This is our favorite cruise port to stop in on an Eastern Caribbean Cruise. St Thomas is the gateway isle of the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. It’s known for its beaches and snorkeling spots. The capital Charlotte Amalie, founded by the Danish in the 1600s, is a busy cruise ship port. There are 2 docks here with a total of 6 ships docking per day, Havensight Cruise Ship Dock with 3 docking spots is located East of Charlotte Amalie and Crown Bay with 3 docking spots making it one of the biggest ports and the most beautiful Caribbean harbors in the World to welcome you. You will fall in love with the beauty of this port before you ever leave your ship!
The Havensight dock area has been extensively developed with a large shopping mall, eateries and even a post office within easy walking distance of the ships. Havensight is directly south across the bay from downtown Charlotte Amalie. Taxis wait by the dock gates. You can also enjoy a pleasant but long walk along the shore into downtown. Crown Bay, a one time naval base, is St. Thomas’ newest cruise port. The ships dock on either side of a single finger pier. As at Havensight, guests enter and exit the ships via gangways through the shell doors. Beyond the gates of the port, there is a small shopping mall and a welcome center. Walking from from Crown Bay to downtown is very difficult.
Bring water shoes to most any of the St Thomas beaches as most do have rocks. Also bring a very good sun screen and a hat, the sun here can be brutal and if you are not used to it you will burn and who wants to ruin the rest of your vacation time.
The hub of the U.S. Virgin Islands contains plenty of pristine beaches and enough room to handle the crowds that arrive on cruise ship days and all beaches are public, (although some of the most popular charge a fee for maintenance). But, which beach to choose? Do you join the crowds in Magens Bay, seek out your own space at Secret Harbour or throw down a towel at Brewers Bay Beach, the list is endless.
Or, you could take the ferry to St John, where the gorgeous beaches are protected by Virgin Islands. Or my choice, a Catamaran Cruise thru the crystal clear waters finding countless white sand beaches, incredible reefs, and consistent wind, sailing around St Thomas and St John. There is every type of water activity here from snorkeling, parasailing, kayaking, and swimming with the Sea turtles. Turtles are a favorite of travelers, and on a snorkeling tour, you can see hawksbill, leatherback, and green sea turtles swimming peacefully among the sea grass and you can jump in and swim with them!
Magens Bay is one of the Caribbean’s most famous, award winning beaches and, indeed, Magens Bay has a lot going for it. For one, it’s an expansive, 1 mile stretch of sand located in a horseshoe shaped bay. The water is calm, making it a safe stop for children. Magens Bay is on the north side of St. Thomas, about a 30 minute taxi ride from Havensight Pier Here you’ll find booths renting out kayaks, paddle boats, and sunfish to up your aquatic activity level, and beach chairs, floaties, and snorkel sets are all for sale. The lively Magens Point Bar and Grill features everything from burgers, wings, and pizza to classic island grub, like mahi-mahi and curry shrimp.
For an alternative to the beach there is Coral World Ocean Park opened in 2004. One of St. Thomas’ most popular tourist attractions is this indoor-outdoor aquarium filled with small sharks, stingrays and starfish. Located on the northeast coast of St. Thomas, next to Coki Beach, Coral World also has a walk-through aviary and an offshore underwater observatory that lets you view ocean life 15 feet below the water’s surface.
Looking for something more challenging to do in St Thomas? Well, if you have eaten too much on your cruise and need some exercise you can always Climb the 99 Steps! One of the most popular landmarks in Charlotte Amalie, the 99 Steps are a staple of St. Thomas vacation photos. This staircase was built in the 1700s by the Danish colony, using bricks brought over from Denmark on sailing ships. The port city is known for its hills, and the Danes built steep streets and staircases to make getting around easier.
While there are dozens of stairways or “step-streets” as they were known on St. Thomas, 99 Steps (there are actually 103) is the most popular one, thanks to the lush foliage that adorns either side, as well as the spectacular view from high atop the mountain once you make the climb. At the top, you’ll be able to spot Blackbeard’s Castle. You can also reach the top via a taxi, and avoid walking up the 103 steps. It’s easy, however, to take 99 Steps downward at a leisurely pace.
