Eastern and Southern Caribbean · St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
St. Thomas, kept on a card.
St. Thomas is a hill town over a deep harbor, with two cruise piers on the south side and a beach on the north that is often ranked among the world's best. The views from above are the pictures.
Where the photos are in St. Thomas
The Paradise Point Skyride
A gondola that rises 700 feet above the harbor from a base station a few minutes' walk from the Havensight dock. The ride takes about five minutes, and the top gives you the harbor with your ship in it.
The 99 Steps
A step-street from the 1700s, built with bricks brought over as ballast on Danish ships, and actually 103 steps. It climbs to Blackbeard's Castle, a 1679 Danish watchtower.
Magens Bay
A 20 to 25 minute taxi ride from the cruise terminals, about six kilometers, and considered one of the top ten beaches in the world. A long, calm, palm-fringed crescent.
Drake's Seat
A lookout on the north side of the island with sweeping views of Magens Bay, and one of the best photo opportunities on St. Thomas.
Main Street in Charlotte Amalie
More than 400 shops in old Danish warehouses along and off Main Street, with colorful colonial buildings, alleys and courtyards to walk through.
How the light works
The hillsides face the harbor, so the light is best in the morning, with the sun behind you as you look at the ships. Drake's Seat is at its best in clear midday light, when the bay below shows every shade of blue. Magens Bay is calm and shady at the edges, so have people stand under the palms for group pictures.
Before you go ashore
St. Thomas has two main cruise piers on the south side: Havensight, 1.7 miles from downtown Charlotte Amalie, and Crown Bay, about two miles to the west. The Skyride is a few minutes' walk from Havensight, while Magens Bay and Drake's Seat need a taxi. Taxi rides here are shared, so ask about the fare before you go.
Details checked September 2026. Piers, fees and schedules change, so confirm with your ship's daily plan.
Questions people ask
- Which piers do ships use in St. Thomas?
- Havensight, about 1.7 miles from downtown Charlotte Amalie, and Crown Bay, about two miles to the west.
- How far is Magens Bay from the cruise terminals?
- About 6 kilometers, roughly a 20 to 25 minute taxi ride.
- Can I walk to the Skyride from the pier?
- From Havensight, yes: the base station is only a few minutes' walk, and the ride to the top takes about five minutes.
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