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.

Mountain Top

At an impressive height of 1,500 feet above sea level, Mountain Top offers a spectacular panoramic view of both the US and British Virgin Islands, a total of 20 islands in all. In fact, National Geographic has rated this view of Magens Bay as one of the ten best views in the world. It features a casual shopping area for browsing and a bar which is the home of the world famous Banana Daiquiri. Just breathtaking! Down the road is ESTATE ST PETER GREATHOUSE and BOTANICAL GARDENS. In the 1800's, this scenic location was part of the 150-acre Plantation St. Peter owned by a family of French decent who settled in the Virgin Islands. Today, the Great House boasts classic West Indian architecture with lush Botanical Gardens and a Nature Trail, streaming waterfalls, tropical bird aviaries, fish ponds, more than 20 varieties of orchids and 150 species of Caribbean plants and fruits. Another awe inspiring view is via a tram ride up to ST. THOMAS SKYRIDE to PARADISE POINT. This unique attraction offers visitors a tram ride up to Paradise Point, 700 feet above sea level, where you can enjoy sweeping views of Charlotte Amalie Harbor, especially impressive when many of the cruise ships are in port. At the top, you can take in the amazing scenery and visit shops and the popular restaurant and bar.

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 some which are historical shipwrecks. There are resort certification programs which will get you diving right away. If you are not keen on scuba diving you can rent an underwater submersible Scooter which requires no diving experience at all.

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. Charters which are captained will provide snorkel instructions.

Let us not forget 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.

Most watersports and boat rentals take place from the East End of St. Thomas, along Routes 32 and 38, around Red Hook, Sapphire Beach and Compass Point. 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.