We’ve all dreamed of heading to a gorgeous Caribbean island to swim in crystal clear waters and meander along pristine white beaches. This type of relaxing holiday isn’t just for youngsters, either, a la Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins in “The Blue Lagoon.” We all need a place to unwind, where time is something that leisurely drifts along while we drift along with it. The only real question that needs to be addressed when booking a Caribbean island vacation is which island do you choose? We say St. Thomas. It isn’t the biggest (that honour goes to St. Croix), but it does have the very best the US Virgin islands has to offer when it comes to beaches, views, resorts, shopping and nightlife.
Coral World's undersea observatory boasts allows you to view marine life in its natural habitat. Credit: courtesy Coral World VI
Coral World Marine Park & Undersea Observatory
Give yourself plenty of time to explore this three story underwater observation tower, located just 100 feet from the shoreline that allows you to see marine life simply hanging out in its natural habitat. Then head to the 80,000-gallon glass-enclosed coral reef tank. If you’re feeling brave visit the shark pool where you can pet a shark or feed a stingray. For kids, there’s a children’s touch pool where you can pet a sea cucumber or hold a starfish. And if you’re ready to get wet with some sea creatures, try a Sea trek helmet dive or swim with the sea lions. This is by no means your average aquarium. From sea horses to scorpions, there’s a myriad of things to see and touch here.
Indulge in some Duty Free shopping at Havensight Mall. Credit: courtesy Havensight Mall
Duty Free Shopping
Okay. So you may not have come all the way to Caribbean to shop till you drop, but there’s nothing to say you can’t indulge in a few luxuries. After all, St. Thomas is where you can find some of the Caribbean’s best duty-free bargains, and who doesn’t love a bargain? From jewelry and electronics goods to designer fashions and alcohol, you don’t have to pay any sales tax on your purchases. Head to anyone of these four main shopping districts: Downtown, Havensight, Yacht Haven Grande or Crown Bay Center for your bargain basement goodies.
Take the tramway up to Paradise Point for spectacular views over Charlotte Amalie harbour. Credit: courtesy USVI tourism
St.Thomas Skyride to Paradise Point
Hop one of the six Skyride cars and take in the sweeping views of Charlotte Amalie harbour, as you rise 700 feet above sea level. Once at the top you can spend your time admiring the little people far, far below or peruse the shops, grab a meal at the restaurant or a drink at the bar. For a truly romantic trip, take the tramway car up at sunset. Take time to wander the nature trail and perhaps catch the exotic bird show. You can even have your photograph taken with a parrot perched on your shoulder.
Built in 1671, Fort Christian is St. Thomas's oldest standing structure. Credit: courtesy USVI tourism
Walking tour of Charlotte Amalie
Now that you’ve seen the port city from above, it’s time to head back down to this bustling waterfront town and immerse yourself in the history of the area. Once the world’s biggest slave market as well as a landing point for sailors and pirates, today the old warehouses that once housed stolen pirate goods, are home to some of the town’s most popular stores. Put your best walking shoes one and tour the towns’ historical buildings and landmarks, including Fort Christian - St. Thomas’s oldest standing structure (built in 1671), now designated as a national landmark. Visit the Fort’s museum featuring artifacts that help tell the story of the USVI from a historical and cultural perspective, as well as detailing the natural history of the islands.
Magens Bay beach is regarded as one of the Top 10 beaches in the world. Credit: courtesy USVI tourism
Magens Bay Beach
Obviously no trip to the Virgin Islands would be complete without spending some serious time at the beach. There are plenty to choose from but Magens Bay Beach is among the best. Listed as one of the Top 10 beaches in the world by National Geographic, Magens Bay beach boasts a heart-shaped bay, pristine turquoise waters, and the requisite white sands. It also has everything you could possibly want in a beach, including picnic tables for family get together and the opportunity to rent every piece of apparatus you could possibly need to enjoy a day on the water; from kayaks and paddleboats to sailboats and snorkeling equipment. And if you forget your beach paraphernalia, you can rent chairs and buy bathing suits and suntan lotion. Dine at the local restaurant, get a drink from the bar, or hike the nature trail.
Explore pirate hideouts, take a mansion tour and channel your inner pirate at Blackbeard's Castle. Credit: courtesy Blackbeard's Castle.
Blackbeard’s Castle
Ahoy, matey! Built in 1679 by the Dutch as a watchtower for the harbor of Charlotte Amalie, Blackbeard’s Castle is located at the highest point on Government Hill, where it served as a lookout point for Danish soldiers to spot enemy ships and protect Fort Christian from attacks. Originally named Skytsborg Tower, over the years it took on the name of Blackbeard’s Castle as a nod to the infamous pirate that sailed the surrounding waters in the early 1700’s. Aside from its fascinating history, Blackbeard’s Castle is also a truly fun place to explore, complete with pirate hideouts, historic manor houses, botanical gardens, archaeological sites, sparkling pools, waterfalls, museums, bars and shops, making this national historic landmark is the Caribbean’s premier historical site.
Take a snorkeling and kayaking trek with Virgin Islands Ecotours. Credit: courtesy USVI tourism
Virgin Islands Ecotours
If you want to do more than laze around on the beach, eat well and shop, then spend a day with Virgin Island Ecotours and you won’t be disappointed. There’s a myriad of tours to chose from including one where you will kayak from Frenchtown to Historic Hassel Island in the Virgin Islands National Park; paddle past Danish and British Colonial ruins and Careening Cove before setting out on a ten minute hike to Fort Willoughby, a British Fort from the Napoleonic era. You’ll then visit Garrison House and the Creque Marine Railway before hopping back in your kayak and heading to a secluded and picturesque beach, where you can go snorkeling and swimming, before heading back to Frenchtown by day’s end – a mere five minute paddle away.
The view of the Virgin Islands from Drake's Seat is one of the best in the region. Credit: briandrum
Drake’s Seat
Head to the very top of St. Thomas for one of the best views of most of the Virgin Islands. Drake’s Seat (so named because of a bench bearing his name at the lookout point), overlooks Drake’s Passage, the channel where explorer Sir Francis Drake sailed with his fleet en route to the British Virgin Islands. Drake’s Seat also features an abundance of yellow cedar, a common flower in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Legend claims Drake came to this overlook to keep an eye on his fleet and approaching Spanish galleons.
Tee off at the Mahogany Run's "Devil's Triangle" overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Credit: courtesy USVI tourism
Mahogany Run Golf Course
There’s nothing like teeing off as part of a relaxing holiday, and The George and Tom Fazio-designed Mahogany Run Golf Course offers one of the best greens around. The 6,022-yard, par-70 course, course offers 18 challenging holes culminating in the spectacular “Devil’s Triangle,” the world-renowned signature holes on the Atlantic Ocean. Don’t worry about bringing your own clubs. The pro shop is fully stocked with everything you could possibly need – either for sale or for rent.
Witness some of the most brilliant butterflies at The Butterfly Farm. Credit: joyosity
The Butterfly Farm
Spend a magical day at this butterfly oasis, conveniently located at the WICO cruise ship dock in Havensight Mall. Like something out of a fairytale the butterfly farm boasts a lush tropical rain forest with trees, flowers, ponds and a trickling waterfall. Amidst all this beauty are scores of butterflies flitting overhead and minding their own business. Spend a day in their world, meandering among the meshed enclosures and spying dozens of the jewel-toned creatures. Make a day of your visit and you can actually see the butterflies hatching and taking
Hike, bike and get healthy for the New Year when you plan your adventure now, in the Spanish Virgin Islands.
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