Top Things to do in St. Thomas
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The 10 Best Nature & Parks in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Like all of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas has plenty of opportunities to lounge on the beach, splash in the sea, or amp it up with watersports. It also boasts a bountiful duty-free shopping scene – just be prepared to brave the cruise ship crowds. Charlotte Amalie swells with Danish colonial architecture and pirate legend. Shiver ye timbers at Blackbeard’s Castle, then work up an appetite by climbing the historic 99 Steps, constructed from the ballast bricks of 18th century Danish ships.
Restaurants in St. Thomas
1. Hassel Island
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 72 reviews
A haven for hikers, more than 135 acres of this island located in Charlotte Amalie harbor is part of the Virgin Islands National Park.
Reviewed By Reisiger1223 - Alexandria, United States
While official tours to the island are temporarily halted, you can get over to the island by making arrangements with a dive shop or through a kayak rental company. It is well worth the trouble if you enjoy history, as the island has plenty! From Danish batteries that became British forts that became American signaling stations, old German (Hamburg America Lines) coaling stations, old Royal Mail Steam Packet Company wharfs, to the best preserved marine railway in the Western Hemisphere, the history is everywhere. If kayaking, I recommend staying to the protected waters on the northern end of the island, as the waters around the southern portion are quite choppy. I also recommend going as early as possible to avoid harbor marine (to include seaplane) traffic.
2. Outer Brass
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
This hairy dive site is an enormous granite slab with a coral-encrusted 80-foot drop on either side.
3. French Cap
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Six miles offshore St. Thomas, the Cap makes for a stunning dive with enormous ledges, overhangs and even big sea creatures like sharks and rays.
4. Cow and Calf Rocks
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 62 reviews
At a depth of 40 feet, this shallow dive is a popular spot for novice snorkelers, which features twin rocks that pierce the surface connected by a labyrinth of swim-through tunnels, archways and caves.
Reviewed By aaronlZ7909KS - Sumter, United States
We visited these two dive sites on 5/23/17. Visibility was excellent (60+ ft.) with little to no current and pretty calm seas (2-4ft waves at most). The sites are full of caverns and swim through holes in coral formations that are home to a wide variety of sea life. We encountered some of the largest lobster and hermit crabs I have ever seen along with a majestic lion fish, an eagle ray, and many, many more species. There are many nooks and crannies for some of the more shy creatures to hide in, so bring a good dive light along with an underwater camera for some nice pictures. This part of St. Thomas is protected, so you are not allowed to grab any of the large vacated conch shells you find, nor are you allowed to grab any of the lobsters you are bound to encounter. There are better sites if you are looking for turtles, but this is one of the better ones on St. Thomas.
5. Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 174 reviews
We are open on Thursday, Friday, Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00-4:00. We look forward to sharing Phantasea with our visitors and locals. The garden is full of beautiful blooming orchids, bromeliads, lilies, palms, and more. . Come and relax in the calming serenity of nature as lizards scurry about and butterflies and birds fly throughout the garden. Stop and rest in our Balinese gazebo or at our other seating areas. Visit our resident wildlife - parrots, tortoises, peacocks and chickens - and learn about the garden plants and inhabitants with our interpretive signs. Approx. 45 minutes - one hour average time to visit. Great for children and families. Cold water, tropical juices and snacks for sale. Blooming orchids and tillaandsias (air plants) also for sale. Cash and credit cards accepted. Easy to find, just follow the signs posted along the roadways , or use Google maps.(DO NOT use GPS!)
Reviewed By O1172QQamyt
This is a beautiful tropical garden with views overlooking the water. Make sure to use Google maps to find it! The current hours are weekends only (which we didn't know until we called on a Monday), but the owner was close by and actually let us come in for a private experience! The owner was so friendly and accommodating, sharing her love for gardening and knowledge of plants. You'll also get to spot some local birds, banaquits and hummingbirds. Such a beautiful place, I would definitely recommend visiting on your next trip to St. Thomas!
6. Plantation Crown and Hawk Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 72 reviews
St. Thomas newest island attraction, fun for the whole family! Explore this lush tropical garden in the rain forest set on 5 1/2 acre sugar plantation estate c. 1780's. Featuring the VI's first ever plant maze! Amazing sky deck views, waterfall, orchid garden, gift shop, beverage/ snack bar, sugar mill, peacocks/ wildlife and thousands of tropical plants and trails all waiting to be explored! Call for hours during the week.
Reviewed By MindyW216
The grounds are beautiful with breathtaking views all the way to the ocean and the sea. We really enjoyed the many tropical flowers and the birds as well as the many photo opportunities.
7. Ocean Surfari - Feed Monster Tarpon
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
Come to Red Hook in St Thomas and feed the giant tarpon. Over 50 giant tarpon up to 150 pounds live at American Yacht Harbor Marina in Red Hook. Stop by our retail store and pick up a pint tub of tarpon food for $3.00 and feed these huge creatures. The tarpon here in St Thomas have a huge unemployment rate and are counting on you to feed them so stop by today.
Reviewed By alli85ak
We enjoyed feeding the tarpon. Our kiddo loved it! Cheap & fun! Such a great quick activity for kids & adults!
8. Water Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 499 reviews
The fourth largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, this quiet 492-acre island, located in Charlotte Amalie harbor, beckons those who want to stroll its beaches, bike amid its green hills, and view birds, iguana, turtles and other wildlife that make this lovely paradise their home.
Reviewed By cwD7581YP - Bear Creek, United States
We have been coming to St Thomas for years, but this was the first year visiting Water Island. It is a short ferry ride from Crown Point harbor (ferry fills up fast so get in line early)......the island itself is nice, with a free shuttle to the beach and convenient golf cart rentals right at the pier. The golf cart is worth it if you want explore the island - there are great spots for panoramic pics from the higher parts of the island, as well as an old unfinished fort at the very top. The beach is great, with chairs/umbrellas and 2 different spots to to purchase food/drink. We will definitely be adding this as one of our regular spots for future visits.
9. Sapphire Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,970 reviews
A favorite of windsurfers, the beach has fine white sand and beautiful views of St. John and offshore cays, and offers excellent snorkeling at the reef to the east, near Pettyklip Point.
Reviewed By reedmangreg - Chicago, United States
With many great beaches to choose from I would say Sapphire and Megans were my favorite in our 7 nights on St Thomas - we stayed at the Sapphire Beach Resort for 4 nights and having this beauty right in front of us was a blessing :) We did try some other beaches but this one packs everything great in one like no other in St Thomas - you have a nice beach bar and a great coffee/breakfast place on the spot, plenty of shade, peaceful water and soft sand, good for sunsets (despite being on the side) and the chickens/iguanas roaming around - it's the real Caribbean deal :) TIP: it's a free beach and appears to be part of the condo/resort area but it welcomes visitors as well so don't be shy, otherwise you will miss out on something great!
10. Morningstar Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 427 reviews
This beach has two faces: a quit spot to relax in a lounge chair and sip tropical drinks purchased from the beach bar; or, a sporty beach to snorkel, windsurf, sail and play volleyball. The choice is yours.
Reviewed By pato2846 - Willow Grove, United States
Excellent beach located on Marriott's property where the swim club is located and The Reef Hotel where the Infinity Pool is located. There are several restaurants located at that location.The beach is serene, clean beautiful water.
