19 Fun Things to Do in St. Thomas

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St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, is a perfect Caribbean holiday location, only a few hours away from the East Coast. There's an amazing array of excellent culinary options, the beaches are superb, and the ocean is a gorgeous blue. There are tonnes of entertaining things to do in St. Thomas, including historical landmarks, breathtaking scenery, and thrilling activities.

We’ve visited St. Thomas several times in the past but always on cruises. We recently had the chance to explore the island in depth to see more of what there is to do in this beautiful place. Here’s a look at some of our favorites.

See the view at Mountain Top

 Mountain Top is one of the most well-liked sites in St. Thomas, particularly for visitors from cruise ships. It has multiple celebrity claims. Its most remarkable feature, situated 2,100 feet above sea level on St. Peter Mountain, is the breathtaking vistas it offers. In addition to the beach at Magens Bay below, visitors may see Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands in the distance.

Additionally, Mountain Top markets itself as the biggest gift shop on the island. Beach bags, souvenir t-shirts, and other items are widely available, frequently at reduced costs compared to other locations on the island.

Pick up a banana daiquiri at the bar where it was first served in the 1950s as you peruse the offerings and enjoy the scenery. Although it's likely more, massive signage above declare that over 7 million have been sold here.

Visit Emancipation Garden  

The Emancipation Garden honours the July 3, 1848, liberation of slaves in St. Thomas by the Danish governor—15 years before the US Emancipation Proclamation accomplished the same feat. The site is marked by a bronze bust of a recently liberated man blowing a conch shell, a commemorative inscription, and a miniature copy of the Liberty Bell.

The park, which is close to Charlotte Amalie's shoreline, offers a shaded spot to relax close to some of the well-known St. Thomas attractions. It serves as the venue for several noteworthy occasions all year long, such as the Emancipation Day celebrations and the governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands' inauguration ceremonies. The park is a must-see during the holidays because it is decked out with lights and decorations throughout Christmas.

Climb the 99 Steps

There are several steep roadways in the hills that rise surrounding Charlotte Amalie. Built by the Danes in the 1700s, the 99 Steps are maybe the most popular tourist destination.

The 99 Steps, which really have 103 steps, are one of St. Thomas's most well-known attractions. They bring tourists to a pleasant vantage point of the island and are in close proximity to the base of Blackbeard's Castle, a National Historic Landmark that is presently closed, as well as historic Fort Christian and the Emancipation Garden.

Explore the bounty at the Pirates Treasure Museum

Throughout the Virgin Islands' and St. Thomas's centuries-long nautical history, countless of trips have begun and finished there, but not all of them have arrived safely. The Pirates Treasure Museum's exhibits teach visitors about the technology used to locate and recover wrecks and feature artefacts collected from other shipwrecks. You'll be captivated for a long time by the numerous captivating tales from survivors of sinking ships and the abundance of pirate folklore.

Relax at the local beaches

One of the top things to do in St. Thomas is to visit the breathtaking beaches on the island. They range from Lindquist Beach, a spotless park with white sand, to Magens Bay Beach, a popular destination for tourists, which has rental chairs as well as a full beach bar and restaurant. You can go to Sapphire Beach for snorkelling and breathtaking views, or you can try your hand at spectacular shore diving at Coki Beach. Here, it's difficult to go wrong.

Go snorkeling

St. Thomas has almost all of the beaches where you can see something unusual only a few yards off the coast, making it an excellent spot for snorkelling. There's usually always something spectacular to see, from sea urchins and brain coral to sea turtles and stingrays, depending on how crowded the beaches are and how deep the water is. When we go with our own snorkels, we have the most flexibility, but for those who want to explore, a few of the beaches rent snorkels by the hour.

Check out some of the catamarans that provide snorkel trips from the island if you want to go into some deeper water. We chose to travel with the VI Cat, which provides multiple beach and snorkelling experiences.

Zip line above the trees

The first zipline park in the Virgin Islands is called Tree Limin' Extreme ziplining, and it's a great place for a little adventure. You zip up to 35 miles per hour above the treetops, so this is not an experience for the timid.

In addition to offering breathtaking views of Magens Bay, Jost van Dyke, Tortola, and beyond, Tree Limin's six ziplines and two sky walks will definitely make your heart race. For children or anyone wishing to take a little vacation from the beach, it's a must-do activity in St. Thomas.

See the plants at Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden

The Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden has been cultivating orchids, bromeliads, tropical trees, and other Caribbean plants for more than 20 years. The garden, which is currently accessible to the public, informs guests about tropical plants and conservation techniques.

There are many spots to sit and take in the natural beauty as you meander through the 2-acre garden. Some of the locations even offer views of the cruise ship harbour and the nearby islands of Tortola and St. John. It is never too late to visit this verdant spot because the plants are in full bloom all year round.

Visit Coral World Ocean Park

The amazing world of the water is showcased to tourists at Coral World water Park, which is located just adjacent to Coki Beach. Its famous Underwater Observatory Tower, which is located 20 feet below the surface, offers visitors a rare opportunity to view marine life.

