Havensight Harbor
in St Thomas (USVI)
Cruise Port Guide and Review (2023)

The Havensight Dock is the closest docking spot to Charlotte Amalie and within walking distance to the main town of St Thomas. The Havensight Terminal is a vast open-air mall with all services and amenities cruisers may need, and a large area with duty-free shops.

Close to the long pier of the Havensight Dock, cruise passengers will find two exciting highlights of St Thomas: the Butterfly Farm (temporarily closed) and the famous Skyride to Paradise Point with stunning views of St Thomas.

Docking, Piers and Shopping Mall

There are three docking spots in the Havensight Cruise Ship Dock on its 3/4 of a mile (1 km) long pier. Next to each docking spot, there is an exit gate to a large area - the Havensight Mall - where cruise ship passengers will find almost all amenities.

Cruise Tip: cruisers must have both the ship card and one photo ID to re-enter the pier.

For those on shore excursions booked onboard, there will be ship staff guiding the cruise traveler to the tour buses. If you booked on-line with independent tour operators, the local guides will be waiting outside the exit gates.

As you walk out of any of the four exit gates there will be taxis offering transportation to all main attractions, beaches, a simple ride to Charlotte Amalie or even a sightseeing tour of the Island. Taxis are the best way to travel around in St Thomas. More about taxis below.

Tourist Information

Close to both Gate 1 and Gate 2 there is a large and excellent Tourist Information office where you can pick up maps, brochures, printed guides to St Thomas and the US Virgin Islands. This is the ideal place to go if you wish to explore the Island on your own or discover hidden gems of St Thomas.

Shopping in Havensight

St Thomas is famous for being a shopper's paradise. And in the Havensight Mall, the cruise passenger will find a number of one-story buildings with some of the major shops in St Thomas like Diamonds International, Colombian Emeralds, or Boolchand's amongst other well-known shops in the Caribbean.

Most cruise travelers interested in duty-free jewelry, watches, and electronics do travel to Charlotte Amalie where the top shops are located. But the shops in Havensight shouldn't be missed. To learn more about these shops read our shopping guide to the Havensight Mall.

Close by, the Yacht Haven Marina use to have the best and high-end shops in St Thomas, like Bulgari, Coach, Gucci or Salvatore Ferragamo. Sadly, all these shops have closed after the Hurricane Season in 2017.

Convenience Stores in Havensight

If all you are looking for is liquor, spirits, fragrances, tobacco, gifts or souvenirs the cruise ship passenger doesn't really need to go all the way to Charlotte Amalie for a shopping spree. There are many shops carrying this type of merchandise in the Havensight Mall. In reality, it is easier to find these type of convenience stores in the Havensight Mall than in Charlotte Amalie.

Amenities, Services and Restaurants

As mentioned before, the Havensight Dock is very well serviced. Keep in mind that St Thomas legal tender is the US Dollar and that if you need cash there are Banks with ATMs.

The Post Office (USPS) is very close to the piers and there are a few quite nice restaurants. Senor Frogs and the Delly Deck are within the Mall, and just outside you will find Mojos, Hooters, the Barefoot Buddha and the Shipwreck Tavern.

Car Rental

Renting a car may be a good way to enjoy and exploration of St Thomas on your own. Right in front of the pier the cruise traveler will see the Budget Car Rental sign and as you walk out of the Havensight Mall, is impossible to miss Avis.

How to get Charlotte Amalie: on foot or by taxi

Charlotte Amalie is only 1 mile away from the Havensight Dock and can be an easy walk. The most pleasant way to walk downtown is through the Yacht Haven Marina. The marina used to be an upscale shopping and dining area designed for the exclusive clientele of the luxurious yachts visiting St Thomas.

The Yacht Haven Marina was severely hit during the 2017 Hurricane Season. All the high-end shops have closed, but the restaurants are back (some have changed hands), and the grounds are back into their former glory. Walking through the Yacht Haven Marina is still the most pleasant to get to Charlotte Amalie.

Taxi Fares from Havensight Dock

Taxi fares are clearly displayed and are official so you don't really need to worry about getting a good deal and it isn't worth to haggle.

Cruise Tip: as the taxi lines close to the gates can get very full, if you walk to the exit of the mall you may find better service in that Taxi Dispatching area. Taxis in St Thomas are shared and you will need to wait for other cruise companions but it usually doesn't take longer than a few minutes.

Taxi Fares from Havensight Dock *

Attractions close to the Havensight dock

Within walking distance of the Havensight Dock, there are two top attractions of St Thomas - the Butterfly Farm, which is under restoration works, and the Skyride to Paradise Point. Both sites can easily be enjoyed after or before a half-day tour of the Island.

Paradise Point

The Skyride to Paradise Point is outside the Havensight Mall. Turn left, once outside the exit in the direction of Charlotte Amalie. After no more than a 5-minute walk, the colorful Skyride will be on your right. The views from Paradise Point are spectacular and a photo-op not to be missed.

Closed Attractions within Walking Distance

The Butterfly Farm is on the grounds of the Havensight Mall, on the right end of the pier, behind Senor Frogs. Both were devastated during the 2017 Hurricane season.

The Butterfly Farm used to be a great place for those traveling with children and it is advisable to check if and when it reopens. Senor Frogs wasn't open in March 2020 when IQCruising last visited the Havensight Dock. And it doesn't look like it will be opening any time soon.