St. Thomas, the gateway to the U.S. Virgin Islands, offers visitors the dreamy combination of luxury accommodations and marvelous natural adventures—without requiring a passport for U.S. citizens. This carefully crafted five-day itinerary combines resort experiences (and duty-free shopping) with outdoor adventure.
As the most developed of the three U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas provides sophisticated amenities alongside natural beauty. Relax at oceanfront resorts with panoramic views, explore the historic harbor town of Charlotte Amalie with its duty-free boutiques, and dive into waters teeming with tropical fish and coral formations. From the white sands of Magens Bay to the snorkeling adventures from Coki Beach, this itinerary balances relaxation and exploration for travelers seeking a Caribbean experience in style and outdoor adventures that explore natural treasures.
Itinerary
PLAN YOUR TRIP
Fort Christian
Courtesy of U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism
Day 1:Explore Charlotte Amalie
Your St. Thomas adventure begins as you land at Cyril E. King Airport, where you’ll notice the striking views of the harbor and surrounding hills. After clearing the terminal, take a pre-arranged private transfer or taxi to your accommodation—options include the Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas overlooking Great Bay, properties like the Westin St. Thomas Beach Resort and Spa, or Club Wyndham Elysian Beach Resort.
Upon arrival at your hotel, settle in and explore the property’s amenities, which typically include multiple restaurants, swimming pools, spa facilities, and beach access. Many St. Thomas resorts have undergone significant renovations recently, offering enhanced guest experiences with contemporary designs that incorporate Caribbean aesthetics and maximize ocean views.
Then, head to Charlotte Amalie, the historic capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands, for an afternoon of exploration and shopping, or try a food tour. The charming harbor town features distinctive Danish colonial architecture dating to the 17th century, with red-roofed buildings set against lush green hillsides.
Main Street and the surrounding alleys comprise one of the Caribbean’s premier duty-free shopping destinations. U.S. citizens returning to the mainland enjoy a $1,600 duty-free allowance per person—significantly higher than the $800 allowance from other Caribbean destinations.
For a historical perspective, visit Fort Christian, a distinctive red Danish colonial fortress dating to 1680 that’s a National Historic Landmark. You might also climb the famous 99 Steps (actually 103), built by the Danes using ballast bricks from sailing ships, which lead to sweeping views of the harbor.
As evening approaches, enjoy dinner at one of Charlotte Amalie’s elegant restaurants, many housed in historic buildings that combine architectural charm with cuisine well-crafted enough to impress discerning foodies. Whether you prefer fresh seafood with Caribbean influences or international fine dining, St. Thomas offers numerous options.
Upon arrival at your hotel, settle in and explore the property’s amenities, which typically include multiple restaurants, swimming pools, spa facilities, and beach access. Many St. Thomas resorts have undergone significant renovations recently, offering enhanced guest experiences with contemporary designs that incorporate Caribbean aesthetics and maximize ocean views.
Then, head to Charlotte Amalie, the historic capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands, for an afternoon of exploration and shopping, or try a food tour. The charming harbor town features distinctive Danish colonial architecture dating to the 17th century, with red-roofed buildings set against lush green hillsides.
Main Street and the surrounding alleys comprise one of the Caribbean’s premier duty-free shopping destinations. U.S. citizens returning to the mainland enjoy a $1,600 duty-free allowance per person—significantly higher than the $800 allowance from other Caribbean destinations.
For a historical perspective, visit Fort Christian, a distinctive red Danish colonial fortress dating to 1680 that’s a National Historic Landmark. You might also climb the famous 99 Steps (actually 103), built by the Danes using ballast bricks from sailing ships, which lead to sweeping views of the harbor.
As evening approaches, enjoy dinner at one of Charlotte Amalie’s elegant restaurants, many housed in historic buildings that combine architectural charm with cuisine well-crafted enough to impress discerning foodies. Whether you prefer fresh seafood with Caribbean influences or international fine dining, St. Thomas offers numerous options.
Courtesy of U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism
Day 2:Snorkel and Sightsee in St. Thomas
Begin your day with a leisurely breakfast at your resort, perhaps dining al fresco with views of the Caribbean Sea. Today’s itinerary balances underwater exploration with panoramic island vistas.
Your first destination is Sapphire Beach on the eastern end of St. Thomas, known for its crescent of white sand and excellent snorkeling conditions. This beach offers rental equipment (if you haven’t brought your own) and clear, calm waters ideal for underwater exploration. Just offshore, coral formations provide a habitat for various tropical fish species, creating an accessible snorkeling experience for all skill levels.
