7 Best St. Thomas Shore Excursions: How to Spend Your Port of Call

Planning a cruise stop in St. Thomas and wondering how to make the most of your time on the island? You’re in the right place!

St. Thomas has gorgeous beaches, turquoise water, delicious food, and a TON of ways to spend your time ashore. But with so much to see and do, how do you choose the right shore excursion?

That’s where we come in! We’ve rounded up the best St. Thomas shore excursions, whether you want to snorkel with sea turtles, try local food, learn about the island’s history, or simply find a beach to relax on. We’ve also included practical details about port pickups, meeting points, and travel times, so you can spend less time planning and more time enjoying.

Why We Book Shore Excursions Independently

We almost always book our shore excursions independently. We’ve used Viator many times for cruise ship tours, and we’ve never had an issue! The key is to choose tours specifically designed for cruise passengers, like the ones we’ve listed below.

Most cruise ships visiting St. Thomas dock at either Havensight or Crown Bay, both close to Charlotte Amalie. Occasionally, ships anchor offshore and bring passengers ashore by tender instead. You’ll usually have around 8 to 9 hours in port, although this varies depending on your itinerary.

The great thing about cruise-friendly tours is that they’re built around ship schedules, with start times and pickup locations that align with arrivals in port. They’re also typically much more affordable than booking directly through the cruise line, while offering many of the same experiences. Plus, if a ship-sponsored tour is sold out, you can usually find a very similar option independently.

Another big advantage is the experience itself. Independent tours often run in smaller groups, which makes things feel more relaxed and personal. You’re not stuck moving around in a huge crowd and competing to get the best views and shots!

Just remember that pickup locations vary between operators, so always double-check your meeting instructions. If transportation isn’t included, taxis are easy to find at both cruise terminals. Fares are set by destination rather than metered, so confirm the price before hopping in.

There’s also less risk involved than you might think. Some tours offer guarantees to get you back to the ship on time or refunds if your ship is late or misses the port altogether. Just be sure to check the specific policy before booking! You may also be asked for your cruise details so operators can plan accordingly. And if the timing feels tight, we’d always recommend checking with the provider first. After all, nobody wants to miss their ship!

Best St. Thomas Shore Excursions 

1. Taste your way through St. Thomas 

If you’re anything like us and can only eat so much from the cruise ship buffet, this walking food tour is a great excuse to get out and try some local food (and burn off a few calories while you’re at it!). Honestly, it exceeded my expectations! Our guide, Michelle, was a big part of that, but the food was the star of the show, obviously. We stopped at five local food spots that we’d never have found on our own.

Everything we tasted was delicious! We tried saltfish quiche, salmon balls, chicken wings, mac and cheese, conch fritters, and curry chicken with rice and potato salad. We also had a rum punch, sampled different rums, and even made refreshing Painkillers. After the tour, we continued exploring Charlotte Amalie on our own and found even more great places to eat and drink.

There’s no pickup, but the meeting point is just a 10-minute drive from the Havensight cruise ship dock. The tour starts at 11 am on weekdays and lasts around three hours, which works perfectly with most cruise schedules. You can also cancel for free up to 24 hours before the tour if your plans change, which is always a nice bonus.

If you want to get a real taste of St. Thomas beyond the usual tourist spots, we can’t recommend this tour enough! It’s a fun mix of local flavors, fascinating stories, and hidden gems, and you’ll definitely leave with a full belly. Don’t just take our word for it—HUNDREDS of happy reviewers say this is the best food tour in St. Thomas!

2. Sail by luxury catamaran to snorkel with sea turtles 

What better place than St. Thomas to get out on the water and snorkel with sea turtles? This luxury catamaran tour was everything we hoped for and more! We spent a few hours snorkeling, dancing, enjoying drinks and snacks on a fancy boat, and relaxing on a crowd-free beach. Now, that’s not something you find every day on this island!

Our first stop was Turtle Cove at Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge. We got our snorkel gear and headed into the water with a guide who helped us spot the marine life. Green sea turtles seemed to pop up out of nowhere, and we also spotted a TON of colorful fish swimming around the coral reefs.

After snorkeling, we climbed back on the boat for snacks and drinks from the open bar before heading to Honeymoon Beach on Water Island. You can go for another swim or find a spot on the sand here, but we stayed on board with a drink and enjoyed the views. Hydration is important, after all (wink, wink)!

