Charlotte Amalie Beaches, Views and Island Days

St Thomas packs a lot into a small island, and Charlotte Amalie is where most visitors arrive. The cruise ports at Havensight (WICO) and Crown Bay sit on either side of town, and Cyril E. King Airport is to the west. The choices below are sorted by how much they cost and how much planning they need.

Low cost or free

Magens Bay. The Magens Bay Authority runs this north-shore beach, which is open every day from 7 am to 5:30 pm. A non-resident adult pays US$7, residents with local ID pay US$2, and children under 12 get in free. Parking is US$2. Beach chairs, umbrellas and cabanas are available to rent. A lifeguard may not be on duty, so stay close to children in the water.

Emancipation Garden and the waterfront. The park by Fort Christian is free, and the old warehouse streets of the shopping district are a short stroll from it.

Water Island. The boat from Crown Bay Marina takes about 10 minutes to Phillips Landing and runs hourly. Tickets are bought from the captain in cash, and the last boat returns at 6:15 pm. Honeymoon Beach is close to the landing, and Dinghy’s Beach Bar rents out chairs, umbrellas, paddleboards, kayaks and snorkel gear.

Skyride to Paradise Point. The cable ride at Havensight carries passengers up for a wide view of the harbour. The round trip costs US$34.95 for adults and US$24.95 for children. Operating days follow the cruise calendar, and the operator posts a schedule showing which days are closed. The ride closes one hour after the last tram and pauses in high wind or lightning.

Coral World Ocean Park. The park at Coki Point charges US$29 for adults and US$17 for children aged 3 to 12. Begin in the Undersea Observatory, then catch the scheduled talks and feedings. Paid animal encounter programmes are separate extras, supervised by park staff, and are optional.

Across the water

Snorkelling at Trunk Bay. This beach is on St John, about 20 minutes by the Red Hook ferry plus a taxi ride to Red Hook. Entry to the national park is free, and Trunk Bay adds a US$5 amenity fee for people aged 16 and over, payable by card or phone from 1 October 2026.

Timing and safety

Cruise-ship days put the biggest crowds at Havensight, the Skyride, Coral World and downtown shops, so an early start pays off. Open-air taxis are common and cash is useful. Traffic keeps left even though cars are left-hand drive, and hills are steep. Choose mineral sunscreen, because the territory bans retail sales of the chemical filters oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene. The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from 1 June until 30 November.

For historic stops, read more: Sightseeing in Charlotte Amalie .

Official pages: Skyride , Coral World and Magens Bay Authority . Browse tours on Viator .