Stopping in St. Thomas for just one day? Here’s how to make every hour count.
St. Thomas is one of the easier Caribbean cruise ports to enjoy on your own. You’ll find beaches, shopping, family-friendly attractions, scenic viewpoints, and ferry options to nearby islands, all within reach of the cruise docks.
But the best things to do in St. Thomas from cruise ship depend heavily on where your ship docks, how long you’re in port, and how much logistical effort you want to take on. A simple Magens Bay beach day is very different from a ferry trip to St. John, and a quick Skyride visit is very different from renting a car and crossing the island.
I’ve visited St. Thomas by cruise ship multiple times with family, and this guide focuses on the practical port-day choices that matter most: what’s close to the ship, what’s worth the extra travel time, what works well for kids, and what you should verify before making plans.
Best Things To Do In St Thomas From a Cruise Ship: Quick Picks
If you want the easiest, most reliable St. Thomas cruise port day, start with one of these options:
| Best For | Best Choice | Why It Works |
| Classic beach day | Magens Bay | Calm water, facilities, chair rentals, and family-friendly beach conditions |
| Easy activity near Havensight | Skyride to Paradise Point | Walkable from Havensight and good if you want views without a long excursion |
| Kids who like animals and marine life | Coral World Ocean Park | Aquariums, marine exhibits, animal encounters, and easy pairing with Coki Beach |
| Nature lovers | St. John and Virgin Islands National Park | Beautiful beaches, snorkeling, and a more natural island feel |
| Low-effort shopping | Havensight, Crown Bay, or downtown Charlotte Amalie | Easy access to duty-free shopping and souvenirs |
| Quiet beach escape | Water Island | Best for cruisers docked at Crown Bay who want a quieter, more self-directed beach day |
| Culture and local flavor | Local events or downtown Charlotte Amalie | Good option if your port day lines up with Carnival, a regatta, or another local event |
For most families, the safest choices are Magens Bay, Coral World, Skyride to Paradise Point, or a pre-arranged St. John excursion. Water Island can be lovely, but it requires more self-direction. St. John can be fantastic, but it requires more attention to ferry timing.
Making The Best Of Your Day: Key Tips For St. Thomas Cruise Port
St. Thomas is the primary cruise port in the U.S. Virgin Islands and a frequent stop featured on Eastern Caribbean itineraries. Cruise ships in St. Thomas generally use 1 of 2 main docks: the West Indian Company dock at Havensight or the Crown Bay cruise terminal. On especially busy days, some ships may anchor in the harbor and tender passengers ashore.
Havensight is the more convenient dock if you want easy access to the Skyride, Pirate Treasure Museum, Havensight shopping, and a walkable route toward downtown Charlotte Amalie. Crown Bay is less walkable for downtown sightseeing, but it has its own shopping area and is especially convenient if you’re planning to take the Water Island Ferry from Crown Bay Marina.
Your cruise line should identify the scheduled dock in your itinerary or daily planner, and you can also check the current cruise ship schedule before you sail. Just be mindful that port assignments can change.
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Transportation
The primary means of getting around the island are walking and taxis.
Walking
Charlotte Amalie is not particularly large, and for those so inclined, very much of the town is quite walkable. Particularly, if your ship docks at Havensight. There are several fun things to do in St. Thomas that are right near the dock. For instance, the Pirate Treasure Museum, the Skyride, and the Havensight Mall, (all discussed below), are a few easy steps from Havensight dock.
You can also take a longish walk from Havensight to downtown Charlotte Amalie and take a self-guided walking tour of some of the main historical sights.
Taxis
Taxis are one of the easiest ways to get around St. Thomas during a cruise stop. Fares are generally regulated and charged per person based on the destination, not by a meter.
The part that sometimes surprises cruise passengers is that many taxis operate as shared vans or open-air safari-style vehicles. That means you may wait while the driver fills the vehicle with other passengers, and you may stop at other destinations before reaching yours.
