Two cruise ports on St. Thomas
St. Thomas is the main cruise stop in the US Virgin Islands. Ships dock at one of two places near Charlotte Amalie, the island's capital. Some ships anchor offshore and bring passengers in by tender. Your ship's daily program tells you which one applies on your day.
The pier is not fixed by cruise line. A line can use Havensight one week and Crown Bay the next, so check the port name for your sailing instead of relying on what a friend did last year. The port authority lists cruise schedules by fiscal year. Sailings from October 1, 2026 belong to fiscal year 2027, so look at that schedule.
Havensight and Crown Bay compared
The two piers have different owners and different surroundings.
| Port | Also known as | Run by | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Havensight | West Indian Company Dock, WICO | The West Indian Company Limited | Ships tie up below the Skyride. The company publishes its own ship schedule. |
| Crown Bay | Austin "Babe" Monsanto Marine Terminal | Virgin Islands Port Authority | The Water Island ferry leaves from Crown Bay Marina. |
| Anchorage | Tender port | – | Ask the ship which landing point the tender uses. |
A fixed rule of "line X always docks at Y" does not exist, and the walking time from the ship to town depends on the pier and the berth. Look at the port map in your ship's daily program before you plan a walk.
Shore excursions from St. Thomas
Catamaran sails, snorkel trips, island tours and St. John trips that fit a port day, with live prices and availability.
Taxi fares from the cruise piers
Per person, one way, as published by one taxi operator in October 2026.
| Route | One person | Each person in a group |
|---|---|---|
| West Indian Dock (WICO) to town | $6 | $6 |
| Havensight Crossroad to town | $9 | $8 |
| Crown Bay to town | $8 | $6 |
| Havensight (WICO) to Magens Bay | $15 | $12 |
| Crown Bay to Magens Bay | $18 | $15 |
| Airport to downtown | $11 | $9 |
| Downtown to Red Hook | $20 | $15 |
| Downtown to Coki Point | $18 | $14 |
Taxis on St. Thomas charge per person, not per car. The group column is the price for each person when several people ride together, so a family of four pays four times that amount. The operator separates "West Indian Dock" from "Havensight Crossroad", so say exactly where you are standing when you ask for a price.
The territory's taxi regulator sets the fares, and the port authority advises you to confirm the price before you get in. Licensed taxis carry a roof sign and the letters TP on the license plate. Ask whether bags or waiting time cost extra. Entry fees at beaches and parks come on top. For Magens Bay, see the Magens Bay guide.
The Skyride to Paradise Point
The Skyride is a cable car that climbs from the Havensight area to Paradise Point, a lookout over the harbor. The ride takes about 7 minutes each way. The operator does not require a reservation and has no advance sale of its own. You buy tickets at the counter or through the cruise ship.
- Round trip, adult: $34.95 (2026).
- Round trip, child: $24.95. The operator does not state an age limit.
- Residents and cruise crew: $15 each.
- Hours: usually from 9:00 am on ship days. The weekly plan can vary, and the monthly schedule normally appears in the last week of the month before.
- Wind and lightning can stop the cars for a while. The Skyride also closes for maintenance, so it is not open every day of the year.
Ideas for a short port day
Pick one main plan and leave a buffer before all-aboard.
Charlotte Amalie on foot
The old town has Fort Christian, the stone stairway known as the 99 Steps and Emancipation Garden. Fort Christian charges $10 and is usually open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. See the Charlotte Amalie guide for the route.
A beach with a taxi
Magens Bay is a taxi ride from either pier. The park charges $7 for non-residents, with children under 12 free, and $2 for parking. The beach overview lists the other options.
Skyride and lunch
If your time is short, the Skyride keeps you close to the ship. Check the opening hours for your ship day before you go.
Water Island
The ferry runs from Crown Bay Marina, not from the cruise pier itself, and the crossing takes about 10 minutes. Read the Water Island guide for fares and times.
St. John
The ferry from downtown takes about 45 minutes, the one from Red Hook about 20 minutes. Ferry times change, so a St. John trip needs a larger buffer. Details are in the St. John day trip guide.
A boat trip
Catamaran and snorkel trips often leave from Red Hook, on the east side of the island. Check the pickup point and the return time against your ship's departure.
Before you go ashore
A few rules that save money and trouble.
Entry rules
St. Thomas follows US entry rules. Your nationality and your passport still matter when you travel to a US territory. The entry rules page explains the cases.
Sunscreen
The USVI ban oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene in sunscreen. Choose a mineral product with non-nano ingredients and read the ingredient list, because "reef safe" on the front of the bottle is not a guarantee.
Left-hand traffic
Cars drive on the left on St. Thomas, which matters when you cross a street near the pier. Look both ways.
Shopping
Federal rules give returning US residents a personal allowance of $1,600, of which at most $800 can be for goods bought elsewhere. Conditions apply, and it is not an allowance for travelers returning to Europe.
St. Thomas cruise port: frequently asked questions
Which cruise port does my ship use on St. Thomas?
Ships use either Havensight (the West Indian Company Dock) or Crown Bay. No cruise line has a fixed pier, and some ships anchor and tender. Your ship's daily program lists the port for your date.
How much is a taxi from the port into town?
One operator lists $6 per person from the West Indian Dock to town and $8 from Crown Bay for a single traveler, or $6 each in a group. Confirm the price before you get in, because the territory's taxi regulator sets the fares.
Do I need to book the Skyride in advance?
No. The operator says a reservation is not needed. Tickets cost $34.95 for adults and $24.95 for children round trip in 2026, and you can buy them at the counter or through the ship.
Can I walk from the ship to Charlotte Amalie?
That depends on the pier and the berth. There is no single walking time for all ships, so check the port map in your daily program. A taxi from the West Indian Dock costs $6 per person.
Can I get to Magens Bay and back in a port day?
Yes, by taxi. From Havensight the published fare is $15 for one person or $12 each in a group, from Crown Bay $18 or $15 each. Add $7 per adult for the park and $2 for parking, then agree a pickup time with your driver.
Is Water Island reachable from the cruise pier?
The ferry leaves from Crown Bay Marina, not from the ship's berth. It runs hourly and takes about 10 minutes. See the Water Island guide.