OVERVIEW

Gain an appreciation for Charlotte Amalie’s diversity of attractions beginning with a scenic drive along the circuitous Skyline Drive that ascends through the hills behind the capital. The higher you travel, the more spectacular the views until you reach Drake’s Seat, often considered the island’s ultimate lookout point. From this lofty perch, you will enjoy sweeping views in every direction, much like English explorer and privateer Sir Francis Drake supposedly did in the late 1500s. Blackbeard’s Castle offers another key vantage point as the tower perches atop Government Hill. According to legend, the pirate Blackbeard used the tower as a lookout. It has become a National Historic Landmark within the Kongens Quarter, home to many of Charlotte Amalie’s oldest Dutch colonial buildings. Other highlights in the quarter well worth exploring include the 19th-century Villa Notman manor house and the 18th-century Crown House, which once served as the governor’s residence.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive into the hills behind Charlotte Amalie on scenic Skyline Drive.
• Take in the sweeping views from the Drake’s Seat lookout point.
• Tour Blackbeard’s Castle, a hilltop tower that the Dutch built in the 17th century.
• Explore the historical Kongen Quarter on your own and shop for duty-free goods.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Snorkel the crystal-clear waters of Magens Bay, an idyllic spot where sea turtles and other marine animals are frequently spotted. Wealthy financier Arthur Fairchild, who once owned Magens Bay, deeded the property to the U.S. Virgin Islands in the mid-20th century and stipulated how its natural beauty must be sustained. It remains one of the most photogenic and pristine places in the Caribbean as you will discover while snorkeling its typically calm waters and enjoying its crescent-shaped beach. The guide will lead you to areas that green and hawksbill sea turtles inhabit so you can snorkel alongside these graceful swimmers. Greens are the largest of all hard-shelled turtles, while hawksbills are the smallest of the sea turtles. You will also snorkel in another part of the bay known for its stingrays and eagle rays. Afterwards, you will enjoy free time relaxing on the golden sands and perhaps visiting the beach bar.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Look for sea turtles while snorkeling the crystal-clear waters of Magens Bay.
• Snorkel another area that stingrays and eagle rays are often seen.
• Spend free time relaxing on the lengthy golden beach that rims Magens Bay.
• Enjoy the scenic drive to and from Magens Bay in an open-top, safari-style vehicle.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Spend hours relaxing on one of the most beautiful stretches of sand on St. Thomas, an island with an abundance of picture-perfect beaches. It won’t take long to reach this slice of paradise, giving you all the more time to enjoy the beach however you please. Beach chairs are complimentary, and you are welcome to do nothing more ambitious than bask in the sun or stretch out under a beach umbrella. As an alternative, you can lie in the shade of a coconut palm as they are plentiful. Regardless of how you spend your time, the setting will be idyllic, encouraging you to enjoy every moment without a care in the world or a schedule to follow. If the mood strikes, you might stroll along the shore and take a refreshing swim in the turquoise sea. Everything you could possibly need is provided, including a hearty lunch and a cool drink.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Relax however you please on one of the island’s most spectacular beaches.
• Enjoy the convenience of a complimentary beach chair and umbrella.
• Dine on the included lunch of tropical cuisine whenever you get hungry.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Take in St. Thomas’ stunning natural beauty from two unique vantage points and spend hours relaxing at the island’s most celebrated beach. As you ascend the verdant hills behind the capital city of Charlotte Amalie, the sights will become all the more magnificent. While pausing for photos at the Drake’s Seat lookout, you will be treated to a sweeping view of the sea from the spot where Sir Francis Drake supposedly watched for ships to plunder in the late 1500s. Below lies lovely Magens Bay, whose beach is considered one of the world’s finest. During free time there, you might stretch out on a blanket and bask in the sun, take a refreshing swim in the turquoise waters and stroll the sugar-sand shoreline. Back in Charlotte Amalie, you will hop into a Skyride aerial tram and travel up to the top of Paradise Point. The views will be extraordinary the entire way, but especially from the summit.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Pause at Drake’s Seat for the ultimate view of Magens Bay and beyond.
• Spend hours relaxing however you wish on the beautiful stretch of sand at Magens Bay.
• Take the Skyride aerial tram to Paradise Point and enjoy magnificent island views

