Short Stays Based in Charlotte Amalie

Visitors do not join a set multi-day programme in Charlotte Amalie. They pick a hotel, then add single outings by boat, ferry and taxi, which makes the length of the stay flexible. Here are two shapes that work, plus what to settle before you book.

Settle these first

  • Season. The Atlantic storm season runs through 30 November and starts on 1 June, so refundable rooms and flexible flights make sense in those months.
  • Documents. Photo ID covers a trip from the mainland. A passport, the online ED card and cash for fees are needed only if you add the British Virgin Islands.
  • Cash. Open-air taxis, the Water Island boat and the BVI levy all favour cash.
  • Location. Havensight lies east of town and Crown Bay and the airport lie west, so a room near the harbour shortens most transfers.

Two nights

Spend one day in town and one day on the water. In town, Fort Christian (US$10) and the synagogue on Crystal Gade make a morning, with Main Street shopping afterwards. On the water, take the Red Hook ferry to St John for a day at Trunk Bay, where the amenity fee is US$5 for ages 16 and over. The adult ferry fare is US$8.15 each way.

Four nights

Stretch the plan with two more days. A beach morning at Magens Bay, opening at 7 am, can be followed by an afternoon on the Skyride, which costs US$34.95 for adults. Another day goes to Water Island, with the hourly boat from Crown Bay and a last return at 6:15 pm, or to Coral World at Coki Point if the weather turns.

A day in the British Virgin Islands

Fit this in only if you hold a passport. Jost Van Dyke and Tortola are the usual destinations. You also pay a US$10 levy on arrival and a US$20 per person ferry departure fee, and the ED card goes in up to 72 hours ahead.

A flight to St Croix

St Croix is a separate island reached by air. Estate Whim, Christiansted and Buck Island Reef National Monument are all there, and none is on St Thomas. Treat it as an add-on rather than a day trip from Charlotte Amalie.

What a base cannot offer

Town has few organised multi-day tours to buy, so most of the work is yours: confirming ferry times and opening days. Cruise-ship days put the biggest crowds at the Skyride, Coral World and the shops, so keep your busiest days for days without large ships in port.

Read more: Day trips from Charlotte Amalie and the Virgin Islands 6 day itinerary .

Search rooms on Booking.com . The ferry page , the Skyride FAQ and the BVI entry guide hold current details.