20 Best Things to Do in St. Thomas, USVI

Sharing is caring!

I’ve been to the Virgin Islands many times over the last few years and always enjoy all the fun things to do in St. Thomas, whether on the island or exploring the other islands nearby.

Most people think of gorgeous beaches and the great shopping in Charlotte Amalie when they think of the island, but there are so many other fun activities in St. Thomas that you can do.

Best part – you don’t need a passport to visit St. Thomas!

From family trips to a girl’s getaway to my honeymoon, I’ve been to St. Thomas with all kinds of travel partners, so I’m pretty well-versed in the epic things to do.

Note that if you’re a cruise ship passenger, you won’t be able to do the BVI day trip.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through this link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. See my Disclosure Policy for more information. Thanks for keeping Stuck On The Go going!

20 Best Things to Do in St. Thomas, USVI

Charlotte Amalie is full of neat attractions and things to do, but St. Thomas is also an adventure-lover’s paradise.

I’ll cover things to do in Charlotte Amalie and so many other things that are spread out around the island or on nearby islands. Make sure that at least a few of these are on your St. Thomas itinerary!

1. Visit Paradise Point via the Skyride

700 feet above St. Thomas Harbor is where you’ll find Paradise Point where you can enjoy stunning views with a drink in hand and browse fun souvenir shops.

The tram ride takes less than 10 minutes and you can access the Skyride just across the street from Havensight Mall.

Their open air restaurant is taste at Paradise Point and you don’t need to make reservations here. PRIME is their other restaurant that’s only open for dinner and one of the best steakhouses on the island.

2. Take in the View from Drake’s Seat

Drake’s Seat is one of the most popular viewpoints on St. Thomas and if you take an island tour, you’ll likely stop here for a photo opp. It overlooks Magens Bay which is commonly named one of the best beaches in the world.

If you aren’t taking an island tour, then you can arrange for a taxi to bring you up to Drake’s Seat – though that would be expensive depending on where you’re staying.

The best way to get here if you aren’t visiting on a tour is by taking a rental car and there are a few parking spaces. You’ll want to check the cruise ship schedule before visiting though. It gets very busy when multiple ships are in port.

Be careful when pulling in and out here – driving around the island is already a little nerve-racking and the pullout is along a bend in a major road.

There are no fees or reservations required to visit this beautiful spot!

3. Go Shopping in Charlotte Amalie

Shopping is one of the most popular activities in St. Thomas as each person is allowed to bring $1,600 worth of duty-free purchases back to the US.

Havensight Shopping Mall and Main Street (Dronningens Gade) in downtown Charlotte Amalie are the most popular spots for shopping. If you’re looking for high-end stores then head to Yacht Haven Grand.

My family and I used to love walking through the stores and window shopping at Yacht Haven Grand.

Crown Bay Center is a newer option for shopping and if you’re looking for souvenirs, then you can also pick those up at Paradise Point or Mountain Top.

4. Learn Pirate History at the Pirates Treasure Museum

The Caribbean islands have a long history with pirates and St. Thomas is no different. If you’re interested in learning more about this history, then Pirates Treasure is a must-visit.

You can see authentic artifacts from discoveries made by Odyssey Marine Exploration, and they also highlight various Virgin Islands shipwrecks and artifacts.

The exhibits are also interactive, which makes this museum tons of fun for the entire family. Just note that they also follow the cruise ship schedule so they aren’t always open.

5. Check Out Fort Christian

This is actually a National Historic Site that’s managed by the National Park Service. The fort is currently being restored but you can visit on weekdays between 8:30 – 4:30.

The original fort was built by explorers from Denmark and construction of the outer walls and tower was completed by 1676. It was used by military forces until the 1870s, when it became the headquarters for the police of the Virgin Islands.

Much of the original structure was demolished and what you see today was built in the last 150 years. There is a museum here where you can learn more about the history of the Virgin Islands.

Many of the food tours meet here and walking tours will cover the history as well so if you are interested in that, consider joining a guided tour.

6. Go on a Food Tour

Speaking of food tours, they are one of the best activities in St. Thomas as well! Tyler and I did one on our honeymoon and absolutely loved it.

On these walking tours, you’ll stop at around 5 different restaurants where you’ll get to try preselected items from the menu. Typically a painkiller or bushwhacker is included in your ticket as well.

