Wake Up For Sunrise Best Free Thing To Do In St Thomas Usvi
I love waking up for sunrise and this is a great activity to see St. Thomas wakes up. I enjoyed seeing the sunrise from my balcony at Margaritaville Vacation Club or heading to the beach to watch it rise. Whether it was watching birds fly by or hearing the waves crashing, I felt it truly relaxed me.
Looking For The Best Sunset Spot?
Check out Secret Harbor for the best Sunset spot in St. Thomas! Nestled on the east side of St. Thomas is Secret Harbor, a little piece of heaven and a perfect place for sundown.
Where To Stay On St Thomas
Lets start with the more economic accommodation. A delightful bed and breakfast is At Home in the Tropics, which is currently open.
At the top end, you cant do much better than the fabulous Ritz-Carlton.
Pro Tip: When several cruise liners arrive in port at the same time, it gets crowded. To avoid this, explore as much as possible on foot and go against the flow. Its easier than you might think. Want more inspiration? Read up on all our Virgin Islands and Virgin Islands advice.
Latest Royal Caribbean Updates On St Thomas Changes And Pre
Royal Caribbean make changes due to St. Thomas protocols and introduces pre-cruises testing for vaccinated guests.
Royal Caribbean has changed the companys requirements for ships sailing to the US Virgin Islands, including Allure of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas, following an announcement by the USVI government that they require all cruise ship passengers to be fully vaccinated.
There are also changes when it comes to protocols for cruising with vaccinated guests now having to do pre-cruise test days before embarkation.
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The Best Of St Thomas For Less
St Thomas Excursions and Tours for Cruise Ship Visitors and Hotel Guests visiting St Thomas US Virgin Islands in the Eastern Caribbean
Welcome to St Thomas Cruise Excursions, your guide to shore excursions in St Thomas
We offer cruise excursions and shore trips in :
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Our professional and experienced agents will help you get the very most out of your stay in St Thomas, both above and below the water. Save time and money by using our prompt, friendly, professional and efficient on-line service!
Our experienced agents are available to help you get the most from your visit to the Island of St Thomas. We will make this the most enjoyable and memorable destination of your Eastern Caribbean Cruise.
Booking your own St Thomas excursions will not only save you money, but it will provide you with the option of unique and diverse excursions, small groups, individualized itineraries and the freedom and knowledge to go off on your own if you so choose.
St Thomas Excursions specializes in Cruise ship tours and we represent the best independent operators.
We provide firsthand information on each and every excursion we offer and recommend only the excursions that work best with your port times. Thats the Island Marketing Ltd. difference!
Island Marketing Ltd specializes in unique and boutique tours in addition to our best for less excursions, offering excellent value for some of the most popular tours.
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Legislature Of The Virgin Islands
We stumbled across this majestic building on our jaunt around Charlotte Amalie. Its the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, a historic building constructed in 1828. Originally, it was home to the Danish police barracks and it underwent renovations in 1884. Today, it is part of the Charlotte Amalie Historic District, along with over 500 other buildings.
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Sip Cocktails At Lindberg Bay Beach
Located at the stones throw from Charlotte Amalie, this is the closest beach if your ship docks at Crown Bay Marina cruise terminal. Lindberg Beach is a great beach for swimming offering a front beach bar, restaurants, and water activities for rental, however, dont expect snorkeling to be good here. There is also a small playground for families traveling with kids.
Lindbergh beach can be accessed by a short taxi ride from the port or about 20 minutes walking distance from Crown Bay Marina. Ive been to this beach a couple of times and I absolutely loved it!
Hike To Mermaids Chair
If you can make it to the westernmost tip of St. Thomas then take a hike to Mermaids Chair and Botany Bay. The hike is paved and there are a few shuttles that can take you part of the way. Mermaids Chair and Botany Bay are public beaches, however, you need to walk through a gated community and check in with security to get there. It is not a hassle, but that is really why there is a hike since you cannot drive your car down there. However, the views are still beautiful and the hike back up will for a sure break a sweat.
Why go to Mermaids Chair? Here you can stand in both the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic ocean. Here the waves meet and crash at a bar of sand connecting Mermaids Chair to the main island of St. Thomas. If you want to make it a day head over to Botany Bay Preserve and relax on the beach.
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Recovering From The Hurricanes
Tourism has returned to St. Thomas after Hurricanes Irma and Maria ravaged the island nation. The storm destroyed over 18,000 homes and businesses, and many have not yet recovered from this devastating disaster. Many residents are still waiting to receive insurance money, and several businesses have not reopened yet.
Of course, we found that downtown Charlotte Amalie was mostly open and back in business. We highly recommend that you book a holiday here or sail here as St. Thomas is absolutely beautiful.
