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Planning the ultimate trip to St Thomas, and wondering what to do in this island paradise? The quick answer would be to spend endless hours at the beach, with fluffy white sand beneath your toes and views of turquoise water for miles. Irresistible as the beaches may be though, you’ll probably want to branch out and check out the mutitude of other awesome things to do in St Thomas.
It is indeed a very popular island, and home to one of the Caribbean’s busiest cruise ports. With the added perk of no passport required for American travelers, vacationers flock here in droves to bask in this mountainous island’s beauty. Therefore, St. Thomas can get quite busy with tourists, especially during the winter high season.
So how can you make the most of your time on St. Thomas? Below I am listing out all the can’t miss things to do, whether it’s breathtaking photo spots or super dreamy beaches. I’ll be sure to throw in plenty of tips and tricks from my own experiences as well!
What to do in St. Thomas for an Amazing Vacation
1. Spend the day at Magens Bay
Magens Bay is the most popular beach on St. Thomas due to its long length, ultra calm water, and incredible beauty. The super deep bay keeps the water protected, which is what draws people looking for the ultimate relaxing beach day.
There is a bar and grille right on the beach at Magens Bay, as well as convenient rentals like kayaks and stand-up paddle boards. The glass-like water is absolutely perfect for the latter.
There is plenty of parking available at Magens Bay for a $2 fee, with beach admission costing $5 per person. However, with scenery and amenities like this, the price is completely worth it.
2. Grab a Drink by the Beach at Sapphire Bay
While St. Thomas is full of beaches, it is still hard to find a quality beach bar right on the sand. One truly good place my husband and I discovered is the Sapphire Beach Bar.
Located on the property of the Sapphire Beach Resort, you just need to find parking in the resort lot and walk a little ways left down the beach to the bar and grille. Here you can find a tasty menu featuring casual fare, like sandwiches and tacos. I can vouch for their fries being legitimately good, and I don’t say that about just any fries.
You can choose to sit either under the awning of the bar, or there are also seats under umbrellas right in the sand. It’s a chill place to grab a snack before heading back into the gorgeous turquoise waters of the beach just steps away.
3. Drive up to Drake’s Seat
To see Magens Bay from an unreal perspective, you must take a drive up to Drake’s Seat. This requires a winding uphill journey, where you’ll eventually reach a small parking lot to your right, with the lookout just beyond it.
While you are busy marveling at this sweeping view of Magens Bay, make sure to snap a photo of this vast blue Caribbean expanse.
4. Stop at the Charlotte Amalie Overlook
While we’re on the topic of overlooks, I may as well mention the other must-see spot now, which is the Charlotte Amalie Overlook. The Charlotte Amalie Overlook is literally a one minute drive from Drake’s Seat, so you can easily cross them both off your list in one go.
From this perch, you can see the historic Charlotte Amalie shopping district down below, along with the entire cruise port. That means during peak cruise season, you’ll see some very large ships docked in the harbor.
You can also very clearly see the lush hills of Hassel Island and Water Island in the distance.
5. Explore Historic Charlotte Amalie
Looking at Charlotte Amalie from above may peak your curiosity about what lies below. Or maybe you’re just in the mood to do a little shopping.
Either way, a stop in historic Charlotte Amalie should be in the cards for any St. Thomas vacation. This was the site of the first permanent European settlement on the island, and dates back to 1672.
Notable landmarks to checkout include Fort Christian, Emancipation Garden, and “Blackbeard’s Castle”. There are also plenty of colorful shops to peruse, where you find clothing, jewelry, and other trinkets to take home from your travels.
6. Take the Ferry Over to Cruz Bay in St John
A visit to St. John is hands down one of the best things to do during a trip to St Thomas. St. John one of the most beautiful places on this earth, and is a mere twenty minute ferry ride from St. Thomas. Why not hop over to Cruz Bay for a day trip, or even just an evening visit for the sunset and dinner?
Two of my favorite drink spots are Beach Bar and High Tide, and they’re both located right on the water. Morgan’s Mango and The Lime Inn are also great choices for dinner, though I recommend making reservations at least a day in advance.
The Longboard is also one of my favorites, as they make delicious ahi tuna bowls and really nice cocktails. However, they do not take reservations, and tend to get quite busy!
7. Get a Souvenir Drink at Duffy’s Love Shack
Located in the middle of a parking lot in Red Hook, Duffy’s Love Shack is a great place to visit by day or night. During the day, this is a laid back spot to grab one a delicious burger or some jerk chicken tacos.
