Buck IslandCity/Region: St Croix
A few miles off the north eastern shore of St Croix lies the tiny paradise of
Buck Island, one of the best excursions in the
Virgin Islands. The entire island and its surrounding coral reefs is a protected nature reserve and includes a beautiful beach, an incredible coral marine garden, and two major underwater snorkeling trails with signs that introduce snorkelers to the types of coral and its sea life. Turtle Bay Trail and East End Trail together have become one of the most popular attractions in the US Virgin Islands. There is also
some excellent diving off Buck Island Reef.
ChristianstedCity/Region: St Croix
One of the prettiest towns in the
Caribbean, Christiansted has a perfect harbor setting and is the capital of St Croix. Dominating the waterfront is the large yellow building, Fort Christiansvaern, built in 1774 to protect the town's harbor against pirates during its days as capital of the Danish colony when it served as an important trading center for sugar and rum. Much of the original Danish colonial architecture remains, including the Old Custom House, government buildings and the atmospheric wharf area lined with pastel-colored warehouses. Original Danish streets signs survive among modern enterprises like tourist shops, courtyard restaurants and a spirited bar scene on the waterfront. There are plenty of beach activities nearby and a popular excursion is to Buck Island, offering superb beaches and coral reefs.
Charlotte AmalieCity/Region: St Thomas
Charlotte Amalie, named in honor of the wife of King Christian V, is the Danish-flavored capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands, a busy port and important merchant center since the 18th century. The beautiful harbor is ringed with whitewashed houses and painted villas, their red roofs a splash of color against the green hillside. Cobbled, Danish-signposted streets and alleyways lead down to the waterfront, lined with shops, boutiques and colonial architecture. The old Danish merchant warehouses form a world-famous shopping district, selling imported goods from around the globe. The harbor is usually filled with cruise ships, ferries, yachts and fishing vessels, and is the most visited port in the Caribbean, creating a town that is vibrant and multinational, but often overcrowded. For those weary of duty-free shopping,
Charlotte Amalie offers numerous other attractions, as well as elegant restaurants and an exciting nightlife. Blackbeard's Castle on top of Government Hill offers superb views over the harbor, and is said to have been the lookout tower for the legendary pirate, Captain Blackbeard. The red brick Fort Christian is the oldest standing building on the island, where Danish soldiers stood guard against pirates and invaders, and has since served as a jail, church, government house, community hall and today houses the Virgin Islands Museum.
Virgin Islands National ParkCity/Region: St John
The
Virgin Islands National Park comprises more than 7,000 acres of the island of St John, along with spectacular underwater sites as well. Perhaps the best place to begin a visit to the park is the
Cruz Bay Visitors Center, which provides historical, cultural and geographical exhibits as well as guidebooks, maps and other information. There, rangers can assist visitors in planning their stay at the park. While the Annaberg ruins and
Trunk Bay beach remain the most popular destinations, the park also offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the Taino people, who inhabited the island before
Columbus' arrival. Their remarkably well-preserved petroglyphs can be seen carved along the Reef Bay hiking trail, and a wealth of artifacts, some dating back 500 years, have been uncovered at
Cinnamon Bay, where visitors can tour the archaeology lab. Cinnamon Bay is also a popular camping spot, with bare campsites, raised tents and cottages. Its beautiful sandy beach has a rental facility for sailing, windsurfing and kayaking in the large bay. The
Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument can be reached by land only at Hurricane Hole. This three-mile belt off the southern end of the island contains 12,708 acres of submerged land, the waters of which support a complex system of coral reefs, as well as shoreline ecosystems of mangrove forests and seagrass beds.
Phone Number: (340) 776 6201
Website: www.nps.gov/viis
Hours: Cruz Bay Visitors Center: daily 8am to 4.30pm; other sites' hours vary
Admission: Most sites free. Trunk Bay: $4 (adults); free for children 16 and under. Overnight anchoring or mooring in park waters: $15. Cinnamon Bay camping/rental costs vary
St Thomas SkyrideCity/Region: St Thomas
The best way to appreciate the stunning beauty of Charlotte Amalie and the St Thomas Harbour is from above. The idea for the tramway, which carries visitors over
Flag Hill to Paradise Point, 700 feet (213m) up, began in the 1980s, when two ambitious businessmen bought more than 30 acres of Flag Hill from the Queen of Denmark. After a few setbacks, including
Hurricane Hugo, the tramway opened in 1994 and has been a favorite activity ever since. If visitors are fortunate enough to catch one of the last trams of the day, they will witness a magical vista of twinkling lights against the soft Caribbean twilight. At the top, there is a collection of unique shops as well as a casual restaurant perfect for watching sunsets while sipping a cocktail and listening to a local band. Paradise Point has been voted the best live entertainment venue and the best tourist attraction multiple times.
Address: Directly across from Port of $ale Mall,
Charlotte Amalie
Phone Number: (340) 774 9809
Website: www.stthomasskyride.com
Hours: Whenever cruise ships are in port, bi-weekly; Week one: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 9am to 5pm; Wednesday 9am to 9pm; Week two: Monday, Thursday, Saturday 9am to 5pm; Tuesday 9am to 8pm; Wednesday 9am to 9pm
Admission: $21 (adults), $10.50 (children 6-12)