The best part? The boat takes a maximum of 12 guests, which suited us perfectly since we’re not really keen on big group tours. There are several departure times to choose from, too, so check your cruise ship’s schedule before booking. You don’t want to spend the whole trip worrying about getting back to port on time!

Getting there is easy, too. The meeting point is at the Havensight cruise ship dock, just a short walk from the terminal. Your guide will meet you where the excursion boats pick up passengers, but arrive at least 20 minutes before departure.

3. Kayak through mangroves 

If you want more time on the water and a chance to snorkel, too, this kayaking adventure is perfect! Plus, you get to kayak through the mangroves, so that’s double the fun! You’ll start on the southern coast of St. Thomas, where you’ll meet your local guide before heading into the Mangrove Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary and Marine Preserve.

You’ll kayak between small islands and through the lagoon’s calm waters, watching for stingrays gliding beneath your boat and brown pelicans flying overhead. You never quite know what you’ll encounter, so keep your eyes peeled! Just remember, wind can make kayaking more challenging, especially in open water.

Next, grab your snorkel gear and explore underwater. Your guide will point out marine life, and feel free to ask questions along the way. If you’re new to snorkeling, don’t worry. Someone will be there to help you feel comfortable in the water.

Back on dry land, watch where you step! The islands are home to hermit crabs, so you might spot some scuttling around. And if you’re not ready to call it a day just yet, you can also add a hike on Cas Cay, a small, uninhabited island.

The tour lasts around 2.5 hours, with departures at 10 am and 2 pm, making it easy to fit into your day in port. There’s no pickup, but getting to the meeting point is easy peasy, just a 15-minute taxi ride from Havensight and about 20 minutes from Crown Bay.

4. Blast across St. Thomas Harbor on a jet boat 

If slow boat tours do nothing for you, I’m sure this jet boat ride will have you screaming! This thing has 750 horsepower, and your captain puts it to good use! Expect high speeds, sharp turns, 180-degree spins, and lots of splashes. Yes, you’ll get soaked, so don’t wear anything you’d rather keep dry.

You’ll pass Hassel Island and Water Island, while your captain shares some local history before things get wild. And then come the fishtails and nose dives! The captain makes sure everyone gets wet, and staying dry really isn’t an option.

But that’s half the fun, right? Just keep your phone and anything else you don’t want splashed somewhere safe. With room for up to 22 passengers, you’ll be sharing the ride with a group, but in this case, it’s the more the merrier!

Another plus is that it’s easy to fit into a cruise stop. You can reach R Bar, the meeting point, in about 5 minutes by taxi or a 10-minute walk from Havensight cruise port. The ride itself lasts around 40 minutes, and there are several departure times, so you have some flexibility. Just check your ship’s schedule and leave enough time to get back on board.

All in all, if you like a fast, splashy adventure, you’ll have a lot of fun on this one. And judging by the hundreds of glowing reviews, plenty of other people agree!

5. Learn to scuba dive 

If you’ve always wanted to try scuba diving, St. Thomas is a great place to give it a go! This beginner scuba diving tour takes place in a small group of just four students per PADI-certified instructor, so there’s plenty of room to ask questions and get help as you learn.

You’ll check in at Aqua Marine Dive Center at Saga Haven Marina 30 minutes before departure to get geared up. Then, during the 15- to 30-minute boat ride to your first dive site, your instructor will walk you through everything you need to know. Don’t worry if you’re a little nervous! You’ll have plenty of guidance to help you feel comfortable before heading underwater.

And then comes the exciting part! With your instructor close by, you’ll descend beneath the surface and get your first taste of what scuba diving is all about. It’s a whole different world down there, with colorful tropical fish darting around the coral and the chance to spot sea turtles or rays gliding past. Before you know it, you might be so busy admiring the marine life that you forget you’re breathing underwater!

After your dive, you’ll have time to enjoy some well-deserved snacks and ask your instructor any questions before heading to the second site. Here, you can go snorkeling or pay extra for a second scuba dive, provided your instructor agrees you’re ready.

This tour is also easy to fit into your day at port, with several departure times to choose from. The meeting point is about a 20-minute taxi ride from Havensight and 25 minutes from Crown Bay; just pick a time that works with your plans.

6. Escape the crowds on a private island Jeep adventure 

If you’ve had enough of the water and want to get your sea legs back on solid ground, this private jeep tour is worth checking out! You’ll have an open-air jeep and driver, with room for up to four people. Best of all, you can decide where to spend your time instead of rushing from one stop to the next or driving yourself. 

