Fun things to do in St. Thomas

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There are bird shows at the top of Paradise Point. We arrived at the very end of the show, so we didn't get to see/hear much about the birds. We did manage to get a few pictures. I think the intent is for you to pay to get your picture taken with the birds, and we didn't do that.

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Cruise gently through the bustling harbor of Charlotte Amalie with an open bar and Calypso music played by a native steel band. See Bluebeard's Castle, Blackbeard's Castle and the Governor's Mansion, and over a coral reef, you will see see a variety of coral, sponges and tropical fish through large glass-bottomed viewing windows. At a lovely beach with sparkling turquoise waters, there's time to swim and sunbathe. It's really party time on the way back-dancing, fun, games, limbo and punch.

Duration
Approximately 3 hours

Price
Adult: US: $34
Child: US: $34

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This tour was the Tour that we had signed up for but they announced in the morning that due to the large waves at the Beach of Trunk Bay the Snorkeling part was canceled. I will feature the alternate tour we had decided on (the same tour except no snorkeling) in my St Johns pages (coming soon).

There are two places to catch a ferry to get to St. John, the closer of the two is Charlotte Amelie where the ships dock but the ferry leaves less frequently and it is more expensive ($11. We decided to go to Red Hook, I mistakenly thought it was a 20 minute taxi ride but it was closer to 40-50 minutes by the time they dropped off passengers at other places and we finally got there. The ferry ride from Red Hook takes 20 minutes, there's no cost savings for buying a round trip ticket ($6 each way) although if you are crunched for time when you get back to the dock, you don't have to stand in line. I briefly thought about taking a return ferry to Charlotte Amelie but I already had my Red Hook ticket. I suspect though that they would have exchanged it for the Charlotte Amelie boat as it appeared to be the same ferry.

The reviewers over on Cruisecritic just gush over St. John so instead of heading to a beach on St. Thomas we decided to head over to St. John for the day instead. In hindsight, I think the day would have been better spent on St. Thomas, I personally didn't find anything all that special about St. John.

In order to get to St. John we had to take a 40-50 minute taxi ride ($11 per person) to Red Hook and take the public ferry to Cruz Bay on St. John ($12 per person round trip). From there we decided we wanted to see a little of the island so we hired a taxi for the standard 2 hour tour ($25 per person) and then had him drop us off at Trunk Bay ($3 per person admission) before heading back to Cruz Bay for the journey back home.

For more details on this trip, please see my St. John page (coming soon)

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NOTE: Have read some disturbing news lately about security problems at the Cokie Beach area! Frommers.com Cruise Blog of 7/13/10 reported that a tourist was killed near this area by stray gunfire in July 2010! Perhaps it would be wise to check news reports of any questionable activities before visiting this area which is also where Coral World is located. When we visited several years ago, we did not experience any problems and thoroughly enjoyed the beach, the snorkeling, the scenery, and closeness to Coral World, but things may have changed.

We first heard about Coki Beach from a friend we had met while cruising. She also told us about Sapphire Beach. Each beach has its good points. If your main aim is having a great beach day and do some very good snorkeling, you want Coki Beach. I have never seen so many different types of colorful fish literally at your fingertips! The underwater geography here is more varied than at Sapphire Beach.

The crescent-shaped, fine white sand beach edging those fabulous, clear, aquamarine waters is something you will never forget. Treat yourself to a chaise lounge chair for about $5 for the whole day. The elderly man renting them will inquire if you want one. Don't make the mistake of taking someone else's or thinking they are free!

But not to worry, soon a young man will come around with samples of frozen daiquiries of different flavors--I chose pistachio. If you order a full size, it will come in a large plastic cup for about $4 (2004 price) and believe me they didn't skimp on the liquor!

The bathroom and changing facilities are not the best thing about Coki Beach but usable. The beach has shady areas if you want them. If you want to sit down to a snack or light meal, take the boardwalk over to Coral World to the Hungry Iquana or the Beach Bar & Cafe.

If you pay for a taxi or shuttle to bring you to Coki, arrange for them to pick you up at a specified time. Be ready and at the point where you were dropped off to wait for your driver. Don't be inconsiderate and rude by not being there at the appointed time.

I simply love this place!

Originally built as a hotel in 1839, it was the town's most elegant accommodation. It has recently been restored and refurbished to be a shopping complex with shops, cafes, an ATM machine, etc. A nice place to shop and enjoy the architecture at the same time!

J. Antonio Jarvis was a Educator, Historian, Poet, Author, Journalist from St. Thomas. He was the first Virgin Islander to record the history of the territory from both historical and sociological perspectives. He wrote a book called; Brief History of the Virgin Islands (1938), was written to provide high school students with crucially needed information on their own history.

In 1930 he co-founded The Daily News, a newspaper established to keep the public informed on St. Thomas. It became the most influential independent newspaper of the Virgin Islands. Today it is the most widely distributed in the islands. He served as editor of the paper until 1940.

He wrote several books and plays such as :Education in the Virgin lslands, The Virgin Islands, Caribbean Notebook, Virgin, Islands Picture Book,Folkdancing in the Virgin Islands, Freedom Centennial, Bluebeard'.s Last Wife, The King's Mandate, Superstitions, Witchcraft and Necromancy Undermine Health and Morals. Mr. Jarvis was also an advocate of the arts and enjoyed painting watercolors.

He was also presented with the United States Selective Service Medal by President Harry S. Truman in recognition of his contributions to the Selective Service Board. He also received a citation from the Library of Congress on his contribution to the celebration of the Virgin Islands Centenary of the Emancipation, 1848-1948. In 1962, the Virgin Islands Legislature in Act 906 awarded Mr. Jarvis a grant of $2,000 for research in Europe and the United States to update a history of the Virgin Islands for the local school system.

His last poem; "Youth" was written on his deathbed:
When he was young and tall
And arrow slim
He thought no sick
Was for him
But flash through sunshine
At a moment's thought
Time changed it all.