Wade into the sea and discover an underwater world where you might see blue tangs, parrotfish, and yellow-striped grunts amid sea fans and coral structures. The beach’s east end features rocky areas with particularly rich marine life. After your snorkeling session, relax on the soft sand and enjoy the views of nearby St. John and the British Virgin Islands in the distance.
For lunch, dine at Sapphire Beach’s casual beachside restaurant or return to your resort for a more glamorous midday meal. Many St. Thomas resorts and hotels pride themselves on their cuisine, with menus featuring local seafood options like Galician-style octopus, coconut curried mussels, and wood-fired whole Caribbean lobster.
Head to Paradise Point for one of St. Thomas’s most spectacular views in the afternoon. Located 700 feet above Charlotte Amalie harbor, this lookout is accessible via the Paradise Point Tramway, a cable car that carries visitors up the steep hillside. Enjoy epic 360-degree views of the harbor, downtown Charlotte Amalie, and neighboring islands from the observation deck.
Come evening, many properties offer sunset cocktails, where you can watch the sky transform through vibrant colors while enjoying drinks and appetizers. For dinner, choose one of your resort’s restaurants or venture to another dining establishment recommended by your concierge. St. Thomas’s fine dining scene combines Caribbean flavors with international culinary techniques, often in settings that showcase the island’s natural beauty.
Your first destination is Sapphire Beach on the eastern end of St. Thomas, known for its crescent of white sand and excellent snorkeling conditions. This beach offers rental equipment (if you haven’t brought your own) and clear, calm waters ideal for underwater exploration. Just offshore, coral formations provide a habitat for various tropical fish species, creating an accessible snorkeling experience for all skill levels.
Wade into the sea and discover an underwater world where you might see blue tangs, parrotfish, and yellow-striped grunts amid sea fans and coral structures. The beach’s east end features rocky areas with particularly rich marine life. After your snorkeling session, relax on the soft sand and enjoy the views of nearby St. John and the British Virgin Islands in the distance.
For lunch, dine at Sapphire Beach’s casual beachside restaurant or return to your resort for a more glamorous midday meal. Many St. Thomas resorts and hotels pride themselves on their cuisine, with menus featuring local seafood options like Galician-style octopus, coconut curried mussels, and wood-fired whole Caribbean lobster.
Head to Paradise Point for one of St. Thomas’s most spectacular views in the afternoon. Located 700 feet above Charlotte Amalie harbor, this lookout is accessible via the Paradise Point Tramway, a cable car that carries visitors up the steep hillside. Enjoy epic 360-degree views of the harbor, downtown Charlotte Amalie, and neighboring islands from the observation deck.
Come evening, many properties offer sunset cocktails, where you can watch the sky transform through vibrant colors while enjoying drinks and appetizers. For dinner, choose one of your resort’s restaurants or venture to another dining establishment recommended by your concierge. St. Thomas’s fine dining scene combines Caribbean flavors with international culinary techniques, often in settings that showcase the island’s natural beauty.
The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas
Courtesy of the Ritz Carlton St. Thomas
Day 3:See Sea Turtles and Enjoy a Spa Treatment in St. Thomas
After breakfast at your resort, today’s adventure takes you to Coki Beach on St. Thomas’s northeast coast and the adjacent Coral World marine park. They offer curated marine experiences and natural underwater exploration.
Begin at Coki Beach, renowned for its exceptional snorkeling directly from shore. The beach’s clear, calm waters host abundant marine life, and snorkelers often have unusually close encounters with tropical fish. For lunch, enjoy casual dining options at Coki Beach, where local vendors serve authentic Caribbean dishes and refreshing beverages.
In the afternoon, continue enjoying Coki Beach’s excellent snorkeling or head to Coral World, a marine park featuring aquariums, touch pools, and an underwater observation tower that extends 15 feet below the surface for 360-degree views of aquatic life. The park offers various attractions, including a shark encounter, turtle pool, and stingray lagoon, and educational presentations throughout the day explain the Caribbean’s marine ecosystems and conservation efforts.
For a special experience, consider the park’s SNUBA program, which combines snorkeling and scuba diving elements without requiring certification. SNUBA allows you to breathe underwater through a regulator connected to an air supply that floats on the surface so that you can explore at depths up to 20 feet with professional guidance.
Return to your resort to take advantage of its amenities. Many properties offer watersports equipment, spa services, or guided activities that allow you to customize your experience based on your interests. Consider scheduling a treatment at your resort’s spa, where Caribbean-inspired therapies often incorporate local ingredients like coconut, mango, or tropical flowers.
For dinner, explore another of your resort’s restaurant options or venture to fine dining elsewhere on the island. Waterfront settings are particularly popular for evening meals, so you can watch boats returning to harbor as the sun sets and enjoy fresh seafood and island specialties. After dinner, your resort might offer evening entertainment ranging from live music to cocktail experiences featuring premium rums and tropical mixology.
