Is St. Thomas The Perfect Family-Friendly Vacation Destination?

Located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea, St. Thomas is a tropical paradise that is sure to enchant with its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. St. Thomas was also the first destination my crew and I visited with only 1 parent.

Whether you’re looking to relax on a beautiful beach, explore the island’s history and culture, or enjoy some adventure and outdoor activities, St. Thomas has a lot on offer, but is this a family-friendly travel destination for your family? Let’s find out.

10 interesting facts we learned about St. Thomas’s history, geography, and culture:

1. St. Thomas is one of the three main islands of the US Virgin Islands. The other two are St. John and St. Croix.
2. St. Thomas has a rich and diverse history, including Spanish, Danish, and British influences. The island was a Caribbean trade and commerce center during the colonial era.
3. The official language of St. Thomas is English, but you’ll also hear Spanish and Creole spoken by the locals.
4. The currency used on St. Thomas is the US dollar, and it’s a popular port of call for cruise ships.
5. St. Thomas is a mountainous island with steep hills and winding roads. It also has several beautiful beaches, including Magen’s Bay Beach, a popular tourist destination.
6. St. Thomas has a vibrant culture influenced by the local music, food, and art. The island is known for its steel drum, reggae, and calypso music.
7. St. Thomas is home to several historic landmarks, including the 17th-century Fort Christian, now a museum showcasing the island’s history.
8. St. Thomas is a popular destination for watersports, including snorkeling, scuba diving, and sailing. The island is also known for its deep-sea fishing.
9. The island is home to several nature preserves and national parks, including the Virgin Islands National Park on nearby St. John.
10. St. Thomas is a duty-free port, meaning visitors can shop for luxury goods, jewelry, and electronics at discounted prices.

After learning about the exciting history and culture of St. Thomas, we were excited to explore the island’s activities, so we popped over to Tripadvisor.com to find out what other tourists said were must-dos on the island.

5 family-friendly activities to do when visiting St. Thomas

1. Magen’s Bay Beach – This stunning beach is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to St. Thomas. It’s known for its crystal-clear water, soft sand, and lush greenery.
2. Coral World Ocean Park – This family-friendly attraction is home to an underwater observatory where visitors can see a variety of sea creatures up close, including sharks, stingrays, and sea turtles.
3. Blackbeard’s Castle – This historical landmark dates back to the 17th century and offers panoramic views of the island. It’s named after the famous pirate Blackbeard, who is said to have used the castle as a lookout.
4. Charlotte Amalie – This charming town is the capital of St. Thomas and is known for its colorful architecture, historic landmarks, and bustling shopping district.
5. Paradise Point Skyride – This scenic cable car ride takes visitors to the top of a mountain to enjoy stunning views of the island and the surrounding ocean.

Since my children are on the younger side and don’t have the patience for shopping, and one is deathly afraid of heights, we figured we’d stick to items 1-3 on this list.

Next up was figuring out our transportation options while we were on St. Thomas.

From what we gleaned from reviews and travel sites, St. Thomas is a small island, but getting around can still be challenging. The roads are often narrow, steep, and winding, making driving stressful for some. However, there are several transportation options available for visitors.

4 family-friendly options for getting around St. Thomas

1. Car Rental – Renting a car is the most popular way around St. Thomas. There are several car rental companies located at the airport and in downtown Charlotte Amalie. The rates are reasonable, allowing you to explore the island at your own pace. Remember that driving is on the left side of the road, so it may take some getting used to.
2. Taxi – Taxis are plentiful on St. Thomas and can be found at most tourist destinations. The government sets non-negotiable rates, so you can be sure you won’t be overcharged. Taxis are a convenient option if you don’t want to rent a car, but remember that they can be expensive if you travel long distances.
3. Public Transportation – There are several public transportation options on St. Thomas, including buses and safaris. The bus system is inexpensive and reliable, but it may not take you to all of the destinations you want to visit. Safaris are open-air buses found at the ferry terminal and downtown Charlotte Amalie. They’re a fun way to explore the island but can be crowded and uncomfortable.
4. Private Transportation – Several private car rental services on the island are available for hire at specific times in advance.