Duffy’s also has an extensive drink menu. If you are feeling festive, you can order any of their drinks in a special souvenir cup. They come in a variety of fun shapes, like mermaids, pirates, and sharks. Everyone who visits Duffy’s needs to walk away with at least one souvenir cup.
For those seeking a good nighttime scene, Duffy’s turns up in the evening and takes on more of a party atmosphere.
8. Drive “Up and Over” St Thomas for Views
St. Thomas is a really hilly island, which is a pain for driving, but great for amazing views over the Caribbean. Crossing the island, such as to go from the Red Hook ferry dock to the Cyril E. King Airport, is a great time to take advantage of this.
This is especially true when you want one last look at these beautiful surroundings before boarding your flight home. If you visit in summer, you may even get to see the pop of red flamboyent trees against the blue of the sea.
Route 42 will likely come up as the most direct route on Google Maps, but it is very commercial and not so picturesque. This Smith Bay/Route 40 alternative is a tad less direct, but features some incredible high elevation views from St. Thomas. Just be prepared for a couple adventurously tight turns along the way.
9. Watch the Sunrise over St. John
Getting up early to watch the sunrise in the Caribbean is a truly rewarding sight. One of the best places to catch this view is from Sapphire Bay, which is super convenient if you’re already staying at the resort there.
Aaron and I rented a condo here once, which conveniently faced eastward towards the Sapphire Beach Marina. It was so magical watching the sunrise over the rows of boats and St. John in the distance each morning.
Even better, we were able to see this view from the beach, as it was just a short walk from our room.
10. Dine at Sunset Grille for Golden Hour
For a dinner full of ambiance, Sunset Grille is must. Grab a seat in this open air restaurant just before sunset, and enjoy drinks and appetizers as an orange glow forms over the horizon.
From this romantic restaurant, you can watch the silhouettes of stand-up paddle boarders and the last remaining beach goers pass in the evening light. While you may be jealous of them enjoying their last few moments of beach time, they’ll likely envy you while you feast on the likes of seared ahi tuna or Caribbean jerk ribeye.
No worries either way – this is one of those situations where everyone’s a winner!
11. Explore Cas Cay with St. John Eco Tours
This full (or half) day tour includes kayaking, hiking, and snorkeling in beautiful, unique surroundings. It kicks off with kayaking through a mangrove lagoon to Cas Cay.
This deserted island is where the hiking portion will begin. You’ll explore the unique rocky scenery, and even get to watch a geological blowhole.
After a little snorkeling, you’ll end the day going back on your kayaks the way you came. If you choose the full day tour, there will also be a break for lunch.
12. Hop over to Water Island
Take a short ferry from Crown Bay to Water Island, the smallest U.S. Virgin Island. Be sure to rent a golf cart to more easily explore this 492-acre plot of hilly land.
Once on Water Island, you can visit Honeymoon Beach and explore Fort Segarra, which was built during WWII. Finish off at Dinghy’s Beach Bar and Grille, where you can enjoy a casual meal and sip a painkiller while watching the sunset.
Ferry tickets from Crown Bay cost $15 per person, round trip. Daily golf cart rentals run around $70, and advance reservations are recommended.
13. Tour the BVI’s with Bad Kitty
The British Virgin Islands make a great day trip from St. Thomas, and feature even more beaches and island watering holes to discover.
One of the most popular stops, which I truly love myself, is White Bay on Jost Van Dyke. Picture a long expanse of super fluffy white sand lined with boats of all sizes, as you must swim into this beach. All along the sand are little shacks containing bars and lunch spots, including the famous Soggy Dollar Bar for painkillers.
One of the most popular charter companies for this trip is Bad Kitty through Calypso Charters. We joined a Bad Kitty charter in 2016, and to this day it’s still one of my favorite things we’ve ever done.
In addition to White Bay, you’ll also wander the Baths at Virgin Gorda and do a snorkel stop. It’s quite a fun-filled day at sea.
14. Grab Pizza on the Water at Pizza Pi
Pizza on an island may not sound too special, but what about when it’s ordered from a floating pizza bar? Now we’re talking!
Pizza Pi, nestled in Christmas Cove, has served New York style pizza since 2014. Pizza Pi can only be reached by boat, but there are numerous charter options available. This includes happy hour sails, and even full day tours that make a stop here for pizza.
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With so many great beaches, views, and restaurants to explore, you’ll never wonder what to do in St Thomas. Whether its relaxing by the gentle waves, getting on the water, or finding all the best photo spots, there is truly something for everyone.
I can personally attest to the fact that a painkiller during golden hour never gets old, so catch as many island sunsets as you can!