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Drop by a local brewery for a sampling of handcrafted beers and then relax on a spectacular stretch of sand at a nearby beach. Breweries were once scarce in Charlotte Amalie, but that is no longer the case as you will discover while touring a local favorite in the capital city. A behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process will reveal the distinguishing characteristics of the beers and how they are achieved. Still, nothing compares to tasting the finished product, which may be a hoppy IPA, a light lager or a heavy-bodied stout. The selection will depend on the season and what beers have been freshly brewed. Similarly, the beach chosen for later in the day will depend on the wind and water conditions. Regardless, the setting will be gorgeous as beautiful beaches are abundant on St. Thomas. Feel free to swim in the sea, stroll along the shore or just bask in the sun.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tour a local brewery for an understanding of how the brew master handcrafts the beers.
• Sample a freshly brewed beer with its own unique taste.
• Relax however you please on one of the island’s most spectacular beaches.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Escape to the nearby Ritz-Carlton and spend hours luxuriating in the resort’s sophisticated ambiance with full access to the swimming pools and private beach. Surrounded by tropical flora and overlooking Grand Bay, this only Ritz-Carlton in the U.S. Virgin Islands is an extraordinary waterfront property. Your day pass will allow you to relax on the private beach and enjoy the swimming pools, which include an adults-only infinity-edge pool and a family pool with a waterslide. You can easily find your place in the sun wherever you are most comfortable. You might stretch out in a poolside lounge chair and for a change of pace head for the beach just steps away. Sun umbrellas and coconut palms offer plenty of shade if that is your preference. The options are equally generous with regards to dining on your own as the fine restaurants at the Ritz-Carlton will be at your disposal.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Spend a delightful day at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton on Grand Bay.
• Enjoy full access to the resort’s swimming pools and private beach.
• Dine on your own at any of the restaurants at the Ritz-Carlton.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Spend hours relaxing however you please at a secluded white-sand beach that rims the turquoise sea. A wonderfully scenic drive across the interior of St. Thomas will bring you to Lindqvist Beach, a gorgeous stretch of sand so typically uncrowded that it is nicknamed Secret Sands Beach. It lies within Smith Bay Park, a protected area of 21 acres, all of it naturally beautiful. You will have plenty of time to enjoy the setting at your leisure. You might bask in the sun on a beach chair, stroll along the waterfront as the waves gently lap at the shore and take a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear sea. If you prefer to just wade out into the water, it will be comforting to know that the mostly sandy sea bottom slopes gradually. The views will be equally idyllic, much like the ones from the Skyline Drive overlook, where you will pause on the return drive.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Thoroughly relax at secluded Lindqvist Beach, also known as Secret Sands Beach.
• Enjoy a refreshing swim in the protected pristine waters, which deepen gradually.
• Admire the gorgeous views from the beach and from the Skyline Drive overlook.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Snorkel two reefs that are teeming with marine life and see the wreck of a freighter that has become an artificial reef. A sleek catamaran will bring you to the snorkeling sites, which are both located just off Buck Island, a naturally beautiful oasis that is a national wildlife refuge. Turtle Cove is known for its abundant sea turtles, the most common being green and hawksbill turtles. It’s easy to differentiate between the species, as green sea turtles weigh as much as 500 pounds and are typically twice the size of hawksbills. Countless tropical fish inhabit Turtle Cove and Shipwreck Cove, the second snorkeling venue, which is named for the ship that was scuttled there in 1979. A few years later, Hurricane Hugo broke the ship into three pieces and pushed it into shallower water. While snorkeling in the coves, you can expect to see snapper, blue tangs and parrotfish of every imaginable neon color.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Double your chances of seeing marine life by snorkeling two reefs off Buck Island.
• Look for sea turtles and brightly colored tropical fish, which are abundant in both locales.
• See a shipwreck that lies just 25 feet below the surface of the water.
• Enjoy an open bar and Caribbean music on the return cruise.

