Hi travelers! Welcome to my article on St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. My name is Vennessa Wilson (@veennessa) and I’m from the beautiful Caribbean island of Jamaica. Entering the USA, I pursued a career as a Registered Nurse. I got to experience a lot of different cultures while being a nurse and so I decided to take on the task of becoming a travel blogger.
With a curious mind, it was no surprise to my family when I took on the journey of exploring the world – whilst also caring for and helping people along the way. My goal now is to inspire as many people as I can so they too have the opportunity to explore this beautiful earth we get to call home.
Visiting St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands
It was during the height of the pandemic – when a lot of countries weren’t accepting tourists – that I decided to visit the US Virgin Islands. Visiting destinations within the United States became one of my only travel options during the pandemic and the US Virgin Islands popped into my mind. Indeed, this was the only place that I had a strong desire to visit.
I had heard amazing tales about the white sand beaches of the US Virgin Islands but I didn’t really believe these stories. So I had to see these islands for myself and the pandemic created the perfect chance to do so. I visited St Thomas and was blown away by its beauty and by the ease of travel. Everything was a short drive away and there were taxis everywhere.
At the airport there were taxis lined up to take you to your resort. The beach water was stunning. It was truly some of the clearest water I have ever seen. The tales were indeed correct: beaches with unbelievably clear waters!
Best Things To Do in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands
One of the best things to do in St Thomas (and at any US Virgin Island) is going on an island tour. That is the best way to see how people live their lives on a daily basis. Plus, it’s a great way to get away from your resort.
Another activity I can highly recommend in St Thomas is of course beach hopping. This was my favorite island experience by far. My favorite beaches in St Thomas were Magens Bay Beach, Lindquist Beach, Brewers Bay for sunset (bring bug spray though), Lindbergh Bay Beach and Coki Beach.
If you are looking for more adventurous activities then things like horse riding and sunset sailing are reasonably well priced. Of course, you can’t visit the US Virgin Islands without seeing some of the other nearby islands! There are frequent ferry rides which can take you from St Thomas.
Local People and Culture of St Thomas
I spent a bit of time observing the locals of St Thomas and experiencing their way of life. From the small boys playing ball on the sand to grown men fishing at the beach with their children. The population of the US Virgin Islands are predominantly black with West Indian backgrounds.
The beauty of all of this is that many of the locals I spoke with in St Thomas were not born in the US Virgin Islands. Many are immigrants from nearby islands like Dominica. This island differentiation is something the locals will correct you on, but you will also notice it in the different accents you hear.
Amazing Food Scene of St Thomas
Finding nice food in St Thomas wasn’t difficult at all. There are menus suited for every type of eater. My favorite place for food was The Smoking Rooster. The food here was delicious and they had every single option. From vegetarian to vegan and more, there was something for everyone!
I couldn’t finish talking about the food scene of St Thomas without mentioning Vinny’s Food Cart. He made jerks for all the meat-lovers of the island and they were epic! His truck comes only in the afternoon. You can order sweet corn, vegetables, rice and peas, and all the jerks you need. No visitor will have a hard time finding great food and drinks in St Thomas.
Accommodation Options on the Island
I was fortunate enough to do some hotel hopping in St Thomas. My favorite Airbnb was a place called Jonathon Place. The views here were stunning! Another beautiful spot that I can recommend is ResortShare at Smith Bay. You can’t go wrong at either of these places. All in all, there are many high-end resorts and different options for all budget types in St Thomas.
My Favorite Memory from St Thomas
All of the experiences I had in St Thomas were amazing. The island blew me away and changed my mindset. I used to believe that you had to travel far away to places like the Maldives or Bora Bora to experience the most beautiful beaches in the world, but the US Virgin Islands proved me wrong.
One of my favorite moments from this trip to St Thomas was my visit to Secret Harbor Beach. Although it wasn’t my favorite beach, it sure did hold one of my best memories. I’m terrified of lizards and had no idea that this beach was home to many iguanas. I shared my lunch with a few of them!
Need to Know Before you Go
If you plan on visiting St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands make sure you bring bug spray and your passport – even though it’s not required for US citizens, you might want to spend a few days in the British Virgin Islands. Of course, having cash with you is a good idea because the ATM fees are high. Remember to drive on the left when renting a car. Above all, enjoy yourself!
