St. Thomas in a nutshell
The island of St. Thomas, often written St. Thomas USVI, belongs to the US Virgin Islands (USVI), a US territory in the Caribbean. Charlotte Amalie is its capital. The currency is the US dollar and English is the official language. This guide is about this island, not about St. Thomas in Ontario and not about the British Virgin Islands, which are a separate destination with their own entry rules.
St. Thomas tourism centers on the beaches, a day in Charlotte Amalie and a ferry ride to St. John. The island is also a busy cruise port with two docks, Havensight and Crown Bay. This is an independent St. Thomas travel guide. It has no link to the USVI Department of Tourism, the Magens Bay Authority, the ferry operators or the cruise lines, and the prices on these pages are the ones published by the operators in October 2026.
Planning a St. Thomas trip
To travel to St. Thomas you arrive by air at Cyril E. King Airport (STT), about 2 miles west of Charlotte Amalie, or by cruise ship at Havensight or Crown Bay. A St. Thomas trip works best when you choose a base first and add day trips afterwards.
Three islands, three departure points
The two classic St. Thomas day trips lead to St. John and Water Island. St. John is reached by passenger ferry from Red Hook, about 20 minutes to Cruz Bay, or from Charlotte Amalie, about 45 minutes. Water Island is a separate short ride of about 10 minutes from Crown Bay Marina. The piers are in different places, so check which one your ferry uses before you leave your hotel or ship.
Red Hook is on the east end of St. Thomas. The St. John ferry and many boat excursions start there, which makes it a practical base if you plan several island days. The St. John day trip and Water Island pages explain fares, timetables and what to do on arrival. If you would rather have a St. Thomas tour guide, the tour cards below include a guided St. John and Annaberg Plantation tour with a driver and a local guide.
Our picks: St. Thomas tours
A catamaran trip to St. John, a guided day on St. John and a sunset sail.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Catamaran snorkel and beach trip to St. John
Water, beer, soft drinks, ice, fees and permits are included. Fuel is extra (about 18 to 22 gallons on the half day), as are the crew tip and towels.
Check availability →
Two-hour champagne sunset sail
An open bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, appetizers and an onboard restroom are included. Hotel transfer and tips are not.
Check availability →
Guided St. John and Annaberg Plantation tour
National park fees, pickup at both cruise ports and most hotels, a driver and a local guide are included. The ferry tickets to and from St. John are not, and cost $16.30 per person extra.
Check availability →St. Thomas tours and day trips
Catamaran sails, snorkeling trips, island tours and day trips to St. John, with live prices and availability.
Plan your visit
The main pages of this guide, in the order most people need them.
Things to do in St. Thomas
Fifteen experiences from beaches and Coral World to Fort Christian and day trips to St. John.
St. Thomas excursions
Catamaran and snorkeling trips, island tours and what to check before you book.
12 beaches and bays
Magens Bay, Coki, Sapphire, Lindquist, Hull Bay and more, with fees and water-test dates.
Magens Bay
Entry fees, hours, parking and how to get there by taxi or car.
Coki Beach and Coral World
Snorkeling, park tickets, opening days and parking.
Sapphire Beach
Snorkeling near Red Hook, plus Lindquist Beach at Smith Bay Park.
Towns, ports and practical pages
Getting here, getting around and where to sleep.
Charlotte Amalie
Fort Christian, the 99 Steps, Emancipation Garden and shopping in the old town.
Cruise port guide
Havensight, Crown Bay, taxi examples and the Skyride to Paradise Point.
St. John by ferry
Fares, special timetable until 31 October 2026 and Trunk Bay.
Water Island
Ferry from Crown Bay Marina and Honeymoon Beach.
Weather and best time to visit
Monthly temperatures and rainfall, and the hurricane season.
Passport and entry rules
What US citizens and other visitors need, and what changes for the British Virgin Islands.
Airport and car rental
Taxis, parking, buses and driving on the left.
Where to stay
East End, Red Hook, Charlotte Amalie and the North Shore compared by location.
What to know in autumn 2026
Operating notes that older guides do not have. Status as of 20 October 2026.
Special ferry timetable to St. John
Until 31 October 2026 the operator runs a special schedule from Red Hook: hourly from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm, plus 5:30 am on weekdays and late departures at 10:00 pm and 11:30 pm. For November, confirm the timetable with the operator.
St. John day trip →Trunk Bay takes cards only
Since 1 October 2026 the national park fee at Trunk Bay on St. John is paid by card or mobile payment, not cash. The fee is $5 for visitors aged 16 and older.
Runway works at the airport
Night closures of the runway from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am were announced for 1 December 2025 to 31 December 2026. The terminal itself is open from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm. Check your flight with the airline.
Airport and car rental →New parking rates in Red Hook
Since 6 April 2026 the first 15 minutes at the Red Hook ferry terminal are free and the maximum is $20 per 24 hours.
Weekly beach water tests
The territory tests beach water every week. The report of 16 October 2026 showed the listed St. Thomas beaches meeting the standard, but several beaches had warnings in earlier weeks. Look at the latest result before a swim.
Beaches →Before you go
Three things that surprise first-time visitors.
Entry rules depend on who you are
US citizens traveling from the US mainland or Puerto Rico do not need a passport for the USVI. Other visitors follow US entry rules. Day trips to the British Virgin Islands need a passport for everyone.
Entry rules →Traffic drives on the left
If you rent a car, expect left-hand traffic and wear your seat belt. Licensed taxis charge set rates, so confirm your destination and the total before you get in.
Pick your sunscreen with care
USVI travel information lists oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene as banned and asks for mineral, non-nano sunscreen. Check the ingredient list, because a "reef safe" label alone is no guarantee.
More independent Caribbean guides
Separate guides from the same team, each focused on one island.
St. Thomas: frequently asked questions
Is St. Thomas part of the United States?
St. Thomas is part of the US Virgin Islands, a US territory. The currency is the US dollar. US citizens traveling from the US mainland or Puerto Rico do not need a passport. Other visitors follow the usual US entry rules, and the page on entry requirements explains the cases.
Which beach should I visit first?
Magens Bay is the best-known beach and a paid park: $7 for non-resident adults, free for children under 12, plus $2 for parking. Coki Beach sits next to Coral World, and Sapphire Beach is popular for snorkeling. The beaches page compares twelve of them.
How do I get to St. John?
Take the passenger ferry from Red Hook (about 20 minutes) or from Charlotte Amalie (about 45 minutes) to Cruz Bay. The adult non-resident fare is $8.15 one way from Red Hook and $13 from Charlotte Amalie. Timetables change, so check the current one on the St. John page.
Do I need a car on St. Thomas?
Not always. Taxis cover the cruise docks, the town and the main beaches at set rates, and you can combine them with ferries. A car gives more freedom for beaches on the east and north sides. Remember that traffic drives on the left.
What is the best time to visit?
Rainfall is lowest from February to April, with about 2 inches (47 to 57 mm) per month on average. September to November are the wettest months, with 5 to 6 inches (134 to 154 mm). The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from 1 June to 30 November. The weather page has the monthly table.
Is this the official tourism website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by the USVI Department of Tourism, the government, the Magens Bay Authority or any ferry, tour or cruise company, and the prices shown are those published at the time of writing.