2025
ACTIVITIES MAPS BEACHES SHOPPING DINING TAXI RATES St.Thomas in a day
DUTY-FREE Shopping
Few visitors to the U.S. Virgin Islands return home without doing a little shopping.
Who can resist the best duty-free shopping in the Caribbean?
With an allowance of $1,600 — double that of other Caribbean islands — U.S. residents, including children, can enjoy the shopping experience without thought of duty or taxes.
Members of a family residing in one household and traveling together may make a joint declaration. For example, a couple traveling with two children may bring articles free of duty valued up to $6,400
You may mail gifts to friends and relatives (excluding tobacco and alcohol), but no more than one package per day to the same address — up to $100 in value. These items need not be declared.
Perfume, jewelry, tobacco (you can take up to 5 cartons of cigarettes), cameras, china and electronics are available for 30-60 percent off U.S. mainland prices. If you’d like to take advantage of our great prices on liquor, take back up to five (1 liter) bottles, as long as one is made in the Virgin Islands.
Shopping & Dining DISTRICTS
St. Thomas is a shopper’s dream with our dutyfree offerings and friendly, welcoming merchants. We also have eateries all over the island offering dishes for just about any taste. So explore, taste and find that perfect memento to commemorate your U.S. Virgin Islands visit!
Downtown Charlotte Amalie
Perhaps one of the most famous shopping districts in the Caribbean, Main Street is lined with duty-free stores. You’ll find plenty of expert jewelers as promised, but you can also find liquor, perfume, fashion, local art and home décor, and souvenirs galore. Be sure to venture down our side streets and historic alleys that have more stores and boutiques plus quaint restaurants and bars. Old warehouses, built from bricks carried across the Atlantic on colonial trading ships, line the alleys of this historic shopping district.
Havensight Mall
Located right on the WICO Cruise Ship dock, Havensight Mall is a convenient, less-crowded way to shop for your duty-free purchases. All the major retailers have well-stocked stores with the same merchandise and prices as downtown. Plus, there are stores here you can’t find downtown. There are also a variety of restaurants and bars to grab a bite or drink and popular attractions across the street.
Shopping & Dining DISTRICTS
Crown Bay Center
This shopping area, located on the Crown Bay cruise ship dock, features internationally renowned duty-free shops as well as vendors of local arts and crafts. You will find many of the same stores as you will find downtown. Relax for a bite and sip a drink. It’s so convenient to dine, shop and easily take your treasures back to your ship!
Red Hook
On the East End of St. Thomas is another welcoming place to eat, drink, shop and play. Red Hook and the American Yacht Harbor boast an array of restaurants, bars and shops and are located right next to the ferry terminal where you can catch a ferry to St. John.
Charlotte Amalie
SHOPPERS’ PARADISE
St. Thomas has long been the place to shop in the Caribbean. Our friendly merchants have stores filled with beautiful items ranging from jewelry, fashion and cosmetics to art, home décor, souvenirs and more. You can shop with confidence at the stores advertised in this booklet. So be sure to visit one or more of our major shopping districts – Downtown Charlotte Amalie, Havensight Mall, Yacht Haven Grande and Crown Bay Center.
The Publisher of this Magazine is a Member in Good Standing of:
ST. THOMAS - ST. JOHN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE USVI HOTEL & TOURISM ASSOCIATION
Best Things TO DO
If you are visiting St. Thomas on a cruise ship, staying on St. John, passing through to the British Virgin Islands, coming in by boat for a few days or here on business, then your leisure time on the island may be limited to one day or less of play and exploration. But rest assured there are plenty of things to do here in a single day.
Duty-Free Shopping
St. Thomas is widely known as the best shopping spot in the Caribbean and one of the 10 top shopping areas in the world! Many duty-free bargains can be found at prices that are below stateside with no sales tax, making it worth your while to spend time perusing the shops and merchants in downtown Charlotte Amalie, Havensight Mall, Red Hook, Crown Bay Center or Yacht Haven Grande. The duty-free allowance is $1,600 per person including children. So take a look at the best stores in this guide and shop!