Shopping Near The Charlotte Amalie Cruise Port
St. Thomas is known for its extensive duty-free shopping, and downtown Charlotte Amalie is where you want to head to shop til you drop. The main streets are home to a number of boutiques, high-end jewelers, and souvenir shops. Near the main street, you’ll find a small market with vendor stands selling jewelry, clothing, crafts, and other Caribbean-inspired artifacts. By the pier, shops offer popular souvenirs like t-shirts, magnets, local artwork, and jewelry.
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Things To Do And See On St Thomas
St. Thomas is the ideal destination for the active 50+ traveler who wants to enjoy beaches, coral reefs, and the World Amber museum, and isnt afraid to try zip-lining. Nothing stops you from alternating with a stroll through pretty Charlotte Amalie, learning about the colorful history at Blackbeards Castle and, of course, shopping till you drop at several duty-free shopping centers.
Things To Do In St Thomas In April & May
Virgin Islands Carnival, St. Thomas
St. Thomas hosts the second largest Carnival cultural celebration in the Caribbean. And, its an opportunity to share in the cultural heritage of the Virgin Islands. Plenty of Caribbean delicacies and other food at food fairs and food & drink booths. Enjoy music, revel in the steel drums, street dancing, parades, fireworks and lots of costumes. Look for the iconic Mocko Jumbies, which are people dressed in spirit costumes parading around on 20-feet stilts.
Over the course of a month, events include calypso shows, food fairs, queen pageants , steel pan shows, parades and more. This years Virgin Islands Carnival runs April 4 to May 2, 2020.
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Transportation In Charlotte Amalie
One of the easiest ways to get around in port while on a cruise to St. Thomas is by taxi, but these taxis arent what youre used to. Instead of hailing a cab just for yourself, youll get onto a small, open-air shuttle called a safari truck equipped with a few rows of seats. Flag one down heading in the direction you want to go and tell the driver where you want to be dropped off. You may make extra stops before yours, depending on the other passengers desired routes. Youll pay a set price per person that is usually quite reasonable. Tipping is appreciated, but not required.
Sail Away And Explore
Catamaran cruises and other boating options are very popular in St. Thomas. Many of these excursions include opportunities for snorkeling or diving to explore the coral reefs and wrecks surrounding the islands. Some catamaran tours go to St. John and come complete with champagne, snacks and complimentary snorkeling equipment for passengers. Other excursions visit favorite snorkeling spots such as Turtle Cove, Shipwreck Cove or Christmas Cove where guests often have the chance to swim with turtles, stingrays, and beautiful tropical fish. Certified divers can also arrange for two-tank dives on tours to excellent area dive sites in the area.
Nancy Schretter is the Managing Editor of the Family Travel Network.
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Downtown Charlotte Amalie National Heritage Sites
In the Historic district of Charlotte Amalie, there are several building and sights history buffs will enjoy.
Historic District, Charlotte Amalie
4. Blackbeards Castle
Blackbeards Castle, a historic site, is named for the famous pirate Edward Thatch (they called him Blackbeard because of his you guessed it black beard. The castle is really a watchtower, which overlooks Charlotte Amalie and boasts breathtaking views.
5. Fort Christian
Built in the late 1600s, Fort Christian is the oldest standing structure in St. Thomas. While this fort was built by King Christian V to protect Danish settlers on the island of St. Thomas, over time its been used as administrative offices, a church and even a prison. It is now a museum, housing artifacts
6. St. Thomas Synagogue
The St. Thomas Synagogue is full of history and a must see for those of all faiths. In the heart of Charlotte Amalie, youll find the synagogue located just two block up from Main Street.
Inside the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas, youll get a brief history of the synagogue, the Jewish history of the island, and the significance of its sand floor.
Although guided tours are available, this is an active synagogue and working congregation.
7. 99 Steps
Another tourist attraction located in Charlotte Amalie, closeby to the synagogue, is 99 Steps. Although 99 Steps is the most famous and most photographed, there are many of these step streets which cut through the hills in St. Thomas.
Get Up Close To Marine Life
At Coral World Ocean Park in St. Thomas, its possible for guests to experience the beauty of the Caribbeans underwater world even if they prefer to stay dry. Cruise passengers can walk down to levels 15 feet under the sea and view marine life through clear glass in the observatory. Kids will enjoy the touch pool, the turtle pool, stingray lagoon, and the shark observation pool at this marine park. Those who dont mind getting wet can take an underwater Sea Trek along the ocean floor or experience what its like to dive by taking a Snuba tour. Coral World also offers encounters and swims with South American sea lions. The white sand beach adjacent to Coral World is a nice spot to relax and take a swim after your visit. For more information, visit .
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Culture & History Of The Charlotte Amalie Cruise Port
St. Thomas is an unincorporated territory of the United States of America. It is part of the U.S. Virgin Islands archipelago, along with the smaller islands of St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island. St. Thomas was originally a Danish colony settled by the Danes in the 17th century. In 1917, the U.S. bought the USVI from Denmark to help them improve their military foothold in the Caribbean during World War I. In the mid-1900s, the islands became a tourism hub. Today, much of the economy is still bolstered by tourism.
