With its endless shoreline and some of the clearest snorkeling waters outside of Hawaii, St. Thomas was made for back-to-back beach days. If it’s your first time strapping on a snorkel, head to Secret Harbor. This small bay is the ideal wave-free spot to learn. Back on dry land, the capital city and cruise port of Charlotte Amalie is packed with brightly colored Danish colonial architecture—and pirate legends. Check out Blackbeard’s Castle, a tower that was rumored to be the pirate’s lookout point. And the Carnival celebrations here are arguably the Virgin Islands’ best. Streets are overrun with sequins, feathers, and calypso music, even in the early morning hours, which locals call a “jump up” party. Want more St. Thomas recs? We’ve got ‘em below.