If you are looking for a highlight reel for your visit to the Virgin Islands, these are the top 10 Things to do in St. Thomas. If you make a stop at each of these, you will have sampled the best the island has to offer. There may be other attractions out there, but these are the best and most iconic.
*Special Note: If you are coming on a cruise ship to St. Thomas/Charlotte Amalie, I’ve added my thoughts visiting each place with only a day on island. Some of the places are within walking distance or a short taxi ride of the cruise ship ports. Others take a little more effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the #1 thing to do in St. Thomas?
Going to the beach. Magens Bay beach consistently tops the list — it’s nearly a mile of soft white sand with calm, crystal-clear Caribbean water. It’s the one stop I tell every single visitor they cannot skip. Get there before 10 am on cruise ship days to beat the rush, or go early evening when the light is golden and the crowds have thinned out.
Do I need a passport to visit St. Thomas? e
No — St. Thomas is a U.S. territory, so American citizens don’t need a passport. A government-issued ID (driver’s license) is all you need if you’re arriving by cruise ship. If you’re flying, TSA standard rules apply. That said, carrying a passport is always a smart travel habit.
How many days do you need in St. Thomas?
Two to three days gives you enough time to hit all 10 attractions on this list comfortably without rushing. If you’re on a cruise with a single port day, you can realistically cover 4–5 highlights with some smart planning — I’d prioritize Magens Bay, Fort Christian, the Slave House Museum, and Paradise Point as your four-stop day.
What is the best beach in St. Thomas?
It depends on what you’re after. Magens Bay is the most famous and best for a full beach day. Coki Beach (right next to Coral World) is the best for snorkeling — the reef is incredible. Honeymoon Beach on Water Island has a relaxed vibe with great food and live music at Dinghy’s Bar. My personal favorites? Magens Bay and Lindquist Beach are tops in my book.
Is St. Thomas safe for tourists?
The main tourist areas — Charlotte Amalie, Havensight, Magens Bay, Coral World, and the beaches — are safe and well-traveled. Like any destination, I’d encourage using the same common sense you would in any busy city. Stick to established tourist areas, travel with your group, and don’t leave valuables on the beach unattended.
What can cruise passengers do in St. Thomas in one day?
A great one-day cruise itinerary: start with Magens Bay beach in the morning (leave early — it’s a 15-20-minute taxi ride from the two cruise ship piers). Come back around noon, grab lunch in Charlotte Amalie, walk through the Slave House Museum, and pop into Fort Christian. If you’re docking at Havensight, add Paradise Point and the Pirate Museum in the afternoon. If your itinerary allows, end with a cocktail at Paradise Point for sunset before heading back to the ship.
Is shopping good in St. Thomas?
Yes — St. Thomas is one of the best duty-free shopping destinations in the entire Caribbean. Main Street in Charlotte Amalie is the hub, with dozens of jewelry stores, rum shops, and perfume retailers. The savings on jewelry and liquor in particular can be significant. Budget at least an hour for a browse even if shopping isn’t your main agenda. For local products check out the Slave House Museum that has locally roasted coffee, hot sauce and spirits.
What historical sites are there in St. Thomas?
Charlotte Amalie is the historic district of St. Thomas. Also known as “Old Town”, Charlotte Amalie is well over 300-years old. Several old churches and a synagogue are sprinkled through town. Fort Christian is a must see. You can also get the most vivid look at the history of St. Thomas at the Slave House Museum. The streets and alleyways are all monuments to the vibrant history of St. Thomas that included pirates, renegades, scoundrels and infamous characters.
Magens Bay from above. It’s even better when you are on the beach.
1. Magens Bay
St. Thomas’ best beach
Admission: $7/person Admission
Hours: 7am – 5pm
Amenities: Bar, Concessions, Gift Shop, Chair and Umbrella Rentals
Cruise Ship Passengers: This is the #1 beach for beach excursions for cruise ships. So the beach does get crowded on ship days. But it is a party if you are looking for one. Magens is big enough to accommodate a lot of people, but be aware that it won’t be an intimate, quiet beach day.
The beaches in St. Thomas are our biggest attraction. The Caribbean Sea produces some of the bluest water and whitest sand in the world, and St. Thomas has extraordinary specimens of the prototypical island beach.