Charlotte Amalie Port Facilities & Location
Cruises to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands stop in one of two ports: Havensight and Crown Bay. Youll find them on either side of Charlotte Amalie on the south side of the island, though neither is close enough to provide an easy walk between the ship and downtown. Its easy to find taxi service between Charlotte Amalie and the ports, or you can opt for a shore excursion to take you around the island and to Charlotte Amalie. Youll find shops, eateries, bars, and ATMs within easy walking distance of both piers.
Capture The Views With An Island Tour
When your cruise ship docks in Charlotte Amalie, the capital of St. Thomas, you will either dock at Havensight or Crown Bay. Havensight is the larger and more frequented pier that is within walking distance or a short taxi ride to downtown.
Crown Bay is the newer pier where larger ships have to dock and is located further from downtown. Regardless of where you dock, the islands amenities are easily accessible.
The best way to get a glimpse of all the islands major highlights during a single visit is definitely an island tour. There are various tour offerings that can be booked through the cruise line directly, through third-party companies, or through local vendors like Sunny Liston Tours.
During your St. Thomas island tour, be sure to have your camera ready to capture all the magnificent photo ops awaiting you. After you get a small taste of the island, you will be ready to head back onboard your ship and book another cruise stopping in St. Thomas.
Your St. Thomas island tour will likely stop at Mountain Top. Located on one of the highest points in St. Thomas, here you will have the opportunity to capture some breathtaking views of Magens Bay and the surrounding Virgin Islands, shop the expansive duty-free shop, and indulge in the famous Banana Daiquiri.
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Journey Into The Past
Just off Main Street, visit the St. Thomas Synagogue and Frederick Lutheran Church, each the second oldest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. Stop by Blackbeards Castle, built in 1679, and see the worlds largest collection of life-sized pirate statues. Or climb the legendary 99 Steps built by 18th century Danes, using bricks that once served as ship ballast.
Shopping In Charlotte Amalie
If exploring the island’s capital is more your fancy, you will find a wealth of great shopping and dining choices in Charlotte Amalie.
There are over 400 shops along the Main Street area in Charlotte Amalie and some 50 more in Havensight Mall and Yacht Haven Grande. Often we hear the best deals are on luxury items such as fine jewelry, watches, perfume, leather, imported linens, china and crystal. Cameras, electronic goods and designer clothing are also available. Check out the selection of island rums and liquors, as well as the bargains on your favorite spirits
Charlotte Amalies downtown and shopping area is a short taxi ride from the dock $4 per person each way from Crown Bay or $4 per person each way from the West Indian Dock. Want to take a beautiful walk? Take a 30 minute walk to town from Havensight Mall. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes.
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Foodie Experiences In St Thomas
Along Main Street in Charlotte Amalie, there are many local restaurants and bars where cruise travelers can enjoy the day. There are also some food and drink tours that are available.
23. St. Thomas Food and Rum Tour
If you love sightseeing, food and culture, then a food and rum tour is a great way to visit and experience St. Thomas. This tour takes place in the Downtown Charlotte Amalie Historic district, and includes eating Caribbean dishes at local restaurants.
Youll also sample and learn to make one of the St. Thomas local drinks, the Painkiller.
Heres a video about how we spent our day in St. Thomas at Magens Bay on a recent cruise on Crown Princess
Experience Winter In The Sun At Magic Ice
Opened in January 2012, Magic Ice is the worlds largest permanent ice gallery. It features a spectacular ice-sculpture gallery that depicts island life. Located on Veterans drive facing the waterfront near Pizza Hut, Magic Ice is easy to find and a nice stop.
Take a break from the hot Caribbean sun and cool down in the sub-zero temperatures. Explore the magic at the winter wonderland where everything is made out of ice, including the glasses you drink from. Slide down the ice slide for a new experience.
It will take you about 20 minutes to tour the 8,000-square-foot museum.
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Experience The Best Of The Virgin Islands
Explore amazing Activities, Restaurants, Beaches, Attractions, Accommodations and so much more. Below you will find everything you need to plan the perfect vacation.
St. Thomas is home to the capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Charlotte Amalie. It has been the heart of St. Thomas activities from colonial times to present. Historic buildings found throughout downtown Charlotte Amalie take visitors back to the Danish era when the town was a bustling port of trade while modern additions of taxis, duty free shops, souvenir vendors and cruise ships in the harbor remind that it is tourism that currently drives the economy.
Things To Do In St Thomas Us Virgin Islands
Being a US territory, you can expect the best security, convenience in ease of transaction, communication, and movement. With all these amenities and supporting features, one would have to try hard not to have a good time here. But dont take our word for it, check out the following 15 awesome things to do in St. Thomas.
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