Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
St John. Here, the island has the feel of a vacation destination, rather than a multifaceted
West Indian island.
Sights
Coral World Ocean Park
MARINE PARK
( 340-775-1555;
www.coralworldvi.com
; 6450 Estate Smith Bay; adult/child $19/
10; 9am-4pm; )
This 4.5-acre marine park, at Coki Point, is the most popular tourist
attraction on St Thomas. Pick up a schedule when entering - staff feed the sea creatures
and give talks about marine biology and conservation throughout the day, and it's during
these times that you'll engage in behaviors you never thought possible, such as petting baby
nurse sharks, touching starfish and feeding raw fish right into a stingray's mouth. Many of
the park's creatures have been rescued (ie the sea turtles were orphans and the sea lions
were in harm's way in Uruguay, where fishers were shooting them as pests). Pay an extra
$40 to $125, and you can swim with the sharks, turtles or sea lions.
The
Sea Trek
is another popular activity, where you walk on the floor of the Caribbean
Sea wearing a special helmet. A guide leads you along a trail equipped with a handrail 12
to 30 feet below the water. The helmet provides air and allows you to communicate with
the guide while keeping your head dry.
Coral World has restaurants and gift shops, along with changing rooms if you want to
visit nearby Coki Beach. Look for Coral World discount coupons in the free tourist guides.
Tillett Gardens
ARTS CENTER
(
www.tillettgardens.com
)
This collection of artisan studios and shops off Rte 38 (Smith
Bay Rd) in Tutu, between Charlotte Amalie and the East End, is several cuts above most
of the island's tourist attractions. English silkscreen artist Jim Tillett started this artists'
compound on a Danish farm in 1959 as a 'peaceful sanctuary of creativity and wonder-
ment.' Fifty-plus years later, the compound is just that. You can stroll the grounds, eat in
a cafe, meet working artists and buy handcrafted fabrics, jewelry and other objets d'art.
The gardens sponsor an ongoing
concert series (
www.tillettfoundation.org
)
that features
performances by superb jazz, blues and classical musicians, so try to time your visit to co-
incide with a concert.
