Hi there Beth and welcome aboard planDisney!
You definitely sound like my type of person; when I first began cruising I tended to stick to
Port Adventures to help convey me to and from destinations ashore safely before I gained far more confidence to be more of a traveler than a tourist and really Go the Distance on my own! Having sailed in and out of
St. Thomas for years, I found myself exhausting almost all of the options for tours and excursions and am happy to share alternate ways of exploring the island:
- By far the easiest and most consistent mode of transportation available from the Port (which is typically the pier referred to as Havensight Terminal, or the West Indian Company Dock) are the variety of taxis available which may range from air-conditioned vans to open-air safari jeeps. They tend to be very aware of each ship's time in port and are abundant at the most popular sites, but it can be tricky to snag one if you decide to venture off the beaten path. On the bright side, taxi fares are priced per person, depending on each destination and were most recently updated in 2022. Before agreeing to take any taxi, it's definitely a good idea to make sure that it is a licensed taxi vehicle and for them to show you the posted, standardized rates.
- For a bit more freedom on the road, some folks opt to rent anything ranging from sports cars to jeeps, scooters to sedans; this could be a great way to explore some tucked-away beachfronts and see some great vistas as you drive up the winding roads around the island! I would just caution from personal experience that some of those sharp turns can be treacherous, especially as you get to higher elevations and steeper climbs, so it's likely best suited for confident drivers.
- For the most resilient and prepared adventurers, there's even an open-air bus option used by locals that is very inexpensive and referred to as the "Dollar Bus". You'll need to know where you're going and the confidence to hail one down as they come along; luckily these routes take American dollars and you may or may not have drivers who are willing to be helpful to those who seem completely lost. While risky, this could be a very budget-friendly way of getting around!
Be aware that if you do head out independently, the responsibility is completely up to you to make sure that you're back on board by the posted time; this is especially important if you're on an itinerary that has experienced time zone changes so I recommend verifying the ship's time and aiming to arrive an hour earlier as the traffic heading back to the pier tends to be quite heavy the closer you are to All Aboard time! (There is nothing more nerve-wracking on a Port Day than inching ever so slowly in traffic and being unsure of making it in time while the ship is in sight!)
If you're planning on island-hopping, I would also recommend checking out a
St. John On Your Own Port Adventure which gives you the option for some time to roam on your own. While there is a reliable public ferry service that takes roughly the same amount of time at a fraction of the cost, I would recommend it only to those with a strong sense of direction, research and ample time in port!
You're always welcome to come back to planDisney any time Beth,
we're always happy to lend our tips, tricks and experiences to fellow adventurers at sea!
Here's to your intrepid, independent adventuring in St. Thomas!
Prince