St. Thomas Cruise Port Guide: Coki Beach, Paradise Point & Why We Keep Coming Back
St. Thomas was one of those ports that impressed me before I even stepped off the ship.
As we sailed into Charlotte Amalie, I remember looking out at the hillsides covered with colorful homes, enormous yachts anchored in the harbor, and the bright blue water surrounding the island. It immediately felt different from many of the other Caribbean ports I had visited.
Over the years, my mom and I have visited St. Thomas multiple times, and each visit has been completely different. We’ve spent time at both Magens Bay and Coki Beach, explored Paradise Point, wandered through town, and shared some memorable meals with friends we met while cruising.
What I like most about St. Thomas is that it gives you options. You can spend the day at a world-famous beach, snorkel with tropical fish, take in incredible views from above the harbor, or simply relax and enjoy one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean.
While I personally rank Bermuda, Castaway Cay, and Grand Cayman higher, St. Thomas remains one of the Caribbean ports I am always happy to see on an itinerary.
Quick Verdict
Best for:
- Beach lovers
- Snorkeling
- Scenic island views
- Paradise Point
- Independent explorers
- Families
Not ideal for:
- Budget-conscious cruisers
- Guests wanting a walk-off-the-ship beach
- Travelers seeking a highly historical port experience
Why St. Thomas Is Famous
St. Thomas is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the Caribbean and a frequent stop on Eastern Caribbean itineraries. Located in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the island is known for its beautiful beaches, duty-free shopping, excellent snorkeling, and dramatic harbor views.
For many visitors, St. Thomas is best known for Magens Bay, a beach that regularly appears on lists of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. Others come for attractions such as Paradise Point, Coral World Ocean Park, or the island’s numerous snorkeling and diving sites.
The island also serves as a gateway to nearby St. John, which is home to Virgin Islands National Park and some of the most pristine beaches in the region.
Unlike some Caribbean ports that focus primarily on shopping or beach excursions, St. Thomas offers a little bit of everything. Visitors can spend the day relaxing on the sand, exploring the island’s scenic viewpoints, shopping in Charlotte Amalie, or enjoying water activities ranging from snorkeling to sailing.
That variety is one of the reasons St. Thomas remains one of the Caribbean’s most visited cruise ports.
First Impressions of St. Thomas
One thing I immediately noticed during our first visit was how calm and relaxed the island felt compared to some other Caribbean ports.
After leaving the cruise terminal, we made the long walk to the taxi area and joined one of the shared island taxis heading toward Coki Beach. The ride itself became part of the experience. The roads twisted through steep hillsides, offering incredible views of the harbor and coastline along the way.
On the drive, we passed Sapphire Beach, which immediately caught my attention. Even from the road, the water looked beautiful, and I remember thinking it would probably be worth visiting on a future trip.
Why I Prefer Coki Beach Over Magens Bay
I know this might be unpopular because Magens Bay is usually considered the most famous beach on the island, but if I had to choose between the two, I’d pick Coki Beach.
Magens Bay is undeniably beautiful. The water is calm, the scenery is fantastic, and it’s easy to understand why it appears on so many Caribbean beach lists. While I still rank Castaway Cay as my favorite beach destination in cruising, Magens Bay is easy to understand why it receives so much praise.
But I found Coki Beach more enjoyable.
The atmosphere felt more lively.
There were multiple food vendors, chair rentals were simple, snorkeling was excellent, and there was a more authentic Caribbean beach vibe that appealed to me.
At Magens Bay, I sometimes felt like everything was controlled through a single operation. At Coki, there were more choices, more energy, and more personality.
My mom and I ended up finding two chairs under a tree and spent most of the day there. The location wasn’t perfect because we arrived too late to grab chairs directly by the water, but my mom had shade, internet access on her iPad, and a beautiful beach in front of her. That was enough to make her happy.
The Best Snorkeling I’ve Experienced in St. Thomas
The highlight of Coki Beach for me wasn’t the sand.
It was the snorkeling.
The water was clear, fish were everywhere, and visibility was excellent during our visit. The snorkeling was some of the best I’ve experienced from a cruise port, right up there with my experiences in Grand Cayman.
At one point I swam far enough offshore that large schools of fish completely surrounded me. It felt like swimming inside an aquarium.
I also decided to try something I’d never done before.
Using my GoPro, I dove approximately 15 to 20 feet down and left the camera on the ocean floor so it could photograph me swimming above it.
The first attempt failed because the camera landed facing the wrong direction.
So I dove down again.
And again.
And again.
After several trips to the bottom, I finally got the shots I wanted. By the end I was exhausted, constantly equalizing my ears and wondering whether the camera would still be sitting there every time I surfaced.
It was completely unnecessary.
And completely worth it.
Some of those photos remain among my favorite snorkeling pictures I’ve ever taken.
Paradise Point: The Best View on the Island
After leaving the beach, we headed to Paradise Point.
