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Luckily, the city’s historical landmarks aren’t too far of a walk from each other. Make sure to check out the St. Thomas synagogue with its sand floor, try to climb the steep 99 Steps, and the Three Queens statue. St. Thomas sightseeing is a great way to get a feel for the island, but you can cool off by diving deep into the waters of Coral World Ocean Park, located on the east side of the island by Coki Beach. Serving as one of the most popular St. Thomas tourist attractions, this castle takes you deep into a pirate-packed past. Whether you want to dive into crystal-clear waters or take tropical Facebook photos, you’re in for a treat at Magens Bay.
Time Management
Even if it's your first time on St. Thomas, don't be afraid to explore. Although locals drive on the left side of the road, the island has an American familiarity that makes it a perfect introduction to the Caribbean style of life. Attractions, beaches, shopping, golf, water sports -- the island offers a wide variety of activities, with new ones added every year. Even if it's your tenth trip, you're bound to find something fun to do, even if that just means discovering a new beach. It's also an easy jaunt via 20-minute ferry to tranquil St. John from the town of Red Hook. Even this town has local character (this is where expat residents of St. Thomas spend their time) that's a far cry from Charlotte Amalie's shopping mall vibe.
Restaurants Near the St. Thomas Cruise Port (Plus Shopping and Other Services)
Virgin Islands (USVI), a laid-back archipelago fringed by white sand beaches and sparkling sapphire seas. Unwind under a sun umbrella, snorkel over rainbow-colored reefs, take a sailing trip, or explore some of the island’s nature trails and viewpoints. You can also head to sleepy St. John, a pristine spot for snorkeling and admiring marine life.
Top Food & Drink in St. Thomas
With its incredible scenery and laid-back lifestyle, it’s easy to see why so many people choose to visit this beautiful island each year. Children under 12 are free, but it’s reported to be $5 per adult. Your cruise ship is sure to offer half- or full-day shore excursions.
Coral World Ocean Park is located here, so this can make a great full day to combine a beach and aquarium visit. Another tourist attraction located in Charlotte Amalie, closeby to the synagogue, is 99 Steps. Although 99 Steps is the most famous and most photographed, there are many of these “step” streets which cut through the hills in St. Thomas. Inside the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas, you’ll get a brief history of the synagogue, the Jewish history of the island, and the significance of it’s sand floor.
This has been a favorite shore excursion for many cruisers over the years for taking Instaworthy photos of the stunning harbor. Plus, there’s a gift shop, restaurant and bar where you may want to stop for a famous Bailey’s Bushwacker. Although it’s only about a 30 minute walk, the weather in St. Thomas is usually hot and sunny, so a cab or open air shuttle may be more comfortable. That said, both Havensight and Crown Bay have shopping close by, restaurants and bars, and transportation to the best attractions in St. Thomas.
You may even want to head up to the top deck of your cruise ship and take some amazing photos before heading ashore. There are bathrooms available at both piers at the St. Thomas cruise port. Look for official taxis, which have a dome light and the letters "TP" on their license plates. The taxi rank is located in the ground transportation area outside the arrivals hall.
Snorkel at Trunk Bay (St John)
Understanding the history of St. Thomas and the surrounding islands will give you better insight into what’s offered today. The generous duty-free allowance available for U.S. residents makes shopping a favorite among cruise passengers visiting St. Thomas. Charlotte Amalie’s Main Street is a lovely road lined with duty-free shops selling everything from chocolate to jewelry. The adjacent streets also offer a good array of stores, including souvenir shops and clothing boutiques. History buffs should not miss Fort Christian, a striking red-and-white fort built in the 17th century.
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Wherever your cruise ship docks in St Thomas it will always be very easy to travel around by taxi. There are no attractions close to the Crown Bay cruise terminal, however, you can take a taxi to some of the nearby beaches. The most popular and beautiful ones are Lindberg Bay Beach (a 20-minute walk, or less than a 5-minute drive), and Brewers Bay Beach (a 5-minute drive or 40-minute walk).
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Stop by Blackbeard’s Castle, built in 1679, and see the world’s largest collection of life-sized pirate statues. Or climb the legendary 99 Steps built by 18th century Danes, using bricks that once served as ship ballast. Pack light clothing for the daytime, with a sweater for the evening.
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In addition to a duty-free shopping scene that's virtually unparalleled, other on-the-beaten-track sites include the world-famous beach at Magens Bay. Lindbergh Bay is just a five-minute drive from Crown Bay Dock and 14-minute drive from Havensight Pier, offering up a less-crowded beach right near the airport. For a more crowded spot, try out Coki Beach because it's popular -- and for good reason. This beach has plenty of food, drinks, shade and snorkeling and diving spots all amongst soft sand and calm waves. Havensight Cruise Pier specifically has a large shopping mall and restaurants, while Crown Bay Dock has a small shopping mall and a welcome center. Charlotte Amalie, the capital city, is bursting with restaurants, bars, cafes and landmarks to visit.
Trolleys also run between the industrial port (Crown Point Marina) and Charlotte Amelie. It’s only a 15-minute ride between the two spots, and your taxi ride will cost about $15 each way. There are tons of taxis to hitch a ride between the main Havensight Mall area and Charlotte Amalie. It’s important for planning your day to know in advance where your ship will dock in St. Thomas.
To get to Charlotte Amalie downtown, you can walk which I wouldn’t recommend, as it’s too long and not very scenic (30-40 minutes walking distance). A taxi rank is outside the pier, the rates are displayed and taxis are shared; it costs around $5 per person one way to go to the city center. Located about 13-minutes' drive from either cruise ship pier, Drake's Seat offers up a stunning vista of Magen’s Bay. You also have the option to drive up to the top instead of walking up.
This means you’ll have to find your own way to the meeting point and back to the ship. Incorporate a walking tour with a taste of the local culinary and cultural scene. The Skyride is directly across from the Havensight cruise port in Charlotte Amalie. If your cruise is making a stop during a full moon, check out their Full Moon tour.
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