You’ll sample island specialties like fungi, callaloo soup, conch fritters, or pate depending on which tour you take.

Not only do you get to try local foods, but you also learn a ton about the history of the islands from your knowledgeable guide.

Taking a food tour in St. Thomas is one of the best ways to learn more about the local culture and history!

7. Climb the 99 Steps

The 99 Steps is probably one of the most iconic attractions in St. Thomas as it’s a very popular photo spot but it’s also full of history.

When the Danish came to the island, they built this staircase between streets as a better way to get around the Charlotte Amalie because the terrain was so hilly.

The bricks were brought over in Danish ships so it’s amazing to think about how long they’ve been there and how many people have passed over those streets since. You’re walking in the footsteps of pirates!

Fun fact – there are actually 103 steps, not 99.

8. Head to Mountain Top

If you want some souvenirs to take home, then Mountain Top is a great place to stop in since they have the largest duty-free gift shop on the island.

They also have a fantastic view since the store is located 1200′ above Magens Bay. Their other claim to fame is their “famous banana daiquiri,” though some people could take it or leave it.

I would recommend only coming here if you’re really interested in souvenir shops otherwise, Drake’s Seat has stunning views for free.

9. Explore Phantasea Tropical Botanical Gardens

I don’t know about you, but I love visiting a good botanical garden when I’m traveling. Phantasea Tropical Botanical Gardens opened in 2015 and people have been enjoying them ever since.

The gardens are an oasis as most of the area is shaded and there is typically always a nice breeze flowing. It’s located on a hillside so there are lots of stairs – just beware if you have mobility issues.

There are nice bathrooms here and entrance is only $10 for adults. It’s just down the road from Drake’s Seat so I highly recommend combining the two if you are out this way.

10. Kayak Through the Mangroves

One of my all-time favorite things to do in St. Thomas. Hands down, no questions asked. This is one thing that my husband and I still talk about today and a great day trip on the island.

Taking a tour with Virgin Islands Ecotours is amazing, not only because of the beautiful sights but because of everything you learn from the amazing guides. It’s by far one of the best St. Thomas tours.

We went for their longest tour – the kayak, hike, & snorkel tour with a picnic lunch – and I only recommend doing this if you are in decent shape. We were EXHAUSTED by the time we got done.

As you paddle out through the mangrove lagoon to Cas Cay, you watch for stingrays in the shallow water. You’ll stop along the way to see a blowhole and tide pools filled with ocean life.

We hiked and learned more about Cas Cay and the plants here then had lunch with lots of hermit crabs scurrying around.

The last part of the tour is snorkeling along the mangroves and we saw so much diverse marine life! Tropical fish, a barracuda, lobster, sea urchin, sting ray, and so much more.

They do have an option for a shorter kayak and snorkel tour in case you are short on time. I can’t recommend this tour enough though!

This is one of the most beautiful places to go kayaking in St. Thomas so I highly recommend going with VI Ecotours.

🌊 Check prices and availability for the Kayak, Hike, & Snorkel Tour. 🌊

11. Explore Coral World Ocean Park

Coral World is such a fun stop for anyone who loves animals and wants to learn more about them. They are also accredited by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums so you can feel good about visiting.

They are dedicated to conservation and educating others about how they can help preserve marine life. Take your time to walk around and see all the exhibits – we loved the turtle pool, shark shallows, and underwater observatory tower.

We also really enjoyed going to some of their free presentations. The sea lion one was especially memorable. They also have paid add-on experiences that look amazing.

Coral World is right next to Coki Beach so we rented snorkeling gear from a little stand on the way to the beach and hung out on the beach after Coral World.

I’ve stayed at Margaritaville – one of the best places to stay in St. Thomas – a couple of times now and it’s a quick walk from Coral World and Coki Beach.

12. Lounge on the Beautiful St. Thomas Beaches

Unpopular Opinion: Magens Bay is not the best beach in St. Thomas.

If you need lots of amenities like family bathrooms, a large bar or restaurant, and water sports rentals then Magens Bay might be for you. It is very crowded though and they charge $5 for entrance. The water is also very calm here if you have small kids.

