r/StThomasUSVI • u/VariantTheory • 14d ago

Looking for some rec’s!

Hellooo everyone! 😊

I was hoping I could possibly get some recommendations and/or advice! I apologize in advance because I’m sure you guys get these a lot.

I’ll be visiting towards the end of October with my husband, and parents. Our age group is early 30s to 60, we’re all pretty physically active, open minded and adventurous!

I was wondering if anyone would be kind enough to offer any recommendations for any hidden gems for interesting/unique things to see, experience, do, or eat/drink on the island! (We’re also not against island hopping either).

I’ve already been researching a lot of what to do on the internet (ie travel advisor, etc) but didn’t know if there was anything that you all would highly recommend that isn’t on there because it’s more off the hidden path.

Additionally if anyone has any advice please feel free to share!

Thank you so much again in advance and we can’t wait to experience beautiful St Thomas❤️🙏

Edit: thank you guys seriously so much for all the amazing recommendations!!!🫶 You all are the best!!!💕🙌

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3

u/Spiritual_Contact946 14d ago

Island hop to: St John, Water Island, and Hassel Island. Hassel Island is only accessible by boat and St Thomas Historical Trust Museum should be offering their guided tours by end of Oct.

Hike the nature trail at Magens Bay Beach.

Kayak the mangroves on St Thomas with VIEcotours.

Night kayak with the service offered at Frenchman's Cove. There are at least 2 others on St Thomas offering night kayaking.

Do a full, half day, or sunset sail.

If you snorkel and don't need chairs, go to Brewers Beach to see sea turtles.

Visit the museum that's in a historic lookout tower at Bluebeard's Castle accessed by winding stairs.

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u/smokeNtoke1 14d ago

We did the glow boats at Frenchman's Cove this year after trying the one out of Frenchman's Reef the year before and it was soo much better.

The boats are more stable, the guide was a marine bio graduate student, and we actually saw a lot of sealife (sea turtle, sting rays, and so many tarpon).

Love the Magens Bay hike, but wanted to mention the Perseverance Bay hike that just opened this year too. We saw some fun birds along the way like parakeets and kestrels.

If you do go to water island, rent a golf cart and explore the fort on the south side (plus the rest of the island). Very fun day trip. The restaurant up the hill, Heidi's, is better than the one on the beach.

If you go to St John mostly for the beaches and don't have a car, rent a dingy once you get there so you can beach hop from the water side. There are free moorings during the day that are run by the vi national park.

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u/Spiritual_Contact946 13d ago

Thanks for sharing your experiences. Parking can be a challenge at Perseverence especially on weekends. The VI govt has to acquire access to some private property in order to expand parking area. 

Have you hiked to Botany Bay?

The dinghy is a great idea!

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u/VariantTheory 14d ago

Thank you so much!!! 🙏 this all sounds amazing! 🫶

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u/GalacticNova420 14d ago

I am here now and just did Brewers Beach w the turtles. Truly amazing.

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u/Spiritual_Contact946 14d ago

What other beaches did you go to?

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u/jdrum00 14d ago

Is there still a ray that hangs out in that bunch of rocks right off Brewers Beach?

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u/GalacticNova420 14d ago

Yes we saw one

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u/Spiritual_Contact946 14d ago

I haven't heard of any sightings recenty, but people have had dolphin encounters. There are rays at Brewers but people get more excited if they see dolphins.

0

u/jdrum00 14d ago

Shhh. Quit promoting Brewers Beach. I’ll be in at the end of October and that’s my favorite little beach to go to. With the pate truck. There’s your local food tour! :-)

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u/Spiritual_Contact946 14d ago

🤣 Ha, ha! You just promoted it more than I did.

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u/jdrum00 14d ago

Drat. ;-)

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u/Ok-Caterpillar-9867 14d ago

Highly recommend some St John days. Most of the island is protected National Park land and there are some incredible hikes and beaches. I recommend Ram Head hike, it’s a little over a mile.. easy enough for beginners to do but still works up a sweat. Salt Pond Bay is right there and has excellent snorkeling.

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u/Rooty3rdBaby-75 14d ago

Do a food tour

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u/Rooty3rdBaby-75 14d ago

They usually include history of the town

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u/VariantTheory 14d ago

Ohhh this idea is fantastic too!!! Thank you so much!!!🫶

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u/GalacticNova420 14d ago

Hit up Hanes cab 630. He is the best and will take you all around safely for a reasonable price.

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u/NC_Mama_1959 14d ago

How do I contact him? My husband and I are going to STT Nov 8 for a week and won’t be renting a car. We will be staying at the Sapphire beach resort and marina. I was looking for someone who could shuttle back and forth to the airport, restaurants, grocery store and maybe show us some of the history. We don’t snorkel. We are both 67 years old and sort of slow walkers

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u/GalacticNova420 13d ago
  1. Truly a great guy

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u/GalacticNova420 13d ago

It's been our honeymoon trip and he has treated us like his son and daughter😊

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u/NC_Mama_1959 13d ago

I am saving this info. Do you know his name? Or just do I ask for cab number 630?

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u/GalacticNova420 13d ago

His name is Haynes. Sorry I spelled it wrong but yes cab 630 and his number is posted too

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u/geodesicpolyhedron 14d ago

Go get lit over at Duffys Love Shack! 🗿🍹🌴

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u/TorssdetilSTJ 14d ago

Hike down to mermaid’s chair - start at Botany Bay. Google it. Bring water. Really cool, unique spot!

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u/nellyro 13d ago

Since your group is active, I’d consider a day trip to St. John for the beaches and trails around the national park. Salt Pond Bay and the Ram Head trail are a nice combination if everyone is comfortable hiking in the heat. On St. Thomas, Hull Bay has a more relaxed local feel, and Water Island can make a fun quieter day away from the busier attractions. I’d leave at least one flexible day because weather and ferry timing can affect island-hopping plans. If you need help comparing accommodations or organizing the trip, feel free to message me—I’m a travel advisor familiar with the USVI.

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u/Rooty3rdBaby-75 13d ago

Take the little ferry at Crown Bay to Water Island, rent golf carts from Rachel’s rentals, go see Ft Segarra stuff (incl gun emplacements!), then go to Dinghy’s for good food/drinks! It’s sooo fun!! Great views as well!

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u/Rooty3rdBaby-75 13d ago

Make sure to reserve the carts in advance!

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u/StJohnClaudia 5d ago

Gladys’ Cafe in downtown is an amazing decades old local restaurant open for breakfast and lunch, best callalloo soup ever… taking the ferry to St John is easy and a fun adventure - either to just explore Cruz bay and have lunch at the Beach Bar and shop at Mongoose Junction, or head to one of the North Shore beaches like Trunk Bay. If you’d have passports, a BVI charter day is an amazing adventure! Enjoy!

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u/VariantTheory 5d ago

We’re definitely making a stop at Gladys’ cafe!!! I saw they had goat curry and their entire menu looked amazing! We’ll definitely try the callaloo soup too!! We CANNOT wait for local cuisine and are counting down the days till we get there. 🤤

Thank you so much for this! 🫶

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u/StJohnClaudia 5d ago

You're so welcome, enjoy!