Tips from an Avid Cruiser – Visiting St. Thomas, U.S.V.I
St. Thomas
St. Thomas will forever hold a special place in my heart, and I will always want to keep going back. It is my favorite Caribbean Island, and not just because I was married there. The island, I believe, is one of the most beautiful in the Caribbean. I have yet to find beaches, on other Caribbean Islands I have visited, that top beaches I have been to on St. Thomas. The best part about St. Thomas is it’s a US Territory and, if you are an American Citizen, you do not need a passport to travel there. (If you are cruising then you will want to get a passport card for all of your itinerary stops.) Below are just some of the beaches and activities you should check out when traveling to St. Thomas.
Brewers Bay Beach
Looking for a beach where you can sun bath or discover some local old sugar factories? Than Brewers Bay is your place to go. There is not a lot of shade or other amenities around, but the waters are calm and crystal clear. (Because there is not much shade please make sure to wear the proper attire and sunscreen.) The beach is located near the Cyril E. King Airport, and a little way away from the cruise ship port. If you are looking to get married in St. Thomas I highly recommend Brewers Bay Beach as a destination wedding location.
Magens Bay
If you are traveling to St. Thomas then visiting Magens Bay is a must. Like Brewers Bay Beach, the waters of Magens bay are calm and crystal clear. There are a lot more amenities available to those visiting Magens Bay. There is food, water activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding, and snorkeling, and you can also do a little bit of shopping. Since it is a public park there is a small fee to enter, but if you are visiting the beach via a cruise excursion the fee is usually included in your excursion cost. I promise you will enjoy relaxing on the beach cocktail in hand, and then taking a dip in the cool waters.
Other places to visit
On the look out for more interactive activities? Make sure to check out Coral World Ocean Park. Take an eco-tour where you get to hike, kayak, and snorkel, or go shopping. You also have the ability to visit other close islands, such as Tortola, via ferry rides. Just make sure you bring your passport.
Things to prepare yourself for
If you are cruising to St. Thomas with children then I want to make you aware of how driving in taxis with children works. Taxi drivers in the Caribbean are some of the best drivers I have seen and had the pleasure of driving with. Taxis in St. Thomas, like many other Caribbean islands, are a mix of small cars, vans, and open-air taxis. In my experience, traveling with a child, none of the taxis I have taken or come across have had car seats. On St. Thomas, they drive on the left hand side of the road and the roads can get very steep.
While it is like a roller coaster ride for adults it can be slightly scary for smaller kids or parents. While I have no problem hopping into an open-air taxi on St. Thomas I urge you to use your own discretion. If you are uncomfortable driving in taxis with no car seats then renting a car is an option for you as long as you are comfortable driving on the steep hills and the opposite side of the road. When renting a car, you should be able to rent car seats, or I recommend bringing your own, but if you are cruising that is a lot to carry/store. As always, I recommend doing some research on the locations you will be visiting, and map out your vacation/needs. I also suggest researching cost of taxis to make sure you have enough cash on hand.
Above all clear out your photos on your camera to make room for more, and pack a lot of sunscreen! Happy Cruising! Interested in other cruising tips? Check out my article about Cruising with Children.