Begin at Coki Beach, renowned for its exceptional snorkeling directly from shore. The beach’s clear, calm waters host abundant marine life, and snorkelers often have unusually close encounters with tropical fish. For lunch, enjoy casual dining options at Coki Beach, where local vendors serve authentic Caribbean dishes and refreshing beverages.
In the afternoon, continue enjoying Coki Beach’s excellent snorkeling or head to Coral World, a marine park featuring aquariums, touch pools, and an underwater observation tower that extends 15 feet below the surface for 360-degree views of aquatic life. The park offers various attractions, including a shark encounter, turtle pool, and stingray lagoon, and educational presentations throughout the day explain the Caribbean’s marine ecosystems and conservation efforts.
For a special experience, consider the park’s SNUBA program, which combines snorkeling and scuba diving elements without requiring certification. SNUBA allows you to breathe underwater through a regulator connected to an air supply that floats on the surface so that you can explore at depths up to 20 feet with professional guidance.
Return to your resort to take advantage of its amenities. Many properties offer watersports equipment, spa services, or guided activities that allow you to customize your experience based on your interests. Consider scheduling a treatment at your resort’s spa, where Caribbean-inspired therapies often incorporate local ingredients like coconut, mango, or tropical flowers.
For dinner, explore another of your resort’s restaurant options or venture to fine dining elsewhere on the island. Waterfront settings are particularly popular for evening meals, so you can watch boats returning to harbor as the sun sets and enjoy fresh seafood and island specialties. After dinner, your resort might offer evening entertainment ranging from live music to cocktail experiences featuring premium rums and tropical mixology.
Honeymoon Beach in St. Thomas
Courtesy of U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism
Day 4:Day trip to Water Island
Today’s adventure takes you to Water Island, the fourth and smallest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, located a short ferry ride from St. Thomas’s Crown Bay Marina. This 491.5-acre island offers a more secluded experience with fewer visitors than St. Thomas, making a perfect day trip.
After breakfast, take a taxi to Crown Bay Marina and board the Water Island ferry, which makes regular trips throughout the day. The ferry crossing takes approximately 10 minutes and provides views of St. Thomas’s harbor and coastline. Unlike the main U.S. Virgin Islands, Water Island has minimal development and no major resorts, allowing you to experience a quieter side of the territory.
Upon arrival, you have several options for exploring the island. Some visitors rent golf carts (the primary mode of transportation) to tour the island’s attractions, including Fort Segarra, an unfinished underground fort constructed during World War II. Others prefer to walk, as most points of interest are within reasonable distance of the ferry dock.
The highlight of Water Island is Honeymoon Beach, a postcard-worthy stretch of white sand lined with palm trees that features ideal water for swimming and snorkeling. The beach offers rental equipment, casual dining options, and comfortable lounging areas where you can relax in a more laid-back setting than St. Thomas’s busier beaches.
Wade into the calm, protected waters to explore the marine life around the small reef areas near the beach’s edges. The underwater visibility is typically excellent, allowing you to see colorful fish and occasional turtles in their natural habitat with fewer crowds than more popular snorkeling destinations.
For lunch, enjoy laid-back beachside dining at Dinghy’s Beach Bar & Grill or Heidi’s Honeymoon Grill, where you can sample island favorites like fresh fish tacos, conch fritters, or grilled seafood with a view of the turquoise Caribbean Sea.
In the afternoon, you might explore Limestone Bay on the island’s southern shore, another great snorkeling spot, or simply continue enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of Honeymoon Beach. As the day winds down, catch the ferry back to St. Thomas.
For this evening’s dining experience, consider one of St. Thomas’s renowned restaurants with panoramic views, such as Mafolie Restaurant, perched high above Charlotte Amalie. These restaurants often feature innovative menus that showcase the island’s finest ingredients while providing spectacular vistas as the lights of Charlotte Amalie twinkle in the twilight.
After breakfast, take a taxi to Crown Bay Marina and board the Water Island ferry, which makes regular trips throughout the day. The ferry crossing takes approximately 10 minutes and provides views of St. Thomas’s harbor and coastline. Unlike the main U.S. Virgin Islands, Water Island has minimal development and no major resorts, allowing you to experience a quieter side of the territory.
Upon arrival, you have several options for exploring the island. Some visitors rent golf carts (the primary mode of transportation) to tour the island’s attractions, including Fort Segarra, an unfinished underground fort constructed during World War II. Others prefer to walk, as most points of interest are within reasonable distance of the ferry dock.