Beach Day
We can all use a day relaxing at the beach. While the U.S. Virgin Islands are blessed with numerous beautiful beaches, Magens Bay Beach is perhaps the most popular and
famous. Noted as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches by Condé Nast and National Geographic, it is a must do. There are lots of things to do besides swimming and sunbathing … like hiking the nature trail, kayaking, paddle boarding and snorkeling. To learn more about Magens and other beautiful St. Thomas beaches, simply turn the page!
Mountain Top
At an impressive height of 1,500 feet above sea level, Mountain Top offers a spectacular panoramic view of both the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, a total of 20 islands in all. In fact, National Geographic once rated this view of Magens Bay as one of the 10 best views in the world. It features a huge shopping area for browsing and a bar that is home of the world- famous banana daiquiri. Truly breathtaking!
Drake’s Seat
One of the island’s best viewpoints, Drake’s Seat also affords a panoramic picture of Magens Bay and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands strung out to the east. A popular stop on round-the-island tours, this place can get crowded. If you visit in the late afternoon, the light is especially entrancing. Legend has it that British privateer Sir Francis Drake, commissioned by Queen Elizabeth I, is said to have used this spot to spy on enemy ships of the Spanish Fleet passing through what is now called Drake’s Passage.
Walk
Thanks to our beautiful new promenade along the local waterfront, it is a beautiful stroll from Havensight to Downtown Charlotte Amalie, where history abounds. Or take a cab from Crown Bay or your hotel to downtown and walk the waterfront. It’s a great way to get a bit of exercise and see the beauty of our island for a few hours.
Safari Driving Tours
Taste of the Tropics
It goes without saying that the various restaurants on St. Thomas are in a “best” category all by themselves. We recommend that you venture out to experience the wide variety of cuisines. From local kallaloo and pates, fresh local fish and fungi to burgers, wings and international fare, the variety is impressive. Havensight, Frenchtown, Red Hook and Downtown all have wonderful eateries. We even have three local McDonald’s if you are craving your favorite burger. Bon appétit!
A guided tour is a great option to see as much of the island as possible in a morning or afternoon. At both cruise docks you can find open-air safari taxis. Some offer point-to-point drop off around the island while others offer driving tours that show some of St. Thomas’ best views while sharing about our island culture and history. Local guides would love to show you the many facets of “The Rock” as they shuttle you around. Plus, on some tours you can combine sightseeing, shopping and a beach stop. Hop aboard!
LOCALBeaches
Magens Bay Beach
Located on the north end of St. Thomas, Magens Bay Park is a tropical paradise offering a stunning (and famous) beach, gorgeous native trees and flowers, and unmatched recreational activities. Picnic tables line the beach and there is plenty of space to stroll or trails to hike. Bar and café have food and drinks and you can rent beach chairs and umbrellas as well as water sports equipment.
Smith Bay Beach
One of St. Thomas’ most virginal and pristine beaches, Smith Bay Park is on the east end of the island. The water is crystalclear and blue and typically calm. Plus, you have a great view of neighboring islands. The left side of the beach is great for snorkeling.
The 21-acre park is operated by the Magens Bay Authority, so it is well-maintained and kept clean. There are a few picnic tables but get there early!
LOCALBeaches
Sapphire Beach
The sapphire-blue waters here are great for snorkeling, windsurfing, jet skiing and more. There’s a little beach bar and restaurants on site too. Some days live music is on tap. The beach is located on the east end of St. Thomas at Sapphire Beach Resort.
Coki Beach
Located on Coki Point right before Coral World Ocean Park, this white sand beach with crystal clear water offers excellent snorkeling and diving. Beachside restaurants serve picnic fare including burgers, sandwiches and some local dishes. There is a dive shop, jet ski rental and several vendors renting snorkel gear, beach chairs and floats.
