St. Thomas may be only 14 miles long and 3 miles wide, but there’s an endless amount of things to do on this beautiful island. With sparkling turquoise beaches, some of the best cuisine in the Caribbean, and breathtaking views at every corner, St. Thomas has something for everyone. Keep reading to learn about some of our favorite things to do on the island.
Go to the Beach
Home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, the number one thing to do in St. Thomas is to go to the beach. Beach bums looking to relax by the ocean all day should head over to Lindquist Beach where you can hang loose all day long. Those looking for a bit more adventure, like snorkeling, paddle boarding, and other water sports, should go to Coki Point Beach. The place to see and be seen is Magen’s Bay. With water as clear and calm as a swimming pool, it’s not hard to see why this is the most popular beach on the island. Other popular and beautiful spots include Brewers Bay, Hull Bay, and Grand Beach.
Go Ziplining
The views in St. Thomas are so out of this world, you’ll wish you had Superman’s ability to fly through the air. While we can’t guarantee you’ll pick up any super human powers on vacation, you can feel like your flying at Tree Limin’ Extreme Zipline. All it takes is a quick and thorough safety orientation and nerves of steel, and then your off!
99 Steps
Step tracking fanatics will love this thing to do! Climbing the 99 Steps is a classic and easy way to take explore St. Thomas. Be sure to stop halfway through to take in amazing views of the island and Charlotte-Amalie. Once you make it to the top you’ll find yourself at Blackbeard’s Castle. Here’s a little trivia fun for you: there are actually 103 steps on this historic step street.
Blackbeard’s Castle
As one of the most popular sights in St. Thomas, Blackbeard’s Castle isn’t exactly a hidden treasure but we bet it’ll give you major Pirates of the Caribbean vibes. If you want to skip the steps, take a quick taxi ride up to the castle, where you can take a guided tour of the property, or explore it on your own. While pirates have a long and interesting history with St. Thomas, Blackbeard never actually step foot on the island himself!
Frederick Lutheran Church
History and architecture buffs, this one is for you. The Frederick Lutheran Church is the first church built in St. Thomas. At 350 years old, it is a classic landmark and a great thing to do and check out if you’re on the island for a few days. Guests on our St. Thomas food tour can pass by this church and learn a little bit more about its history, but for the full effect spend some time on your trip to really explore this historic spot.
Duty-Free Shopping
Shopaholics rejoice! St. Thomas, along with many other Caribbean islands, has a plethora of duty-free shopping. You can shop up to $1,600 worth of duty-free items per person, meaning you can literally shop til you drop while on vacation. Some of our favorite places for a little retail therapy are Main Street, Havensight Mall, and Yacht Haven Grande.
Coral World Ocean Park
For a truly unforgettable and unique experience, head over to Coral World Ocean Park. Spending a day at Coral World is a great thing to do for families and animal lovers. To get up close and personal with the animals, check out their Shark Encounter, Turtle Encounter, and Sea Lion Swim. If you prefer to admire from afar then head over to Coral World’s Undersea Observatory Tower – the first of its kind underwater tower that lets you see the coral and marine life underwater without getting wet.
Observatory tower Exhibit from Coral World on Vimeo.
Water Sports
There’s something truly special about being able to lounge on the beach all day with a good book and a refreshing drink, but sometimes you need a little more adventure in your life. Luckily, St. Thomas has no shortage of exciting water sports for the adrenaline junkie in your group. Between night kayaking, flyboarding (aka water jetpacking), and parasailing, there is no shortage of heart pumping fun on this island.
Mahogany Run Golf Course
Golfers may be surprised to find out that St. Thomas only has one golf course – Mahogany Run Golf Course. Mahogany Run is a beautiful course on the north side of the island. With breathtaking views of the ocean and mountains, you might find it hard to focus on your swing. This course is infamous for having a tricky spot known as the “Devil’s Triangle.”
Paradise Point
If you’re a fan of tasty food, once in a lifetime views, good shopping, and perfect Bushwackers, then Paradise View is your place. Skyride to Paradise View is one of the most beautiful things to do on the island, simply because of the 360° views you get while on your way to the top.
Take a Ferry
If you plan on staying in St. Thomas for a couple of days then you have to plan to visit St. John or Water Island. Thanks to the ferries, getting to these islands is super easy and inexpensive. You can take the ferry to St. John from Red Hook or Charlotte Amalie. If Water Island is your destination then you can take a ferry from Crown Bay Marina. Both St. John and Water Island are smaller islands in the US Virgin Islands that offer an endless amount of things to do, like relaxing by the beach, snorkeling, fine dining, and hiking.
St. Thomas Food Tour
Whether you’re visiting St. Thomas on a cruise or plan on staying for a few days, a Flavors of St. Thomas Food Tour is a fun and delicious way to learn more about your surroundings and St. Thomas’ capital city, Charlotte-Amalie. On our St. Thomas food tour you can eat your way through this historic town, and even get the chance to make your own local rum cocktail. This is the perfect way to acquaint yourself with the island before a longer vacation or fit a lot of fun into a couple of hours for a quick excursion.