If you want to leave immediately or travel only with your own group, ask for an “exclusive” or private taxi before you get in. Do not assume the fare will be the same as the shared taxi fare. For some routes, exclusive rates are published. For other routes, the price may need to be negotiated with the driver or dispatcher before you board.
Ride-Share Services
Uber and Lyft are not available in St. Thomas. Plan on using taxis, cruise line transportation, pre-arranged tours, ferries, or a rental car instead.
Rental Cars
Some cruise ship visitors rent cars in St. Thomas, especially if they want to visit several beaches or explore beyond the main tourist areas. If you’re considering this, reserve in advance and confirm exactly where you’ll pick up and return the car. Do not assume a rental counter or delivery option will be available at your specific dock.
Driving on St. Thomas is not for everyone. Cars drive on the left-hand side of the road, many roads are steep and winding, and signage can be limited. GPS may also be unreliable in some parts of the island. For many families, a taxi, tour, or ferry-based plan will be easier.
Beware Time Traps!
St. Thomas is in the Atlantic Time Zone (which is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time and two hours ahead of Central time), and it does not observe Daylight Saving Time. Depending on the time of year and your ship’s itinerary, local time may or may not match the ship’s time. Always double‑check the daily planner or the gangway clock as you disembark.
When you’re getting off the ship for port calls, you should ideally have a timepiece that tracks the ship’s time and doesn’t automatically reset to local time. Otherwise, you might be at risk of missing your ship when it departs.
Likewise, if you are booking independent reservations for shore excursions, you need to make sure to adjust between local time and ship time as necessary. Tour operators always operate on local time.
Check Current Attraction Status Before You Go
St. Thomas was heavily affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, and some older online guides still include outdated attraction information. While most of the island has substantially recovered, a few previous top attractions remain closed for several years — such as Blackbeard’s Castle. Individual attractions, historical sites, and tour operations can still change hours, pricing, or availability.
Before you build your day around a specific museum, historical site, ferry, or guided tour, check the current official website or contact the operator directly. This is especially important if you’re planning a DIY port day instead of booking through the cruise line.
Things To Do In St. Thomas Cruise Port: Activities & Excursions
Magens Bay
When you’re looking for things to do in the Caribbean, one of the more obvious places to start is checking out the beach options. And this holds true for the St. Thomas cruise port.
Magens Bay is one of the easiest recommendations for families who want a classic St. Thomas beach day. It has calm water, a beautiful setting, and the kind of facilities that make a beach day easier with kids, including restrooms, showers, food options, and rentals.
This is a great choice if your priority is swimming, relaxing, and keeping the day simple. It is not necessarily the best choice if your main goal is snorkeling, because the sandy bottom means you may see less marine life than you would at some other beaches.
For families, the big advantage is predictability. You can take a taxi, enjoy the beach for a few hours, and return to the ship without juggling ferry schedules or complicated transportation.
Pirates Treasure Museum
If your ship docks at Havensight and you want something easy to pair with shopping or the Skyride, the Pirates Treasure Museum can be a convenient family-friendly stop. The museum focuses on pirates, shipwrecks, ocean exploration, and authentic artifacts, which makes it a good short activity for kids who like history with a little drama.
The museum is located near Havensight and next to the Skyride entrance, so combining the two is easy if the museum is open during your port call. Check current hours and admission before you go, since schedules may depend on cruise ship days.
At this museum, you can relive survivor accounts of storm-tossed seas and sinking ships. Explore items from real shipwrecks dating back to 1865 and earlier. Experience hurricane-force winds in a specially enclosed wind booth. Operate a real underwater salvage machine as you try to collect objects from a simulated ocean seabed.
Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden
Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden is a quieter St. Thomas option for families who want a nature-focused stop away from the busier beach and shopping areas. The garden covers about two acres and features orchids, bromeliads, palms, lilies, tropical plants, and views toward Magens Bay, St. John, and the cruise ship harbor.
This is a better fit for families with older kids, grandparents, garden lovers, or anyone who wants a calm walk and pretty views. It may be less exciting for those who want swimming, animals, or hands-on activities.
Current posted admission is $12 for visitors, $10 for seniors and military, $6 for children ages 5 to 12, and free for children under 5.