OVERVIEW

Explore neighboring St. John, the most naturally preserved of the U.S. Virgin Islands, at your own pace and however you wish. During the private ferry ride to the village of Cruz Bay, enlightening commentary will describe the attractions of St. John, which will help you decide how to spend your time there. Of course, you are free to do whatever you like. Be assured there are abundant choices. If you prefer to simply stay in Cruz Bay, it’s a delightful setting for one-of-a-kind shopping and dining, especially along the waterfront. If you’re looking for something more unusual, drop by the visitor center for a recommendation. Outdoor activities are particularly inviting because two-thirds of St. John is protected national parkland. You won’t have to go far to find a beach, as many of them overlook the bay. As an alternative, you could just walk around the village and visit the place you find most attractive.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take a private ferry to the village of Cruz Bay on the neighboring island of St. John.
• Spend your time on St. John doing whatever you please at your own pace.
• Explore Cruz Bay or the surrounding countryside, if you find that more intriguing.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a swimsuit and a towel if you wish to swim.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Behold the natural beauty of St. Thomas from two lookouts and while driving around the island in an open-top safari-style vehicle. As you ascend the verdant hills behind Charlotte Amalie, the sights will become all the more magnificent. Upon reaching Mountain Top – the highest point on St. Thomas – you will gaze out over a breathtaking panorama of the island, the Caribbean Sea and the distant British Virgin Islands. Time will be allotted for browsing the duty-free shop at the top of the mountain before departing for Drake’s Seat. On the way, you will travel a winding road that will present yet another perspective of the island’s tropical beauty, including a look at gorgeous Magens Bay. From atop the lookout at Drake’s Seat, you will be treated to a sweeping view of the sea from the spot where Sir Francis Drake supposedly watched for ships to plunder in the late 1500s.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Gaze out over St. Thomas from Mountain Top, the highest point on the island.
• Pause at Drake’s Seat and take in the ultimate view of Magens Bay and beyond.
• See the natural beauty of St. Thomas while riding in an open-top vehicle.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Board your sleek Turbo Power Cat, with it's yacht-like features, and cruise to the Virgin Islands' most picturesque island destinations. With burled wood features, flat screen, open lounge-style seating and special water toys, enjoy a stunning cruise along St. Thomas' spectacular coast line, and then anchor in the pristine waters of Island Cove.

Here, you'll have approximately 1 hour to relax, snorkel and swim while listening to great music. Enjoy one of the world's most spectacular down island views. If you like you can hang out and relax on the "noodle line". Afterwards, continue on a picturesque cruise along to a quaint picturesque beach, where you'll have another 45 minutes of beach time on powdery white sands. During your return cruise back to the ship, enjoy complementary water, sodas and rum punch.

OVERVIEW

Paddle a kayak through a mangrove-lined lagoon as the sun begins to set, a time known as the golden hour because the radiant natural light exudes a warm glow. After a briefing to ensure that you maximize the experience, you will ease into a kayak and follow the guide into the sanctuary lagoon that rims the southern shore of St. Thomas. The mangroves provide an ideal habitat for wildlife, especially birds that roost each evening in these environmentally important trees. Kayaks make little noise in the water so the birds won’t be disturbed even if you paddle closely to them. You may see snowy egrets and little blue herons wading in the shallows, endangered brown pelicans taking shelter and yellow warblers singing their sweet whistled songs as they dart in and out of the mangroves’ branches and aerial roots. The guide will help identify the birds and describe the lagoon ecosystem.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Glide through the sheltered waters of a mangrove-lined lagoon in a kayak around sunset.
• Observe the wildlife, especially birds as they roost in the mangroves late in the afternoon.
• Enjoy the magical setting of the lagoon as the sky takes on a warm glow.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.