This Stunning Caribbean Island Is Easy to Reach From the East Coast — and It Has Beautiful Beaches and World-class Snorkeling

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This Stunning Caribbean Island Is Easy to Reach From the East Coast — and It Has Beautiful Beaches and World-class Snorkeling

St. Thomas is the cosmopolitan gateway to the U.S. Virgin Islands of St. Thomas and St. Croix.

By 
Lindsay Cohn
 
 
Published on July 27, 2022
Sunset over the harbor of Charlotte Amalie in St Thomas in US Virgin Islands
PHOTO: STEVE HEAP/GETTY IMAGES

The easiest of the U.S. Virgin Islands to reach, St. Thomas is both the gateway to St. John and St. Croix and a beloved vacation destination in its own right. Tourists primarily flock to this popular Caribbean paradise for its beautiful beaches and world-class snorkeling. It's also steeped in maritime history and pirate legends, which make for some interesting attractions.

The frequency of international travelers has left a mark over the years. As a result, St. Thomas exudes a cosmopolitan atmosphere, especially in the bustling capital of Charlotte Amalie, which is brimming with Danish colonial architecture, duty-free shops, and cultural landmarks.

Buildings on main shopping street on Dronningens Gade Street in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
WALTER BIBIKOW/GETTY IMAGES

A busy port for cruise ships, the island swells when big boats dock. Given St. Thomas is only 32 square miles, you can see many major sights and relish some beach time all in a few hours. However, many people prefer to spend a couple of days or more on the island to cover more sun-soaked ground and splash in the turquoise tides.

Getting to St. Thomas

A seaplane flying over Crown Bay, US Virgin Islands
EYFOTO/GETTY IMAGES

St. Thomas is the most accessible of the U.S. Virgin Islands. American, Delta, JetBlue, Spirit, and United all operate direct flights from major East Coast airports, including New York, Boston, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. From takeoff to landing, it's only about four hours (of course, this varies slightly depending on the departure point). Upping the convenience factor even more? Americans get to enjoy the ease of domestic travel — online check-in and not needing a passport — as the island is an unincorporated U.S. territory.

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