If you’re looking for the single best view in St. Thomas, this is probably it. The view is spectacular, although some of my favorite cruise-port scenery still comes from Bermuda, another destination that never disappoints.
The aerial tram ride climbs above the harbor and gives you incredible views of the cruise ships, Charlotte Amalie, and the surrounding islands.
I will admit something though.
While everyone else was enjoying the scenery, I spent part of the ride staring at the rust on the tram equipment and wondering if maybe I shouldn’t have looked so closely.
Fortunately, we survived.
The views were spectacular.
What made the stop even more memorable was discovering that one of our cruise friends had proposed to his girlfriend while we were at the beach. We completely missed the actual proposal but arrived just in time to join the celebration afterward.
The photos with the ship in the background turned out fantastic.
An Unexpected Meal at Gladys’ Café
One of my favorite memories from St. Thomas wasn’t a beach or attraction.
It was lunch.
After Paradise Point, some friends invited my mom and me to join them at Gladys’ Café, a well-known local restaurant tucked away in the historic district.
Neither of us was hungry.
In fact, we were completely stuffed.
But we went anyway.
And I’m glad we did.
The atmosphere was fantastic, the food was excellent, and the company made the experience even better. My mom managed to spill her Coke in front of everyone, which is basically tradition at this point, and we ended up sharing a chicken and avocado salad that was far better than it had any right to be. To this day, I still remember how good that avocado was.
Getting Around St. Thomas
One thing visitors should know is that transportation is part of the St. Thomas experience.
Unlike Old San Juan, where most attractions are within walking distance of the cruise port, many of St. Thomas’ top attractions require a taxi ride.
Fortunately, getting around is easy.
Shared taxis operate throughout the island and connect the cruise ports with major attractions including:
- Coki Beach
- Magens Bay
- Sapphire Beach
- Paradise Point
- Charlotte Amalie
Fares are generally straightforward and drivers are used to working with cruise passengers.
St. Thomas Taxi Rates From the Cruise Port
If you’re planning a cruise stop in St. Thomas, one of the first questions you’ll likely have is: how much does a taxi cost from the cruise port? Fortunately, St. Thomas has posted taxi rates for many of the island’s most popular attractions, beaches, and transportation hubs.
These rates provide a useful reference for cruise passengers planning transportation from the St. Thomas cruise port to destinations such as Magens Bay, Sapphire Beach, Coki Beach, Mountain Top, and Red Hook.
St. Thomas Taxi Prices From Havensight Cruise Port
Some of the most common taxi routes for cruise passengers include:
- Magens Bay Beach: $15 per person ($12 each for groups of 2 or more)
- Sapphire Beach: $21 per person ($15 each for groups of 2 or more)
- Coki Beach and Coral World: $18 per person ($14 each for groups of 2 or more)
- Mountain Top: $17 per person ($12 each for groups of 2 or more)
- Red Hook Ferry Dock: $20 per person ($15 each for groups of 2 or more)
- Bolongo Beach: $15 per person ($12 each for groups of 2 or more)
- Secret Harbour Beach: $23 per person ($15 each for groups of 2 or more)
Are St. Thomas Taxi Rates Charged Per Person?
Yes. Unlike many destinations where taxis charge per vehicle, most taxis in St. Thomas charge passengers on a per-person basis. This means transportation costs can add up for larger groups, especially when visiting popular beaches or traveling across the island.
Best Beaches to Visit by Taxi From the St. Thomas Cruise Port
Many cruise passengers use taxis to reach St. Thomas’ most popular beaches. Magens Bay is known for its calm waters and scenic setting, while Sapphire Beach offers excellent snorkeling and beautiful Caribbean views. Coki Beach is another favorite for snorkeling enthusiasts, and Mountain Top remains one of the island’s most popular viewpoints.
My Take
If you’re planning a self-guided day in port, checking St. Thomas taxi rates before your cruise can help you budget your transportation costs and decide which attractions are worth visiting. Since many visitors travel from the Havensight cruise port to Magens Bay, Sapphire Beach, Coki Beach, and Red Hook, knowing the current taxi prices can help avoid surprises once you arrive on the island.
Final Verdict: Is St. Thomas Worth Visiting?
Absolutely.
St. Thomas combines beautiful beaches, excellent snorkeling, scenic views, and enough variety that most visitors can find something they’ll enjoy.
For me, the highlight isn’t necessarily one specific attraction. When I think back on St. Thomas, I remember snorkeling at Coki Beach, watching fish surround me underwater, riding up to Paradise Point, laughing with friends, and sharing another great day of travel with my mom.
If you asked me what I remember most about St. Thomas, it wouldn’t be Magens Bay or Paradise Point. It would be diving back to the ocean floor for a GoPro, watching fish surround me at Coki Beach, and sitting in Gladys’ Cafe laughing with friends after a long day in port.
