Not Your Typical Island Vacation

When you think of a tropical vacation in St. Thomas, you think of drinks, beaches and relaxing, right? Well, I think it’s about time you kick it up a notch. St. Thomas is much more than just a place for relaxing… it’s a place for adventure. Sure, you’re overworked and you wanted some time to kick back, but there will be time for that afterwards! Plus, you’ll be glad you did something new. 

Don’t think just because you brought the whole family you can’t go on adventures! There are so many activities that can be fun for the whole family! Also, it’s a good way to tire out the kids so you can have that peace and quiet on the beach you were yearning for. 

Hiking is a very popular activity in the Virgin Islands! When you're trying to find a good trail in St. Thomas, you really have to know where to look. It can become trying to find a needle in a hay stack, but they exist. One quick and easy trail you can enjoy is the self-guided Megans Bay trail. It’s right off the beach, a 3 mile hike up and back, and can get quite challenging. It also has a vast amount of local vegetation and signs to educate you about all the different plant life. What really is great about this hike is that you can utilize the trail, and then finish the day on the beach! 

I suggest if you really like hiking, set aside a whole day to hop on over to St. John. It’s a quick ride over and has some of the most amazing and scenic hiking trails in the world. That’s not hard to believe since about 3/4 of St. John is national park. You could close your eyes and point in any direction and there would be a trail waiting for you. 

Some popular St. John trails are Reef Bay Trail and Ram Head Trail. These two trails are some of the best according to frequent hikers (and myself), and include more than just trail itself. Reef Bay has the famous St. John sugar mill ruins and petroglyph and, last but not least, lush tropical forest. It’s a total of 3 miles, and is mostly downhill, but don’t think this hike will be a cake walk. The terrain is uneven and has many short sections where you will find yourself walking uphill. Even if you are an avid runner and health nut, uphill sections mixed with the heat and humidity can get strenuous, so don’t forget to bring water and a little snack! 

Ram Head is only a mile (two miles if you go there and back), but it reaches up to 200 feet above Caribbean sea level! Unlike Reef Bay, this trail is exposed to the sun (so don’t forget your sun screen and water!!) and has many incredible exposed rock face ledges that’ll take your breath away! Be careful though, the uneven terrain can become challenging and there aren’t any hand rails or railing of any kind. Don’t let that scare you away though, this hike is well worth your time and is filled with some unforgettable views! 

If hiking isn’t your thing or you already got your hiking fix in, get a load of this… there are rental shops on a majority of beaches! Hey, you might even have a rental hut where you’re staying. These beach huts come in many different shapes and sizes and feature a wide range of water activities. Not every beach hut has everything, but they all have something that all ages can enjoy. From kayaking to wind surfing, it can keep you busy for hours and have you learning something new.

Kayaking is easy and something that all ages can try. Also, nearly every beach rental shop will have some sort of a kayak available. Whether it is a single or a double, it’s a unique way to explore your surroundings and, most importantly, it’s fun! 

A stand-up paddle board is another water sport you can rent at most beach huts. At first it can be challenging, but with a little bit of practice and getting your balance down, you can feel like a pro. It’s also great for the whole family to try, from the kids to the grandparents! 

If you’re looking for something different that the whole family can do together, try sailing! Even if you’ve never done it before, most places offer lessons for a reasonable price on small Hobie Cats or other small sail boats. 

For something more challenging, try wind surfing. Like sailing, most places offer lessons, or, if you’re feeling up to the challenge, try it on your own. Even though it is challenging, it can be just as fun! Once you get your balance down, you won’t want to stop.

If you’re looking for the ultimate adventure though, try zip lining at Tree Limin’ Extreme Canopy Tour. It is a great way to see St. Thomas and many other islands like, but not limited to, St. John, Jost Van Dyke, and Hans Lollik. You also get to witness wildlife in their natural habitat and a plethora of local vegetation. Oh, and of course, the thrill of zip lining through the tropical tree tops! People of all ages have enjoyed their ride at Tree Limin’ Extreme and are planning to endure it once again on their next vacation because they simply couldn’t get enough!