You can choose to go through Charlotte Amalie, learn about the island’s history, and see the Danish-style buildings. Definitely snap a few photos here! Then you can head to Brewer’s Bay for a swim, snorkeling, or time to work on your tan. 

If conditions allow, visit Neltjeberg Bay and hike to a secluded beach or plantation ruins. Either way, it will feel like a nice break from the island’s crowds.

If you’re after panoramic views, your driver can take you to lookouts like Drake’s Seat and Mountain Top. But if you prefer more time by the water, snorkeling gear and stand-up paddleboards are available, and you can request beach chairs and umbrellas.

The price covers up to four people, so it makes sense for families or friends traveling together.

Cruise passengers are welcome, too, with pickup at The Box Bar in Yacht Haven Grande near Havensight cruise pier. If your ship docks at Crown Bay, pickup is across the street from the windmill in front of the cruise ships. Better yet, return drop-off is guaranteed, and each tour is timed around your ship’s sailing schedule, so you can explore without worrying about getting back on time.

7. Turn your port day into a family treasure hunt 

We know there’s plenty of fun to be had on the boat, but if you’re looking for something to do in port with the kids, this treasure hunt is worth checking out. Hunting for buried treasure is probably every pirate wannabe’s dream! And yes, there’s an actual treasure chest buried in the sand!

You’ll start at the Pirates Treasure Museum, where admission is included. Here you’ll learn a bit about pirate history and the US Virgin Islands, but pay close attention because you’ll also get your first clues here! From there, you’ll head around Havensight, following clues and completing challenges along the way. You’ll even stop at a popular local coffee shop, where you can grab something to eat or pick up a souvenir-how exciting!

Once you’ve worked your way through the clues, private transportation will take your group to one of St. Thomas’s beaches for the final part of the hunt. You’ll have about an hour to dig for treasure, go for a swim, or grab a drink at a beach bar. Hopefully, you’ll manage to do all three!

All in all, we think this is a good option for families who want to do something a little different while in port. The meeting point is at Havensight, so it’s convenient if your cruise ship docks there. If you’re arriving at Crown Bay, you’ll need to take a taxi over, which is only about a 15-minute ride.

Related Read: Wish you had more than just a few hours in paradise? Our 5-day St. Thomas itinerary has everything you need to plan a longer island getaway!

Where to Stay Before or After Your Cruise

Most cruises visiting St. Thomas don’t actually start or end there. Instead, the island is a popular stop on Eastern Caribbean itineraries departing from major Florida cruise ports like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Port Canaveral. So, chances are you’ll be starting your Caribbean adventure in one of these cities!

We always recommend spending a night or two near your departure port before setting sail. Not only does this give you some breathing room in case of flight delays, but it’s also a great excuse to squeeze in a little extra sightseeing before your cruise. Why not start the vacation early?

Below, we’ve rounded up our favorite places to stay in Miami and Fort Lauderdale for every budget. All of these hotels are within easy reach of the cruise terminals, so you can spend less time worrying about logistics and more time getting excited for your trip!

Downtown Miami

InterContinental Miami by IHG – $$$  

Looking for a modern luxury stay by the water? InterContinental Miami by IHG is worth a look. Overlooking Biscayne Bay, it’s close to Bayfront Park, Bayside Marketplace, Brickell, and other top attractions, while putting you right on the waterfront. 

Inside, the rooms are modern and spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Miami skyline, Biscayne Bay, or the cruise channels. You’ll also find five restaurants and bars on site, including a Starbucks and the award-winning Toro Toro. What else? It has an absolutely gorgeous pool where yoga is held every Friday morning, and not only is it pet-friendly, but they also throw parties for your little furry friends!

If you’re heading out on a cruise, the hotel can arrange transport to PortMiami, just a 7-minute drive away, making it a convenient choice before your cruise. Prices start at around $240 USD per night but can easily triple during peak season. Book this luxury Downtown Miami stay here!

The Elser Hotel Miami – $$ 

The Elser Hotel Miami feels more like an apartment than a hotel, which is one of the reasons we think it’s such a great pick for families. Inside, the rooms are spacious enough to set up a crib in the living area, and kids will love watching the cruise ships pass by through the huge windows. We also love the rooftop pool, especially for little ones, thanks to its sloped entry instead of stairs.

