5 Things to Do in St. Thomas

The largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas is popular in cruise circles for all the duty-free shopping and generous duty-free allowances. But there’s so much more to this popular island: golfing, snorkeling, sightseeing, history — to name a few things. St. Thomas’s mountainscapes, incredible views and friendly locals keep cruisers coming back again and again.

Even though it’s not on our list below, St. Thomas is home to a 70-foot sky lift to the top of Charlotte Amalie; the views alone are a great way to start or finish your day here.

In the meantime, here are 5 things to check out on your trip to St. Thomas:

Beaches

Well, it is an island paradise, so you probably should expect beautiful beaches. Magen’s Bay is consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. This public beach has beach chairs and floats available for rent, as well as plenty of snack options. Coki Beach is a great spot for snorkeling and diving; it even has its own dive shop. Coki Beach is also conveniently located next to Coral World Ocean Park, making it easy to combine beach time with one of St. Thomas’ most popular attractions.

Coral World Ocean Park

A long-time island favorite, this is way more than your average aquarium or animal encounter.With tons of marine exhibits, including marine gardens, sharks and a turtle pool, this conservation-focused park lets you explore and interact in new ways. You can also swim with sea lions, feed the lorikeets, Sea Teak along the ocean floor and more.

Historical Sites

St. Thomas features a rich history you can still explore today. With sights like Blackbeard’s Castle, Bluebeard’s Castle and the 99 steps, you can quickly be whisked back into the swashbuckling days of pirates in the Caribbean. If art’s your thing, famous French impressionist Camille Pissarro was born and raised on the island and his childhood home is now an art gallery which features some of his works. Other historical landmarks and sites include the Fort Christian and Museum, the Government House and the Haagensen House.

Island Hopping

Yes, this article is about amazing things to do and try in St. Thomas, but one of the most amazing places to see is actually St. John. Another of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. John is known for an incredibly laid back vibe and pristine beaches. In fact, over two thirds of this island is dedicated to national parks. Trunk Bay is located here and is considered one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. St. John also has an ADA-accessible beach to go along with underwater snorkeling trails and white sand beaches. This unspoiled island is a quick ferry ride away from St. Thomas.

Golf

St. Thomas doesn’t just have breathtaking beach views; it has them on a golf course, where you can play right next to the Atlantic Ocean. Open to the public, the Mahogany Run Golf Course has challenged celebrities including Bill Clinton, Michael Jordon and John Travolta. The course is renowned for its trio of signature holes located on the Atlantic Ocean known as the Devil’s Triangle. You don’t even have to stress over bringing your own set of clubs – you can rent them directly from the course.