Coral World Ocean Park
Coral World Ocean Park is an extremely popular attraction that has lots to offer families who want something more structured than a basic beach day. General admission (which runs from $29 for adults) includes access to the park’s aquariums, outdoor pools, nature trails, marine life exhibits, touch pool, and Undersea Observatory Tower.
The park also offers optional add-on experiences for an additional fee. Current “from” prices include Dolphin Splash and Swim and Sea Lion Swim from $182.50, Dolphin Moment from $119, Sea Lion Encounter from $119, Sea Trek from $89, SNUBA from $102, and Shark Encounter from $64. Prices and availability can change, so check Coral World directly before promising anything to your kids.
The Ocean Park is adjacent to Coki Beach (no entry fee), so you could easily combine some traditional beach time and water activities with a trip to the Park. You can also pre-arrange tour packages for Coral World Ocean Park that include Coki Beach.
Skyride to Paradise Point
Skyride to Paradise Point is one of the easiest St. Thomas activities if your ship docks at Havensight. The tram takes visitors up above St. Thomas Harbor for sweeping views of Charlotte Amalie, the cruise ships, and the surrounding water.
At the top, you’ll find views, food and drinks, souvenir shops, and photo opportunities. The official site says the Skyride is open most ship days at 9 a.m., but the schedule changes, so check the current schedule before you commit.
This is a particularly good choice if you want something scenic and close to the ship without committing to a full beach day or island tour. If you’re docked at Crown Bay, you can still go, but you’ll need a taxi.
Tickets for the Skyride are $29.95 for adults (ages 13 and up), $19.95 for kids 6-12, and kids 5 and under are free.
Things To Do In St. Thomas: Side Trips
St. Thomas can be a great jumping-off point for nearby islands, but side trips require more attention to timing than a taxi ride to Magens Bay or Paradise Point.
For most cruise passengers, St. John and Water Island are the realistic side-trip options. St. Croix is usually not a smart choice for a typical 1-day cruise stop. The ferry between St. Thomas and St. Croix takes about 2 hours or a little over 2 hours each way, depending on the operator and schedule.
Water Island
Water Island can be a great option if you want a quieter, less built-up beach day close to St. Thomas. It is especially convenient if your ship docks at Crown Bay, because the ferry leaves from Crown Bay Marina.
The Water Island Ferry currently lists visitor fares at $10 one way or $20 round trip, with lower fares for children and USVI residents. The ferry runs between Crown Bay Marina on St. Thomas and Philips Landing on Water Island.
This is a more self-directed day than Magens Bay or Coral World. Water Island has no resorts, taxis, traffic, or stores of any kind. Less than 200 people live on the island. It’s like a quiet, mellow island suburb of St. Thomas.
Bring what you need, including towels, sunscreen, water, and snacks. If you want a simple, fully supported beach day with lots of services, Magens Bay may be easier. If you want something quieter and a little different, Water Island is worth considering.
St. John
St. John is one of the best side trips from the St. Thomas cruise port, especially for families who want beaches, snorkeling, and a more natural island setting. It does take more planning than staying on St. Thomas, but it can be well worth the effort.
Virgin Islands National Park includes 7,259 acres of terrestrial habitat, about 60 percent of St. John’s land mass, plus 5,650 acres of adjacent submerged lands. The park protects beaches, coral reefs, historic ruins, hiking trails, and marine habitats. Check out 5 Tips for Visiting the Virgin Islands National Park with Children.
For many cruise passengers, Trunk Bay is the best-known St. John beach. It has restrooms, showers, a foot rinse, an underwater snorkel trail, snack options, rentals, and a required fee for visitors ages 16 and older.
Important note for families: the National Park Service currently lists no lifeguards on duty at Trunk Bay, so supervise kids carefully in the water.
If you want to visit St. John from a cruise ship, either book a cruise-friendly excursion or plan the ferry timing carefully. This is not the place to “wing it” if your all-aboard time is tight. You can reserve a variety of pre-arranged tour packages for St. John’s online that include transportation from St. Thomas.
