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St. Thomas cruise port guide: what to do in your hours ashore
St. Thomas has two cruise docks. Most ships tie up at Havensight, the West Indian Company dock on the east side of the harbour, next to Havensight Mall and the Skyride. Others use Crown Bay, west of town, next to a small shopping centre. Downtown Charlotte Amalie lies between the two, about 10 minutes by taxi from either. Traffic drives on the left, and the island is steep and green, with the best beaches on the north and east sides.
St. Thomas today: weather, what is open and what fits →
Plan by time ashore
Under 4 hours
Skyride to Paradise Point, Downtown Charlotte Amalie, Drake's Seat and Mountain Top, Brewers Bay
4 to 6 hours
Magens Bay, Snorkel sail to Buck Island, Coki Beach and Coral World
6 hours or more
St. John: Cruz Bay and Trunk Bay
Getting around from the pier
- Safari taxi: Open-air "safari" trucks and vans wait at both docks. Fares are set per person per destination by the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission and drivers often wait until the vehicle is full. Ask the per-person price before you get in. being verified
- Walk: From Havensight to downtown is about 2.5 km along the waterfront, roughly 30–40 minutes in the heat. From Crown Bay the walk is shorter but follows a busy road. Most people take a taxi one way.
- Ferry to St. John: Passenger ferries to Cruz Bay on St. John leave from Red Hook on the east end, about 30–40 minutes by taxi from the docks, and less often from downtown Charlotte Amalie. being verified
Money and language
Money: US dollar. St. Thomas is a US territory, so there is nothing to exchange and US cards work as at home.
Language: English.
Opening hours
Downtown shops along Main Street and the alleys are generally open Monday to Saturday from about 9:00 to 17:00. Opening hours follow the cruise calendar: on days without ships many close early.
On Sundays downtown is mostly closed unless several ships are in; Havensight Mall and the shops at Crown Bay usually open for ship days.
Weather
Daytime highs of 29–33°C all year. Hot and humid with trade winds; hurricane season runs June to November and the islands were hit hard in 2017, so September and October are the riskiest months.
Things to do
Tour
Skyride to Paradise Point
A cable car lifts you from across the road at Havensight to a hilltop bar and lookout over the harbour and the cruise ships. The quickest view on the island if you have little time.
Town
Downtown Charlotte Amalie
Danish-era warehouses turned into jewellery and duty-free shops along Main Street, the red Fort Christian, Emancipation Garden, and the 99 Steps up the hill past old houses. Shade is scarce at midday.
Tour
Drake's Seat and Mountain Top
The classic short island drive: the lookout over Magens Bay and the British Virgin Islands at Drake's Seat, then the shop and bar on Mountain Top. Most safari taxis offer this as a two-hour loop.
Beach
Brewers Baybeing verified
A quiet beach by the university, near the airport and closest to Crown Bay. Calm water and few facilities; popular with locals and good for snorkelling along the rocks.
Beach
Magens Bay
A long, sheltered horseshoe of sand on the north side, run as a park with an entrance fee, lifeguards, a bar and loungers for rent. The most popular beach for cruise guests.
Water
Coki Beach and Coral World
Small, busy beach on the north-east coast where fish swarm over the reef a few metres from the sand. Next door, Coral World Ocean Park has an underwater observatory and marine animal encounters.
Tours & prices (4)
Dolphin Splash and Swim
Coral World Ocean Park Ticket
Shark Encounter
Sea Lion Encounter
Water
Snorkel sail to Buck Islandbeing verified
Half-day catamaran trips sail out of the harbour to Buck Island and Turtle Cove, where green turtles graze over the seagrass and a sunken freighter lies in shallow water.
Tour
St. John: Cruz Bay and Trunk Bay
Taxi to Red Hook, then a short ferry to Cruz Bay on St. John, two-thirds of which is a national park. Trunk Bay has an underwater snorkel trail and a park entrance fee. A long day: many guests book an organised trip so the return is guaranteed.
Frequently asked questions
Where does my ship dock in St. Thomas, Havensight or Crown Bay?
It depends on the day and the ship; your cruise line tells you in the daily programme. Havensight is east of downtown, Crown Bay west of it, and both are about 10 minutes by taxi from Main Street.
How far is Magens Bay from the cruise port?
About 20 minutes by safari taxi over the hill from either dock. There is an entrance fee to the beach park, so bring some cash.
Do I need a passport or foreign currency in St. Thomas?
Currency is the US dollar and English is the language. US citizens arriving on a cruise from a US port normally do not need a passport to go ashore, but follow your cruise line's instructions.
Can I visit St. John from my cruise ship in St. Thomas?
Yes, if you have at least six hours. It is a 30–40 minute taxi to Red Hook plus a ferry each way, so watch the clock or join a tour that brings you back to the ship.
St. Thomas cruise traffic: 1,553,170 cruise passengers in 2025, St. Thomas and St. John (USVI Bureau of Economic Research).
Labels saying being verified mark local tips we have not confirmed yet.