Visiting St. Thomas doesn’t have to be expensive! There are a few free things to do in St. Thomas. Like most Caribbean islands, there are endless opportunities to bask in the sunshine, splash in the sea, and enjoy the great outdoors. But, there is more to St. Thomas than just beaches, the island is full of charm, Danish colonial architecture, and pirate folklore.
St. Thomas is one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean. Each year, more than 2.5 million visitors step foot on the island (about 2 million of those arrive via cruise ship!).
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Free Things to do in St. Thomas, USVI
Hit the Beach
Obviously one of the best free things to do in St. Thomas is hit the beach. I mean…that’s why most of us visit the Caribbean, right? St. Thomas is home to some absolutely incredible beaches including the world-renowned Magen’s Bay. Magen’s Bay is often dubbed as one of the Top Ten Beaches in the Caribbean.
There are loads of other great beaches on the island, as well. In fact, St. Thomas has over 40 beaches just waiting to be explored!
Free beaches include Smith Bay Beach (also known as Lindquist Beach), Hull Bay Beach, and Coki Beach.
Drake's Seat
While there’s not much to do here, it is worth a stop if you are on your way to Magen’s Bay. This vantage point, where Sir Francis Drake allegedly kept a look out for enemy ships, offers superb panoramic views of the Virgin Islands. From this spot, you can see the spot where the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea meet.
99 Steps
The 99 Steps is one of the most visited landmarks in St. Thomas. The famous staircase is one of the several “step-streets” built by the Danes to help them navigate the island’s hilly terrain. The bricks used to construct the steps were once used as ballasts in the holds of trade ships that came over from Denmark. Visitors can walk to the top of the 99 (err…it’s actually 103…) steps to discover a stairway leading to Blackbeard’s castle.
Main Street
St. Thomas is known as the shopping capital of the Caribbean. Main Street (also known by its Danish name Dronningens Gade) is where you’ll find everything from souvenirs, perfume, designer clothes, and jewelry. While shopping obviously costs money, it’s free to window shop.
Inexpensive Things to do in St. Thomas
If you don’t mind shelling out a few bucks, there are more fun, yet inexpensive things to do in St. Thomas. For instance, we love taking the Skyride to Paradise Point (about $25/adult) to grab lunch, some drinks and enjoy the view.
You can also island hop for a bargain! Grab the Red Hook Ferry from St. Thomas to St. John ($6/each way). It’ll cost you about $6 to grab a cab from the ferry terminal to Trunk Bay (one of the most gorgeous beaches in the world). Purchase a day pass for $5.
While you’re on St. John, spend some time at the Annaberg Sugar Plantation ruins before heading back to St. Thomas.
Plan an Excursion
Since most visitors arrive via cruise ship, we thought we’d share another option. Often times, you can book an excursion through a third party for cheaper than you can book it through the cruise ship.
Let us Help You Plan Your Trip!
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While you’re in St. Thomas, we suggest checking out the Skyride to Paradise Point and checking out one of the beaches. Check out our list of the 5 Best Beaches in St. Thomas and our guide on How to Get to Magen’s Bay without a Cruise Excursion.
