St. Thomas’ beach and snorkeling scene is well covered elsewhere on this site — this
guide is about everything else. Three activities come up again and again for families with a day to spend
away from the sand: the Paradise Point Skyride, guided kayak tours, and turtle- and dolphin-watching boat
trips.
What to Know
- The Paradise Point Skyride is a cable car climbing about 700 feet above Charlotte Amalie harbor, with a short, low-exertion ride and wide views at the top — manageable for almost any age.
- Guided kayak tours run through mangrove channels and calm bays, often paired with a bioluminescent night paddle option for older kids.
- Sea turtle and dolphin-watching boat tours run a few hours and typically include snorkeling stops — check minimum age requirements, which vary by operator.
- Coral World Ocean Park, on the island’s east end, combines an aquarium, an underwater observatory, and (seasonally) a sea lion or shark encounter add-on.
- Most land activities are half-day commitments once transport from your hotel is factored in.
- Book activities a few days ahead in peak season; St. Thomas has fewer tour operators than larger islands and slots do fill.
Paradise Point Skyride
The Skyride departs from a station near the Havensight cruise dock and climbs roughly 700 feet up
Flag Hill in about a 10-minute ride, with panoramic views over Charlotte Amalie harbor and, on a clear day,
out toward the British Virgin Islands. At the top there’s a short nature trail, a bar and restaurant, and
gift shops — it’s a low-exertion, low-risk activity that works for almost any age, including toddlers
who can sit through a cable-car ride.
Filter out the noise and find what works for your family.
Every resort we review gets one of four Family Fit ratings. The rating is based on kids programming, amenities, vibe, and who the resort actually markets to - not just whether they allow children.
Discover My Ideal Resort →Kayaking and Boat Tours
Several outfitters run guided kayak tours through the island’s mangrove lagoons and calmer bays, which
tend to be gentler and more scenic than open-water paddling and manageable for kids old enough to help
paddle a tandem kayak. A number of these operators also run bioluminescent night kayak tours, worth
considering for families with older kids who can handle a later bedtime for a genuinely different
experience. For boat-based wildlife viewing,
sea turtle and dolphin-watching tours typically run a half-day and often build in a snorkel stop, though age minimums vary by operator and are worth confirming before booking.
Coral World Ocean Park
Coral World combines an aquarium, an underwater observatory tower that lets you view reef life without
getting wet, and a network of outdoor tanks and touch pools, with seasonal add-on encounters (sea lions,
sharks) bookable separately. It’s a reliable rainy-day or non-beach-day option, and one of the few St.
Thomas activities genuinely built around a range of ages in one visit rather than requiring everyone to be
strong swimmers or confident in open water.
Compare Coral World and combo-ticket options if you’re weighing it against a full day at the beach instead.
Booking Ahead vs. Showing Up
Coral World and the Paradise Point Skyride both sell walk-up tickets and rarely sell out, so they’re
easy to slot in last-minute if a beach day gets rained out. Guided kayak and boat tours are the exception
— St. Thomas has a smaller pool of operators than larger islands, and popular time slots (especially
sunset and bioluminescent night paddles) can fill a few days ahead in peak season. If a specific tour is a
priority, book it early in your trip rather than leaving it for a flexible “we’ll see” day.
Timing Activities Around Nap Schedules
Many of St Thomas’s non-beach activities — the Skyride, Coral World, the botanical gardens at Estate St. Peter Greathouse — work well as morning outings that wrap up before a midday nap, since they’re indoor-leaning or shaded enough to avoid the worst heat. Afternoon slots tend to be less crowded at most of these attractions, which is worth considering for families without a strict nap schedule to work around. Combining two lighter activities that are geographically close, rather than one longer one, generally works better for younger kids’ attention spans than a single half-day outing.
Plan Your Days in St. Thomas
Browse family-friendly tours, snorkeling trips, and day activities on St. Thomas.
Quick Answers
Is the Paradise Point Skyride good for young kids?
Yes — it’s a short, low-exertion cable car ride with no walking required, making it one of the easier activities on the island for toddlers.
What age can go on a kayak tour in St. Thomas?
Most calm-water mangrove and bay tours accommodate young kids in a tandem kayak with an adult; check the specific operator’s age policy for night/bioluminescent tours, which sometimes set a higher minimum.
Is Coral World worth it for families?
Yes, especially as a non-beach or rainy-day option — the underwater observatory and touch pools work for a wider age range than most water-based activities on the island.
Where to Stay in St. Thomas
Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas
A baby concierge program, a kids’ waterslide, and free kayaks on a calm, protected beach in Great Bay.
Secret Harbour Beach Resort
Full-kitchen suites directly on a calm snorkeling beach, a quieter and more budget-friendly alternative to the island’s big resorts.
Bolongo Bay Beach Resort
An all-inclusive option with free kayaks and regular sea turtle sightings just offshore, simpler for families who’d rather not budget every meal separately.
Point Pleasant Resort
Villa-style units with full kitchens and three pools, right next to Coki Beach and its shore snorkeling.
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