Things to do nearMangrove Lagoon

Mangrove Lagoon sits within a protected marine sanctuary on the southeastern coast of St. Thomas, part of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The lagoon and its surrounding wetlands have long served as a nursery habitat for the wider Caribbean reef ecosystem, sheltering snook, tarpon, and countless juvenile reef fish among the dense prop roots of red mangroves.

Kayaking is the most popular way to explore Mangrove Lagoon, letting you thread quietly through narrow channels where the canopy nearly closes overhead. Several outfitters offer guided kayaking trips that combine paddling with snorkeling stops in the clearer water just outside the lagoon. The nearby island of Cas Cay adds tide pools and a short coastal trail to the outing.

Birdwatchers find Mangrove Lagoon rewarding year-round, with brown pelicans, magnificent frigatebirds, and various herons patrolling the waterway. The lagoon also connects easily to the broader East End, where Saga Haven Marina provides a convenient launch point for boats and rentals. For a place so close to a busy island capital, the lagoon feels remarkably wild and is well worth an unhurried morning on the water.