St Thomas Travel Guide: Reviews, photos, & videos

Cruise ships anchor daily in the deep water port of Charlotte-Amalie in St. Thomas, the most visited of the three major U.S. Virgin Islands. From the ships 30,000 passengers head to the duty free shops along cobblestone streets in this quaint, colonial town to snap up diamonds in every color imaginable, liquor and knick knacks. Some couples come here solely to buy an engagement ring, with a tropical getaway gift-with-purchase. The steep inclines of St. Thomas mean that everywhere you go you’re treated to incredible views of intensely blue waters and of the smaller islands wrapping around the island like a necklace. Picture-perfect Magens Bay on the north side of St. Thomas is one of the Caribbean’s most photographed beaches. The horseshoe shape of the beach protects it from the ocean’s waves and the turquoise water that fills the horseshoe makes it look like an enormous swimming pool.

  • Beach, Boating, Caribbean, Family-friendly, Fishing, Golfing, Ocean, Over55, Relaxing, Romantic, Rustic, Sailing, Scubadiving, Shopping, Surfing, Tennis, Warm/tropical, Wedding, Yachting
  • 70%

 
 
link18.341490772-64.934005737312St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
link18.3494033942-64.8649227619Coral World
link18.320307195-64.9204444885Coki Point Beach
link18.341490772-64.934005737312St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
 
 
 
 

   

 Directions 

Estimated travel time: 2 hours, 30 minutes by plane (from Miami, FL)  
 
Both St. Thomas and St. Croix have international airports. Oftentimes U.S. carriers land in St. Thomas first, and then go on to St. Croix. Cyril E King Airport is located on the southern coast of St. Thomas, three miles west of Charlotte Amalie. Henry E Rohlsen Airport is on the southern coast of St. Croix, seven miles southwest of Christiansted. American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and US Airways offer direct flights to the U.S. Virgin Islands from several U.S. destinations. Most visitors from Europe connect via Miami or San Juan in Puerto Rico.

 

   

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 Attractions 

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Coral World

Take a journey that will be the highlight of your visit to the Virgin Islands. Come to Coral World Ocean Park and experience the beauty and magic of life under and above the Caribbean Sea. Stay dry while gazing into the ocean from 15 feet under in our Undersea Observatory or take the plunge “moonwalking” through ocean gardens with Sea Trek. See tiny seahorses, giant lobsters, scorpion fish and other fascinating sea life in the Marine Gardens. Or get in the swim with our playful Sea Lions. Enjoy the sounds and colors of our Rainbow Lorikeets or hand feed these sociable birds. Encounter Turtles and Sharks in the water or feed the stingrays. However you choose to get up close and personal with our marine life, birds and land critters, your visit will be memorable. Coral World can also host your special event. Anything from a wedding, corporate meetings/retreats, to educational fieldtrips.

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Coki Point Beach

There aren't many uses for a dog biscuit. They're pretty much just for rewarding man's best friend or laughing at your friend as he unknowingly samples your "special dip." But alas, a better use lays ahead at Coki Point Beach. As you thread your feet through the soft, white sand, stop by one of the friendly beach vendors for some snorkeling gear and a few dog biscuits. Why? Because Coki Beach is one of the world's best places for casual snorkeling and nothing creates a fish frenzy like a watery canine treat. Then you can witness the teeming sea life surround you, swarming with all the colors of an underwater rainbow. And if for some reason you don't have a pulse and that doesn't excite you, the pristine beach and gleaming, crystal-clear waters are perfect for soothing you into a deep, peaceful nap. So take some time for yourself and absorb the rays, let the kids play with the fish, and listen to the swaying of the palms transport you to pure bliss…dog biscuits and all.

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 Reviews(Average Rating: 70% for 3 reviews) 

  • Hussain
    HussainReviews: 6
    Posts: 4

    The Watchtower

    09/30/2008

    75%

    St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

    I don’t know how many times in life you can actually say you’ve been in a pirate’s lair... but if you venture to St. Thomas, visiting Blackbeard’s Castle needs to happen. The infamous pirate lived his life the way we normally vacation with plenty of food and drink -- accompanied by a bonus of robbing merchant ships! Walking through the historic landmark, I couldn’t help thinking where he might have planned his next plunder or where he liked to hide if any of his fourteen wives were angry with him. Our guide took us to the lookout, (where supposedly Blackbeard spied on vessels he’d later raid), and my family and I got to see the gorgeous crystal blue ocean – snorkeling anyone? It was a short mid-cruise stop for us, but I can easily see anyone (landlubber or not) having an amazing time exploring this gem of the Virgin Islands.

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  • Sandy Snyder
    Sandy Snyder
    • Top member
    Reviews: 11
    Posts: 21

    Family's First Adventure

    08/05/2008

    85%

    St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

    Ever since I had kids, I had dreams of transporting our family to a beautiful island paradise with turquoise blue water, white beaches, stunning views, exotic wildlife and a different culture to discover. I couldn’t wait until my kids were old enough to handle this exotic family adventure. OK….maybe it wasn’t EXACTLY as I pictured. My kids still whined over frivolous things, had a few “lack of sleep” meltdowns and were just, well, themselves. But, in reality, it was all that I had dreamed. We rented a beat up old car (the only logical thing to rent in the Caribbean in my opinion); we drove on the left hand side of the road over steep hills and winding roads to different beaches all over the island. We snorkeled, we fed fish, we watched Caribbean sunsets and became very familiar with huge iguanas and collecting sea glass. In a week’s time, the island began to feel like home to us. My 3 yr old was saying things like, “Are we going to Red Hook or Frenchtown tonight Mom?” He now thinks we can just go back there as easy as we drive to the local convenience store. He informed me today that he would like his 4th birthday party at Iggie’s Beach Bar & Grill. My 7 yr old cried on the way home because he knew we wouldn’t be back for a very long time. We just loved it there. So, I’m afraid I’ve set the bar pretty high for this families future vacation expectations.

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  • Laura Nathan
    Laura Nathan
    • Top member
    Reviews: 6
    Posts: 72

    Home of Nature's Sapphires and Emeralds

    07/17/2008

    50%

    St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

    Unless you count Galveston, Texas’ overcrowded beaches, St. Thomas is where I got my first taste of the island life, and I have been addicted ever since. When I was in high school, my family took a cruise to the Virgin Islands, and our first stop was in St. Thomas. I remember being tired when we got off the ship early in the morning, but I was awoken almost instantly by the bold colors of the island—the emerald green trees lining the streets and shielding us from the sun, the sapphire-blue water, the sand as blindingly white as my skin. As we rode up the hills in a taxi to find my mother a diamond bracelet—one with emeralds and sapphires, incidentally—every view was better than the last. I remember little about the shopping, but I do remember trying to hold onto every glimpse of St. Thomas I caught—the sparkling water, the trees, the people frolicking on the beach, my toes wiggling in the much anticipated fluffy sand, and later, the setting sun. I didn't get to dive or snorkel as I would have insisted upon doing today, but St. Thomas is still what I think of when I think of islands. Someday, I hope to return and sit on the beach, dive in the water, and breathe in all of those colors once again.

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