Duty Free Shopping

St. Thomas is widely known as the best shopping spot in the Caribbean and one of the 10 top shopping areas in the world! Many duty-free bargains can be found such as perfume, liquor, electronics, china, jewelry, watches and designer fashions. Many of these items can be found at prices that are 30 to 40 percent lower than in the United States, with no sales tax, making it worth your while to pick up some things to take home. The duty-free allowance is $1,600 per person including children So a family of four can take home a total of $6,400 of duty-free items. The four main shopping districts are: Downtown, Havensight, Yacht Haven Grande and Crown Bay Center. You can take back 6 bottles of liquor and have it packed into the easy-to-carry liquor boxes supplied by the stores. Most airlines will not charge you to check in your liquor box when flying home.

Historical Charlotte Amalie

The downtown Charlotte Amalie area is full of history. From the Danish street names such as "Kongens Gade" or "King's Street" to the yellow brick buildings - the evidence of its rich past lie right before your eyes every which way you turn. The long warehouse buildings, running from the waterfront to Main Street, once housed goods which were traded to colonial New England and to Europe such as indigo, sugar, and cotton. These buildings now house the fabulous shops of downtown Charlotte Amalie. Try our self-guided walking tour.

St. John: Reef Bay Trail

The National Park Service offers guided hikes down the Reef Bay Trail. Transportation is provided from the National Park Visitors Center in Cruz Bay to the head of the trail. The walk will include the spur trail to the petroglyphs and a visit to the Reef Bay sugar mill. From the beach near the mill, you will be met by a boat, which will take you back to Cruz Bay, allowing you to avoid the more strenuous walk back up the trail. This popular activity is offered for a modest fee by reservation only.

Drake's Seat

One of the island's best view points, Drake's Seat affords a panoramic picture of Magens Bay and the United States and British Virgin Islands strung out to the east. A popular stop on round-the-island taxi tours, this place can get crowded. If you visit in the late afternoon, the light is especially entrancing. Legend has it that British privateer Sir Francis Drake, commissioned by Queen Elizabeth I, is said to have used this spot to spy on enemy ships of the Spanish Fleet passing through what is now called Drake's Passage. There is no admission charge.

Day trip to Other Islands

Some of the fun things to do on surrounding islands include the Dolphin Discovery which takes place on the British Virgin Island of Tortola, just a ferry ride away. Reservations should be made in advance and tell them you are coming from St. Thomas. Your ferry ride will be included in the price. A passport is required for this trip. You will swim with the dolphins in protected, shallow waters. Other activities are playing golf at the famous Carambola Golf course on St Croix (take the Seaplane over); visiting the unusual rock formations called The Baths in Virgin Gorda; snorkeling or diving the "Wreck of the Rhone" in the BVI.

Virgin Islands Ecotours

Virgin Islands Ecotours offers unique, kayak, hike & snorkel multi-eco adventures in St Thomas' Mangrove Lagoon and St John's Caneel Bay in the Virgin Islands National Park. Watch for wildlife while paddling through the Mangroves, enjoy a hermit crab race, get photographed at Red Point's geologic blow hole, and snorkel a calm, gentle and shallow coral-fringed mangrove nursery. In St John, the tour takes you over turquoise waters, along a scenic tropical trail and snorkeling over a colorful coral reef teeming with marine life. Nature guides guarantee an unforgettable and memorable experience. Easy to paddle, fun & informative for the entire family!

Magens Bay Beach

If you are visiting for a few days be sure to leave yourself at least a half day for relaxing and sunbathing on Magens Bay Beach. Noted as one of the worlds most beautiful beaches by both Conde Nast and National Geographic it is a must see. Lots of things to do besides swimming and sunbathing like hiking the nature trail, kayaking, paddle boat and sailboat rentals. A nice bar and restaurant with a shop for chair rentals, suntan lotion, bathing suits and many other items you might need while at the beach. Indulge in a milkshake from the St. Thomas Dairy on your way home. Be sure to have a designated driver as these milkshakes pack quite a punch!

Watersports!

Being on the water enjoying the sun, sea and sand is one of the major reasons to visit the VI. There are many ways to enjoy the water. If you are a certified diver...or not...there are dive shops which will take you to beautiful underwater dive sites including including historical shipwrecks. There are resort certification programs which will get you diving right away. Or you can rent an underwater submersible Scooter which requires no diving experience at all.

Parasailing allows you to experience the thrill of power boating, hot air ballooning, hang gliding, and parachuting all in one at a fraction of the cost. Take off and land right from the boat so you can stay high and dry or get wet and wild (call Caribbean Watersports 775-9360)!

Are you ready for the unforgettable Thrill-ride of a Lifetime? The awesome 650 HP turbo-charged Screamin Eagle Jet Boat will take you on an incredible high speed harbor and coastline tour. You will experience a mixture of fun commentary, beautiful scenery, crystal clear waters, warm sea spray and exhilarating speed along with breathtaking 180 degree spins, wild fishtails that will have you yelling for more!

Charter a powerboat with or without a captain with choices in size from small 25' "self- captained" to the luxurious 45' Sea Ray motor yacht where you will be pampered all day long. Most captained powerboat and sailboat day charters will provide you with drinks, lunch and snorkel gear. Most charters will provide snorkel instructions.

Sportfishing! The Virgin Island waters hold many records for the largest fish ever caught. Marlin, shark, tuna, wahoo, dolphin are all found in these waters. Half and full day charters are available.

Some St. John companies will come to St. Thomas and pick you up. For information on companies offering the above, along with phone numbers, see the activities and watersports pages.