Things to do in  St Thomas

One of the top family-friendly attractions in the US Virgin Islands, Coral World Ocean Park features both indoor and outdoor observation areas showcasing the region’s diverse and abundant marine life—it’s essentially an aquarium, just a bit wilder. Highlights include sea lions and dolphins; a touch pool with hermit crabs, starfish, and sea cucumbers; and the 50,000-gallon (190,000-liter) Deep Reef Tank, home to moray eels, tarpon, and plenty of sharks.

Hull Bay on St. Thomas is all about snorkeling the neighboring reef, swinging in a beach hammock, and unwinding at a cool little beach bar. There’s fishing off nearby Inner and Outer Brass Cays, and the Atlantic whips up waves for some of the island’s best surfing. Hull Bay doesn’t attract the crowds of nearby Magens Bay, so the vibe is more laid-back and off-the-beaten-path.

Located in the hills of St. Thomas, Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden is a tropical plant-lovers paradise. It's home to more than 1,200 species, including more than 1,000 orchids, bromeliads, heliconias, gingers, palms, aroids, and succulents. The garden offers classes, workshops, retail and plant sales, and refreshments.

Located on the east end of St. Thomas and part of the protected Smith Bay Park, Lindquist Beach is one of the island's prettiest and most pristine beaches. Featuring a lovely stretch of white sand dusted with just a hint of pink, it’s an ideal beach for relaxing, sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, and escaping the crowds.

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.

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.

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.

During early colonization of the Caribbean, tall ships used huge stones as ballast in their hulls, then offloaded them while stocking up on spices and other goods, leaving the stones as a reminder of their visit. Residents of Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas then used these stones to build steep stairways such as 99 Steps up the town’s hills.

High above Charlotte Amalie is Skytsborg (“sky tower”), a round defensive tower built by the Danish in 1679 to watch for enemy ships which might attack Fort Christian and other harbor settlements. While there was a real pirate called Blackbeard (Edward Teach) who prowled nearby waters, his association with the site owes more to tradition than history. And anyway, who needs a history lesson when you have one of the great Caribbean views laid out before you. The visual feast encompasses dramatic green slopes, bobbing yachts, hulking cruise ships and outlying islands. Facilities at the site include a swimming pool and snack bar.

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.

Located on the eastern end of St. Thomas, Sapphire Beach is one of the most popular beaches on the island. Featuring stellar views and a long stretch of pretty white sand, it’s an ideal beach for relaxing and sunbathing, snorkeling, and a variety of water sports. Numerous amenities and rentals make for an easy and enjoyable day out.

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.