St. Thomas Honeymoon: A How-to Guide

Are you looking for a place to spend your honeymoon in the Caribbean? People tend to look at the Bahamas or Bermuda but there’s a lot more than that. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or a more adventurous holiday, here we’ll tell you why you should consider the United States Virgin Islands as your next dream destination.

The United States Virgin Islands (USVI) is an overseas territory of the United States located in the Caribbean Sea, nearly 70 miles east of Puerto Rico, and 1100 miles southeast of Miami. They’re part of the Virgin Islands archipelago, which also includes the British Virgin Islands.

With nearly 50,000 inhabitants and only 32 square miles, St. Thomas is the main island. It’s home to 50% of the country’s population and it offers a unique mix of Caribbean scenery and European touches. Over time, it’s received Danish, British, and American influences making it a very interesting and diverse destination.

St. Thomas is famous for its amazing beaches, resorts, watersports, and extensive shopping, but also for its rich history and culture. Additionally, it’s a perfect base from which you can explore the surrounding islands.

St. Thomas Honeymoon Quick Picks

• Best Time of Year for a St. Thomas Honeymoon: December to April
• Best St. Thomas Honeymoon Resort for Mountain Views: The Mafolie Hotel
• Cost of a St. Thomas Honeymoon: $2,000+

Best Time of Year for a St. Thomas Honeymoon

Located only 70 miles east of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands enjoy subtropical warm weather all year round. However, there are stormy periods and months with chances of hurricanes that should be avoided.

High season runs from December to April, when prices and crowds are at their highest with dozens of cruises arriving every day. Considering that the hurricane season goes from August to November, the best months to visit the Virgin Islands are May, June, and July, when you’ll find fewer crowds, cheaper rates, and good weather.

Best Places to Stay on a St. Thomas Honeymoon

St Thomas has a wide variety of resorts and hotels. You can find many great options on St. Thomas and the surrounding islands. To make the decision process a little easier, here are some of the top choices considering location and value.

Emerald Beach Resort

Located on Lindbergh Bay steps away from the airport, Emerald Beach Resort features a beachfront bar, a beachfront restaurant that serves American and Caribbean food, one Italian restaurant, a fitness room, an outdoor pool, and a beautiful garden. 

Rooms start at $200 per night and come with a TV, a refrigerator, and a private balcony with views of the sea as this resort is 100% beachfront.

The Mafolie Hotel

This 3-star hotel features a restaurant, a bar, and an outdoor pool. Rooms come with a TV, private balcony, microwave, refrigerator, and buffet breakfast.

At 866 feet above sea level, The Mafolie Hotel is located on top of a hill offering amazing views of the island. Additionally, it’s only minutes away from the famous Drake’s Seat and Magens Bay, two of the main attractions in St Thomas. A night in this hotel is $190 for a standard room and $250 for a suite.

Olga’s Fancy

Located in Charlotte Amalie, only 13 minutes away from Charlotte Amalie Harbor, this hotel has an outdoor pool, a garden, and a sun terrace that offers great views of the mountain, the bay, and Water Island. All rooms come with a TV, air conditioning, WiFi, and a private bathroom and start at $99 per night.

St. Thomas and the Virgin Islands have a lot to offer. From incredible beaches, crystal clear waters, snorkeling and diving spots, historical towns and sites, marvelous views, and great excursion options, they’ve got you covered for an unforgettable honeymoon. 

Regardless of whether you stay in St. Thomas or decide to explore neighboring islands, all the places are incredible so you can’t go wrong!

Things to Do on a St. Thomas Honeymoon

There are plenty of things to do in St. Thomas. While many people may think of lazy beach days, St. Thomas has many fun and exciting activities to offer honeymooners. 

Check out a few of the top choices:

Lay on the Beach

Located in the north of the island, with its white sand and turquoise waters, Magens Bay is considered by many as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Apart from sunbathing and swimming, you can also rent a kayak or boat, hike the trailhead or go to Drake’s Seat lookout for an amazing view of the bay.

If you’re a beach lover but want something more romantic and quieter than Magens Bay, head to Coki or Sapphire on the east.

Visit Charlotte Amalie

Another must-see in St. Thomas is the 99 Steps in Charlotte Amalie. This staircase, which actually has 103 steps and was originally built by the Danish, takes you through small streets and ends at the top of a lookout where you can find excellent views.

