ST. THOMAS - Virgin Islands - page 85

Bringing Out the Sir Francis Drake in You

Tired of escorted tours? Nauti Nymph
Magic Moments, American Yacht Har-
bor, Red Hook ( & 800/734-7345 in
the U.S., or 340/775-5066; www.yacht
magicmoments.com), reaches out to
the independent traveler and adven-
turer. The knowing staff assists in
designing a personal itinerary for a
bareboat rental, or can hook you up
with a captained day trip. A choice
of Coast Guard-approved and fully
equipped vessels ranging in size from

25 to 31 feet are available. Boats are
kept in top condition. On your own, you
can explore the British Virgin Islands,
including such little-known islands as
Jost Van Dyke and Norman Island, in
the tradition of Sir Francis Drake. Nor-
man Island, incidentally, was the inspi-
ration for Robert Louis Stevenson's
Treasure Island. The fare for such sail-
ing adventures begins at $425 per
passenger, or half price for children 9
and under.

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facility, with dining, entertainment, and recreational options. American Yacht Har-
bor , Red Hook ( & 340/775-6454; www.igy-americanyachtharbor.com), can
refer both bareboat and fully crewed charters. It leaves from the east end of St.
Thomas in Vessup Bay. The harbor is home to numerous boat companies, including
day-trippers, fishing boats, and sailing charters. There are also five restaurants on the
property, serving everything from Continental to Caribbean cuisine. Another reliable
outfitter is Charteryacht League , at Gregory East ( & 800/524-2061 in the

U.S., or 340/774-3944; www.vicl.org).
Sailors may want to check out the Yachtsman's Guide to the Virgin Islands, available
at major marine outlets, at bookstores, through catalog merchandisers, or directly
from Tropical Publishers, P.O. Box 12, Adelphia, NJ 07710 ( & 877/923-9653;
www.yachtsmansguide.com).
SCUBA DIVING & SNORKELING The best scuba-diving site off St. Thomas,
especially for novices, has to be Cow and Calf Rocks, off the southeast end (45
min. from Charlotte Amalie by boat); here, you'll discover a network of coral tunnels
filled with caves, reefs, and ancient boulders encrusted with coral. The Cartanser
Sr., a sunken World War II cargo ship that lies in about 35 feet of water, is beautifully
encrusted with coral and is home to myriad colorful resident fish. Another popular
wreck dive is the Maj. General Rogers, the stripped-down hull of a former Coast
Guard cutter.
Experienced divers may want to dive at exposed sheer rock pinnacles like Sail
Rock and French Cap Pinnacle, which are encrusted with hard and soft corals,
and are frequented by lobsters and green and hawksbill turtles. Both spots are
exposed to open-ocean currents, making these very challenging dives.
Coki Beach Dive Club, Coki Beach ( & 800/474-COKI [474-2654] or 340/
775-4220; www.cokidive.com), a PADI center, offers scuba-diving courses and guided
dive tours for beginners and certified divers alike. You can also rent diving and snorkel-
ing gear here. A one-tank dive costs $65, while a two-tank dive is $85, if you use the
club's equipment.
St. Thomas Diving Club, 7147 Bolongo Bay ( & 877/538-8734 in the U.S., or
340/776-2381; www.stthomasdivingclub.com), is a full-service, PADI five-star IDC
center, and the best on the island. An open-water certification course, including four

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