St. Thomas Destination Guide
St. Thomas Information
The American Paradise - Come and enjoy this great Caribbean getaway with American influence! Pristine beaches and crystal clear waters combine with a culturally diverse, artistically vibrant society better known as the US Virgin Islands. St. Thomas offers renown duty-free shopping, breathtaking beaches, championship golf and nonstop nightlife. St. John is a nature lover's dream with over half of the island covered by a national park. Bring a canvas or a camera and you'll cherish the memories forever.
Weather in St. Thomas
Sunny, year-round temperatures range in the 80's during the day and 70's during the night. Average annual rainfall is 50 inches, the wettest months being May, and from August through November, with 4 to 6 inches per month.
Tipping in St. Thomas
Standard gratuity rate is 15 to 20 %, but a few restaurants add the service charge. Check your bill or ask.
Wedding Requirements for St. Thomas
The U.S. Virgin Islands require no blood tests. American couples need only fill out a two-page form, pay a $50 license fee, and observe an eight-day posting period.
Airport Information for St. Thomas
Travel to and from St. Thomas uses the Cyril E. King.
Rental Cars in St. Thomas
Any U.S. driver's license is good for 90 days on the USVI, and while the minimum age for drivers is 18, many agencies won't rent to anyone under the age of 25. Driving is on the left-hand side of the road, even though the steering wheel will be on the left-hand side of the car. In addition, the law requires everyone in the car to wear seat belts. Many of the roads are narrow, and the islands are dotted with hills, so there's ample reason to put safety first. A variety of automobiles are for rent, from sporty four-wheel drives to air-conditioned sedans. Mileage is unlimited, you pay for gas.
Activities in St. Thomas
Music
The air carries an infectious beat of music across all three islands. The unique sounds of the Caribbean blend with traditional American influences, creating unforgettable music heard from street corner to club. Be sure to sample the island sounds of calypso, cariso, soca, reggae, steel pan, and St. Croix's own Quelbe.
Paradise Point Tramway
Enjoy the ride up to an unforgettable view of Charlotte Amalie and its spectacular harbor. The tramway's cable car whisks visitors up to amazing vistas at 700 feet over the bay.
Culinary Specialities
Island fare combines influences from across the Caribbean and around the world with locally grown spices, fruits, roots, chicken and of course, seafood. Conch fritters, plantains, Kalalloo, fried fish and johnnycakes are all a must. Sample Maubi, a fermented drink that tastes somewhat like tea.
Coral World / St. Thomas
A three-level underwater observatory. Home to the world's largest reef tank, and an aquarium with more than 20 TV size tanks providing views of all the undersea life in the waters of the Virgin Islands and around the world. Be sure to call ahead for shark feeding times. Feeding schedules available for all park inhabitants.
Buck Island / St. Croix
Buck Island Reef off St. Croix is the only underwater national monument in the United States. The reef-marked snorkeling trail provides visitors with a glimpse of St. Croix's colorful marine life. Visit Buck Island National underwater monument park where you can sail, snorkel, hike and enjoy the beaches.
Eco-Tours
St. John is a nature lover's paradise with pristine beaches, private lagoons and an awesome national park covering over half of the island, and some of the surrounding sea. Perfectly untouched bays await, while empty beaches beckon, and just below the surface some of the most gorgeous coral reefs beg to be explored. Hike among numerous nature trails past one-of-a-kind plants, animals and even ancient Arawak Indian carvings. St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix offer guided eco-tours on foot, bike, horseback and kayak through reefs, preserves, mangroves, ancient rivers and a tropical forest.
Beaches
Several of the world's most beautiful beaches are found on the U.S. Virgin Islands. Bask and snorkel at the best: St. Thomas Magen's Bay Coki Beach Sapphire Beach Morning Star Beach Hull Beach St. John Trunk Bay Cinnamon Bay Hawksnest Honeymoon Beach St. Croix Buck Island Cane Bay Rainbow Beach Tamarind Reef Beach Shoys Beach Chenay Beach Buccaneer Beach
Driving
Driving is the perfect option for seeing some of the more out of the way spots of the U.S. Virgin Islands. U.S. citizens don't need a special license to drive or rent a car, but don't forget to drive on the left!
Golf
The golf courses of the U.S. Virgin Islands are legendary for combining awesome land and seascapes with beautiful championship holes. Top designers such as Robert Trent Jones have left their mark on the golf courses of St. Thomas and St. Croix.
Weddings
The U.S. Virgin Islands offer dozens of unforgettable spots for getting married or renewing your vows. From dockside vows to a romantic ceremony on a sailboat, couples are sure to find the wedding of their dreams, whether they want the simplicity of a ceremony in nature or the tradition of a country church wedding.
Shopping
Original art of the islands makes great souvenirs from miniature watercolors to expansive oils depicting seascapes, market scenes, the people and colorful animals of the islands. Plus the U.S. Virgin Islands has the highest duty-free shopping limit in the Caribbean, $1200 per person and no sales tax. Check out the Virgin Islands Art Expo, the Arts Alive and Caribbean Colour Art Fairs or the St. Thomas Native Arts and Crafts Cooperative.
Kayak tours
Guided kayak and canoe tours are available through the most remote and gorgeous sections of all three islands. See rare birds and fish close up in their secluded homes along the uninhabited lagoons and mangroves.
Carnival St. Thomas
April - Early May -Complete with flamboyant masks and costumes and stilt walking mocko jumbies parading as make-believe spirits.
St. Croix Triathlon
May
Sportfishing
Sportfishing in the U.S. Virgin Islands is world renowned. Charters are available, along with tournaments, several times a year.
Island Hopping
Explore to your heart's content and find untold treasures, empty beaches and unforgettable coves. St. John and St. Thomas are only 20 minutes by boat from each other, and St. Croix is a quick 20 minute plane ride. Water Island, the newest Virgin Island, is just a quick 5 minute ferry ride from St. Thomas and offers beautiful Honeymoon Beach. Plus, there are 50 other tiny islands from sparsely populated gems to small sand spots just big enough for a boating stop-over.
LPGA Tournament St. Croix
April
Crucian Christmas Festival
St. Croix's version of Carnival celebrates the holidays.
Sailing
Rent a sailboat or yacht, with or without a captain, and sail away into the emerald sea. Explore tiny islands, pull up to a seaside restaurant in style, or simply ride the waves with the wind in your hair.
Rolex Cup Regatta St Thomas
April-Held on the waters surrounding St. Thomas
St. John Saturday
Festival held the last Saturday of each month.
Harbor Night St. Croix
A city-wide bash held every other Wednesday in Frederiksted featuring music, dining and dancing.
