St. Thomas - The Rock City of the West Indies

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ST.THOMAS, USVI – Awash in green hills and white sand beaches, St. Thomas has the picture-postcard beauty of the South of France. But this pristine quality can be deceiving because the island has historically been the busiest port in the Caribbean, with a nickname the Rock City.

Where is St. Thomas?

St. Thomas is a part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with St. John and St. Croix. It separates the Atlantic from the Caribbean and lies directly in the belt of the easterly trade winds, 40 miles east of Puerto Rico and 1100 miles southeast of Miami. This location is a prime reason that the island has developed into such a thriving port.
St. Thomas has also benefited from the trade winds, which give it one of the best climates in the world year-round.

History of the Rock City

The country’s fortunate geography is why countries such as Spain, France, Germany, England, and Denmark viewed for its control for hundreds of years. The Danes were the first to realize that St. Thomas, value as a port far exceeded the value of its hilly terrain for plantations. In 1692, they named the capital city Charlotte Amelie after their queen, and was known as the Emporium of the West Indies realizing that they needed to populate this underdeveloped island to profit from it, the Danes brought in prostitutes and convicts to occupy it.

In 1692 Charlotte Amalie was declared a duty-free port and did a bustling business with goods being transported from Europe to the colonies

In 1917, the United States bought it for $25 million as an outpost to guard the Panama Canal, and it has remained in American hands ever since. Virgin Islanders have all the rights and privileges of United States citizens.

Getting around St. Thomas

The relatively small size of St. Thomas means that the Island’s awe-inspiring natural resources are within easy traveling instance from whatever you happen to be on the island.

Car Rentals

You can rent a vehicle and enjoy the sights of your own pace, or you can use the services of an array of tour professionals who take you where you want to go. Tour operators and taxi drivers are friendly and of great assistance in helping visitors see the island. Several agencies specialize in rental vehicles. Rates vary with the season and the type of vehicle, but they are usually quite reasonable. Because the island’s terrain is hilly, cars and trucks with four-wheel drive are preferable.

Ferry Service

Several ferry lines offer service from St. Thomas to St. John, St. Croix and the British Virgin Islands. Remember to bring your passport or some proof of citizenship if you are planning to visit the British Virgin Islands. Consult local ferry schedule for information on destinations, departure times and rates.

Taxy Service

Taxi and rent-a-car are the only mean of transportation to get around the island. Scores of taxis wait in front of the airport and by the cruise ship dockside, not all official, but all operating on a shared basis. Consider the fact that driving progress is slow in Charlotte Amalie, so if you can, you might as well walk. Just follow the road along the seafront and you won’t get lost.

Charlotte Amalie

Charlotte Amalie, the capital of St. Thomas, has one of the most beautiful harbors in the region, especially when the sun sets behind the sails of the boats that fill the bay. Fort Christian and the Virgin Islands Museum are located behind the pier where ships depart for St. John. Behind them, Emancipation Gardens mark the beginning of Dronningens Gade, a main boulevard lined with shops and endless alleys facing the coast, each with its own little shopping center. Number 14 is the birthplace of the impressionist Camille Pissarro from 1830, which today houses a small art gallery.

St. Thomas beaches

The beaches in St. Thomas are some of the best in the world because of their calm, clear waters, powdered sugar-like sand, and coral reefs that can be seen by snorkelers 40 feet from the shore. All the best beaches in St. Thomas are within a 3-mile radius of Charlotte Amalie. They are easily accessible and open to the public.

Magens Bay

Three miles north of Charlotte Amalie is Magens Bay beach considered one of the top 10 beaches in the world by most travel guides. Magens Bay has changing facilities, chairs, and snorkeling equipment rental. The beach lies between two mountains in a cove and is a mile long, making it excellent for walking.

Hull Bay

Hull Bay, directly west of Magens Bay, is an excellent spot for surfing during the late fall and winter months.

Morningstar Beach

Morningstar Beach on the south side is the place to go if you want to show off your most revealing swimwear. It is considered the premier bikini-watching spot for both men and women.

Shopping in St Thomas

Shopping is still one of St. Thomas biggest attractions, and American citizens can bring back up to $1200 in purchases duty free. Charlotte Amalie abounds with stores, and the shopping district is very robust. The main shops are located in old warehouses, where pirates from the 1700s used to store their booty for sale to passing traders. The warehouses used to hold molasses, rum, lumber, ceramics and gold.
Today, the best buys on the island are in jewelry, china and linens. Because there is so much competition between the many merchants, you are advised not to buy at the first place you visit, St. Thomas is an excellent place to bargain shop. Once your shopping is done, you will have plenty of time left to explore the rest of the islands, ringed by one beach resort after another.

