The most visited of the US Virgin Islands, St. Thomas continues to entice travelers to its green hills, resorts, beachside bars and stunning strands of sand.
1 Birds Eye Views
Aptly named Skyline Drive ascends the mountainous spine of St. Thomas to provide magnificent views of island and ocean. There are numerous overlooks for photo ops, including Mountain Top, where the observation deck delivers sweeping vistas that take in Magens Bay, the island’s north shore and the green peaks of the British Virgins. A ride on the gondola to Paradise Point yields equally inspiring views of Charlotte Amalie, and come sunset, the place to be is the Mafolie Hotel and Restaurant to watch the evening twinkling lights of St. Thomas unfold below you.
At night, the hillsides of St. Thomas come alive in a light show that is visible from miles at sea. Overlooks along Skyline Drive are favorite locations to admire the view. Photo: Aneese/iStock
2 Big Fish
From St. Thomas’ east end, big game fishermen set a course on an offshore shoal known as the North Drop to do battle with trophy- sized blue marlin. Offshore anglers can also reel in table fare such as tuna, wahoo and mahimahi, while closer to shore, the reefs hold snapper, snook and jack. Something is always biting.
3 On the Water
St. Thomas is a water sports paradise, with plenty of action beyond the beach. From paddleboard tours to yacht charters and snorkel trips, there’s something for all ages and tastes. Steady trade winds provide ideal conditions for sailors, windsurfers and kite boarders, while the clear waters draw scuba divers to reefs and shipwrecks teeming with life. Those who prefer to stay dry can also enjoy the sea with a visit to the underwater viewing chambers at Coral World, or a ride on the Nautilus submarine.
4 Hop over to St. John
While St. Thomas has plenty to keep visitors occupied, it’s equally easy to take a day trip to sister island St. John. Ferries leave Red Hook on the hour for the 20-minute ride over to Cruz Bay, where quiet beaches and the laid back village of Cruz Bay await.
A combination of steady trade winds and sheltered waters make St. Thomas an ideal cruising ground. A number of companies offer sailboats for charter. Photo: Christian Wheatley/iStock
5 Satellite Islands
A short ferry ride whisks you from the bustle of the Charlotte Amalie waterfront to the quiet of Water Island, where there are no taxis or high-rises. A short walk though the woods brings you to Honeymoon Beach, were you can spend the day snorkeling, sunning or chilling at a laid-back beach bar. Nearby Hassel island will delight nature lovers and history buffs, who can book a kayak tour or hiking excursion to this island preserve, which is now managed by the National Park Service. The island holds the remains of a former British garrison, a coaling station and one of the first steam powered marine railways in the western hemisphere.
Charlotte Amalie’s legacy of Danish architecture includes red roofs and whitewashed walls. Many homes are fitted with rainwater catchments to harvest tropical showers. Photo: Ramunas Bruzas/iStock
6 Carnival
The annual island-wide celebration brings plenty of steel drums, drinking and partying in the streets, but St. Thomas’ version of this Caribbean celebration also offers up a range of activities that kids, families and the neophytes can enjoy. It’s a combination of an amusement park, calypso show, food fair, parade and fireworks.
7 A Glimpse of the Past
Colonial Danish architecture is prevalent on the island, as the Danes ruled the island from 1666 to 1917 with a few short interruptions, and developed St. Thomas as a center of maritime trade. Charlotte Amalie is filled with historic structures that once warehoused sugar, cotton, indigo and tobacco. Government and private buildings from that era also remain intact. Highlights in town worthy of exploration are Government House, Fort Christian and Haagensen House.
Located in Charlotte Amalie, the historic building that now houses the Legislature of US Virgin Islands was constructed in 1828 as a barracks for Danish policemen. Photo: Steve Heap/iStock
8 Dining and Nightlife
The island’s culinary scene blends the traditional with the eclectic and innovative, offering everything from beach bar favorites and Caribbean staples to international fare and fusion cuisines. For a bit of history and innovative cuisine head to the Old Stone Farmhouse up at Mahogany Run. Here you’ll dine in a 19th century stone walled structure once part of a sprawling sugar plantation. For local fare, stop off downtown at Gladys’ Café for lunch, and load up on bottles of her famous hot sauce.
9 Magnificent Mile
It’s hard to resist a day of retail adventures in downtown Charlotte Amalie, where one can wander in and out of the eclectic shops and boutiques that line Main Street, aka Dronningens Gade. Offerings range from handmade sandals and one of a kind pieces by local artists to big-name brands like Cartier and Rolex. Duty- free and tax-free pricing sweetens the deals on watches, diamonds and emeralds.
Charlotte Amalie’s downtown shopping district centers around Dronningens Gade and a network of pedestrian alleys that connect this main street to the waterfront. Photo: Roby Vannucci/iStock
10 Beaches
From umbrella-embellished beaches to small coves hidden down dirt roads, there are 44 beaches to choose from on St. Thomas. Some are reached through a resort, while others are easily found by car, where you can park close to the sand. The most photographed—and with good reason—is Magens Bay Beach; a small admission is requested as you enter to maintain the beach in its pristine manner.
