Top 10 Things to Do in St. Thomas, USVI

St. Thomas is a beautiful island in the Caribbean Sea, and it offers a variety of attractions for travelers of all ages and interests. From stunning beaches to historical landmarks and exciting outdoor activities, there is always something for everyone's preferences in St. Thomas. It is the second-largest island among the three primary U.S. Virgin Islands (St. John and St. Cruix are the other two) located just east of Puerto Rico. St. Thomas is the only territory in the United States which have coasts on both the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

In this blog post, we are bringing you the top 10 things to do while staying in St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. 

1. Virgin Islands Ecotour

The 5-hour Kayak, Hike, & Snorkel Tour will leave you with some amazing memories and you’re sure to be exhausted by the end of the day. In this tour, you start out by kayaking through stingray alley and head to a spot where you will make a short hike out along the rocky coastline. Then you kayak again to Cas Cay Wildlife Sanctuary where you’ll have a packed lunch and after you will take another short hike. You also get to snorkel by the mangrove trees where underwater life abounds. If this is too long of a tour for you, they have other shorter ones, but for sure this is the one that brings the unique experience.

2. Pirates Treasure Museum

A couple of centuries ago, the waters around these islands were quite full of pirates. A consequence of that is a huge number of shipwrecks in the area, which also means a lot of “pirate treasure”, in fact, so much that they could open a whole museum with it. Pirates Treasure Museum will show you gold and other invaluable pieces from sunken ships, as well as real pirate weapons used back then. It is guaranteed fun for the whole family, so make sure you do not miss it.

3. St. John Day Trip

St. John is another island within the Virgin Islands, and it is a short ferry ride from Red Hook on St. Thomas. The island is 80% National Park with some beautiful hiking trails. The Reef Bay and Cinnamon Bay Trails are very popular, both leading to secluded beaches. And Mongoose Bay has many art galleries and a few watersport companies where you can book fishing, kayaking, or other water activities.

4. St. Thomas Synagogue

If you’re looking for historical sights while visiting St. Thomas, this is the must-see place. The St. Thomas Synagogue was built in 1833 and it is the second-oldest in the entire America. It is also certified as a National Historic Landmark. 

5. Coral World Ocean Park

Coral World Ocean Park is a miniature zoo with informative exhibits that the staff put on with the animals. Here you can experience swimming with dolphins or sea lions, or a shark encounter. The star of the show is their underwater observatory which sits 100 feet off the shoreline and the bottom level rests on the seafloor. The windows in the tower allow you to see out and watch fishes lazily swimming along the reef.

6. 99 Steps

The 99 steps are one of the symbols of St. Thomas, and it would really be a shame to miss them. The climb is really not very demanding, and the area around the steps is decorated with beautiful flowers. It is right below Blackbeard’s Castle. The steps were built by the Danish who brought them over in their ships where they served as ballasts. And just to be precise, technically it has 103 steps.

7. Magens Bay

Below the green hills and coconut palms, Magens Bay is one of the world's most beautiful beaches. The typically calm seas along this horseshoe-shaped bay are excellent for snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, and other water sports.

8. Blackbeard’s Castle

Blackbeard’s Castle was built back in 1679 by Danish people who used it as an observation tower to spot enemy ships from miles away. The legend says that Blackbeard himself later took over the fort and used it for his own purposes, which is where the name comes from. However, this was never confirmed, so the real reason why this place bears his name remains a mystery. It is another National Historic Landmark and definitely a place worth visiting.

9. Charlotte Amalie

The capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Charlotte Amalie is one of the most popular cruise ports in the Caribbean Sea. It's named after a Danish queen and sits mid-island on the south shore of St. Thomas. Popular things to do in Charlotte Amalie include stopping in at the St. Thomas Synagogue, famous for its sand floor; and exploring Fort Christian, the island's oldest structure. Other famous landmarks include the Emancipation Garden, the elegant three-story Government House, and the distinctive Frederick Lutheran Church with red shutters.

10. Frederik Lutheran Church

This architectural gem in Charčptte Amalie was built between 1789 and 1793 in the Georgian style. Restored twice in the 19th century, the church now features Gothic Revival elements such as a gable tower. The entrance to the church features a "welcoming arms" stairway typical of West Indian architecture. During the 19th century, the congregations of the church were segregated into West Indian and Danish groups. Services are still held in the church, and tourists are welcome.