10 Best Things To Do In St Thomas, US Virgin Islands - Updated 2024

things to do in st. thomas
Virginia Maryann Dcruz
Virginia Maryann Dcruz 
Updated
| 5 min read

St Thomas, which is part of the US Virgin Islands archipelago, is a picture-perfect paradise that appeals to those who want to bask in the sunlight. The island is especially popular from December to April as the weather is generally mild and rainfall is minimal. During the peak season, the island attracts those who want to swim in the surrounding ocean, taste its Caribbean-style cuisine, or tour its many historical areas. Beautiful locales are plentiful on the island and include the striking harbor and Coki Point Beach, which is popular with snorkelers. Careful planning of a trip to the island is essential if you want to experience a great holiday. This list showcases the top activities and tourist hotspots on the island that will help you get the most out of your vacation. Scroll down for the best things to do in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands.

1. Spend time discovering sea creatures at Coral World Ocean Park (from USD 119.0)

Trekking along the seafloor is the highlight of this tour. The trek is conducted using underwater helmets, and all the participants have to do is walk while wearing them. The tour also includes free admission to Coral World Ocean Park, which has an abundance of striking aquatic life. Participants do not have to worry about getting their hair or head wet when underwater. They are sure to enjoy the fish and marine plants during their adventure.

Visited this place?

Sea Trek Helmet Dive at Coral World Ocean Park

Duration: 45 minutes

483 reviews

2. Enjoy duty-free shopping at spend time at Yacht Haven Grande

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by The Shops at Yacht Haven Grande on Friday, November 23, 2018

If you want to pick up gifts for your loved ones while on vacation, shopping at Yacht Haven Grande gives you access to leading brands. The area has several high-end shops offering fashion and accessories from brands such as Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein. After shopping for gifts, you can stop and sample the cuisine at various restaurants or just grab a drink at the coffee bar. Spa and wellness centers are also present among the shops, which are grouped to form a retail paradise.

The Shops At Yacht Haven Grande

Address: 5304 Yacht Haven Grande, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

Website: The Shops At Yacht Haven Grande

Opening hours: 10am - 10pm (daily)

Visited this place?

3. Visit the Island Flavor restaurant and sample its Johnny Cake

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Posted by Island Flavor Restaurant on Monday, April 6, 2015

At the Island Flavor restaurant, they focus on providing guests with Caribbean food that has a home-cooked touch. Among the offerings in the restaurant, there are a lot of seafood dishes, including salmon, while Johnny Cake is the star of the dessert section. The restaurant also offers a buffet, and guests can opt for it if they want to sample a wide variety of Caribbean-style food. Try their pork chops and chicken wings, which are served with rice. There are also several vegetarian and vegan-friendly options on the menu.

Island Flavor

Address: Crown Bay Expo Center, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

Website: Island Flavor

Visited this place?

4. Visit the historic Fort Christian in Charlotte Amalie

Front of Fort Christian
Source: Photo by Flickr user daveynin used under CC BY 2.0

Visitors to Fort Christian will get a glimpse of the history of the US Virgin Islands. Located in the capital city, Charlotte Amalie, the fort is the oldest structure that remains standing in the area. Named after Christian V, the Danish king, construction of the fort began in 1672. After its construction, the fort had been expanded several times. It also once served as a jail quarter and government building. The fort is currently registered as a National Historic Site and houses a museum that showcases a collection of antique furniture and the history of the Virgin Islands dating from the Stone Age.

Fort Christian

Address: Forte Strade, Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas 00804, US Virgin Islands

Website: Fort Christian

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8:30am - 4:30pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

Visited this place?

5. Parasail above the beautiful coast of St Thomas (from USD 146.0)

This parasail tour is designed to appeal to those who are adventurous at heart. Lasting for about an hour, the tour can be enjoyed by people with various levels of experience, including beginners who have never parasailed before. The tour is conducted from Sapphire Beach Marina. The parasail will soar over the coast, giving participants a bird’s eye view of the water and areas on land. Safety equipment will be provided and a guide with professional training will conduct the tour from the air.

Visited this place?

St. Thomas Parasailing Experience

Duration: 1 hour

977 reviews

6. Experience art and wine in "Art Uncorked" tour (from USD 50.0)

Taking part in the “Art Uncorked” course will let you experience the fun and quirky nature of the island of St Thomas while creating art that you love. Tillett Gardens Center for the Arts houses the studio where the art and wine “experience” is held. Since all the implements for creating art and wine are provided, participants just have to turn up for the tour to have a good time. Any art that is created during the tour can be taken home.

Visited this place?

St. Thomas Art and Wine Experience

Duration: 2 hours

16 reviews

7. Have a magical night paddle on Mangrove Lagoon (from USD 83.74)

things to do in st. thomas | have a magical night paddle on mangrove lagoon

The area around St Thomas is famously associated with pirates who roamed the waters in the past, and several ghost stories surrounding it are still popular. Taking part in a paddleboat tour at night allows you to experience the spooky nature of the area and its many stories from a unique perspective. The tour is conducted through Mangrove Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary on kayaks, which are designed to seat up to two people each. Marine life such as stingrays and birds returning to their nests are often seen during the tour, which lasts for one and half hours and starts at dusk.

Visited this place?

St. Thomas: Night Kayak in the Lagoon

Duration: 1.5 hour

30 reviews

8. Discover the joys of scuba diving (from USD 175.0)

Learning how to scuba dive is a must if you are vacationing in St Thomas. The area is famous for its many diving sites, and this course allows you to learn a new skill and explore underwater. The course lasts half a day and starts with an instructor providing information in a classroom setting. All equipment for scuba diving is provided to participants, including a wetsuit. First, they will have to dive in shallow water as part of a training session. After training, the participants get to dive at two locations in the Caribbean Sea.

Visited this place?

Discover Scuba Diving

Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes

35 reviews

9. Spend time in the lush Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden (from USD 10.0)

Discover plants, trees, and flowers that are native to the Caribbean at the heart of Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden. This tour allows you to skip the long line and gain quick admittance to the garden. The garden has a thousand different orchids for you to check out, along with several palm trees, gingers, and bromeliads. There are also several benches and gazebos in the garden where you can spend some time relaxing while absorbing the pristine natural atmosphere.

Visited this place?

Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden Admission in St Thomas

Duration: 1 hour

2 reviews

10. Unleash the athlete in you and spend time rock climbing (from USD 139.0)

Participants who opt for this tour can spend time learning how to climb and trek via the ferrata route. The tour is designed to be accessible to beginners, and all the climbing and other equipment will be provided. The route extends along the cliffs near the capital city, Charlotte Amalie. Participants can be picked up from various hotels in St Thomas. They will be provided with individual attention by the instructor, so they need not worry. There will be frequent stops during the tour, allowing photos to be taken. Water along with snacks will be provided to the participants.

Visited this place?

Via Ferrata Rock Climbing Tour

Duration: 4 hours

St Thomas is a perfect spot for a Caribbean vacation

There is no shortage of things to do, unique places to visit, and food to sample when on holiday in St Thomas. Due to all it has to offer, the island has become a favorite among tourists who want a unique vacation experience in the Caribbean. It also gives opportunity for visitors to live life like the locals do.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

Virginia, a dedicated writer, calls Tamil Nadu, India, her home. She nurtures a profound passion for both travel and indulging in diverse global cuisines. She fondly recalls savoring local sweets...Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Explore St. Thomas
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.