We prefer quieter beaches with less people, so we love Coki Beach. There are still a few shops plus a restaurant and bar here. However, I’ve been told by multiple people not to visit this beach after dark.

Other popular beaches are Lindquist Beach (fee required), Hull Bay, and Brewers Bay. You will need to arrange pick up from these beaches if you take a taxi here!

13. Visit Water Island

Water Island is a fun day trip from St. Thomas and is where you should go for a super laid-back beach day. As a residential island with no hotels, it’s a true island escape.

You can easily get there on a 10 minute ferry ride or take the paddleboat tour across the harbor. It’s famous for Honeymoon Beach but you can rent a golf cart and explore the entire island if you want.

Other things to do on Water Island include checking out Dinghy’s Beach Bar, visiting Limestone Beach, or shopping at The Crossing.

14. Take the Ferry to St. John

If you want to explore Virgin Islands National Park or check out a different island in the USVI, then take a day trip over to St. John. The ferry system is easy to navigate and leaves from Charlotte Amalie or Red Hook.

We’ve always taken the ferry from Red Hook and it’s only about 20 minutes over to Cruz Bay. The National Park is great for hiking and has some of the most beautiful beaches like Cinnamon Bay and Trunk Bay.

Check out the underwater snorkeling trail at Trunk Bay – Tyler and I saw a shark here on our honeymoon!

The Cinnamon Bay hiking trail was really neat too. You can take a taxi from Cruz Bay out to the trailhead.

After you’re done adventuring, come back to Mongoose Junction where you can check out the shops and grab something to eat. St. John Brewers is a must-visit for drinks and apps.

15. Island Hop in the British Virgin Islands

One of my other favorite things to do in St. Thomas. There are multiple tours that take you out to the British Virgin Islands but my favorite is the one that goes to The Baths and then White Bay on Jost Van Dyke.

Hike through the Baths among all the massive boulders with gorgeous views of the surrounding coastline and boats in the water. You’ll learn all about the history of the area too.

The hike leads you down to Devils Bay where you can grab a drink at the bar and swim as the waves splash around the boulders dotting the beach.

You’ll load back up on the boat and head over to White Bay where you can visit the famous Soggy Dollar Bar.

There’s no dock at White Bay, so all the boats anchor out away from the beach and you swim a short distance to shore. Hence “soggy dollars.”

Typically the captain does pass around a dry bag for anything you don’t want to get wet. You’ll have time to check out the bars, grab some food, and order a painkiller.

We had an amazing shrimp quesadilla from One Love Bar and Grill but according to Google they are temporarily closed.

This is just a fun day with the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation and one of the best boat tours in St. Thomas!

16. Go Deep Sea Fishing

Both times I’ve been fishing in St. Thomas have been memorable – the first my dad caught a huge Blue Marlin and the second I caught a big African Pompano.

The best time to go fishing all depends on what you want to catch – there’s something running all year. You can catch anything from Mahi-Mahi to Wahoo and Sailfish to Marlins.

If you just want a taste of what it’s like then go with a half-day tour to get a feel for it. Make sure to take motion sickness pills if this is an issue for you!

The captain has typically packed a cooler with drinks but you can also bring your own.

If you catch any fish that are good to eat then they’ll typically filet it for you and you can take it to a restaurant that will cook your catch. The crew typically has good recommendations for those.

17. Search for Tropical Fish on a Snorkeling Tour

There are so many great options for snorkeling tours in St. Thomas! Some will take you to nearby Buck Island, some around St. John, and others will stick closer to St. Thomas.

In most places, you’ll see coral and all kinds of tropical fish and some take you to bays where you’re more likely to see sea turtles.

My personal favorite snorkeling tour was the Kayak, Hike, & Snorkel Tour with VI Ecotours but I’ve been on ones around St. John as well that were great.

After you’re done snorkeling, most of the tours will open the bar on the boat and your ticket includes unlimited drinks and you can enjoy lying in the sun on the boat.

18. Enjoy a Sunset Cruise

Ending your day in St. Thomas with a sunset cruise is nothing short of magical.

Picture yourself sailing across the calm Caribbean waters, watching the sun slowly dip below the horizon, painting the sky with hues of gold, purple, and pink. You’ll feel a gentle breeze on your skin and the soothing rhythm of the waves.

