A Day of Activities in Charlotte Amalie
The easiest way to see Charlotte Amalie is to fit one activity into each part of the day. The capital of the US Virgin Islands sits on the south coast of St Thomas, with ships docking at Havensight and Crown Bay, and the heat builds by late morning. This outline follows the clock.
First thing: the north shore
Taxi over the hill to Magens Bay for the 7 am opening. The beach, run by the Magens Bay Authority, stays open until 5:30 pm. A non-resident adult ticket is US$7, locals with ID pay US$2, and children under 12 walk in free. Parking adds US$2. Chairs, umbrellas and cabanas are on offer. Swimmers should not assume a lifeguard is watching.
Late morning: Coral World
Coral World Ocean Park, at Coki Point, suits the hours before lunch. Its Undersea Observatory is the headline, and the schedule lists sea lions at 11:00, a shark feeding at 1:00 and a second sea lion session at 2:00, plus a turtle talk. Adults aged 13 and over pay US$29 and children from 3 to 12 pay US$17. The ticket booth shuts at 3 pm. Extra-cost programmes with dolphins, sea lions and sharks, along with Sea Trek and Snuba, are offered, and each visitor decides on those personally.
Afternoon: up to Paradise Point
The Skyride rises from Havensight to Paradise Point. A round trip is US$34.95 for an adult and US$24.95 for a child, with a US$15 rate for locals. Operating days follow the cruise calendar, so open the posted schedule before you set out. Staff stop the ride in high wind or lightning and close up an hour after the final tram.
Anytime: across the water
Two boat options leave from different docks. The public ferry from Red Hook to Cruz Bay on St John takes about 20 minutes, and an adult one-way fare is US$8.15. Water Island’s boat departs hourly from Crown Bay Marina and finishes at 6:15 pm. Trunk Bay, on St John, charges a US$5 amenity fee for ages 16 and over, and its snorkel trail is the draw. For Water Island, carry cash for the captain.
Notes for the whole day
Retail sales of sunscreen with oxybenzone, octinoxate or octocrylene are banned here, so pack a mineral one. Drivers keep to the left on steep roads, so many visitors prefer open-air taxis. For a longer outline of ferry and BVI crossings, read more: Day trips from Charlotte Amalie and the Virgin Islands 3 day itinerary .
Official pages: Skyride , Coral World , Magens Bay Authority . Compare island tours on GetYourGuide .