If you are looking for a highlight reel for your visit to the Virgin Islands, these are the top 10 Attractions 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.
1. Magens Bay (or any of our beautiful beaches)
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. Rent a chair and umbrella near the bar and concessions stand or head down the beach where it’s quieter away from the beach entrance.
You can also rent a kayak for an hour and paddle along the coastline looking for turtles. Everyone has their favorite beach for different reasons, but based on water, sand and palm trees alone, Magens gets top honors.
If you want to check out some of the other beach offerings, check out this guide: St. Thomas Beaches.
2. Coral World
A marine amusement park of sorts with aquariums, underwater observatories and interactive water creature exhibits. Worth a half day of fun or more if you do one of the private animal experiences – many go for the dolphins, but I would do the sea lion play date. I recently did the dolphin experience and it was impressive. But hanging with an 800 lb sea lion was next level. You can also swim with sharks or turtles. My kids’ favorite is feeding the lorikeets – little, colorful birds.
The park has a gift shop and small concession stand as well. Stopping at the gift shop is my kids’ second favorite thing to do.
To make a day of it, Coki Beach is steps away and is a world-class beach with snorkeling and local food vendors. It can get crowded but worth a visit.
3. Paradise Point
Located in Havensight near the cruise ship terminal, you can grab a ski lift up the side of the small mountain to Paradise Point. It’s a complex with shops, a bar and two restaurants. The lift will get you to the top in about 5-6 minutes. At the top you will have grand views to the west toward Puerto Rico. Enjoy a drink or dinner at sunset for a beautiful and elevated perspective of downtown Charlotte Amalie.
On some nights they have live music to add to the tropical vibe.
4. Fort Christian
The oldest building in the US Virgin Islands. A formidable fort built to protect the early settlers from military and pirate attacks. Take a self-guided tour inside the walls and explore the dungeon. There are a few rooms with old antiques and artifacts. You can also go to the top of the walls and look out over town and the harbour. They charge a $10 admission for adults.
Or, you can take our guided Tour of Fort Christian and Historic St. Thomas that includes admission to the Fort.
5. 13 Wimmelskafts Slave House
Recently recognized as one of the last remaining slave homes in the US. Dating back over 200 years, the structure was recently restored after having been left for ruin.
You can park in the Fort Christian parking lot and walk over, it’s about a 5-minute walk.
The structure now houses a rum ball factory and distillery. They also roast rum-barrel aged coffee. You can enjoy your rum or coffee or island-inspired food in the tropical gardens behind the house. Check out the St. Thomas Distillery Tour.
6. Hassel Island
Sitting in the Charlotte Amalie Harbour, Hassel Island used to be connected to St. Thomas. After some well-placed dynamite, the island was cut off from St. Thomas. There are 2 ways to get over to Hassel, kayak over or hire a dinghy.
Once you are there, you’ll largely have the island to yourself. You’ll find lots of ruins and an old fort. A fun day of hiking and exploring but you’ll have to pack your food, drink and toiletries.
7. Pirate Museum
Located in Havensight, the Pirate’s Museum is jam packed with treasure and shipwreck detritus. The exhibits and history learned are excellent for kids.
The gift shop is kinda the coolest part since you can pretty much find anything pirate you could ever want.
8. Mountaintop
The highest point on St. Thomas. 1500 feet above sea level with views of Magens Bay and the British Virgin Islands. This is a certifiable tourist trap. But that doesn’t mean that’s a bad thing. It is a must do on St. Thomas. Take a taxi or drive to the top, go shopping in the massive store, grab a drink and enjoy the expansive sights.
9. Crown and Hawk Botanical Gardens
The botanical gardens take a little work to get to but worth it for a splendid romp in some tropical fauna. The gardens are wild and green and prehistoric. While not massive, they fit a lot in. Little surprises hide around every corner such as peacocks, iguanas and pools.
10. Water Island
Sitting just a few hundred feet from St. Thomas, Water Island sits right in the middle of Charlotte Amalie Harbor. It is the smallest of the 4 Virgins (St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix and Water Island). Take the water taxi from Crown Bay. I think it’s $12 roundtrip. You can either grab a taxi from the dock (it’s free) or walk down to Honeymoon Beach. The walk will take you 5 minutes.
Honeymoon Beach has a wonderful little beach bar/restaurant – Dinghy’s. They have food, bar and usually awesome music. The water is usually perfectly still in this protected bay. Sunsets are beyond beautiful if you can make it without missing the water taxi.
If you can make sure to check off a few of these attractions on your list you’ll have gotten a nice taste of St. Thomas. Some are more memorable than others but please remember we are a small island…so we can only fit so much in our limited space.
So have a great time exploring!
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