Maho Bay, perched on St John’s northern shore, is named after the Maho tree, which you can identify by its heart-shaped leaves and bright yellow flowers. The coconut palm-lined stretch of sand allures with its calm, shallow waters and a coral reef just offshore popular for snorkeling.
Trunk Bay’s talc-soft sands, turquoise waters, and lush green backdrop make it one of the most photographed and most famous beaches on St. John Island. Just offshore of this earthly paradise, a marked-out underwater trail serves as a popular snorkeling spot, with information about coral formations and sea life. It’s a great activity for beginner snorkelers, kids, and older adults.
Water Island officially joined the US Virgin Islands in 1996. The fourth and smallest isle of the four, it is by no means boring. At roughly 490 acres (200 hectares) and home to about 175 residents, Water Island is a less touristed destination in the island chain, offering idyllic beaches and lazy-day vibes.
Sitting in the middle of a coral reef encircled by sand and the waters of Leinster Bay, the tiny island of Waterlemon Cay off of St. John is a favorite among snorkelers. It’s home to a wealth of coral and marine life, which is why it ranks so high with travelers. From the Leinster Bay Trail on the north side of St. John, visitors can catch a view of Waterlemon Cay.
Located along the southeastern shore of St. Thomas, Secret Harbour Beach Resort is set in a secluded cove in Nazareth Bay. Featuring a pretty white sand beach and crystalline waters, it’s a popular spot for sunbathing, snorkeling, and other water sports, such as scuba diving, paddleboarding, and kayaking.
Located at the top of St. Peter Mountain is the oldest, highest, and one of the most popular attractions on St. Thomas, the aptly named Mountain Top. Mountain Top features a massive duty free shop, a bar known for its banana daiquiris, and an observation deck that offers sweeping views over Magens Bay from 1,500 feet (457 meters.
Located on the northwest shore of St. John and part of the Virgin Islands National Park, Honeymoon Beach is an idyllic tropical paradise of white sand, palm trees, and clear shallow waters. A concession offers cabana and chair rentals, amenities, and food and drinks, making for an easy and relaxing day on the beach.
On Water Island, south of St. Thomas, Honeymoon Beach curves around the clear waters of Druiff Bay. Soft white sand and swaying palm trees invite visitors to linger in this peaceful tropical paradise, while a bustling beach bar offers amenities, sustenance, and many different ways to play.
