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Magens Bay is located in the north of St Thomas, approximately 6 km/3.7 miles from Charlotte Amalie and the cruise ports. A cruise stop in St. Thomas promises an unforgettable experience whether you are new to cruising or experience on the seas. But to ensure your visit is as smooth and enjoyable as possible, arm yourself with some insider knowledge. From navigating the port area to maximizing your time on the island, here’s a handy guide to ensure cruisers have the best of times in St. Thomas.
Discover
Just off Main Street, visit the St. Thomas Synagogue and Frederick Lutheran Church, each the second oldest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. 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. However, there was just an increase of $1.00 on the longer rides since 2011. Prices from Charlotte Amalie are very similar if you wish to pass by the capital of St Thomas. When we last cruised to St Thomas and docked at Crown Bay (in Februrary 2022), all we noticed was the fresh paint on most buildings.
Things to Do Near the St. Thomas Cruise Port
You’ll find one at every turn, each one more beautiful than the next, making exploring the island’s many stretches of sand one of the best things to do in St. Thomas. Wander through the lanes and alleys of historic Charlotte Amalie with a local expert to discover more about the island’s cuisine and local history. The tour also weaves in the city’s top sights, from the 99 steps to Fort Christian and Blackbeard’s Castle.
Beach Hop ‘Till You Drop
St. Thomas is a foodie's paradise, offering a range of culinary experiences waiting to be explored. The highly-regarded St. Thomas culinary tour caters to food enthusiasts, offering an unparalleled gastronomic adventure. Indulge in a delightful journey, sampling local delicacies at charming cafes, vibrant food markets and mouthwatering restaurants. From savory seafood dishes to juicy tropical fruits, this tour is a chance to immerse yourself in the Caribbean flavors while learning about the island's culinary heritage. Families visiting St. Thomas can explore a treasure trove of adventures.
Top 3: Things To Do In St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Icon of the Seas makes maiden call in St Thomas Loop Caribbean News - Loop News Caribbean
Icon of the Seas makes maiden call in St Thomas Loop Caribbean News.
Posted: Thu, 01 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Cruises to Curaçao allow you to enjoy many beautiful beaches, snorkel through the shipwreck of a 50-year-old tugboat, or marvel at the striking sea cliffs of Boka Tabla. If the history of the island fascinates you, take a tour of the charming capital of Willemstad, or visit Fort Amsterdam and see the cannonball still embedded in its walls from a battle hundreds of years ago. Turtle Cove is the most popular spot on the island, as it’s home to Green Sea Turtles that you can often spot swimming in the blue azure, crystal clear waters. Besides the turtles, you can snorkel/scuba dive around a fascinating coral reef teeming with abundant marine life including surgeonfish, squirrelfish, snapper, and other tropical sea creatures. This 225-yard-long trail lies just 30 yards off the beach and allows visitors to enjoy an up-close encounter with St John’s vibrant marine life featuring corals, parrotfish, yellowtails, and turtles. Underwater signs give you an insight into the abundant sea life, which makes the whole experience unique and educational.
The on-board guide will be offering all sorts of bargains, coupons, deals, and promotions. However, besides the stores promoted by the on-board shopping guide, there are many other shops that the cruise traveler should look into. The Havensight cruise port has a large shopping plaza right outside the cruise port gates, and has attractions that are close enough that you can go to your own with one of the local taxis or shuttles. It’s located on the Northern coast of the island and most enjoyed for it’s snorkeling and diving. The bustling town of Charlotte Amalie is a main attraction in St. Thomas and is a 15 minute cab ride away from both cruise ports.
The most popular beach for cruisers and those who want to snorkel, is Trunk Bay. Perfect for families and kids, this beach has an underwater snorkeling trail that’s accessible from the beach and close to the shoreline. If you’re wondering about the pros and cons of booking shore excursions with the cruise line versus on your own, I’ll leave a link to a helpful article at the end of this post.
Night Eastern / Western CaribbeanDetails
Beyond its recreational allure, the island is an ecological marvel waiting to be explored. These tranquil excursions, whether on land or water, serve as gentle reminders of the simple joys of life. So, take a deep breath, let the worries melt away, and immerse yourself in the serene embrace of St. Thomas. Most Eastern Caribbean itineraries feature St. Thomas, given its strategic location. Typically, a 7-day cruise might include stops in neighboring islands such as St. Maarten, the Bahamas, or Puerto Rico.