Magens Bay happens to be one of the crown jewels of St. Thomas — nearly a mile from end to end of soft sand. On a typical day the water is calm and clear, making it ideal for swimmers of all ages and skill levels. Rent a chair and umbrella near the bar and concessions stand where all the action is. Or, head down the beach where it gets quieter away from the entrance.
You can also rent a kayak or stand up paddleboard for an hour. Paddle along the coastline and keep your eyes open for sea turtles. The bay is shaped like a horseshoe, which keeps the surf gentle even when the Atlantic is kicking up on the other side of the island. Early mornings are magical here — you’ll often have long stretches of beach almost entirely to yourself before the cruise ship crowds arrive.
Everyone has their favorite beach in St. Thomas for different reasons, but based on water clarity, sand quality, and sheer beauty alone, Magens gets top honors. If you want to explore more, check out this guide to St. Thomas Beaches.
The staff explains the history of the building and rum-making process.
2. The slave house museum (& 3 queens distillery)
A Historical site & tropical garden
Admission: FREE
Hours: Varies – Call Ahead – 340-642-0195
Activities: Artifacts, Tropical Garden, Rum Tastings, Music, Trained Staff & More
Cruise Ship Passengers: Located right in Old Town Charlotte Amalie, it is easily accessible. Taxis are regularly going to/from the ship and Charlotte Amalie. A must-do if you are going to Old Town.
Recently recognized as one of the last remaining and best preserved slave homes in the United States, this more-than-200-year-old structure was left in ruin for decades before being painstakingly restored. It’s a sobering and important piece of history, and a visit here adds depth to your understanding and appreciation of St. Thomas beyond the beaches and shopping.
Today the structure houses a rum (also vodka and gin) distillery, hot sauce manufacturer and a coffee roastery with rum-barrel aged coffee on site. You can enjoy your rum (or spirit of choice) in the tropical gardens behind the slave house and museum. The garden oasis is filled with tropical vegetation and lots of seating to relax after a day of exploring.
It’s a short 5-minute walk from the Fort Christian parking lot, making it an easy pairing with a fort visit or shopping excursion. The museum should be at the top of any list of must visit sites in St. Thomas.
Check out the 3 Queens Distillery to learn more about the rum-making experiences and tastings.
Ski lift leads up the mountain to Paradise Point.
3. Paradise Point
Amazing Views of Charlotte Amalie
Admission: FREE (Skyride is $29.95)
Hours: Varies – Check Calendar – https://www.paradisepointvi.com/schedule
Activities: Bar, Shops, Restaurants
Cruise Ship Passengers: If you are on Carnival, Norwegian or Princess you are going to be in the Havensight/WICO dock area. Paradise is right across the street – a 5-minute walk to the skyride.
Located in Havensight near the cruise ship terminal, Paradise Point gives you a bird’s-eye view of Charlotte Amalie and the harbor below. You grab a ski lift up the side of a small mountain — the ride takes about 5 to 6 minutes — and arrive at a complex with shops, a bar, and two restaurants. A causal, bar-type menu and a fancy steak house – Prime.
At the top, you’ll be treated to sweeping views to the west toward Puerto Rico. It’s one of the best spots on the island for a sunset cocktail, and on some nights there’s live music to add to the tropical vibe. This is a particularly great stop if you’re arriving by cruise ship and want an easy, scenic experience that requires minimal effort and delivers maximum reward.
If you prefer the quick and easy path, you can take a taxi or drive directly to Paradise Point and skip the ski lift. Either way, you should plan on adding Paradise Point to your ‘to-do’ list.
The front of Fort Christian in Charlotte Amalie.
4. Fort Christian
Historic Fort in Old Town
Admission: $10/person
Hours: Open M-F (closed holidays) 8am – 4pm
Activities: Self-Guided Tour
Cruise Ship Passengers: Many of the taxi drivers coming from the ships will drop you right near the fort. Charlotte Amalie is a smaller town so it’s only a 5-minute walk to just about anywhere. You don’t necessarily have to go inside, but you should definitely get some photos on the front steps by the cannons.
Fort Christian is the oldest standing building in the US Virgin Islands, and it’s one of those places that genuinely makes you stop and think about how much history has played out on this small island. Built by Danish colonists in the 1600s to protect early settlers from military threats and pirates, the fort has served as a jail, a courthouse, a police station, and now a museum.
