St. Thomas, US Virgin Island - Cruise Port Guide

Welcome to Saint Thomas — a tropical Caribbean escape with the ease of American infrastructure. From beach lounging to bargain hunting and a few transit surprises, here's how we tackled this port of call.

Resources and links:

St Thomas Taxi Rate

Ferry to Water Island Information

Ferry to St. John Information

VITran Bus System

Scenic walking tour from Jellybeans.net 

Updates:

🏝️ Why Visit Saint Thomas? 

Part of the US Virgin Islands (alongside St. John and St. Croix), Saint Thomas brings Caribbean charm with the convenience of U.S. territory perks: 

  • No sales tax (hello, duty-free shopping!) 

  • US dollars accepted everywhere 

  • Familiar infrastructure like roads, ATMs, and post office

Island Highlights: 

  • Magens Bay: Classic beach day 

  • Coki Beach + Coral World: Snorkel and explore marine life 

  • Charlotte Amalie: The capital city, loaded with shops and colonial charm 

  • Ferries to Water Island, St. John, and Virgin Islands National Park 

🚢 Where You Dock: Crown Bay vs. Havensight 

There are two cruise ship docks flanking Charlotte Amalie: 

  • Crown Bay (west): Newer, but 40–45 mins on foot from town 

  • Havensight (east): Older, but closer — 25–30 min walk 

We docked at Havensight, aka The West India Company dock. Once ashore, you’ll find: 

  • Tour operators and taxi dispatch right outside 

  • Tourist maps and info 

  • Regulated cash-only taxis, but beware: they charge per person, one way 

🚕 Transport Options: Taxis, Ferries & More 

🚖 Taxis 

  • Flat-rate, but cash only 

  • Often shared, and charged per person 

  • Good for short trips or returning to port with heavy bags 

🚢 Ferries 

  • To Water Island: Departs from near Crown Bay

  • To St. John: Requires taxi to Red Hook ferry terminal  

🚙 Car Rentals 

  • Available at or near both ports (double check Sunday hours!) 

  • Budget Car Rental (Havensight) 

  • 360 Car Rental (Estate Thomas) 

  • Royalkow Car Rental (near Crown Bay) 

🚌 Public Transit 

  • Safari buses: Open-air rides, cheap but slow and unreliable 

  • VITRAN buses: Limited routes, hard-to-find schedules 

We tested the Safari bus—it worked, but took extra time. Worth it if you’re not in a rush. 

🚶‍♀️ On Foot: A Scenic Stroll to Town 

Walking from Havensight to Charlotte Amalie: 

From Crown Bay, it’s a tougher 40–45 minute walk. Consider a cab or bus unless you're game for a trek. 

🛍️ Havensight Highlights 

  • Havensight Mall: Right near the dock, with restrooms, shopping, and a post office 

  • Duty-free shopping everywhere (just bring your USD or credit card) 

  • Watch those ATMs — fees can be steep 

Nearby Attractions: 

  • Pirate Museum 

  • Children’s Museum 

  • SkyRide to Paradise Point: Gondola ride with epic views and a restaurant at the top — great for a quick excursion if you’re wandering without a tour 

Taxi in St Thomas

🏙️ Charlotte Amalie on a Sunday: What’s Open? 

We visited on a Sunday — and it showed. Most cultural sites like Fort Christian and 99 Steps were closed, but: 

  • Tourist shops and some restaurants remained open 

  • The main square was still lively for strolling and shopping 

  • Great place to cool down with A/C and grab souvenirs 

We grabbed a taxi back from downtown — $6 per person, but worth it when you’re tired or loaded with shopping bags. 

 

✨ Final Thoughts 

Saint Thomas is perfect for cruisers looking for easy logistics and gorgeous beach-and-shop combo days. If you’re short on time: 

  • Pick a side: Beach, Town, or a quick ferry ride 

  • Know your transport game plan: Taxis, walking, or DIY with Safari buses 

  • If it’s Sunday, expect a chill vibe and fewer open attractions