Underwater Walks and Hillside Views in St Thomas

Sailing into St Thomas by cruise ship is always a visual treat. The island’s capital, Charlotte Amalie (Native – Pronounced [shar-LOT ah-MAHL-ee]), hugs the harbor with its red rooftops and rolling hills giving way to turquoise bays.

St Thomas is part of the U.S. Virgin Islands and blends Caribbean culture with a touch of Danish colonial history. The harbor itself has been a protected anchorage since the 1600s, once favored by pirates and traders alike.

Today, it’s a polished port of call for tourists looking to snorkel, shop, or take in the views from above. With each visit, I find something new to appreciate about this sunny slice of the Caribbean.

On my first visit back in 2017, I booked an excursion to Coral World Ocean Park. It was one of those all-in-one stops that delivers a little bit of everything. I walked through their aquarium exhibits and then descended into the sea with a guided helmet dive that let me stroll along the ocean floor surrounded by coral and curious fish. Afterward, I fed nectar to rainbow lorikeets in the aviary and watched iguanas lounge in the sun without a care in the world.

In later years, I opted for open-air island tours by bus or jeep. These tours take you winding through the hills with scenic overlooks and photo stops along the way. Most end up at Paradise Point, where the gondola ride brings you to one of the best views in the Caribbean. From the top, you get a full view of the harbor with cruise ships docked below and islands dotting the horizon.

Each return to St Thomas has offered something new while still holding on to those familiar moments I’ve come to love. Whether feeding birds or sipping a cold drink at the lookout, it’s a port that always delivers.