Take a self-guided tour inside the massive walls and explore the dungeon. There are rooms filled with old antiques, historic artifacts, and exhibits that paint a vivid picture of the island’s colonial past. You can also climb to the top of the walls and look out over Charlotte Amalie and the harbour below. Admission is $10 for adults — well worth it.
Or, let us take you on a guided Tour of Fort Christian and Historic St. Thomas that includes fort admission and all the stories the exhibits don’t tell.
This is one of those noisy but adorable little lorikeets at Coral World. Try to get there early to feed them when they’re hungry.
5. coral world
Swim with Sea Lions and Dolphins
Admission: $29/person
Hours: Open most days but varies depending on time of year – https://coralworldvi.com/plan-your-visit/
Activities: Sea Lion and Dolphin Swims (extra cost), Scientist talks, Tons of Exhibits and Aquatic Animals
Cruise Ship Passengers: If you decide to go to Coral World you should budget 2-3 hours. They have food and lots of exhibits and then afterwards you can go next door to Coki Beach for some amazing snorkeling. An excellent day in St. Thomas.
A marine amusement park of sorts, Coral World features aquariums, underwater observatories, and interactive water creature exhibits that are worth a half day of your time — or more if you spring for one of the private animal experiences.
Many visitors go for the dolphins, but if you’re looking for something truly unique, book the sea lion play date. I recently did the dolphin experience and it was impressive. But hanging with an 800-pound sea lion? That’s next level. You can also swim with sharks or snorkel alongside sea turtles in a guided setting — a great option for people who want a controlled introduction to the underwater world before heading into open water.
My kids’ favorite, though? Feeding the lorikeets. These small, colorful birds are noisy, social, and genuinely funny. Try to get there early when they’re hungriest and most active. The park also has a gift shop and a small concession stand, which my kids also consider a highlight.
To make a full day of it, Coki Beach is steps away from Coral World and is one of the best snorkeling beaches on the island. It can get crowded, but the underwater life here is excellent and well worth a dip.
A stone’s throw from old town St. Thomas in the harbor.
6. Hassel Island
Secluded Hiking and Exploring
Admission: FREE
Hours: Any
Amenities: None
Cruise Ship Passengers: This is a tough one to pull off on your own. You’d want to definitely book the Hassel Island Tour with the Historical Trust.
Sitting right in the Charlotte Amalie Harbour, Hassel Island has an interesting back story — it used to be connected to St. Thomas until some well-placed dynamite separated it from the mainland. Today it’s a National Park Site and mostly wild and barely maintained, making it a great escape for people who want to explore without a crowd.
There are two ways to get over: kayak across the harbour or hire a local dinghy captain for a quick ride. The St. Thomas Historical Trust also offers guided tours. A boat ride is included in the tour.
Once you’re there, you’ll find ruins of old fortifications, the remnants of a 19th-century marine railway, and trails that take you across the hillside. It’s a great half-day adventure for the curious traveler, but plan ahead — pack your own food, water, and sunscreen, because there are no services on the island.
7. Pirate Museum
See Treasure & artifacts & Gift Shop
Admission: $20/adults, $15/children
Hours: Varies on Cruise Ship Schedule – 340-775-9575
Activities: Exhibits, Interactive Displays, Knowledgeable Staff
Cruise Ship Passengers: Perfect if you are coming on Carnival, Norwegian or Princess Cruise Lines since the museum is located right near the dock.
Located in Havensight, the Pirate Museum is jam-packed with treasure, shipwreck artifacts, and exhibits that bring the golden age of Caribbean piracy to life. St. Thomas has a genuinely fascinating pirate history — the harbor was a hub of illicit trade for centuries — and the museum does a solid job of telling that story in a way that’s engaging for both kids and adults.
The gift shop is, arguably, the coolest part. If you’ve ever wanted a pirate flag, a replica cutlass, or treasure map, this is your place.
8. Mountaintop
Incredible Views and Souvenirs
Admission: FREE
Hours: 9am – 5 pm, 7 Days a Week
Cruise Ship Passengers: A favorite of all the cruise ship excursions, an absolute tourist trap in every way but sometimes you go where the crowds go for the best experience. Easy to find a taxi to take you there.
At 1,500 feet above sea level, Mountaintop is the highest accessible point on St. Thomas, and the views are jaw-dropping — Magens Bay stretches out below you, and on a clear day you can see the British Virgin Islands in the distance. Yes, it’s a certified tourist trap. Yes, you should go anyway. It’s a quintessential St. Thomas experience.