Charlotte Amalie is the capital city of St. Thomas and it shouldn’t be missed. It’s very famous for its duty-free shopping but it also has a special charm with its mixture of Danish colonial architecture and modern touches. Walk around the historic district with its 17th-century buildings, go check out the harbor, and don’t miss the St. Thomas Synagogue, the second-oldest synagogue on American soil.

Do a Little Island Hopping

If Drake’s Seat isn’t high enough, you can visit Mountain Top. Standing tall at 1,500 feet above sea level, Mountain Top is the highest point on the island and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Virgin Islands.

St. Thomas is very well connected with other islands. Water Island is only 20-30 minutes away from Charlotte Amalie and is home to Honeymoon Beach, one of the most amazing beaches in the country. Trips to the neighboring islands of St. John and the British Virgin Islands are also popular.

Get Adventurous

For those looking for an adventurous honeymoon, you can take an eco-tour and visit the mangrove lagoon, try ziplining, or visit Coral World Ocean Park to see the stunning sea life and swim with sea lions.

Travel to a St. Thomas Honeymoon

Being an American territory, St. Thomas is very well connected to many US cities such as Chicago, New York, Miami, and Los Angeles, just to name a few. A round-trip ticket from New York or Chicago with one-stop will set you back $300, while if you fly from Fort Lauderdale you can find direct flights for $150. 

From Europe, flights are longer and they involve at least 1 stop. If you’re traveling from a major European city such as Paris or London, you can expect to pay at least $800 for a return flight.

St. Thomas is also a popular destination among cruises in the Caribbean and it’s famous for its amazing ports. 

The island has two cruise ports (Havensight and Crown Bay) located on the south next to Charlotte Amalie and can accommodate a huge number of visitors that flock every day looking for beautiful beaches and an excellent shopping scene.

St. Thomas Honeymoon Travel Tips & Things to Know

The US Virgin Islands are formed by three main islands: St. John, St. Croix, and St. Thomas. Because the islands are a U.S. territory, visitors to the Virgin Islands must meet the requirements to enter the United States. If you’re coming from the US, a passport isn’t required, however, you’ll need it if you go to the British Virgin Islands.

Here are a few things to know about St. Thomas and some of the surrounding islands:

• St. John is located only four miles east of St. Thomas and is both the smallest and greenest island. Nearly two-thirds of the area is part of the Virgin Islands National Park.
• St. Croix is located nearly 40 miles north of St Thomas and is the largest of the US Virgin Islands. Some of the main attractions are Christiansted, a historic 18th-century town with forts and neoclassical buildings, top beaches, pristine rainforest, and great scuba diving spots.
• St. Thomas is by far the most popular island. It’s a famous cruise destination so it receives thousands of tourists every year who arrive looking to enjoy stunning beaches and watersports, visit the viewpoints, and make the most of the extensive shopping area.

A big benefit, for U.S. visitors, is that the official currency is the US dollar so you don’t need to worry about exchanging money. This makes traveling just a little less stressful.

What to Pack for a St. Thomas Honeymoon

Like many other tropical or beach destinations, St. Thomas requires a lot of the same essentials when packing. But there are a few extra things you should add to your packing list.

A lot of the activities on St. Thomas will require some walking. While this is one of the best ways to see and experience everything St. Thomas has to offer, you’ll want to be prepared. It’s important to pack a pair of trusty and comfortable walking/hiking shoes. 

Depending on when you’re planning to visit St. Thomas, you might need to include a sweater or light jacket. During the winter months, St. Thomas can get a little chilly once the sunsets.

Cost of a St. Thomas Honeymoon

The cost of a St. Thomas honeymoon depends on a lot of different factors. For a more affordable honeymoon, you can stay for a shorter time frame and pick accommodations, activities, and money-spending habits. In fact, with some good budgeting, you can spend as little as $2,000 for a St. Thomas honeymoon.

At the same time, you can plan for a more expensive St. Thomas honeymoon and spend well over $5,000. This is a figure for a lengthier and more luxurious honeymoon.

St.Thomas is a great honeymoon destination for honeymooners looking for a trip closer to home. Not only is it a U.S. territory, it uses the same currency. These small details make it a little easier and a little less stressful, so it’s something to keep in mind when planning your honeymoon.

Did you know…?

The United States bought the Virgin Islands (previously called the Danish West Indies) from Denmark in 1917 for $25 million, nearly $500 million in current prices.