Magens Bay Beach
A heart-shaped bay on St. Thomas's north shore with a mile of calm, shallow, powder-soft sand, tall palms and a lifeguarded swim area. The island's signature beach, and the one most first-time visitors should not skip.
U.S. Virgin Islands
St. Thomas
St. Thomas is the Caribbean in a form that is easy to enjoy: a green, hilly island with a deep natural harbor, a Danish-built capital, famously calm beaches like Magens Bay and a short boat ride to St.
John's national park. This guide books the island properly, from turtle snorkels off Buck Island and sunset sails to Coral World, Mountain Top's big views and day trips to St. John and Water Island, with eight hotels across the east end, the south shore and the hills above Charlotte Amalie and six guides on where to stay, when to go and how to spend a cruise day.
Don't miss
Magens Bay Beach
A heart-shaped bay on St. Thomas's north shore with a mile of calm, shallow, powder-soft sand, tall palms and a lifeguarded swim area. The island's signature beach, and the one most first-time visitors should not skip.
Coral World Ocean Park
A hands-on marine park at Coki Point with an underwater observatory, touch pools, sea turtles, sharks and sea lions. The easy, shaded rainy-day answer for families, and a short walk from Coki Beach.
St. John Day Trip: Snorkel, Beach and Shopping
A boat day from St. Thomas to neighboring St. John, two-thirds of it national park: snorkel stops, a beach break and time in Cruz Bay for shopping and lunch. The classic island-hopping day.
Buck Island Turtle Snorkel Sail
A half-day catamaran sail to Buck Island off St. Thomas's south coast, with snorkeling in turtle-grazing seagrass and a swim or beach stop. A reliable first reef-and-turtle outing. Not the St. Croix national monument.
Things to do in St. Thomas
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Coral World Ocean Park
A hands-on marine park at Coki Point with an underwater observatory, touch pools, sea turtles, sharks and sea lions. The easy, shaded rainy-day answer for families, and a short walk from Coki Beach.
Sea Trek Helmet Dive at Coral World
Walk along the seabed in a lightweight helmet with air pumped in from the surface, no certification and no need to swim. A gentle way for non-divers to be among reef fish at Coral World.
Mountain Top and Drake's Seat Viewpoints
The high points of St. Thomas: the Mountain Top lookout with its famous banana daiquiri and sweeping views over the north shore and the British Virgin Islands, and Drake's Seat's photo-friendly panorama over Magens Bay.
St. Thomas Island Tour with Mountain Top and Magens Bay
A guided drive around St. Thomas that strings together the headline stops: the harbor and shopping town, Mountain Top, Drake's Seat and a swim at Magens Bay. The efficient way to see the island in a half day.
Charlotte Amalie Historic Walking Tour
Wander the Danish-built streets of the capital: warehouse arcades, Fort Christian, the 99 Steps, the synagogue and tales of pirates, ghosts and legends told by a local guide.
Flavors of St. Thomas Walking Food Tour
A guided walk through Charlotte Amalie that mixes tastings with island history: Caribbean-style bites, local drinks and the stories behind the dishes, ideal as an introduction to the island's cooking.
St. John Day Trip: Snorkel, Beach and Shopping
A boat day from St. Thomas to neighboring St. John, two-thirds of it national park: snorkel stops, a beach break and time in Cruz Bay for shopping and lunch. The classic island-hopping day.
Virgin Islands National Park Snorkeling Excursion
Snorkel the protected waters of Virgin Islands National Park on St. John, where coral gardens, rays and turtles thrive in bays that rank among the best in the Caribbean. The nature highlight of a St. Thomas trip.
Buck Island Turtle Snorkel Sail
A half-day catamaran sail to Buck Island off St. Thomas's south coast, with snorkeling in turtle-grazing seagrass and a swim or beach stop. A reliable first reef-and-turtle outing. Not the St. Croix national monument.
Turtles and Tacos Lime Out Snorkel
A snorkel-and-lunch day built around the Lime Out, a floating taco bar anchored in the shallows near St. John. Swim with turtles, then float up for tacos and a cold drink. Only in the Virgin Islands.
Christmas Cove and Pizza Pi Happy Hour Sail
Sail to Christmas Cove, where the famous Pizza Pi boat sells pizza and cold drinks afloat. Swim, snorkel and watch the sun lower over the islands on a laid-back happy hour sail.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas
Smith Bay, East End
The island's flagship luxury resort on the east end: beachfront setting, full-service spa, multiple restaurants and polished service. The splurge choice for honeymoons and milestone trips.
Check rates →The Ritz-Carlton Club St. Thomas
Smith Bay, East End
Residence-style accommodations in the Ritz-Carlton setting on the east end, with more space, kitchens and living areas than a standard room. A good fit for families and longer stays. Shares the beach and views.
Check rates →Buoy Haus Beach Resort St. Thomas
South Shore, Morningstar Bay
The large south-shore resort long known as Frenchman's Reef, now the Buoy Haus Beach Resort, Autograph Collection. Cliffside setting, Morningstar Beach, pools and easy access to town and the airport.
Check rates →Margaritaville Vacation Club by Wyndham St. Thomas
Sapphire Bay, East End
A relaxed, beachfront resort on the east end with pools, a swim-up bar and a laid-back island mood. Suite-style rooms with kitchens make it a family-friendly, good-value base.
Check rates →
$$$Marriotts Frenchmans Cove
Frenchman Bay
A Marriott vacation-club resort on a sheltered cove with villa-style suites, a pool and water access. Ideal for families and groups who want space, kitchens and a quiet beachfront.
Check rates →Bolongo Bay Beach Resort
South Shore, Bolongo Bay
A casual, family-run beach resort on the south shore with a lively beach, water sports and a sociable, easy-going atmosphere. A good-value alternative to the big-brand resorts.
Check rates →Club Wyndham Elysian Beach Resort
Smith Bay, East End
A beachfront vacation-club resort on the east end with studios and suites, pools and a calm, sandy beach. Kayak and paddleboard tours leave right from the beach. Good for families and longer stays.
Check rates →Bluebeards Castle Resort
Charlotte Amalie, Bluebeard's Hill
A hillside resort above Charlotte Amalie harbor with big views, a pool and easy access to the cruise port, shopping and the historic town. The practical choice for a town-based stay.
Check rates →St. Thomas guides
St. Thomas in Three Days: Beaches, Boats and Town
A practical three-day plan that balances a beach morning, a boat day to St. John, the capital's history and a sunset sail, with tips on sequencing, transport and booking order.
Where to Stay in St. Thomas: East End, South Shore or Town
How to choose between the east-end resorts, the south-shore beach hotels and the hillside near Charlotte Amalie, with notes on transport, space, budgets and who each area suits.
Best Time to Visit St. Thomas: Seasons, Weather and Crowds
When to go to St. Thomas for sunshine, calm seas, lower prices and open restaurants, with a season-by-season guide to weather, hurricane risk and what changes on the island.
St. Thomas Beaches and Snorkeling: Where to Swim and See Turtles
A guide to the island's best beaches and snorkel spots: calm Magens Bay, lively Coki, quiet Water Island and boat-only turtle sites, with tips on gear, safety and reef etiquette.
St. John and Island Hopping from St. Thomas
How to reach St. John and Water Island from St. Thomas: ferries versus boat tours, what to do on each island, timing, costs to expect and how to build an easy island-hopping day.
St. Thomas on a Cruise Day: A Port Guide
How to spend a single day in St. Thomas from the cruise port: easy options in town, beach runs, snorkel trips and timing tips so you are back before your ship sails.
