Day 1 in St. Thomas

Welcome to St. Thomas, the smallest of the 3 major US Virgin Islands! Upon arrival, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and go explore! There are many exciting things to explore in St. Thomas.

Start your day at Charlotte Amalie, the bustling capital and a perfect way to get a feel for its history and culture. The town is a jumble of small streets lined with colonial buildings, duty-free shops, and restaurants where you can while the day away. This is also where you’ll get a chance to see the city’s colorful Caribbean architecture. Take a private or group city sightseeing tour to visit historic landmarks. Coral World Ocean Park is a top attraction here, and other highlights include Blackbeard's Castle; St. Thomas Synagogue; Emancipation Garden; the 99 steps; Government House; Frederick Lutheran Church; and Fort Christian, the island's oldest structure.

99 Steps: Charlotte Amalie is famous for its side alleys and `step streets` built by its former Danish inhabitants to help people navigate the hilly terrain. The 99 Steps offers amazing views, and the steps lead up to Blackbeard’s Castle.

Spend your evening at the lovely little town of Cruz Bay, known locally as `Love City,`, the heart of St. John. The streets are lined with shops, restaurants, and bars, which are all within easy walking distance of each other. This is where you’ll find the most concentration of nightlife with plenty of restaurants, bars and clubs to choose from.

Enjoy one of the beachside bars at Wharfside Village and enjoy a drink or two with your bare feet in the sand. Cruz Bay is also the transit hub for the island, ferries to St. Thomas and the British Virgin Islands leave from the two docks.

Day 2 in St. Thomas

Wake up and hit the beach! Beaches are the most popular outdoor attraction and Trunk Bay on the North Shore is a popular favorite. This beautiful beach can get busy in winter though, so if you want a more quiet beach experience, head to Salt Pond Bay on the far southern tip of the island. This isolated beach is popular with St. John locals. It’s a great beach to spend a lazy day sunning and snorkeling in the shallow, calm water.

Afterward, explore the many trails of the Virgin Islands National Park, such as the Reef Bay Trail (one of the many trails through the forest of the Bordeaux Mountain), which descends from the top of the island, through plantation ruins, all the way to the sea. This popular hike is 2.5 miles each way; the trail is mostly shaded by jungle vegetation but is quite rocky so wear sturdy shoes.

If you'd rather let someone else do the work, try a 2-hour horseback ride at Carolina Corral, where you'll be treated to panoramic views of distant islands. A slight detour takes you to the ancient petroglyph site, with ancient rock carvings. If you take a guided tour of the trail, the guide will identify the trees, plants and animals along the way, and give the history of the Reef Bay Plantation and the petroglyphs.

Wind down your day back at your resort with a dip in the pool or beach. Then get refreshed and head out on the town to enjoy some Caribbean culinary delights before calling it a night.

Day 3 in St. Thomas

Spend your day today exploring the waters around St. John by boat or kayak, with companies offering tours and rentals. Try out a guided kayak tour of the coves and reefs, or for something more festive, check out an offshore `booze cruise.` You can also rent a boat and explore.

We highly recommend a boat charter to Jost Van Dyke Island. You can do a private charter or a charter boat with other people. Make sure to make a snorkel stop at Watermelon Cay - one of the best snorkeling spots in the area with vibrant, colorful, and plentiful fish. Next you may stop at customs in the VVI’s on Tortola before heading to the national parks to do some more snorkeling. This does mean you have to have your passport with you. After some great snorkeling, end your day at the famous Jost Van Dyke and White Bay for a `painkiller` (local drink).

Additional Days in St. Thomas

Explore some additional beaches of the island. Francis Bay or Maho Bay are two excellent beaches to check out. They are a favorite for the sea turtles and stingrays and the calm water. Megens bay has been named one of the world’s most beautiful beaches by many travel publications. This is an excellent beach for snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, and other water sports.

Take a ferry ride to St. John, the little brother island of St. Thomas. The quick ferry ride to the island of St. John whisks you away from St. Thomas' bustle to a quieter, more natural island. The Virgin Islands National Park occupies about two-thirds of the island, insuring it remains as lightly developed as it is. Once you reach the St. John ferry port, you can walk to a number of fun shops and great bars and restaurants, as well as the national park visitors center. You'll also find transportation to St. John's beautiful beaches. Along the island's climbing road you'll see amazing views, donkeys, sugar mill ruins and mongooses.

Your Last Day in St. Thomas

Depart from your hotel to the port for your return home. Savor the memories of a very special time in St. John and the beautiful US Virgin Islands.