The highlight of Water Island is Honeymoon Beach, a postcard-worthy stretch of white sand lined with palm trees that features ideal water for swimming and snorkeling. The beach offers rental equipment, casual dining options, and comfortable lounging areas where you can relax in a more laid-back setting than St. Thomas’s busier beaches.
Wade into the calm, protected waters to explore the marine life around the small reef areas near the beach’s edges. The underwater visibility is typically excellent, allowing you to see colorful fish and occasional turtles in their natural habitat with fewer crowds than more popular snorkeling destinations.
For lunch, enjoy laid-back beachside dining at Dinghy’s Beach Bar & Grill or Heidi’s Honeymoon Grill, where you can sample island favorites like fresh fish tacos, conch fritters, or grilled seafood with a view of the turquoise Caribbean Sea.
In the afternoon, you might explore Limestone Bay on the island’s southern shore, another great snorkeling spot, or simply continue enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of Honeymoon Beach. As the day winds down, catch the ferry back to St. Thomas.
For this evening’s dining experience, consider one of St. Thomas’s renowned restaurants with panoramic views, such as Mafolie Restaurant, perched high above Charlotte Amalie. These restaurants often feature innovative menus that showcase the island’s finest ingredients while providing spectacular vistas as the lights of Charlotte Amalie twinkle in the twilight.
Adventures in St. Thomas.
Courtesy of U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism
Day 5:Snorkel Buck Island and Turtle Cove
For your final day in St. Thomas, experience some of the island’s most celebrated underwater sites on a guided boat excursion. After breakfast at your resort, head to the marina, where you’ll board a vessel for a half-day adventure to Buck Island and Turtle Cove. (Note that this Buck Island is distinct from the larger Buck Island Reef National Monument near St. Croix—St. Thomas has its own smaller Buck Island just off its eastern coast.)
The boat trip typically includes professional guides, snorkeling equipment, refreshments, and transportation to multiple snorkeling locations inaccessible from shore. These excursions combine convenience with expert knowledge, allowing you to maximize your final day of underwater exploration.
Your first stop is likely Buck Island, an uninhabited 45-acre island surrounded by coral formations and clear waters. The boat will anchor in a protected area where you can enter the water and follow your guide to discover the marine life that thrives in this carefully preserved environment. Look for colorful coral species, tropical fish in various hues, and possibly larger creatures like stingrays gliding across the sandy bottom.
After exploring Buck Island, the boat will reposition to Turtle Cove, renowned for reliable sea turtle sightings. Here, with guidance from your experienced crew, you might have the unforgettable experience of swimming alongside green or hawksbill turtles in their natural habitat. The guides understand turtle behavior and will ensure respectful observation that doesn’t disturb these magnificent creatures.
Between snorkeling sessions, enjoy refreshments provided by your tour operator while learning about the ecology of St. Thomas’s marine environments and the conservation efforts that help preserve them for future generations. Many excursions include light lunch options or snacks featuring local flavors.
Select a distinctive dining venue for your farewell dinner at your resort or another St. Thomas restaurant. Many visitors conclude their stay with a memorable culinary experience that showcases the finest aspects of island cuisine, perhaps accompanied by premium wines or spirited creations featuring Caribbean rum. It’s all part of what makes St. Thomas a standout Caribbean destination for discerning travelers.
The boat trip typically includes professional guides, snorkeling equipment, refreshments, and transportation to multiple snorkeling locations inaccessible from shore. These excursions combine convenience with expert knowledge, allowing you to maximize your final day of underwater exploration.
Your first stop is likely Buck Island, an uninhabited 45-acre island surrounded by coral formations and clear waters. The boat will anchor in a protected area where you can enter the water and follow your guide to discover the marine life that thrives in this carefully preserved environment. Look for colorful coral species, tropical fish in various hues, and possibly larger creatures like stingrays gliding across the sandy bottom.
After exploring Buck Island, the boat will reposition to Turtle Cove, renowned for reliable sea turtle sightings. Here, with guidance from your experienced crew, you might have the unforgettable experience of swimming alongside green or hawksbill turtles in their natural habitat. The guides understand turtle behavior and will ensure respectful observation that doesn’t disturb these magnificent creatures.
Between snorkeling sessions, enjoy refreshments provided by your tour operator while learning about the ecology of St. Thomas’s marine environments and the conservation efforts that help preserve them for future generations. Many excursions include light lunch options or snacks featuring local flavors.
Select a distinctive dining venue for your farewell dinner at your resort or another St. Thomas restaurant. Many visitors conclude their stay with a memorable culinary experience that showcases the finest aspects of island cuisine, perhaps accompanied by premium wines or spirited creations featuring Caribbean rum. It’s all part of what makes St. Thomas a standout Caribbean destination for discerning travelers.