7 Best Sights in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Watch jets land at the Cyril E. King Airport as you dip into the usually calm seas. Rocks at either end of the shoreline, patches of grass poking randomly through the sand, and shady tamarind trees 30 feet from the water give this beach a wild, natural feel. Civilization has arrived, in the form of one or two mobile food vans parked on the nearby road. Buy a fried-chicken leg and johnnycake or burgers and chips to munch on at the picnic tables. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking; toilets. Best for: sunset; swimming.

Watch surfers ride the waves here from December to March, when huge swells roll in from north Atlantic storms. The rest of the year, tranquility prevails at this picturesque neighborhood beach. Enjoy hot pizza, barbecue ribs, and a game of darts at the Hull Bay Hideaway Bar & Restaurant, home of the annual Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament held each July. Amenities: food and drink; parking; water sports. Best for: swimming; snorkeling; partiers.

The newest of the Virgin Islands' public beaches has a serene sense of wilderness that isn't found on the more crowded beaches. A lifeguard is on duty between 8 am and 5 pm. Picnic tables are available. Try snorkeling over the offshore reef. Amenities: lifeguards; parking; showers; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; solitude.

This public beach has a serene sense of wilderness that isn't found on the more crowded beaches. A lifeguard is on duty between 8 am and 5 pm and picnic tables and restrooms are available. Try snorkeling over the offshore reef. Amenities: lifeguards; parking; toilets. Best for: swimming; snorkeling.

A steady breeze makes this beach a windsurfer's paradise. The swimming is great, as is the snorkeling, especially at the reef near Pettyklip Point. Beach volleyball is big on the weekends as is a Sunday live music beach jam. There's a small restaurant serving breakfast and lunch.  Amenities: parking; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; windsurfing.

Placid waters make it easy to stroke your way out to a swim platform offshore from the Secret Harbour Beach Resort & Villas. Nearby reefs give snorkelers a natural show. There's a bar and restaurant as well as a dive shop where you can rent beach lounge chairs. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; sunset; swimming.

This wild, undeveloped beach is lined with seagrape trees and century plants. It's close to Red Hook harbor, so you can watch the ferries depart. The calm waters are excellent for swimming. It's popular with locals on weekends. Amenities: parking; water sports. Best for: swimming.