Charlotte Amalie and the Island That Opens the Virgins
St Thomas is an island in the United States Virgin Islands in the north-eastern Caribbean, known for Charlotte Amalie, its deep natural harbour and capital, and for being the main gateway to the surrounding islands. Hills rise steeply behind the waterfront, and pastel warehouses, arcades and stairways climb the slopes in a layout inherited from the Danish colonial era. The island was Danish until the United States purchase of 1917, and the Danish street names and Dutch-style stonework still give the old town a distinctive, walkable character.
Fort Christian, the red-painted fortress by the harbour, dates from the seventeenth century and is among the oldest buildings in the territory. The 99 Steps, a brick stairway climbing from the old town, lead to hillside houses with views over the harbour. Nearby Emancipation Garden is a gathering place for markets and celebrations. Beyond the capital, Frenchtown is a fishing quarter with roots in families who moved from St Barthélemy, and its restaurants are known for fresh catch. The island sits close to the British Virgin Islands, making combined sailing and ferry itineraries easy.
Magens Bay, Coki Beach and Water Island
Magens Bay is the island's signature beach: a long, calm, tree-lined crescent on the north shore, backed by green hills and often named among the most beautiful beaches in the world. Coki Beach, close to the underwater observatory, draws snorkellers with its reef fish just off the sand, while Secret Harbour and Sapphire Beach on the east end offer water sports and sunset-facing restaurants. From Mountain Top, high above the north coast, the view across to the British Virgin Islands is one of the Caribbean's classic panoramas.
Water Island, reached by a short ferry from Charlotte Amalie, is a small, car-free-feeling retreat with Honeymoon Beach as its favourite stretch. From Red Hook on the east end, ferries connect to St John in about 20 minutes, which makes day trips to the national park simple. A hotel group on St Thomas can pair resort stays with island-hopping excursions, giving guests beaches, harbour history and neighbouring Virgin Islands days within one holiday.
Read the full St Thomas guide on Visit Travel Group, or see VisitStThomas.co.uk on Visit Travel Group.