Sun-soaked magic: TRN presents St. Thomas

Of the three US Virgin Islands (USVI), St. Thomas is undoubtedly the most developed and tourist-friendly. Of course, that’s not to say that it doesn’t have its own natural beauty. In fact, St. Thomas is consistently listed as one of the best places to eco-tour, and with the wide variety of activities catering to nature lovers, it’s not hard to see why. But, St. Thomas is also the entertainment, shopping and nightlife capital of USVI, and as such offers plenty of fun for both naturalistic and cosmopolitan travelers alike, making it an excellent destinations for families and groups.

 

Your first stop in St. Thomas will likely be historic Charlotte Amalie, a charming port town that also functions as the capital of the US Virgin Islands. It features large, antique warehouses that have been converted into shopping malls, as well as enough restaurants, bars and nightclubs to suit any taste. One of the most famous of these nightclubs is the waterfront Green House (340 - 774-7998 ), which has live music on weekends and plenty of drink specials all week long. But, if you’re more interested in shopping, then check out St. Thomas’ two main shopping districts – the Crown Bay Centre (161 Sub Base, 340/774-2132), a newer mall featuring a variety of brand-name and family owned shops, and Main Street, which has both large and small boutiques offering everything from Island-exclusive jewelry to pirate-influenced art.

 

But, if you’re looking for a more luxurious shopping experience, then perhaps a visit to Yacht Haven Grande (http://www.yachthavengrande.com/) is in order. This large, expansive shopping district offers old-world ambiance (even though it’s only a few years old) and plenty of designer goods from major luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Bvlgaria, to name but a few, making it the USVI’s hottest shopping destination.

 

If you’re looking to add a little culture to your St. Thomas vacation after all that shopping, then be sure to check out the events being hosted by The Forum (http://www.theforum.vi/), a non-profit organization whose mission is to “bring the world to St. Thomas.” They organize countless concerts, plays, dance recitals, and more, so be sure to check out their calendar to see which shows you can enjoy while on holiday.

 

To the west of Charolotte Amalie lies Frenchtown, an idyllic village renowned for its unique artwork, fresh fish, and upscale dining. Some of St. Thomas’ best nightlife can also be found in this area. Standouts include Epernay ( 340-774-5348), a sophisticated nightclub that’s popular with well-to-do locales and jet-setting tourists alike,  and Oceana ( 340-774-4262 ), a stylish sea-front bar with an older clientele.

 

Moving east to Red Hook and the East End, one can find plenty of activities that will be popular with the whole family. One destination the kids are sure to enjoy is Coral World Ocean Park (http://www.coralworldvi.com/), which can be best described as a mix between an aquarium and a petting zoo. Not to be missed is the Park’s Sea Trek activity, which allows anyone over 80 pounds to literally walk underwater in a breathing apparatus that looks like a modified astronaut helmet. Located in the East End of St. Thomas, they also offer plenty of ways to interact with sea lions, turtles, and even sharks, as well as a semi-submarine tour and SNUBA dives, which is a variation of SCUBA diving designed to be less cumbersome and more beginner-friendly. 

 

For a real submarine experience, however, TRN recommends taking a voyage aboard the Atlantis 15 Submarine (http://www.atlantisadventures.com/), which offers exciting 50-minute tours that allow visitors to see underwater life up-close and personal, without having to don a wet suit. The tour is consistently well-received by customers, so try it out if you haven’t already.

 

Another popular option for families in St. Thomas is whale watching, which is most popular between December and March. Lucky visitors will get to witness the Humpback Whale, among other species, as they migrate from the cold, northern waters of the Atlantic and into the warm, inviting atmosphere of the Caribbean (just like many Canadians). Visit http://eastvi.org/ to find out about local whale watching excursions.

 

St. Thomas is also home to one of the Caribbean’s finest, and certainly most challenging golf courses, the Mahogany Run (www.mahoganyrungolf.com). Nearly 6,000 yards, this par-70 course is located in a valley bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, so even though holes 13 to 15 are known as the “Devil’s Triangle” for their difficulty, you may be too relaxed to even notice those double-bogeys.  

 

Of course, with those stunning blue waters, you may be tempted to enjoy some sailing (or, if you’re like me, a lot of sailing). TRN recommends sailing with Capt. Pat Stoeken aboard the majestic Independence (http://www.independence44.us/), a 44’ clipper-bowed ketch. Capt. Pat and his team will take you across the Caribbean, allowing you to discover uncharted bits of island that are just waiting to become your next great secret. The staff even takes care of lunch, and offers a surprisingly delicious menu that is custom-made to cater to your tastes.

 

While sailing is always recommended, some thrill-seekers may wish to gain an even deeper appreciation for USVI’s stunning waters and captivating marine life. If that’s the case, then why not try SCUBA diving with the good people at Blue Island Divers (http://www.blueislanddivers.com/), located in beautiful Lindburgh Bay on the West Island? Their experienced and energetic staff will ensure a safe, fun, and unforgettable diving experience. Novices are welcome, as the company offers an informative and easy-to-follow training program. Once SCUBA-ready, the divemasters will take you out to some of the most unbelievable undersea areas, including underwater gardens teeming with plant and animal life. They also specialize in exploring wreck sites, and offer tours to over 25 different wrecks that other diving companies don’t even know about, including a World War II Tank Landing Ship wreck. They also -offer sailing, kayak eco-tours, snorkeling, peddle boats and windsurfing, so check them out for all your St. Thomas water sports needs.

 

If you’re feeling hungry after all that SCUBA diving, why not try a little sport fishing? Nothing beats catching your own dinner (and cooking it in your own vacation rental kitchen), making sport fishing an ever-popular St. Thomas activity. Excursions depart daily from Sapphire Marina, American Yacht Harbor, and the Crown Bay Room. Marlin is the summer catch, but tuna, jacks, mahi-mahi, barracuda and others can be caught year-round. For more info on specific boats and excursions, as well as local tournaments and events, check out the US Virgin Island’s Game Fishing Club website (http://www.vigfc.com/). 

 

Of course, after so many activities, you may just want to lay back and soak up some rays on the beach. Though St. Croix and St. John are more popular ‘lounge’ islands, St. Thomas nonetheless offers its share of spectacular beaches. One of the best is undoubtedly the aptly-named Honeymoon Beach, located on Water Island. Another popular option is Morningstar Beach, located near Marriot Frenchman’s Reef Resort, though this beach tends to be over-crowded, particularly on weekends.

 

Meanwhile, Coki Beach in the East End is another popular option that offer offers great sites for snorkeling and relaxing.
The distinction for best beach in St. Thomas, however, is usually reserved for either Smith Bay Park, a protected stretch of white-sand beach in the Island’s East End, or Megan’s Bay, a blissfully underdeveloped stretch of coastline in the Northside that offers both fun and relaxation alike. Megan’s Bay is also the site of the Megan’s Bay Nature Trail, a fabulous hiking trail that covers acres of prime tropical forest. No matter where you settle down, though, St. Thomas offers excellent conditions for surfing, windsurfing, and the increasingly-popular kite surfing, largely as a result of its strong winds.
So there you have it, more than enough reasons to make St. Thomas your next vacation destination. So what are you waiting for? Book that St. Thomas vacation rental know, before this slice of paradise fills up completely for the winter.