St. Thomas Travel Tips

Language

The West Indies local dialect in the USVI is a combination of English, Spanish and French creole. It is most important to be polite when conversing with the locals, and to always begin your conversation with a ”Good Morning”, ”Good Day” or ”Good Afternoon”. Doing so will ensure prompter service and many smiles.

Currency and Credit Cards

Tha US dollar is used in the USVI. Major credit cards are accepted in many but not all establishments, and there is no foreign surcharge on your purchases. ATM machines are located all over the island as well.

Taxation

There are no sales taxes in the Virgin Islands. Each visitor, including children, is entitled to a $1,200 duty-free allowance plus 6 bottles of liquor upon re-entry into the United States, provided one bottle is made in the VI, such as Cruzan rum. This is a higher allowance than anywhere else in the Caribbean, so stock up on essential groceries while you’re in St. Thomas.

Mail

Need to ship your extra purchases home? The USVI are a territory of the US and use the same postal system at the same postage mail rates. You can mail an unlimited amount of locally produced goods back to the States, and these will not count toward your duty-free allowance

St.Thomas Attractions

St. Thomas has much to offer for the sight-seer and adventurer. Soar above the harbor in a gondola style tramway or take an unforgettable helicopter tour around the islands. Visit the highest point of the island at 1600 feet and then explore a historic mansion and gardens. Get up close and personal with amazing Caribbean creatures and more. The historic buildings and other sights on St. Thomas are intriguing in their own right, and for the glimpse they offer into the island’s colorful past.

The Virgin Island’s Museum

Charlotte Amalie is both scenic and rich in history. The Virgin Island’s Museum, for example, is located in the national historic landmark building that used to be Fort Christian. It is the oldest building still in use on the island.

Bleackbeards Castle

Charlotte Amalie does have a legacy of piracy, and what is left of Bleackbeard’s Castle is at the top of the hill above the center of the town. Built by Danes in 1679, it was supposed to have been used by the notorious English pirate, Edward Teach, aka Bleackbeard.

Seven Arches Museum

Close by, off Kongens Gade- the Goverment Hill, is the Seven Arches Museum, a 19th century Danish artisan’s house portraying Denmark’s colonization of the islands, with authentic furnishings and interior.

View from Paradise Point over the Rock City

St. Thomas activities

If you get tired of the scenery, you can also rent surfboards, sailboats and snorkeling gear at Morningstar Beach.
Tennis and golf are very popular on St. Thomas. Almost all of the tennis courts are illuminated for night play.

Frenchman’s Reef Tennis Courts are open to guests as well as the public for a reasonable fee.

And Mahogany Run Golf and Tennis Resort also offers tennis, but its main attraction is a Tom Fazio-designed golf course. The course is best known for its ”Devil’s Triangle”, which is where holes 13 to 15 border the Atlantic. At the par13 – 14th hole, the tee is separated from the green by a gorge in the ocean.
Back in the town, a Gondola sky-ride to Paradise Point affords a bird’s eye view of St. Thomas and Charlotte Amalie with St. Croix in the distance. If you prefer to explore the island on foot, you can climb the numerous hillside stairs built by the Danes. The most famous stairs are the 99 Steps, which begin on Government Hill. The view from the top of the steps will make you think you have ascended the stairway to Heaven.

St.Thomas is said to be the water-sports capital of the Caribbean, celebrated for its natural beauty, diverse opportunities and unspoiled awe-inspiring waters. The weather in St. Thomas is conducive to a full score of activities, the water consistently temperate and calm. just about any sportsman’s desire can be fulfilled on St. Thomas. Powerboating, kayaking, windsurfing, deep-sea fishing,snorkeling and scuba diving are all options.

Exploring the nearby island of St. John for a day, is a great experience. It is one of the loveliest U.S. Virgin Islands. Virgin Islands National Park makes up two-thirds of the island’s 19 square miles, covering nearly 10 000 acres. Philanthropist Laurence Rockefeller purchases the land in 1956 and awarded it to the federal government to set up as a National Park.

Our Favourite St Thomas Tour

Lawrence_B, Feb 2025

Cas Cay – Kayak Hike and Snorkel Adventure

” Saquon and Stefanie were informative, enthusiastic and helpful. Kayaking through the lagoon was lovely, the hike to the blowhole was pretty and the water calm for snorkeling. The only downside was there were few fish and no coral”

Read more about – Cas Cay – Kayak Hike and Snorkel Adventure

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