St Thomas Cruise Port to Charlotte Amalie: Walk, Taxi or Bus
Quick answer: Ships dock at Havensight, 1.7 miles (2.7 km) east of downtown Charlotte Amalie, or at Crown Bay, about 2 miles west. From Havensight you can walk the flat shoreline route into town, roughly 35 minutes, or take a shared safari taxi for 5–10 minutes. From Crown Bay, take a taxi: parts of the walk have no pavement. Taxi fares are per person, so agree the price first. Be back on board 60 minutes before all-aboard.
Where the cruise ships dock
St Thomas is a docking port, not a tender port. It has two cruise piers, and which one you get changes the day.
Havensight (West Indian Company Dock, WICO). The main cruise dock, with three berths on one pier. Havensight Mall, restaurants and a post office are a few minutes' walk from the ships. The Skyride to Paradise Point is across the street from the mall. Taxis wait at the dock gates. Dredging of the channel and turning basin is planned from September 2026 to mid-2027.
Crown Bay (Austin 'Babe' Monsanto Marine Terminal). Run by the Virgin Islands Port Authority, on the west side of the harbour near Frenchtown. Oasis-class ships berth here. A small shopping centre and welcome centre sit beyond the gates, and taxis gather in a designated area. Fewer taxis serve Crown Bay than Havensight.
Check your daily programme for the dock name before you go ashore. You will need it for the ride back.
Walking from Havensight
From Havensight, leave by the security gate and turn left. Follow the pavement beside the fence, go through the Yacht Haven Grande marina, then carry on along the shore into town.
- ·Distance: about 1.7 miles (2.7 km).
- ·Time: about 35 minutes at a steady pace, worked out from the distance.
- ·Terrain: flat, but long, with little shade and some narrow sections by the fence.
- ·Best time: the morning, when it is cooler.
The Yacht Haven Grande marina has cafés if you want a break on the way. Downtown itself is walkable, but north of Main Street the streets climb steeply and pavements are narrow or missing.
Walking from Crown Bay
Do not. The route to town is about 2 miles and parts of it have no pavement. Take a taxi from the designated taxi area outside the terminal.
Shared safari taxis
Most St Thomas taxis are open-air safari vans. They wait to fill up before leaving and may pick up other passengers on the way.
- ·Time to downtown: 5–10 minutes from Havensight.
- ·Fares: per person, not per car, set by the VI Taxicab Commission. Ask the driver for the per-person price and agree the total before you get in.
- ·How to spot a licensed taxi: a dome light and 'TP' on the number plate. Unmarked cars are not licensed and may charge unapproved rates.
- ·Complaints: VI Taxicab Commission, 340-693-4211.
Other published taxi fares, for planning a longer day:
- ·Magens Bay: about $10–15 per person each way (2025), 15–20 minutes.
- ·Coral World: $20 per person each way for 2 or more people (2026), 20–25 minutes.
- ·Crown Bay to the Skyride: about $8 each way (2026).
VITRAN public bus
The VITRAN bus costs $2 in exact change (2026). Journey times vary. Buses marked 'Red Hook' pass near Coral World, about 10 minutes' walk from the stop. Coral World itself calls the service unreliable from the cruise docks. Use it for fun on the way out if you like, but do not rely on it to get back to the ship.
Comparing the options
| Option | Cost | Time to downtown | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walk from Havensight | Free | About 35 min | Fit walkers, cool mornings | Heat, little shade, narrow sections |
| Walk from Crown Bay | Free | — | Not recommended | Stretches with no pavement |
| Safari taxi | Per person, agree first | 5–10 min | Everyone, and all Crown Bay passengers | Vans wait to fill; confirm per-person fare |
| VITRAN bus | $2 exact change | Varies | Low budgets, outward trips | Unreliable for the return |
What to see once you are downtown
Fort Christian. Built by the Danes in the 1670s, the oldest landmark in the US Virgin Islands, now a waterfront museum. Entry is $10 (2026). It is usually open 09:00–16:00, Monday to Friday, though hours can vary. Allow 45 minutes.
99 Steps and Blackbeard's Castle. An 18th-century Danish staircase of ship-ballast bricks leading up to Skytsborg Tower. Free to climb, but steep and hot. There is no evidence Blackbeard ever lived there.
Main Street and Vendors Plaza. The duty-free shopping streets and old warehouse alleys. US residents can bring back $1,600 of goods duty-free from the USVI.
Back at Havensight, the Skyride to Paradise Point is 10–15 minutes on foot from the ship, with about 36 steps to the base. It is a good last stop before re-boarding.
When to head back
The guide rule is to be back on board 60 minutes before all-aboard. From downtown, that means starting the walk to Havensight 95 minutes before all-aboard. If your ship is at Crown Bay, add time: fewer taxis wait there and you cannot walk back.
| Leaving from | 16:30 all-aboard | 17:30 all-aboard | 18:00 all-aboard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown (walk to Havensight) | 14:55 | 15:55 | 16:25 |
| Magens Bay (taxi) | 15:00 | 16:00 | 16:30 |
| Coral World / Coki Beach (taxi) | 14:30 | 15:30 | 16:00 |
| Skyride (walk to ship) | 15:15 | 16:15 | 16:45 |
If you are short of time downtown, take a taxi rather than walking back. Ask any licensed taxi for 'Havensight' or 'Crown Bay'. If you will be late, call the port agent number on your daily programme.
You can plan your day with your own all-aboard time.
Common mistakes
- ·Thinking the taxi fare covers the group. Fares are per person. Confirm the price per head and the destination first.
- ·Walking from Crown Bay to town. Parts of the route have no pavement. Take a taxi.
- ·Not noting the dock. St Thomas has two. Tell the driver 'Havensight' or 'Crown Bay'.
- ·Getting into an unmarked car. Look for the dome light and 'TP' plate.
- ·Leaving Magens Bay at the last minute. Safari vans wait to fill up. Start back 90 minutes before all-aboard.
FAQ
Can you walk from the St Thomas cruise port to Charlotte Amalie?
From Havensight, yes. It is about 1.7 miles along the shoreline via Yacht Haven Grande, flat but with little shade. From Crown Bay, take a taxi, because parts of the route have no pavement.
Which dock will my ship use in St Thomas?
Either Havensight (West Indian Company Dock) or Crown Bay. Oasis-class ships use Crown Bay. Check your itinerary or daily programme.
How long is a taxi from Havensight to downtown?
About 5–10 minutes. Safari vans wait to fill before leaving, so allow a little extra. Fares are per person.
Is St Thomas a tender port?
No. Large ships dock at Havensight or Crown Bay.
What currency do St Thomas taxis take?
The US dollar. St Thomas is a US territory.
Sources
Full details, beaches and the St John ferry are in the full St Thomas port guide.
- ·Virgin Islands Port Authority – Frequently asked questions
- ·Virgin Islands Port Authority – Ground transportation (taxis)
- ·Beyondships – Walking to Charlotte Amalie from Havensight
- ·Beyondships – Getting around St Thomas
- ·Magens Bay Authority – Getting to Magens Bay from your cruise ship (July 2025)
- ·Coral World Ocean Park – Plan your visit
- ·USVI Department of Tourism – Fort Christian
- ·Princess Cruises – St Thomas cruise port (July 2026)