Plan your trip to Saint Thomas
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Elevation: 306 meters
Time Zone: America/St_Thomas
Latitude: 18.3532896
Longitude: -64.9365344
Nearby Airports: STT
Nicknamed “Rock City” by locals, St. Thomas is an island and popular cruise ship port in the Caribbean Sea. St. Thomas is one of three major islands—aside from St. Croix and St. John—that make up the U.S. Virgin Islands. Some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean are found along St. Thomas including Magens Bay Beach, which is ideal for swimming and snorkeling.
Prior to its recognition as a top beach destination, St. Thomas was dependent on slave trade during the 1600s, which mainly took place in the island’s capital, Charlotte Amalie between 1650 and 1714. King Frederick of Denmark later declared Charlotte Amalie a free port.
Several ancient buildings are found in the St. Thomas capital, including Fort Christian, the oldest standing structure in the U.S. Virgin Islands that was built by the Danish and was primarily a government building in the 1600s. Blackbeard’s Castle, named after the English pirate Edward Teach (who went by the name Blackbeard), initially served as a watchtower.
Top Trips: road trips to Saint Thomas
How Far Is It: distance to Saint Thomas
Learn from the author's first family cruise to the Caribbean how to make your cruise vacation a success.
You don’t have to dive deep to explore a vibrant undersea world in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Check out our dive expert’s top spots.
Discover St. Thomas’ treasures from duty-free shopping malls, white-sand beaches and historic attractions—but visit when the cruise ships aren’t there.
Grab your sailing gear and head out on a boating adventure in the waters around St. John and St. Thomas.
Chill on gorgeous beaches, ply Caribbean waters, tour historic attractions and shop duty-free on St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John—while leaving your passport at home.
Enjoy the Caribbean paradise of the U.S. Virgin Islands—and help preserve it—with a stay at one of these luxury eco-camps.
Check out these top accommodations and activities for families planning a vacation to the U.S. Virgin Islands.