You’re also close to several museums, Miami Beach, and tons of breakfast and brunch spots within a 10-minute walk. If you’d rather stay in, every room comes with a fully equipped kitchen, which is great if you’re looking to save a bit. There’s even an event lawn and a giant LED screen for movie nights!

And if you’re heading on a cruise, PortMiami is only a 7-minute drive away. Expect to pay around $200 USD per night. Book your family-friendly stay close to Port Miami here!

citizenM Miami World Center – $ 

citizenM Miami World Center is our favorite budget-friendly stay in downtown Miami. It’s bold, colorful, lively, and definitely feels underpriced for a 4-star hotel. There’s a great outdoor pool with plenty of lounge space and a 24-hour restaurant, so grabbing a bite is easy any time of day.

The rooms are on the smaller side, but they make up for it with huge shared spaces. They feel so cozy and welcoming; it’s really hard to leave once you start chatting with other guests.

One more thing we love about this stay is the location. Kaseya Center is only a 4-minute walk away, so you can completely avoid stadium traffic and overpriced event parking. PortMiami is also just a 10-minute drive away, making it an easy choice if you’re joining a cruise. Prices start at around $90 USD per night, and we think it’s a great deal for what you get. Check the latest rates and book your stay here!

Need a few more options? Take a look at all the hotels in Miami here!

Related Read: Want more options near your cruise terminal? Check out our best hotels near PortMiami guide! Or, for more neighborhoods and accommodation options, explore our detailed guide on where to stay in Miami.

Fort Lauderdale

Pier Sixty-Six – $$$

For a luxurious stay near Port Everglades, Pier Sixty-Six is our top pick. This iconic waterfront resort originally opened in 1965 and recently underwent a HUGE redevelopment, reopening in 2025. It’s also just minutes from the cruise terminals, so you can start your vacation in style!

The resort is set around a massive marina, with 325 rooms and suites, multiple pools, and a 13,000-square-foot spa. There are also tons of places to eat and drink, including the famous Pier Top revolving lounge, which completes a full rotation every 66 minutes!

We think it’s worth splurging here if you want your pre- or post-cruise stay to feel like an extension of your vacation rather than just somewhere to sleep. Rooms start from around $400 USD per night. Check availability and book Pier Sixty-Six here!

Aloft by Marriott – $$

Aloft by Marriott is our top pick for cruise passengers. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is just a few minutes away, and the hotel offers a complimentary airport shuttle, plus a paid shuttle service to Port Everglades.

However, this isn’t just a convenient place to crash between journeys! There’s a rooftop pool and bar with 360-degree views, as well as the lively W XYZ Bar downstairs. The rooms are bright and modern, and there’s a 24-hour fitness center up on the 13th floor too.

Overall, we think this is an amazing choice if you want to keep the logistics simple without sacrificing the fun vacation feel. Rooms start from around $150 USD per night. Check availability and book Aloft by Marriott here!

The Lauderdale Boutique Hotel – $

If you’re watching your budget, The Lauderdale Boutique Hotel is worth checking out. It’s a small, no-frills property, so don’t expect the resort facilities of the pricier hotels above, but that’s reflected in the price!

The rooms are modern and comfortable, with everything you need, and there’s a nice patio area where you can enjoy your morning coffee. However, the location is really the main selling point here. You’ll be close to both Downtown and the 17th Street Causeway, making this a convenient base for Port Everglades while still being within easy reach of restaurants and sightseeing.

There’s also free parking, which is another money-saving bonus if you’ve rented a car. Rooms start from around $140 USD per night. Book The Lauderdale Boutique Hotel here!

For more options, check out all the hotels in Fort Lauderdale here!

Related Read: Not sure which part of the city to stay in? Our detailed Fort Lauderdale hotel guide breaks down the best neighborhoods to help you find your perfect base!

Thanks for reading!

St. Thomas might only be one stop on your cruise, but trust us, it’s one you’ll wish you had more time for! Between swimming with sea turtles, exploring gorgeous beaches, and tasting your way through the island, there’s SO much to squeeze into a single day. We had an absolute blast here, and we hope these shore excursions help you make the most of every minute. Just remember to book your favorites early so you don’t miss out!

And if St. Thomas leaves you dreaming of more Caribbean adventures (we wouldn’t blame you!), be sure to check out our other Caribbean travel guides. We’ve got plenty more tips, tours, and island inspiration to help you plan your next tropical escape. Or check out some of our most popular guides below. Happy cruising!

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