Now, I definitely find driving in new locations stressful in the best of times, and we also learned that in St. Thomas, cars drive on the left side of the road, which is opposite our home country. This didn’t sound like a recipe for success for me, so we opted for private transportation for this trip.

I worked with Mr. Nice Guy Taxi and Limo, and we couldn’t have been happier. Alex, our driver, was professional, friendly, flexible, and on time for every engagement we wished to attend during our stay; definitely, 10/10 because many of our friends on the island had a very different experience with individual taxi services.

Our next task before leaving was to figure out the available lodging options on the island.

Family-friendly accommodations on the island of St. Thomas

St. Thomas offers many housing accommodations, from luxury resorts to budget-friendly hotels. My family stayed at The Cliff House – St. Thomas, a beautiful single-family home on the island’s north side that we booked through Vrbo. We chose this accommodation because we enjoy having a full kitchen, room to spread out, and a single-family home’s privacy.

1. Resorts – St. Thomas is home to several luxurious resorts, including the Ritz-Carlton and the Marriott. These resorts offer all-inclusive packages, private beaches, and top-notch amenities.
2. Vacation Rentals – Many vacation rental properties are available on St. Thomas, ranging from apartments to villas. These rentals can be a great option if you’re traveling with a large group or looking for a more affordable option than a resort. Airbnb and Vbro both had excellent selections available.
3. Hotels – There are several hotels on St. Thomas, ranging from budget-friendly to mid-range. Many of these hotels are located in downtown Charlotte Amalie, which is convenient for exploring the city.

Since we were traveling for a destination wedding there were roughly 40 of us that made the trip and accommodations ranged from high-range hotels to budget hotels to house rentals. My family prefers to stay in home settings when we travel because it helps everyone keep more of our everyday household routine. With the abundance of rental properties available and the flexibility they offer families over hotels, I highly recommend this path if you travel with your children.

They Fly Solo’s review of St. Thomas for single parents traveling with children? 2.5/5

Pros and Cons of our St. Thomas Vacation:

Pros:

1. Magen’s Bay Beach: Magen’s Bay Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island, which lived up to our expectations. The crystal clear and calm water is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding. The facilities are clean, and there are plenty of shaded areas to relax under.
2. Friendly People: The people of St. Thomas are some of the friendliest we’ve ever encountered on our travels. Locals were eager to chat and share tips and tricks for enjoying the island.
3. Abundant Wildlife: St. Thomas is home to diverse wildlife on land and in the sea. We saw sea turtles, colorful fish, iguanas, island chickens, curious cats that roam free, and many different species of birds. It was a treat to be surrounded by such beauty and wildlife.

Cons:

1. Limited Activities: While St. Thomas is a beautiful island with plenty of things to see and do, it is primarily a beach destination. If you’re not interested in spending your days lounging on the sand, you may find yourself running out of activities to do after only a couple of days. There is one zipline park on the island, but aside from that, there aren’t many land-based adventures to be had.
2. Expensive Food: As with many island destinations, food in St. Thomas can be expensive. We found that even basic grocery staples like milk and juice were hard to come by, and local restaurants tended to be pricey. If you’re on a budget, you may want to consider cooking your own meals or seeking out more affordable dining options.
3. Residential Island: While tourism is the main economic driver in St. Thomas, it is still primarily a residential island. You won’t find many souvenir shops, tour operators, or other tourist-oriented businesses on the island. This can be a pro or a con depending on your travel style, but it’s worth noting that St. Thomas may not be the best destination if you’re looking for many tourist-oriented activities.

Overall, our trip to St. Thomas was a wonderful experience, and we would highly recommend it to families that want to kick back on the sand for a few days, but it wasn’t the best fit for They Fly Solo’s adventurous brood. We give it a 2.5 out of 5.