There is also Blackbeard’s Castle which is located just above the 99 Steps is this Danish watch tower built in the late 1600’s. Originally, the tower of the castle offered a perfect vantage point to spot enemy ships entering the harbor. Now, the property is a major tourist attraction that offers walking tours of it and the surrounding sites of Charlotte Amalie. In addition to the history on display and the many life-size pirate statues on the property, Blackbeard’s Castle also has pools and a view of the picturesque Charlotte Amalie harbor.
Blackbeard’s Castle has everything you need including history, the famous lookout tower, with 360 degree views of Charlotte Amalie and its harbor, and three sparkling swimming pools (changing rooms provided). The former living quarters surround a lovely courtyard with the historic tower in the center and a large bronze sculpture of Blackbeard himself. Today the estate can only be viewed through the walking tour.
So many beaches and not enough time__))
You catch the ferry to St. John from Red Hook, which is about a 20 to 30-minute taxi ride from the cruise ship pier, depending on traffic. The ferry costs $12 round trip for adults, $2 for kids ages 2 to 11 and free for children younger than 2 years old. It leaves Red Hook every hour, on the hour.
The closest beaches to the ferry landing line the island’s north shore and are part of the Virgin Islands National Park. That means the beaches on St. John are well maintained, under normal circumstances, but require measures to safeguard guests, habitat and wildlife; this includes the use of reef-safe sunscreen and no glass bottles.
Gorgeous Trunk Bay is one of St. John’s primary draws with views of the BVI and an underwater snorkel trail. However, its clear water and white sand beach has sparse shade available. It appeals to active families and groups. Once you dock in Cruz Bay, it’s another 10 minutes to Trunk Bay. Taxis are readily available. Restrooms, changing rooms and equipment rentals. A full snorkel set rents for $10 as well as beach chairs. You’ll have to pay cash and a deposit, and rentals are due back between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m., depending upon the day’s traffic patterns and cruise ship schedules.
We have never done St John on our own as we prefer to play it safe with time. Going to a beach in St Thomas we know to allow at least an hour to get back to the ship while allowing for any delays especially with the traffic there. However going over by Ferry to St John is further and you have to plan your return with plenty of time to spare with taxis and minding the times of the Ferry.
Cinnamon Bay is the longest beach on St. John, offering ample space for visitors to spread out. The small cay in the middle of the bay offer shelter to fish, crabs and other invertebrates and perhaps a lobster or two. Snappers and other fish often inhabit the nooks and crannies of the cay’s steep slopes and deeper waters on the east, north and west sides. A few small pillar coral colonies adorn the northwest corner. The shallow sandy areas on the south side of the cay provide safe resting spots before returning to the beach. The remains of the Danish Warehouse at the end of the sidewalk to the beach or the oldest colonial ruins on St. John.
Maho Bay is the place to go for sea turtles. The seagrass beds in the middle stretches of this shallow bay provide habitat for the green sea turtles that are seen more frequently in the early morning or late afternoon. There’s coral and fish along the western (left if facing water) waters of this long beach, they are more abundant the closer you get to the point between Maho and Cinnamon. To the north east, the rocks and reef supports abundant fish populations, including angel fish. If you are lucky you may see octopus in the coral crevices.
Francis Bay is ideal for beginners, with its calm waters stretching from the west end of the beach all the way to Little Maho Beach. You will find schools of juvenile fish and small coral heads. Francis is usually a good place to view sea turtles, pelicans and large predator fish chasing schools of smaller fish “fry.” Along the northwest shoreline to the tip of Mary Point you will find gorgonians, tube sponges and patches of colonial anemones in about 10 feet of water. Beyond the point at the beginning of Fungi Passage, scattered hard corals appear in deeper water. Located behind the beach, the Francis Bay Boardwalk offers some of the best birding opportunities in the park.
Need any more reasons to visit this gorgeous place?
