Top Things to do in St. Thomas
The 5 Best Nature & Wildlife Areas in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Like all of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas has plenty of opportunities to lounge on the beach, splash in the sea, or amp it up with watersports. It also boasts a bountiful duty-free shopping scene – just be prepared to brave the cruise ship crowds. Charlotte Amalie swells with Danish colonial architecture and pirate legend. Shiver ye timbers at Blackbeard’s Castle, then work up an appetite by climbing the historic 99 Steps, constructed from the ballast bricks of 18th century Danish ships.
Restaurants in St. Thomas
1. Cow and Calf Rocks
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 62 reviews
At a depth of 40 feet, this shallow dive is a popular spot for novice snorkelers, which features twin rocks that pierce the surface connected by a labyrinth of swim-through tunnels, archways and caves.
Reviewed By aaronlZ7909KS - Sumter, United States
We visited these two dive sites on 5/23/17. Visibility was excellent (60+ ft.) with little to no current and pretty calm seas (2-4ft waves at most). The sites are full of caverns and swim through holes in coral formations that are home to a wide variety of sea life. We encountered some of the largest lobster and hermit crabs I have ever seen along with a majestic lion fish, an eagle ray, and many, many more species. There are many nooks and crannies for some of the more shy creatures to hide in, so bring a good dive light along with an underwater camera for some nice pictures. This part of St. Thomas is protected, so you are not allowed to grab any of the large vacated conch shells you find, nor are you allowed to grab any of the lobsters you are bound to encounter. There are better sites if you are looking for turtles, but this is one of the better ones on St. Thomas.
2. Ocean Surfari - Feed Monster Tarpon
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
Come to Red Hook in St Thomas and feed the giant tarpon. Over 50 giant tarpon up to 150 pounds live at American Yacht Harbor Marina in Red Hook. Stop by our retail store and pick up a pint tub of tarpon food for $3.00 and feed these huge creatures. The tarpon here in St Thomas have a huge unemployment rate and are counting on you to feed them so stop by today.
Reviewed By alli85ak
We enjoyed feeding the tarpon. Our kiddo loved it! Cheap & fun! Such a great quick activity for kids & adults!
3. Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 174 reviews
We are open on Thursday, Friday, Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00-4:00. We look forward to sharing Phantasea with our visitors and locals. The garden is full of beautiful blooming orchids, bromeliads, lilies, palms, and more. . Come and relax in the calming serenity of nature as lizards scurry about and butterflies and birds fly throughout the garden. Stop and rest in our Balinese gazebo or at our other seating areas. Visit our resident wildlife - parrots, tortoises, peacocks and chickens - and learn about the garden plants and inhabitants with our interpretive signs. Approx. 45 minutes - one hour average time to visit. Great for children and families. Cold water, tropical juices and snacks for sale. Blooming orchids and tillaandsias (air plants) also for sale. Cash and credit cards accepted. Easy to find, just follow the signs posted along the roadways , or use Google maps.(DO NOT use GPS!)
Reviewed By O1172QQamyt
This is a beautiful tropical garden with views overlooking the water. Make sure to use Google maps to find it! The current hours are weekends only (which we didn't know until we called on a Monday), but the owner was close by and actually let us come in for a private experience! The owner was so friendly and accommodating, sharing her love for gardening and knowledge of plants. You'll also get to spot some local birds, banaquits and hummingbirds. Such a beautiful place, I would definitely recommend visiting on your next trip to St. Thomas!
4. Coral World Ocean Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,104 reviews
Voted top attraction in the V.I. since 2004. Get up close and personal with the beauty and magic of Caribbean marine life in a stunning setting. View life on a coral reef from the unique Undersea Observatory. Hand feed a rainbow lorikeet! Add-ons, Dolphin Trek, Dolphin Splash or moment, Dolphin Kayak, Sea Lion Swim or Encounter, Shark Encounter, Snuba Dive, and Sea Trek Helmet Dive. Open Friday to Wednesday in season 9am - 4pm. Off season hours (May to October) vary.
