St. Thomas trip planner

St. Thomas Holiday Planning Guide

Places to Visit in St. Thomas

Destinations in St. Thomas

Charlotte Amalie: The capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands remains the hub of tourism in St. Thomas, a bustling cruise ship port, and home to numerous relics of the colonial era.

Red Hook: Part of the island's East End district, Red Hook boasts several marinas, luxurious resorts, and some of the most scenic beaches on St. Thomas.

South Coast: The island's southside district offers calm waters, pleasant temperatures, and a number of picturesque beaches.

Popular St. Thomas Tourist Attractions

Magens Bay: This stretch of powdery white sand remains a perennial tourist favorite, surrounded by lush mangroves and boasting calm blue waters.

Coki Point Beach: Renowned for its snorkeling, picturesque Coki Point offers visitors everything from diving equipment rentals, to food stalls and crafts vendors.

Coral World Ocean Park: One of the most popular St. Thomas tourist attractions, this "open-air" aquarium houses stingrays, sea turtles, sea lions, and other fascinating marine life.

Sapphire Beach: This powdery beach allows you to swim, snorkel, rent water sports equipment, or just rest in a dense shade of sea grape trees.

Morningstar Sailing and Power Charters: Enjoy a day of sailing, snorkeling, and island hopping on a private boat tour, accompanied by an experienced captain.

Mountain Top: This observation deck, 1,500 m (4,921 ft) above sea level and situated in a popular bar, provides expansive views of the Virgin Islands archipelago.

Lindquist Beach: Part of Smith Bay Park protected area, this attractive beach offers calm turquoise waters, silky sands, and plenty of natural shade.

Blackbeard’s Castle: A must see on any tour of St. Thomas, Blackbeard's Castle is a famous local landmark and lookout tower, named after a notorious pirate that supposedly used it when visiting these parts.

Magic Ice: Take refuge from the Caribbean heat at this ice gallery and bar, where you can admire permanent icy sculptures and enjoy a refreshing drink.

Secret Harbour: This isolated beach hosts a well-stocked bar and restaurant, as well as a floating raft you can jump off.

Planning a St. Thomas Vacation with Kids

Places to Visit in St. Thomas with Kids

On a relatively small island with an array of family-friendly accommodations, you'll easily fashion a St. Thomas itinerary suited to a kid-oriented vacation.

You can base your visit in the town of Charlotte Amalie, a busy cruise port filled with tourist attractions and amenities.

North Side serves as a good alternative, as it houses numerous scenic beaches. Head to East End for the more exclusive resorts, as well as plenty of restaurants and developed strips of sand.

If you're looking to get away from civilization for a while, visit Water Island, relatively unspoiled by commercial development and free of large hotels and resorts.

Things to Do in St. Thomas with Kids

A trip to St. Thomas can be a great choice for a family holiday--you'll be able to choose from a range of resorts, beaches, and kid-friendly activities.

The large assortment of pristine beaches is definitely the island's main draw, whether you're looking to swim, snorkel, or partake in water sports.

The options are almost overwhelming in number, including both popular choices like Magens Bay and the more secluded spots like Lindquist Beach.

Take the kids to Coral World Ocean Park for a chance to interact with a variety of aquatic animals, from stingrays to sea lions and turtles.

Try ziplining or opt for one of the numerous boat tours for a fun-filled day with the whole family.

Tips for a Family Vacation in St. Thomas

When planning a trip to St. Thomas with your family, you won't have trouble finding kid-friendly accommodations, whether you're looking for a resort, hotel, or a rental villa.

That said, always check ahead of time if your lodging of choice suits the needs of your family, offers babysitting services, and has entertainment options for kids.

Exercise plenty of caution when driving in St. Thomas and when crossing the road, especially if you're not used to left-hand traffic. The island's roads are very narrow and often turn suddenly, so driving can be tricky if you're not familiar with the layout of the area you're visiting.

Avoid petty theft by never leaving valuables in your car, and keep an eye on your possessions when enjoying a day on the beach.

Dining and Shopping on Holiday in St. Thomas

Cuisine of St. Thomas

Similar to other Caribbean destinations, the island of St. Thomas boasts a varied cuisine, influenced by the indigenous peoples, European settlers, and slaves brought from Africa.

Freshly caught fish, rice, okra, and fruit are some of the prominent ingredients used in traditional cooking on the island. A few of the representative dishes include "fungi," dumplings made from cornmeal and okra, "callaloo," an amaranth leaf stew, and salted codfish.

On a tour of St. Thomas, you can indulge your sweet tooth by trying ice cream or dumplings made with mango, soursop, papaya, or tamarind.

Popular drinks on the island include various herbal teas, freshly squeezed juices, and of course, local rum.

Head to Frenchtown Brewing Company, situated in the eponymous village, to sample local craft beers.

Shopping in St. Thomas

On a St. Thomas holiday, you can take advantage of the island's status as a duty-free shopping haven to purchase a variety of gifts and keepsakes at great prices.

Shops, malls, kiosks, and even large, open-air markets often offer bargains and discounts on their varied goods.

Jewelry, electronics, clothing, and liquor stores are ubiquitous, but vendors of local arts and crafts can be found just as easily.

Popular souvenirs and gift ideas include handicrafts like baskets and bowls, art pieces, dolls, local rum, spices, and jams.

Know Before You Go on a Trip to St. Thomas

Interesting Facts About St. Thomas

U.S. Virgin Islands, including St. Thomas, are the only U.S. territory where driving is conducted on the left side of the road

French impressionist Camille Pissarro was born on St. Thomas

The St. Thomas synagogue, dating back to 1883, is the second oldest on U.S. soil, and the oldest in continuous use

Holidays & Festivals of St. Thomas

St. Thomas, like the rest of the archipelago, observes most of the United States' public holidays, such as Christmas, Easter Day, and Thanksgiving.

Holidays specific to the island include Transfer Day, which celebrates the handover of the territory from Denmark to the United States, and Hurricane Thanksgiving, when the locals give thanks for being spared from, naturally, hurricanes.

If you happen to plan a St. Thomas holiday for April, you can enjoy the month-long carnival celebrations. Numerous performances, competitions, and other events culminate in the last week of the carnival, marked with parades, food fairs, and street parties.

Useful St. Thomas Travel Tips

Climate of St. Thomas

St. Thomas is known for its pleasant climate. Variations in temperature are rare, averaging 23-32 C (73-89 F) throughout the year.

Low humidity and trade winds alleviate tropic heat. Although rainfall can happen at any time, the wettest period lasts from September to November. Opt for February or March for your St. Thomas vacation to minimize the chance of rain.

Hurricane season can last from June to November, but severe storms are rare.

Transportation in St. Thomas

Traversing short distances on St. Thomas can easily be done on foot, as the island is relatively small, while getting from one part of the island to another can be more of a hassle.

"Dollar buses" and safari vans are affordable options for getting around the island, although they can be somewhat unpredictable.

Other choices include taxis and rental vehicles. If you're planning to drive during your tour of St. Thomas, be sure you can handle left-hand driving and traffic. Beware of narrow roads and often chaotic driving--if you're there with kids, or unsure of your driving skills, you might be better off hiring a professional chauffeur.