Drive yourself or grab a taxi to the top, browse the massive shopping complex, and order one of their famous banana daiquiris while you drink in the views. The whole stop takes about 45 minutes and is easily combined with a Magens Bay beach visit on the same trip.
9. Crown and Hawk Botanical Gardens
Tropical Flora and Fauna
Admission: $18/Adult, $10/Children
Hours: Varies – Call Ahead – 340-776-0041
Cruise Ship Passengers: Because the garden is off the beaten path it is a bit tougher to get to and from. There isn’t as much to do in the area this will be a stop for folks that really love botanical gardens.
The botanical gardens take a little effort to reach, but they reward you with a lush, wild romp through tropical flora that feels genuinely prehistoric. While not massive in scale, the gardens pack in a lot — winding paths, hidden pools, peacocks, iguanas, and little surprises around every corner.
This is a great option for travelers who want a slower-paced, nature-focused break from the beach and shopping scene. Go in the morning when it’s cooler, wear comfortable shoes, and budget about 90 minutes for a relaxed visit.
They have a small gift shop and offer drinks.
10. Water Island
Short Ferry Ride to Sleepy Island
Admission: FREE (but you’ll have to find a way to get over there)
Hours: Any (again assuming you have transport – the ferry has set hours so check their schedule – https://waterislandferry.com/)
Activities: Honeymoon Beach, Food, Drinks, Golf Cart Rentals
Cruise Ship Passengers: If you are coming on Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruise Lines you’ll be a short walk away from the ferry. Or you can book an excursion that will take you on a party boat over to Honeymoon Beach. A pretty good day on island but might be your only stop.
The smallest of the four main US Virgin Islands — St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island — this little gem sits just a few hundred feet from St. Thomas just off from Charlotte Amalie Harbor. Take the water taxi from Crown Bay ($20 roundtrip), then either grab a free taxi from the dock or walk the 5 minutes down to Honeymoon Beach.
Honeymoon Beach has everything you need for a perfect afternoon: calm, protected water, a wonderful little beach bar and restaurant called Dinghy’s, great food, cold drinks, and usually some excellent live music. Sunsets here are genuinely spectacular if you can time your departure with the last water taxi. It’s one of those off-the-beaten-path experiences that feels like a secret even though it’s only 10 minutes from the cruise pier.
Honeymoon does have a cruise ship excursion that arrives on certain days which can swamp the beach a little but they come and go pretty quickly if you can wait them out. 🙂
Also Worth Your Time…
No list of things to do in St. Thomas is complete without these two additional stops. They are undoubtably notable and worth a look.
99 Steps
Famous Island Landmark
Admission: Free
Hours: 24/7
Activities: Walking Up & Down
Cruise Ship Passengers: Perfect to add to your stops in Old Town. So you can plan on visiting Fort Christian, The Slave House and Distillery, do some shopping and hit 99 Steps.
If you are in Charlotte Amalie and doing some deeper exploring you’ll undoubtably encounter step streets. These are not staircases. They are actual streets. You don’t have to look hard to see that Charlotte Amalie is built right at the base of some steep terrain. So to get from place to place they built streets with steps. And the most famous step street of all is 99 Steps.
The steps are made of brick brought over by the Danish as ship ballast in the 1700s. So after visiting the Slave House and Fort Christian, walk over to 99 Steps for the final piece of your town tour.
Drake’s Seat
Views Forever
Admission: FREE
Hours: 24/7
Activities: Photo Opportunities, Sitting, Necking (keep it in your car)
Cruise Ship Passengers: Since Drake’s Seat is only worth a 15-20 minutes top, add it to your stops at Mountaintop and/or Magens Bay.
If you are planning a visit to Magens Bay, this is a required stop on the way. Drake’s Seat is a pull-off-to-the-side-of-the-road kinda stop. There are about a dozen parking spots to pull into and then you’ll get out of your car and treated to some spectacular views. The lookout is high above Magens Bay with view spanning all the way to the British Virgin Islands.
My wife and I still like to stop occasionally to sip a drink and watch the sunset. Beautiful and romantic.
If you can check off even a few of these attractions, you’ll have gotten a real taste of what makes St. Thomas so special. We are a small island, but we pack a lot in. Have a great time exploring — and if you want a local guide to take you through the highlights, Blue Mango Tours has you covered.
