Things To Do in Red Hook on St. Thomas
There’s so much to see and do in the bustling Red Hook neighborhood on St. Thomas. Spend the day snorkeling off beautiful beaches, shopping in locally owned boutiques, grabbing a bite to eat in a restaurant with a sweeping Caribbean Sea view and drinking at a welcoming watering hole. Plus, it’s easy to get to Red Hook from St. John via ferry.
Beaches
Sapphire Beach
You’ll find sapphire waters and a long stretch of powder-white sand shaded by sea grape trees at Sapphire Beach on the east end of St. Thomas. Take off snorkeling right from the shore, where you’ll soon encounter technicolor parrotfish, sea turtles and graceful rays as they swim among a shallow brain coral reef. After your snorkeling adventure, head over to the sprawling Sapphire Beach Bar for fish tacos, frozen cocktails and dancing in the sand to live music on Sunday afternoons.
Secret Harbour Beach
Secret Harbour Beach is a protected marine sanctuary with crystal-clear waters that are ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving. Venture out to the rocky areas further out from the beach to spy a variety of sea life, including angelfish, barracuda, octopus and sea turtles. You can rent snorkel and diving gear at the Aqua Action Dive Center, located at the nearby Secret Harbour Beach Resort. The resort is also a great place to grab a bite to eat and sip drinks on a beachside patio.
Lindquist Beach/Smith Bay Park
Pink-hued sand and turquoise waters are the hallmarks of Lindquist Beach, located in Smith Bay Park. This pristine nature preserve is known as a family-friendly spot, thanks to its calm swimming waters and lifeguards on duty. It’s also a great snorkeling spot (bring your own gear), where you can observe schools of colorful fish, along with stingrays and sea turtles. Pack a lunch and spread out on the picnic tables shaded by plentiful trees.
shopping
Ocean Surfari
You can’t miss the bright-blue building that houses the Ocean Surfari Red Hook retail store. Here you’ll find everything you need for a day on the ocean. Pick up beachy items like neon swimsuits, shorts and T-shirts, rash guards, sunglasses and wide-brimmed straw hats. Purchase clothing from the Let’s Make a Difference collection and Surfari will make a $5 donation to Friends of Virgin Islands National Park to help support preservation efforts.
Caribbean Surf Co.
Find fun, surf-inspired fashion at the family-owned Caribbean Surf Co., with locations in Red Hook and Havensight Mall. Take time to browse the goods from top brands, including stylish Roxy swimwear, Ray-Ban sunglasses, Olukai sandals, and Yeti coolers and tumblers. You’ll also find backpacks and beach-friendly canvas bags.
I Love VI Gifts
Head to American Yacht Harbor to pick up souvenirs and beach essentials at I Love VI Gifts. Explore the large selection of items that include St. Thomas-branded T-shirts and hoodies, hook bracelets, colorful beachwear such as flowy dresses and flip-flops, water shirts for men and women, and trinkets like ceramic sea turtles.
Dining
3 Palms
Enjoy fine dining at 3 Palms, named one of the Top 50 Restaurants in the Caribbean by the Caribbean Journal. Located at American Yacht Harbor, you’ll have a front-row terrace seat to watch luxury boats sail by. But the real show is on the plate, with seafood and produce sourced from local fishermen and farmers. The daily changing menu features flavorful dishes like the lobster-and-shrimp risotto.
XO Bistro
The elegant XO Bistro features a dining room wrapped around its expansive wine and cocktail bar. Dishes are influenced by the spices and vibrant flavors of the islands. Try the shrimp scargot (cooked in white wine, garlic and butter), blackened tuna draped with sweet chili sauce and coconut cake for dessert. Pair your meal with a glass of wine or a cocktail like the espresso martini.
The Easterly
Framed by palm trees and lush greenery, The Easterly brings the island vibes with a breezy dining room and views of Vessup Bay. Ocean-focused dishes are prepared in a wood-fired kitchen. Start with the smoked Caribbean white fish spread, then move on to the seared local wahoo served with warm orzo salad or the wood-grilled lobster with Lyonnaise potatoes and garlic-herb butter. Innovative craft cocktails include the Island Symphony, a mix of tomatillo-lemongrass shrub, coconut milk, pineapple, lime and grated nutmeg.
Nightlife
Duffy’s Love Shack
Get your tiki on at Duffy’s Love Shack, a popular nightspot famously located in the middle of a parking lot. Come for the classic tiki drinks served in fun barware, like the Pirates Painkiller presented in a souvenir pirate mug. Bar bites include conch fritters and jerk chicken tacos. Dance the night away to live bands and DJs.
Island Time Pub
Sip an ice-cold beer or strawberry daiquiri as you take in the harbor view from the second-story perch of Island Time Pub. Besides its lively bar scene, Island Time Pub is known for its hand-tossed pizzas. Try the chicken alfredo or ITP Deluxe version (topped with sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms and green peppers). Live music is featured on select nights.
The Tap & Still
Whether you want to catch the big game or an intimate concert by local acts, The Tap & Still in Red Hook is the place to go. Burgers and wings are the specialty here, paired with a pint of the bar’s own Rock City Brewing Company beer. For dessert, order the whimsical funnel cake topped with cinnamon and honey. Don’t miss karaoke nights.
ferry service to red hook
Take the ferry from Cruz Bay on St. John to the Red Hook Ferry Terminal. The scenic 20-minute ferry rides run at regular intervals throughout the day. Book your tickets online from the St. John Ferry Ticketing Co.
More to explore on St. Thomas
St. Thomas sightseeing: Things to do and see