Virgin Islands Guide

St Thomas Travel Guide

By Ziv KahanaUpdated

Painted crescent beach with turquoise water and green headlands

The short answer

Choose a St Thomas base first. Then match beaches, excursions and a cruise or ferry day to the transport you will actually have on the island.

Where to Stay

Beaches and Places

Things to Do and Tours

Plan Your Trip

Planning an Overnight Stay

Painted hillside of pastel guesthouses above a bay at dusk

Where you sleep sets how often the day starts with a drive.

St Thomas combines Charlotte Amalie, beach areas, and access to excursions. Where you sleep affects how often you need to travel for meals, boats, and beach days. Compare areas before choosing a room.

Visiting for One Day

Painted cruise ships berthed below a green hillside seen from the road above

One day holds one main plan, chosen around the ride back.

Cruise visitors should first identify their terminal and all-aboard time. Pick one main activity and leave room for the trip back. A distant beach plus a ferry crossing is a very different day from exploring near the port.

Plan One Place in Detail

Painted quiet cove with clear shallows, a rocky point and sea grape shade

Each place guide separates the stable advice from what needs a same-day check.

Choose Magens Bay for a supported swimming day or Charlotte Amalie for history, shopping and the waterfront. For shore snorkeling and an optional Coral World visit, choose Coki Beach. Each guide separates stable trip-fit advice from fees, opening days and conditions that need a same-day check.

Sources and Last Checked