Magens Bay
St. Thomas' classic beach day: calm water, a long crescent of sand, facilities on-site, and an official taxi stand for the ride back.
- Cost
- $7 entry
- Transport
- Taxi 15-25min
- Time
- 3-5 hours
St. Thomas & St. John Port Guide
Two Islands, Three Arrival Realities
- Peak Season
-
Dec - April
(Busiest cruise months) - Weather
-
77-89°F
Year-round - Budget
-
$0-85pp
Per activity - WiFi
-
Town: Good
Beaches: Variable
Island Orientation
Understanding the Port Geography
The Reality:
Most cruise calls marketed as St. Thomas are
DOCKED
at Havensight/WICO or Crown Bay. Some direct St. John calls anchor in Cruz Bay Harbor and passengers are
TENDERED
ashore.
Key Insight:
St. John is a separate-island day involving a taxi + ferry.
Where You'll Arrive
- Havensight / WICO: Main east-side dock; best for Skyride and easier Red Hook runs
- Crown Bay: West-side dock; farther from Red Hook and east-end beaches
- Cruz Bay, St. John: Occasional direct cruise call; ships anchor and tender
Main Zones
- Charlotte Amalie: Historic downtown, shopping, dining
- Northside: Magens Bay, overlooks, scenic drives
- East End: Coki, Coral World, Red Hook ferry terminal
- St. John / Cruz Bay: Ferry gateway to Trunk Bay and the park roads
Top 6 Destinations
Paradise Point Skyride
The fastest big-view payoff in port. Best as a Havensight add-on or short-call activity. Always check same-day operating hours first.
- Cost
- $29.95 adult
- Transport
- Walk/taxi
- Time
- 1-2 hours
Coral World + Coki Beach
Easy east-end combo day: Coral World for marine exhibits, Coki for snorkeling and beach time right next door. Better fit from Havensight than Crown Bay.
- Cost
- $0 beach / $29 park
- Transport
- Taxi 12-26min
- Time
- 3-5 hours
Historic Charlotte Amalie
Danish-era lanes, harborfront shops, churches, and easy lunch options make downtown the best low-stress self-guided option. Havensight is closer; Crown Bay usually means a quick taxi.
- Cost
- Free-$15
- Transport
- Walk/taxi
- Time
- 2-3 hours
Cruz Bay, St. John
The simplest St. John sampler: shops, bars, and easy safari-taxi access to nearby beaches without committing to a full far-flung beach mission.
- Cost
- Ferry + taxi
- Transport
- Taxi + ferry
- Time
- 4-5 hours
Trunk Bay
World-famous St. John beach with the underwater snorkeling trail. Gorgeous, but logistics-heavy: taxi to Red Hook, ferry to Cruz Bay, then another taxi.
- Cost
- $5 + transit
- Transport
- Taxi + ferry
- Time
- 5-6 hours
Critical Warnings
Arrival Reality Check
- St. Thomas itself is usually a DOCKED port
- Your pier is either Havensight/WICO or Crown Bay and they are NOT interchangeable
- Direct St. John cruise calls anchor + tender in Cruz Bay
- Check your actual pier before planning
St. John Reality Check
- St. John is a separate island—not a nearby district
- Fast route = taxi to Red Hook + ferry + St. John taxi
- Charlotte Amalie ferry is slower and less frequent
- Trunk Bay is NOT a casual quick stop
- Best for long port calls
Transport Tips
- Taxis are per-person and not metered
- Shared safari taxis may wait to fill
- Arrange a return taxi on St. John beyond Cruz Bay
- Red Hook ferry is faster/cheaper than Charlotte Amalie
- Ferry bag fees can apply
Beach & Road Reality
- Magens Bay has a taxi stand and facilities
- St. John beach parking fills early
- North-shore roads are steep, narrow and winding
- Drivers use the LEFT side of the road
- Town service is better than beach connectivity
Getting Back to Your Ship: St. John Requires a DOUBLE Return
Golden Rule: A St. John day does not end at the ferry dock. You still need a ferry crossing, and a taxi back to your St. Thomas pier. Work backward from the ship—not from Cruz Bay.
Step-by-Step Calculation Example:
- All-aboard at St. Thomas pier: 4:30pm
- Target pier arrival/security buffer: 4:00pm
- Subtract Red Hook → pier taxi (20-35min): 3:25pm
- Subtract Cruz Bay → Red Hook ferry/load time: 2:45pm
RESULT: Leave Trunk Bay by about 2:00pm
Add Extra Buffer If:
- Docked at Crown Bay (+15min each way)
- Multiple ships in port (+15-30min)
- Using shared safari taxis (+15min)
- First time doing St. John on your own (+30min)
Typical Travel Times:
- Havensight → Charlotte Amalie: 5-10min
- Magens Bay → Pier: 15-25min
- Havensight → Red Hook: 20-30min
- Cruz Bay → Trunk Bay: 10-15min