Attractions:
CORAL WORLD MARINE PARK AND OBSERVATORY
Daily from 9 am to 5:30 pm (12 on
country map). Highlight of this 4.5 acre marine park,
recently reopened under new ownership and a $7 million
reconstruction, is the Underwater Observatory Tower. At
its bottom level, visitors view a natural coral reef
through 24 windows to the open sea. Midlevel is the 50,000
gallon Predator Tank. At the top level find changing
exhibits and spectacular views of outer islands. The
Marine Gardens Aquarium of 21 jewel tanks offers close-up
views of marine habitats and behaviors. The 80,000 gallon
Caribbean Reef Encounter displays a living reef. Outdoor
exhibits include the mangrove lagoon, shark shallows,
touch, turtle and stingray pools and tropical nature
trail. Restaurant, gift shop and full service dive shop.
Admission $18 adults, $9 children 3 to 12 years. 775-1555.
Schedule of talks and feedings:
Underwater Observatory at 10 am and 2 pm; Caribbean Reef
Encounter at 11 am and 3 pm; Shark Shallows noon; Stingray
Pool at 3:30 pm; and Mangrove Lagoon at 4 pm.
SUBMARINE
Daily. Atlantis Submarine descends to
view deep reefs and sea life (thru portholes, not a
periscope). Two-hour tour includes narrated boat ride to
the dive site and one-hour sub voyage on the 30 passenger
Atlantis. Adults $72; children 4 to 17 $36. Reservations
776-5650.
DAY SAILS
Daily. Lunch aboard or on shore; snorkel, swim, sun. Most
leave at 9:30 am, return 4 pm, $90.
SPECIAL SCUBA TRIPS
1. "RMS Rhone." Royal Mail steamer wrecked in
1867 off Salt Island in British Virgins, now a national
marine park for divers. Every Friday Chris Sawyer Diving
Center offers two dives, with full gear and lunch for $110
plus customs fee. 7 am to 4 pm. 777-7804. Every Wednesday
Dive In! also makes this trip $110 plus customs fee.
775-6100 ext. 2144. 2. "General Rodgers," a 120
foot Coast Guard tender near Thatch Cay, home to a
colorful array of fish, and noted for its underwater
passageway of arches and tunnels. Visited by diveboats
from both St. Thomas and St. John. One and two tank dives.
3. "W.I.T. Shoal," a 327 foot Navy LST in 84
feet of water with schools of fish and spectacular
visibility. 4. "W.I.T. Concrete," a 350 foot
bulk carrier, Iying in 92 feet of water. A giant jewfish
is sometimes resident and large school fish abound. $75
with Sea Trade Ltd. (2-dives, full gear). 774-2001.
NIGHTTIME DIVES
Your chance to visit the noctumal underwater world. 1.
Chris Sawyer Diving Center. Boat dive, all equipment
including light and wetsuit $70. 777-7804. 2. Coki Beach
Dive Club. From the beach $40. 775-4220 or 771-3893. 3.
Sea Trade Ltd. (774-2001 ) and Aqua Action (775-6285).
Both offer boat dive, full gear, light and wet suit $60.
SNORKELING
1. Any day Coki Beach Dive Club takes out snorkel tours
(mask and flip pers provided) to a teeming coral reef $20.
775-4220 or 771-3893.
2. Every Thursday Chris Sawyer's nighttime snorkeling
trip, 5:30 to 10 pm, includes dinner $65. 777-7804.
3. Aqua Action takes you to Big or Little St. James
islands (off East End), provides flippers and snorkels
$20. 775-6285.
4. Every Wednesday. Catamaran "Spirit" gives a
sailing, snorkeling and harbor tour. 1:30 to 5:30 pm. $50.
775-9500.
5. Every Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. St. John Snorkel Tours
leaves St. John for the caves at Norman Island. Bring
snorkel gear. Lunch at Billy Bones Beach Club not
included. $70. 776-6922.
SCUBA
In between snorkeling and scuba. Instead of carrying a
tank on your back, it floats above you on a raft. 1-1/2
hours St. John $49. 693-8063.
KAYAK/SNORKEL TOUR
Monday thru Saturday 9 am. Monday sunset
tour 4 pm. Both tours 2 1/2 hours in ocean kayaks thru the
Marine Sanctuary and Wildlife Refuge at the East End
lagoon. Wear swimsuits. Custom tours available. Virgin
Islands Ecotours $50.779-2155.