Some cruises offer light snacks or even full meals in addition to the open bar. It’s a perfect way to unwind after a day of adventures and truly absorb the breathtaking beauty of the island.

19. Head Underwater and Go Scuba Diving

Another way to enjoy the underwater world is by going scuba diving here in St. Thomas. There are options for complete beginners as well as experienced divers.

The St. Thomas Dive Center, JJ Divers St. Thomas, and Aqua Marine Dive Center are all highly rated. Some of the most popular dive spots are Coki Beach, Congo Cay, and Cow and Calf Rocks.

Since the Virgin Islands were created from volcanic activity, this is a great area to dive with so much to see.

20. Fly Through the Trees on a Zipline

For a little change of perspective, why not take to the treetops with a zipline adventure at Tree Limin’ Extreme?

As one of St. Thomas’s top attractions, this exhilarating course offers a bird’s eye view of the island’s forests and stunning coastline.

If this is your first time, it’s normal to be nervous, but don’t worry. You’ll be strapped into safety harnesses and guided by experienced instructors the whole time.

Restaurants in St. Thomas

There are plenty of great restaurants on St. Thomas to enjoy between your adventures. Here are just a few suggestions to get you started!

The Tap & Still

Tyler and I loved Tap & Still so much that we went twice! This is a no-frills sports bar with four different locations where you can get an amazing chicken sandwich and a bag of fries. Their burgers are also really good if you’re craving one.

We went to the Red Hook location but you can also visit them in Havensight or Cruz Bay over on St. John. Their other location is in Sint Maarten.

To order, you fill out a checklist on a piece of paper where you choose the type of sandwich, what you want on it, and your sides. Service is typically pretty quick too.

They get super busy especially on the weekends so you’ll wanna get there early! They’re right on the harbor at Red Hook so it’s a really cool vibe.

Lattes in Paradise

This is the perfect breakfast spot in Red Hook and if you’re leaving for a full day tour that doesn’t include breakfast, I highly recommend picking up something quick here.

It’s counter service only and the restaurant is open-air on the second level looking over the bay. There are a few tables available on the deck outside in case you want to sit and enjoy your breakfast.

On the menu, you’ll find all kinds of coffees, teas, and smoothies plus plenty of other options like sodas and water. Their breakfast sandwiches are delicious but they also have breakfast burritos, quiche, and bagels.

Greengos Caribbean Cantina

Greengos is a lively spot in Charlotte Amalie known for its delicious Mexican food – they even make their tortillas fresh in-house daily.

Their name is a play on words but signifies their commitment to “going green.” Their takeout food is packaged in recycled materials and all their glassware is made from recycled glass.

They are also well known for their selection of tequilas and they have an extensive margarita list. People love the Cantina Bowl and Shrimp & Chorizo Bowls but they have other great options like burritos and enchiladas.

It’s a busy place in town so be prepared to wait if you hit it right at lunch or dinner time!

Glady’s Cafe

We went to Glady’s Cafe on our food tour and it’s where we got to try some of the local cuisine – fungi, callaloo soup, and conch fritters. They have lots of other options if you want to try Caribbean cuisine.

It’s a cute space tucked in a side street of Charlotte Amalie and they’ve been open for over 30 years so you know it’s good food.

They serve breakfast and lunch and are known for their large portions and friendly service.

Old Stone Farm House

Head to the Old Stone Farm House if you’re celebrating something special or if you want an upscale meal. You’ll want to make reservations here if you go.

The restaurant is located at Mahogany Run Golf Course inside a 200-year-old restored plantation field house. It’s a romantic setting, so perfect for couples – we went on our honeymoon.

They serve dinner and Sunday Brunch but on the dinner menu you’ll find things like yellowfin tuna, filet mignon, and beef short ribs.

Map of Activities in St. Thomas

Wrap Up: What to Do in St. Thomas, USVI

As you can see, there are plenty of fun things to do in St. Thomas so it’s not all lounging on the beach!

Whether you’re a foodie on the hunt for unique local flavors, an adventurer island hopping through the Caribbean, or a water enthusiast looking to spend the day snorkeling, this place has you covered.

I love returning to St. Thomas again and again and I always find something new that I want to do. No matter why you are visiting, I’m sure you’ll fall in love with St. Thomas like I did.