Reviewed By ihatethiswebsite123
I have been to Coral World every time I visit St. Thomas, and it is a place close to my heart. The staff truly care about each and every animal and I wish some of the reviewers here had half as much compassion for these creatures as their handlers do. No, it is nothing like SeaWorld and that's a good thing because the animals here are never forced to do anything, live in conditions that exceed standards, and enjoy a culture of respect and the ultimate focus on the welfare and safety of animals and guests. That doesn't mean you can't have a full day of magical experiences. Do not go in here expecting a circus performance. You must respect the animals' space and understand that you might not get that perfect picture. I first met Duncan and Chelly, the sea turtles, a few years ago. Their pool is adequate. If you respect their space and don't touch them they are very cool to spend time with. The shark encounter is also incredible and it is a special treat to watch them be fed, that's your best chance to see the nocturnal Nurse Sharks. We also learned a lot about the importance of sharks and the risks they face. The native sharks and rays are released once they mature beyond the more vulnerable stage of their life. The rainbow lorikeets are very entertaining to watch and Paesh the sweet conure is a delightful addition. Look out for Cecil and YellowPants, two male lorikeets who have mated for life and nest together, as this likely wouldn't occur in the wild. The one thing that upsets me is that the three rescued macaws live in pretty small cages. However, I understand that they don't mix well with the smaller birds, cannot return to the wild and there currently aren't enough resources to create a larger habitat for them. Perhaps Coral World could start raising funds to accomplish this? The dolphins are a newer addition and I was initially very skeptical about them. I think that Coral World is doing the best they can with a tough situation. The dolphins were rescued from a small cement pool in Arizona where they were dying. Some had never seen the ocean before and their matriarch Ping is still afraid of the water, she hangs out in a small corner of the enclosure of her own free will and they do not force her to leave (she is coming out more as she becomes more comfortable). We swam with Liko and he came right up to us and stared at us. He's very curious about his environment and visitors. They don't do any circus-like tricks. The encounters are focused on appreciating the uniqueness of the dolphins and playing with them in a way that they enjoy. I am still not 100% happy with the dolphins being contained here, but I understand that they can't return to the wild and Coral World provides them a better situation than some other places might. Of all the features of Coral World, the sea lions are my absolute favorite. We have been visiting them for over 14 years. I'm told Remo knows more than 150 tricks and behaviors and I was able to swim with him, get a big kiss on the cheek, watch him jump like a dolphin and even play a game where he invents his own tricks. (think it's called "Do Something"?) They are very close with their handlers; I remember hearing a magical story about Omar who was sick and wouldn't eat, but they were still able to examine him and find out what was wrong by rewarding him with pets and scratches instead of food. ASK QUESTIONS, the staff are very qualified and knowledgable. Snuba is a unique experience. The guide is great and you will enjoy it as long as you listen to instructions. We spent 30 minutes down there but it felt like 5. The observatory is cool and on a good day you can see reef fish and giant tarpon. All in all, I think Coral World is an amazing place to stop by and see unique marine life firsthand. If you follow the schedule you will find there is plenty to do and see. As they are still recovering from Irma and Maria, nothing is perfect but it is a wonderful small, conservation and education focused park that truly functions for the benefit of its residents.
5. Mermaids Chair
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 72 reviews
Reviewed By 994linday - Frisco, United States
From the moment I read about the hike to Mermaids Chair, I was hooked (no pun intended). This wild, natural western tip of St. Thomas is where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. The view does not come easy though, so if you are feeling short on energy, take a pass and instead visit one of the many other beautiful St. Thomas beaches that are more convenient to get to. Otherwise, head west on Route 30 until you reach the entrance to The Preserve at Botany Bay, a gated community. Like many of the other public beaches located on the island, Mermaids Chair can only be accessed by foot via this residential property. Park your vehicle outside the gatehouse on the side of the road. Then check-in with the friendly security guard who will record your name, mobile phone number, and take a photo before handing you a small map complete with rules. You really do not need a map because there are also directional signs posted along the way (trust me, you won’t get lost). This is an isolated area without facilities. Make sure you have good walking shoes (our Keen sandals worked great), and bring water, snacks, and sun protection (hat/visor/sunscreen). For the most part, the walk is downhill for about 1.3 miles. This took about 30 minutes. After visiting Mermaids Chair, we decided to go to Sandy Bay Beach, which is also accessible at the Preserve. This is another one-mile walk, part of it uphill from Mermaids Chair, then a steep walk down. It took another 25 minutes or so. At this point, my phone indicated we had walked 2.6 miles and 28 floors. Mind you, this is just one way! Believe me, the walk back from here would be brutal. Thankfully, there is a complimentary shuttle pickup at 4 pm at Sandy Bay. Please make sure you bring cash to tip the driver! He was very appreciative of our tip. I was so happy to see him I might have given him a hug were it not for Covid-19 (I am sure the driver preferred the cash). The ATV holds 5 people plus the driver, and now there were 9 people (3 locals, 4 surfers, and us). The driver willingly agreed to come back for the surfers. I can’t imagine walking back carrying a board. An adventure? Yes! Off the beaten path? Yes! Worth the effort? For us, most definitely!