FISHING
St. Thomas has a fine fleet of
sportfishing boats for both deep-sea or in-shore
light-tackle fishing. Your choice of half day 8 am to
noon; or I to 5 pm $400 to $450 per boat. A full day $650
to $850. Boats limited to 6 persons. Call Fish Hawk,
Phoenix, Marlin Prince or Prowler.
PARA-SAILING
Fly into the sky with Caribbean Parasail
which leaves from all beachside hotels and also the
Charlotte Amalie waterfront, the West Indian cruise ship
dock and Cruz Bay, St. John. 775-9360.
WATER TOYS
Waverunners, kayaks, water trampolines and battery powered
chairs at Elysian Resort and Bluebeards Beach Club
(formerly Limetree). Paddle boats, kayaks and glass
bottoms at Aqua Action at Secret Harbour. Kayaks, wave
runners, sunfish at Dive In! at Sapphire Beach.
TRAIL RIDES
Daily. 9 am, 2 pm,5 pm. 1 1/2 to 2 hour
rides from Half Moon Stables to the Atlantic over trails
overlooking Magens Bay and the BVI. Western or English
saddles. Private lessons available. (180 lb. weight
limit). Reservations: 777-6088 or 777-6022.
HALF MOON STABLES(777-6088) Daily. 9am, 2 pm, 5 pm
6
CAROLINA STABLES (693-5778) By the hour, by the
half day, sunset, full moon St. John
Tennis:
Except at high noon, tennis is a favorite game here. Some
courts are equipped for night play.
ST THOMAS:
MARRIOTT FRENCHMAN'S REEF AND MORNING STAR BEACH
RESORT (776-8500 ext 6818) Two courts. Non
resort-guests $10 an hour per courPrivate lessons $39 an
hour. Lights on until midnighReservations required
RENAISSANCE GRAND BEACH RESORT (775-1510 ext
7800) Six courts. Non-hotel guests $8 an hour per
courPrivate lessons $36 an hour- $18 a half hour. Lights
on until 8 pm. Reservations requested
THE RITZ CARLTON (775-3333 ext 58) Three courts.
Non-hotel guests private lessons $60 an hour; $35 a half
hour. Lights on until 10 pm. Reservations required.
SAPPHIRE BEACH RESORT (775-6100 ask for Guest
Services.) Four courts. Non-hotel guests $10 an hour per
courPrivate lessons $40 an hour; $18 a half hour. No
lights. Reservations requested
WYNDHAM SUGAR BAY RESORT (777-7100) Non-hotel
guests private lessons by direct appointment with pro
Cecil Phillips (777-0455). Five courts,lighted all night
PUBLIC COURTS: Two courts at Sub Base. Lights on
until 10 pm
ST. JOHN:
CANEEL BAY PLANTATION, ST. JOHN (776-6111 ext
234) Eleven courts. Non-hotel guests $10 pp per day.
Private lessons $65 an hour; $35 a half hour. Tuesday and
Thursday a mixed doubles complimentary Round Robin 4 to 6
pm. No lights
WESTIN, ST. JOHN (693-8000) Six courts.
Non-hotel guests $ 15 an hour. Private lessons $50 an
hour; $30 a half hour. Lights on until 10 pm
PUBLIC COURTS: Two courts near fire station.
Lights on until 10 pm
Golf:
Tropical valleys, some holes perched 150 feet above the
Atlantic surf.
MAHOGANY RUN GOLF COURSE (777-6006) Call for tee
time. Eighteen-hole 6,022 yard (par 70) course. Greens fee
$100 pp for 18 holes with l/2 cart; $65 pp for 9 holes
with l/2 carAfter 2 pmÑtwilight fee $85 pp with 1/2
carRental clubs $20 for 18 holes; $10 for 9 holes. Rental
shoes $10
ISLAND TOURS
1. Monday thru Saturday. Open safari bus. Approximate 9 am
pickup at hotels. Circle into hills for panorama of town
with stops at Drake's Seat and Mountain Top for
complimentary banana daiquiri $25. 774-1855.
2. Every Sunday. Safari bus tour followed by poolside
lunch and catamaran sail/snorkel cruise. 11:30 am to 5 pm.
$45. 775-9500 MUSEUMS
BRIDGE
1. Bridge Center. Join the game on Monday and Friday at 1
pm; Tuesday and Thursday at 7 pm. Partners guaranteed.
Call 775-2035. 2. St. Thomas Bridge Club. Duplicate bridge
every Monday and Thursday evening at 7 pm; Tuesday and
Sunday afternoon