Most lists of things to do in St. Thomas at night stop at bars and live music. Those are here too, but the island’s best evenings happen on the water, and that side barely gets written about. We are Island Adventures, a family-owned charter company with more than 40 years on these waters, and after dark is when some of our favorite trips run.

First, when does it actually get dark?

Earlier than most visitors expect. Per timeanddate.com, sunset in St. Thomas through the high season runs:

• November: 5:41 to 5:47 PM
• December: 5:42 to 5:54 PM
• January: 5:54 to 6:13 PM
• February: 6:13 to 6:25 PM
• March: 6:25 to 6:33 PM
• April: 6:33 to 6:40 PM

That is good news for your evening: dinner at a normal hour still leaves full darkness for everything below, and a sunset sail fits before dinner instead of replacing it.

Night Glow Kayaking on illuminated kayaks

Our Night Glow Kayaking tour is our signature evening trip, and the one island regulars point visitors to first. You paddle illuminated double kayaks fitted with soft underwater lights, on calm, protected water, with a guide the whole way. The lights turn the water around your kayak into a glowing pathway, and the fish come to see what is going on.

The practical details, straight from how we run it:

• Where: the Elysian Beach Water Sports Hut, at Elysian Beach Resort on the East End of St. Thomas.
• When: arrive by 6:15 PM; the tour departs promptly at 6:30 PM and runs about 1 hour 15 minutes. From late fall through winter, sunset falls well before launch, so you are paddling in full darkness.
• Price: adults $69, children $55.
• Who it suits: no experience needed at all. The double kayaks and calm water make it work for couples, families, and all skill levels.
• What to bring: light clothing you do not mind getting wet, water shoes or sandals, and bug spray. Leave valuables at home.
• Afterward: refreshments in the Watersports Hut.
• Weather: if conditions turn rough, we notify you in advance and reschedule or issue a full refund.

Evening departures are small and they fill.

Sunset sails and dinner on the water

If paddling is not your speed, the other way to spend a St. Thomas evening is on deck while the sun goes down. Our sunset lineup:

• Champagne Sunset Sail, departing Margaritaville Resort, with a complimentary open bar of champagne, beer, wine and cocktails, light hors d’oeuvres served throughout, and Caribbean music against the coastline.
• Cocktail Sunset Cruise, departing Sapphire Beach Marina at 5:00 PM, with complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres throughout the sail. With winter sunsets before 6:00 PM, you are on the water for golden hour itself.
• Pizza Pi Party, Snorkel & Sunset Cruise, a 3.5 hour combination trip with a snorkel stop, pizza from the famous Pizza Pi boat, and an open bar as the light goes gold.

Want the boat to yourselves? The Breakaway Private Sunset Experience is a 2 hour private cruise from Sapphire Marina with drinks included and your group only.

Seasonal: the Halloween Sunset Dinner Cruise

This fall we are running a Halloween Sunset Dinner Cruise from Margaritaville Resort: a sunset dining experience with cocktails and Caribbean cuisine, built for couples and groups. Tickets are $199 for adults, and spots are limited.

Which evening fits you

• With kids: the night kayak. All ages, stable double kayaks, a guide alongside, done by about 7:45 PM, and children are $55.
• As a couple: the Champagne Sunset Sail, or the private Breakaway cruise if you want the deck to yourselves.
• As a group: the Pizza Pi party trip, or the Halloween cruise if your dates land in late October.
• Undecided: sunset sail first, dinner ashore after. The early Caribbean sunset means both fit in one evening.

On land: bars, live music, and dinner ashore

St. Thomas does have a land-based night scene. Red Hook on the East End, the Charlotte Amalie waterfront, and Frenchtown are the areas people head to for beach bars, live music, and dinner. Venues and schedules shift with the season, so check what is on during your dates rather than trusting an old list. Plenty of our guests make an evening of it: a sunset sail or the night kayak first, dinner ashore after.

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