Top Attractions, Activities and Excursions in St. Thomas
If you seek a more secluded beach, Solomon Beach located next to Honeymoon Beach might be just a perfect pick for you! It is accessible via hiking trails, has no amenities, and offers amazing swimming and snorkeling. To get to the beach on your own, you need to take a golf cart for a small cost. Many tours include Honeymoon Beach, and the best way to reach it is by boat as you get to take in the stunning views of St John’s coastline. St John is known as a great snorkeling and diving spot and has breathtaking beaches, among which Trunk Bay and Honeymoon Beach are the most popular ones. If you are familiar with St. Thomas, I suggest taking a scenic ferry ride over to St. John, the smallest of the three Virgin Islands located four miles east of St. Thomas.
Havensight cruise terminal is the primary port and it is the closest to the city center, approximately 2 km/1.2 miles, or a minute walking distance. It’s the juxtaposition of tranquil beaches and bustling bazaars, of historic forts and hip nightclubs, of coral reefs teeming with life and mountainous terrains waiting to be trekked. Sample local spiced rums in St. Thomas and feast on freshly caught fish along the boardwalk in Philipsburg, St. Maarten. Snorkel the scenic waters of St. Maarten’s Great Bay, and swim alongside dolphins at Ocean World Adventure Park in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Spend your days sunning on the white sands of breathtaking Caribbean beaches, snorkeling, kayaking, and enjoying a cooling rum punch on these fun-filled luxury cruises.
Plus, there’s a gift shop, restaurant and bar where you may want to stop for a famous Bailey’s Bushwacker. Sapphire Beach is known for it’s stunning sapphire blue waters of course! However, you’ll also get a beautiful view of the neighboring island of St. John. 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.
If your stomach starts to growl, head to Magens Bay Beach Bar and Café. Here you’ll find everything from grilled sandwiches to pizza plus pre-made salads and sandwiches. If Havensight Pier is too busy, your ship may end up docking in Crown Point Marina, despite being a smaller ship.
Chukka expands into St. Thomas with Cruise Ship Excursions acquisition - Seatrade Cruise News
Chukka expands into St. Thomas with Cruise Ship Excursions acquisition.
Posted: Mon, 11 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
This park offers educational opportunities that teach visitors more about local sea creatures and underwater habitats. Virgin Islands, St Thomas has a lot to offer and it’s recommended to plan your day ahead to get the most out of this beautiful port of call. This is the perfect opportunity to discover St. Thomas’s underwater world from a different perspective. This unique underwater scooter is custom-built with an oversized helmet that allows you to breathe normally while enjoying great views of tropical reefs and colorful fish. There is no previous diving experience required for this underwater exploration.
The seafood here is superb; look out for spiced mahi mahi fish and the sweet, clawless Caribbean lobster, as well as yellowfin tuna and creamy conch chowder. Fish and fungi, the national dish, is a polenta-like dumpling served with fried fish. You’ll see Johnny cakes everywhere, which are deep-fried flour or cornmeal patties served with cheese or salt fish. Occupying the site of an 18th-century sugar plantation, this lush tropical garden is bursting with dazzling blooms, orchids, herbs, and other medicinal plants, the air fragrant with frangipani. Peacocks, tortoises, and soldier crabs populate the crumbling remains of the estate, which has sweeping views down over Charlotte Amalie. You’ll learn about bush medicine and sample local teas, with the option of trying island rum, too.
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. Just taking transportation to the eastern end of the island will give you emotional distance from the hectic pier. The First European settlement on St. Thomas consisted of four taverns. Now known as Charlotte Amalie, today it is a haven for shoppers, but was once a pirate sanctuary.
Make your way into the fishing village, Frenchtown, to give this business a try. Every 7 minutes, the Skyride shuttles passengers 700 feet to reach the top, Paradise Point. Use your moment in the sky to take awesome pictures or simply relax. The gardens are educational for those interested in plants and flowers such as orchids, succulents, and palms. Garden staff also enjoy teaching others about the importance of conservation.
