Quiet Beaches and Harbour Views for Couples
Couples find quiet corners in Charlotte Amalie, but the town is a busy cruise port first. The most reliable romantic moments are a view, a beach with a short boat ride to reach it, and an early start at the north shore.
A beach with a boat ride: Honeymoon Beach
Water Island, sometimes called the fourth US Virgin Island, is the quietest day out. The boat leaves Crown Bay Marina every hour and takes about 10 minutes to reach Phillips Landing. Honeymoon Beach is a short walk or golf-cart ride from there. At Dinghy’s Beach Bar you can rent chairs, umbrellas, paddleboards, kayaks and snorkel gear. Buy tickets from the captain with cash, and watch the clock, because the last boat back is at 6:15 pm.
A view from above: Paradise Point
The Skyride at Havensight lifts you to Paradise Point, with the harbour spread out below. Adult tickets cost US$34.95 for the round trip. Most days of operation are cruise-ship days, with a typical start at 9 am. The ride closes one hour after the last tram, so a late-day ride depends on that day’s schedule. Look at the dated calendar on the operator’s site, and call if you are aiming for a particular hour. High wind or lightning can pause it.
A calm morning: Magens Bay
Magens Bay opens daily at 7 am and closes at 5:30 pm. Go at opening for the calmest hour. Non-resident adults pay US$7 and parking costs US$2. Rent a cabana if you want shade and privacy. A lifeguard may not be on duty, so swim only where you feel comfortable.
An evening out
The harbour is the setting for a sunset sail or a waterfront dinner. Look at current listings and recent reviews, and ask your hotel for ideas. On cruise-ship days, reserve tables in advance.
Getting around
Open-air taxis are the usual way to move between the harbour, Havensight and the north shore, and cash is useful for them. Cyril E. King Airport lies west of town and the Havensight cruise dock to the east, so choose lodging with that in mind. Large ships dock at Havensight and Crown Bay, and the Skyride and downtown shops fill up on those days, so plan the quiet parts of your trip for mornings and for days without ships in port.
Timing and weather
Hurricane season starts on 1 June and ends on 30 November, so choose flexible rates and watch forecasts. Mineral sunscreen is the right choice around the reef, since the territory bans the retail sale of three chemical filters, oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene.
More ideas for two are here: Couple activities in Charlotte Amalie .
Search stays on Booking.com , and read the operator pages for the Skyride , the Magens Bay Authority and Water Island .