4 to 5 hours ashore
Views and downtown
- From Havensight, ride the Skyride up to Paradise Point for the view.
- Taxi to Charlotte Amalie for shops and the 99 Steps.
Rather book it? An island drive with lookout stops.
St. Thomas shore excursions
Famous beaches, duty-free shopping, and easy boat trips to St. John and its national park.
Getting ashoreShips dock at Havensight or Crown Bay, both a short taxi ride from downtown Charlotte Amalie.
St. Thomas port day essentials
read this before you book
Which pier you're at
HavensightThe larger dock, with the Havensight Mall right at the pier. Downtown Charlotte Amalie is about 1.5 miles away.
Crown BayWest of downtown, with a small shopping center. Also a short taxi ride to town.
Check your daily planner for which dock you are at, and say it when you hail a taxi back.
Taxis
Open-air "safari" taxis charge a set rate per person for each leg, and drivers often wait to fill the truck. Ask the price before you get in.
Magens Bay has run about $8 to $10 per person each way, plus a small beach entry fee.
Money
US dollars. Bring small bills for taxis, which usually want cash.
Language
English.
Back on board
All-aboard is usually 30 minutes before sailing; your ship's daily planner has the exact time. Taxi lines back to the docks get long late in the day when several ships are in.
Be aware
- Taxi fares have gone up over the years, so older guides may quote prices that are too low.
Last checked November 2026. Prices change; confirm before you pay.
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Plan your day in St. Thomas
pick by your time ashore
6 to 8 hours ashore
Magens Bay
- Taxi about 20 to 25 minutes over the hill to Magens Bay.
- A long, calm beach for swimming.
- Allow extra time for the taxi line back.
Rather book it? A Magens Bay beach day with transport.
9 hours or more
St. John
- Taxi to Red Hook, about 30 minutes, then the ferry to St. John, about 20 minutes.
- Snorkel Trunk Bay or another national park beach.
- Check ferry times both ways before you go.
Rather book it? A St. John tour by boat.
Times are approximate. Whatever you choose, plan to be back at the pier an hour before all-aboard. Compare tours for each idea below.
Compare St. Thomas tours
Start times and meeting points vary by tour. Check them against your ship's schedule before you book.
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St. Thomas tours from GetYourGuide
GetYourGuide's own search results for St. Thomas Virgin Islands, in GetYourGuide's order. Check each tour's start time and meeting point against your ship's schedule.
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St. Thomas tours from Shore Excursions Group
Shore Excursions Group sells tours built around cruise ship schedules, backed by their guarantee to get you back to the ship. Their tours aren't listed on this page; browse them on their site.
See St. Thomas excursions on Shore Excursions Group
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Scout's notes on St. Thomas
Short port days
Magens Bay, one of the Caribbean's best-known beaches, is a short taxi ride over the hill. Downtown shopping and the Skyride viewpoint near Havensight fit any window.
Long port days
Catamaran and snorkel trips to St. John and its national park beaches are the highlight. Ferries to St. John leave from Red Hook on the island's east end.
Getting back on time
Open-air taxi buses run set routes and can fill up in the afternoon. If you visit St. John on your own, check the return ferry times before you go.
From fellow cruisers
Tips from people who've been, read by us before they go up.
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