Things to Do in St Thomas Virgin Islands From Beaches to Forts and Ferries
How much will a day on St. Thomas really cost me? That was the question hiding behind most cruise day and Jeep week searches.
The island covers 32 square miles and was bought from Denmark in 1917 for 25 million dollars in gold. Magens Bay draws the cruise crowds, Coki and Sapphire suit snorkelers and St. John is one ferry ride away.
Here are the things to do in St Thomas Virgin Islands sorted by how much time you have, with notes on getting around. Charlotte Amalie is best early, before the ships fill the shops.
Things to Do in St Thomas Virgin Islands for a Cruise Day or a Longer Stay
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| A cruise day | Magens Bay or Coki Beach and a walk through Charlotte Amalie |
| A long weekend | Add Sapphire Beach snorkeling and the ferry to St. John |
| A full week | Add a rental Jeep and quieter beaches like Secret Harbor |
Cruise ships bring crowds to the popular beaches. Start early or head for the far end of the sand.
Magens Bay Draws Crowds on Cruise Days for Good Reason
Magens Bay stretches for nearly three quarters of a mile on the northern side of the island. Arthur S. Fairchild donated it to the people of St. Thomas and St. John in 1946 as a public park. The Magens Bay Authority now runs it.
A coconut grove, a mangrove and an arboretum sit behind the sand. About 300,000 people visit each year. Scenes from The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 were filmed here.
Visitors call it calm with easy entry into the water but not a real snorkeling beach. The far end tends to stay quiet if you bring your own towels and a small cooler.
Coki and Sapphire Are for the Snorkelers
Coki Beach sits near Coral World Ocean Park and suits people who want to snorkel straight from the sand, and one guide notes Coki Point has no entrance fee. Guides name Sapphire Beach and Secret Harbor as other good snorkeling spots. Sea turtles and corals show up close to shore.
Cruise passengers often want a beach with bars and rentable sunbeds near the terminal. Sapphire Beach offers cabanas and umbrellas while Magens Bay has full facilities. Many beaches also have natural shade and a breeze, so umbrellas matter less than you think. For a quieter island feel, try our guide to Cedar Key.
Charlotte Amalie Began as a Danish Trading Post Called Taphus
The settlement began in 1666 as a Danish trading post called Taphus and took the name Charlotte Amalie in 1691. Fort Christian is the oldest standing structure in the Virgin Islands. Blackbeard’s Castle is a watchtower dated to 1679. Another cruise port nearby is covered in our guide to Costa Maya.
The town counted 8,194 people in 2020 and welcomes about 1.5 million cruise passengers a year. Wikipedia calls its synagogue the second oldest in the western hemisphere and the oldest under the US flag. Alexander Hamilton is quoted describing gold moving through its streets in wheelbarrows during the free-port years.
Cruise traffic is booming. Tourism officials reported 1.27 million cruise passengers through mid 2026, air arrivals up 12 percent and Royal Caribbean backing a redevelopment of the Crown Bay cruise district. Expect busy ships on peak weekdays and check the port schedule before choosing a beach day.
Walk It Early
The old town is compact and best explored on foot. Go before the ships fill the shops.
St. John Is One Ferry Ride Away
Regular passenger and car ferries run from Red Hook to St. John. Two-thirds of that island belongs to Virgin Islands National Park, which protects beaches and coral reefs along with plantation ruins and Taino petroglyphs. Trunk Bay is the best-known beach.
The public ferry from Red Hook to Cruz Bay leaves about every hour, takes 20 minutes and lists at $8.15 each way for adults.
The Lind Point Overlook is the park’s sunset pick. Cinnamon Bay has a resort and campground that the park says is reopening. Check the park’s fee page and visitor center hours before you go. Other Caribbean islands have their own seasons, as the Aruba guide explains.
Driving on the Left in a Left-Hand-Drive Jeep
The territory keeps left-side driving from its Danish past even though most cars are left-hand-drive imports from the mainland. Travelers ask about it constantly because a rental Jeep is the classic choice. Common worries include hidden fees and big car companies running out of the Jeep you booked.
Many visitors recommend local companies with airport pickup and no cancellation fees. Ask about every fee up front and drive slowly on the first day.
For a quieter day, locals suggest taking a ferry from Crown Bay marina to Water Island and renting a golf cart. Southwest also plans weekly nonstop flights from Nashville to St. Thomas starting March 13, 2027, which should add seats from the South.
Stay Left Even Though You Sit Left
Your steering wheel is on the left but traffic keeps to the left side of the road. Say it out loud at every turn for the first hour.
Check What Reopened After the 2017 Hurricanes
Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck the territory in 2017. Recovery has continued since then. Confirm that a resort or tour is operating before you book anything specific, and note that September and October carry the highest hurricane risk.
Families, Couples and Everyone Else
Families can pair calm Magens Bay with Coral World Ocean Park near Coki. Couples can take the ferry to St. John for a sunset at Lind Point. Adults who like a bar on the sand will find them at the busiest beaches.
Spending Less on the Island
Walking Charlotte Amalie costs nothing. Magens Bay charges admission, so check the current fee with the Magens Bay Authority. Pair one paid beach with a free walk through town.
Sources list Magens Bay at about $5 to $7 per adult plus $2 for parking, with children under 12 free, so confirm the current fee. The Authority has estimated a taxi from the cruise port at $10 to $15 per person each way.
Listing prices help with a budget. The Skyride to Paradise Point is about $29.95, Coral World Ocean Park about $29, Blackbeard’s Castle about $15 and the Phantasea botanical garden about $12. The Tree Limin’ Extreme zipline runs near $139 per person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pick One Beach and Let the Day Unfold
St. Thomas rewards travelers who choose a beach early and skip the rush. Add one walk through Charlotte Amalie and one ferry ride if time allows.
Browse North America and Things to Do when you want a second trip on the list.