Things To Do In St. Thomas: Shopping
The St. Thomas cruise port is well known for its duty-free shopping, and for good reason! The US‑resident duty‑free allowance in the USVI is $1,600 pp—double the typical Caribbean limit.
But beware, just because something is duty-free doesn’t mean it is necessarily a good deal. If you think that you may want to buy any significant items (such as jewelry or electronics), check the prices at home before you leave, so that you have a basis for comparison. Also, it’s perfectly acceptable to bargain on prices – particularly on jewelry. (Be sure to check out our other tips on things to buy in St. Thomas!)
Havensight, Crown Bay, and Downtown Charlotte Amalie
If your ship docks at Havensight, shopping is one of the easiest things to do without much planning. Havensight Mall, Buccaneer Mall, and Port of Sale are all close to the pier, and you can combine shopping with the Skyride, Pirate Treasure Museum, or a taxi into downtown Charlotte Amalie.
If your ship docks at Crown Bay, you’ll have access to Crown Bay Center near the terminal. It is convenient, but smaller than the Havensight and downtown shopping areas.
Downtown Charlotte Amalie is the better choice if you want a broader shopping and sightseeing combination. It gives you access to more historic streets, local flavor, restaurants, and duty-free shops, but you’ll need to watch your time and transportation back to the ship.
Things To Do In St. Thomas: Local Events
If your cruise stop lines up with a local event, it can add a completely different flavor to your St. Thomas port day. Festivals, regattas, food events, and cultural celebrations can be a fun way to experience more than beaches and shopping.
Just verify the date, time, location, and transportation before making plans. Event schedules can change, and some events may be easier to enjoy from a cruise ship than others.
Some notable annual events include:
Afternoon on the Green
This annual family fun day typically takes place on the golf course at the University of the Virgin Islands in March. It raises money for scholarships for local high school students. There’s a big cooking competition featuring music, dancing, games and lots of food. You’ll also find kids’ activities, from bounce houses and face painting to traditional games and balloon animals.
International Rolex Cup Regatta
Go check out yacht racing at the International Rolex Cup Regatta. Top-ranked international racers come to St. Thomas to compete in front of the world’s yachting press. The St. Thomas Yacht Club hosts the 3-day event.
Virgin Islands Carnival
St. Thomas hosts one of the largest Carnival cultural celebrations in the Caribbean. And, it’s an opportunity to share in the cultural heritage of the Virgin Islands. Plenty of Caribbean delicacies and other food at food fairs and food & drink booths.
Enjoy music, revel in the steel drums, street dancing, parades, fireworks, and many costumes. Look for the iconic “Mocko Jumbies,” people dressed in spirit costumes parading around on 20-foot stilts.
Over the course of a month, events include calypso shows, food fairs, queen pageants (and also pageants to crown younger princes and princesses), steel pan shows, parades, and more.
King of the Wing Contest
The Annual King of the Wing (KOW) contest will take place on the shores of Magens Bay beach on St. Thomas. Teams consisting of the top local restaurants, businesses, organizations, and chicken wing connoisseurs compete to claim bragging rights for the best-tasting wings in St. Thomas.
Contestants set up their grills and cooking stations right on the beach for hundreds of attendees who sample the wide range of freshly cooked, mouthwatering chicken wings. The event raises money for local non-profit organizations.
Closing Thoughts
St. Thomas is one of those cruise ports where you really can shape the day around your family’s mood. You can keep it simple with Magens Bay or the Skyride, add structure with Coral World, go quieter with Water Island, or make a bigger day of it with a ferry trip to St. John.
Before you finalize your plans, check where your ship docks, confirm your all-aboard time, and decide how much effort you want to spend on transportation. That one step will make your St. Thomas day much easier.
Elaine Warren
Founder & Crew Chief
Elaine founded this website after publishing the book The Family Cruise Companion’s Guide to Cruising With Kids. (Second edition recently released!) She has sailed on 50 cruises (and counting). She loves helping families navigate their way to an adventure-filled, fun, and memorable vacation.