Visitors to Coral World can also view marine turtles, sea lions, a large aquarium, coral, and sharks in coral reef tanks. A sea trek experience, which involves walking on the ocean floor while wearing a helmet filled with oxygen, is available to those who want a closer look. Please take note that we never support any kind of interaction with marine animals that would not be appropriate in their natural habitat.

Visit Fort Christian

Danish Governor Jørgen Iversen first constructed Fort Christian, one of St. Thomas's most historically significant landmarks, in the 1670s. The fort, which bears the name of Danish King Christian V, was built to protect the island.

The fort's design and function changed over the ages, and it eventually became the Virgin Islands' police headquarters as well as a jail. The red and white Gothic revival building, which houses a museum with antique furniture, old records, and images that depict the history of the island, is now recognised as a National Historic Landmark.

See the St. Thomas Synagogue

The second-oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere is the St. Thomas Synagogue, formally known as Beracha Veshalom Vegimulth Hasidim, which means Blessing and Peace and Loving Deeds. The congregation was founded in 1796 by just nine Sephardic Jewish households.

In 1833, the present synagogue was constructed in the same spot as earlier structures. Its distinctive historic elements, such as its mahogany pews, domed ceiling with European chandeliers, and the Menorah, which was created in the eleventh century, are visible to guests on the regular visits. The building's floor is unusual in that it is covered with sand, representing the desert where Moses and the children of Israel journeyed for forty years.

Grab a drink in a parking lot

Red Hook, which has a tonne of fantastic restaurants and exciting locations to go out, is a terrific choice if you're looking for nighttime activities in St. Thomas. Duffy's Love Shack is one of the most distinctive.

In the centre of downtown, in the parking lot of a strip mall, sits Duffy's, a lively food-serving tiki bar. You can eat in the restaurant inside, where an animated shark will probably be swimming about at some point during your stay, or you can eat outside in the parking lot. It's a worthwhile experience.

Explore the underwater world on a SCUBA Dive

There are many of amazing dive spots throughout the coast's seas. There are several alternatives available, ranging from introductory training to wreck dives, whether you're an accomplished diver or interested in earning your SCUBA certification.

When we dove off Coki Beach, we saw fish of every colour, sea turtles, sharks, and eels, as well as the most vibrant coral we had ever seen. It's difficult to ask for more when the surroundings are so lovely and the water is so warm.

Shop in Charlotte Amalie

Immediately outside the cruise port at the Havensight Mall in Charlotte Amalie are some of the most well-liked shopping destinations for tourists visiting St. Thomas. Jewellery and watches, mementos, duty-free beverages, designer products, and more are all widely available.

Have a pint at Leatherback Brewing

Visit Leatherback Brewing Company to taste some island-brewed beer. The beers of Leatherback, located near the cruise port at Havensight Plaza in St. Thomas and St. Croix, are brewed with ingredients cultivated in the Caribbean.

Beach Life, Island Life, and Reef Life are the signature beers, which represent a celebration of life in the Caribbean. In addition to these beers, Leatherback offers a wide variety of ales, IPAs, hefeweizens, and other beers to suit a variety of palates.

See Frederick Lutheran Church

The Frederick Lutheran Church is one of the island's oldest establishments, having been founded in 1666. Dedicated in 1793, the existing structure has withstood natural disasters and undergone numerous renovations and repairs throughout the years. It is still one of St. Thomas's oldest continuously occupied buildings, and visiting it while in the downtown area is highly recommended.

Take the Skyride to Paradise Point

With its 700-foot elevation above sea level, the Skyride to Paradise Point offers expansive island vistas. It's a lovely location to go at any time of day, although people congregate there most often at dusk.

The renowned Bailey's Bushwacker cocktail and PRIME at Paradise Point, a steakhouse ranked among the best restaurants on the island, are located at the top.

Grab a coffee at Virgin Islands Coffee Roaster

Virgin Islands Coffee Roasters is an artisanal coffee roaster that produces small batches of exquisite coffee that are sure to satisfy any caffeine craving on the island. To ensure optimal freshness, their beans are roasted and packed in St. Thomas.

Visit Virgin Islands Coffee Roasters' cafe near the cruise port to sample their coffee paired with various refreshments including Belgian waffles and fruit teas, as well as locally made coffee brews. If you are unable to visit the cafe, keep an eye out for their signage since their beans are utilised by eateries and coffee shops throughout the island.

Visit Water Island

The smallest of the US Virgin Islands, Water Island, is reachable by boat in 7 minutes from Crown Bay Marina. A visit here feels like a vacation escape because it's much smaller (and usually quieter) than St. Thomas.

Take a seat, order a drink from Dinghy's Beach Bar and enjoy a leisurely day by the ocean. Bring your snorkel to observe sea turtles in their natural habitat as they dine on sea grass only a few yards off the coast.