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Eight Hours on St. Thomas
A Cruise Passengers Guide to the Island
St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
By Lissa Poirot
Exotic ports of call is one of the reasons you chose to cruise the Caribbean, and an on-shore visit to St. Thomas is certainly not a destination to be missed. The largest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas offers a glimpse of the tropics, with all the conveniences of an American destination. As a bustling island, a newcomer can feel overwhelmed - where does one go first when only given eight hours of shore leave?
Of course, as with any island port of call, you'll have ample opportunities to enjoy sailing, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing and snorkeling opportunities through a variety of charters and companies, most who will work with your cruise ship to allow for advanced reservations. But you can hop in the water at any destination - don't skip St. Thomas' alluring interior and destinations. We've rounded up the island's most popular attractions to make sure you don't miss the best this social island has to offer.
Land Aquatics
One of the most popular destinations for tourists is the Coral World Ocean Park with a host of aquarium attractions, including the 50,000-gallon Deep Reef Tank featuring sharks, moray eels and other ferocious marine life of the ocean; the 80,000-gallon Caribbean Reef Encounter, which highlights a coral reef and its inhabitants such as sponges, sea anemones, conches, lobster and tropical fish; and the Undersea Observatory, which takes visitors 15 feet underwater without snorkel or scuba gear with a view of the natural ocean environment while encased in an air conditioned, glass-paneled observatory. Smaller exhibits include a variety of pool exhibits, including baby sharks, sea turtles and stingrays.
Shopping Meccas
If duty-free shopping is a favorite at every port of call, a visit to St. Thomas is a must as American visitors can shop duty and tax-free up to $1,200. Havensight Mall, located near Havensight dock and American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook, is a series of more than 60 shops located in a web of alleyways, and provides steals and deals on clothing, leathers, china, perfume, jewelry, liquors and island arts and crafts. Neighboring Port of Sale Outlet Center provides another 40,000-square-feet of shopping delights, featuring mainly discounted island goods. For a bit of upscale shopping, visit the Grand Galleria located in the historic district of Charlotte Amalie, which features fine dining and shopping in a 2,000-square-foot mall of elegant columns, grand staircases and quiet courtyards.
Natural Delights
Enjoy the island's ecological settings with a visit to Mangrove Lagoon, located near Coki Beach and Coral World Ocean Park. The marine sanctuary is home to one of the largest collection of tropical migratory birds and provides visitors a glimpse into tropical mangrove wildlife with guided tours via kayak, boat, foot or snorkel. Tours are also available for the area's sunken ship and volcanic rock cliffs. Or be sure to visit the popular horseshoe-shaped Magens Bay, featuring one of National Geographic's top 10 most beautiful beaches in the world. Hike 11 acres of tropical botanical gardens to the St. Peter Greathouse Estate & Gardens, which rests beneath a dormant volcanic peak, and provides another duty-free shopping opportunity for native artwork and foods and spirits. Or sit back and enjoy the view while sampling tasty beverages at the estate or a fresh milkshake from Udder Delight Dairy Farm, also located on the bay. Feel like getting your feet wet? Kayak and sailboat rentals are also available.
Glorious Golf
For the golf enthusiast, a visit to the George and Tom Fazio-design Mahogany Run course in Charlotte Amalie is not to be missed. The 18-hole, 70-par championship course is more than 6,000 yards and infamous for its "Devil's Triangle" at the 13th, 14th and 15th holes, which are separated by a stretch of ocean. Players who can manage the triangle without a penalty stroke are even provide a certificate of successful completion! The course works with cruise ships to pre-book tee times, so be sure to check with your ship to make arrangements in advance.
Best Beaches
Whether looking for fun in the sun or a secluded destination to stroll with a loved one. St. Thomas has a variety of picturesque beaches - 44, in fact - in which to choose, whether you visit one beach during your stay, or make it a point to stop at each beach for breathtaking views of crystal blue waters, lush rolling hills and silky soft white sand. Coki Point Beach is one of the most popular beaches for tourists, located just outside Coral World Ocean Park, and offering a family-friendly environment. Bluebeard Beach, of legendary pirate fame, is home to the Ritz Carlton Resort, which explains its well-manicured surroundings that are open to the public. Morningstar and Limetree Beaches are neighboring beaches home to the area's most popular resorts. While Morningstar is a more secluded beach for cliffside resorts, Limetree is a fun destination for children due to its large iguana population - kids can feed these local lizards. Sapphire Beach is one of the largest beaches on the island, with 35 acres of calm surf. For more seclusion during the week, visit Brewer's or Hull's Bay beaches. All beaches are easily visited via taxi, and snorkeling and kayaking are popular water activities.
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See you on the Island,
John "Big Hat" Walsh
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