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U.S. Virgin Islands

 

 

 

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Click for Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands Forecast

 

 

 

U.S. Virgin Islands Scuba Diving Travel and Accommodations

General Information

St. Thomas
combines the natural beauty of the islands with a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands, is one of U.S. Virgin Islands Scuba Diving Travel and Accommodationsthe most beautiful harbors in the world and the most visited port in the Caribbean. Elegant dining, exciting nightlife, and world-class duty-free shopping are abundant in Charlotte Amalie. The city's reputation as the shopping mecca of the Caribbean draws visitors from all over the region and around the world.

A mountainous island, St. Thomas offers stunning vistas in almost every direction. While Charlotte Amalie is full of energy, St. Thomas also provides natural wonders such as the indescribably beautiful Magens Bay and stunning views of the Caribbean from 1,500 feet above sea level. Drake's Seat is particularly famous for its vistas.

U.S. Virgin Islands Scuba Diving Travel and AccommodationsSt. John, the smallest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands, retains a tranquil, unspoiled beauty uncommon in the Caribbean or anywhere else in the world. Settled in the early 1700s by Danish immigrants attracted to the island's potential as a sugar cane-producing colony, St. John soon blossomed into a thriving society. The ruins of the Annaberg Sugar Plantation and other smaller plantations on the island attest to the island's agricultural history.

Today, two-thirds of St. John is part of the Virgin Islands National Park, featuring fascinating trails, secluded coves, and dazzling white beaches. The Reef Bay Trail takes hikers through dense forests, plantation ruins, and rock outcroppings marked by well-preserved petroglyphs. Trunk Bay, Hawksnest Bay, Cinnamon Bay, and Maho Bay are just four of the dozens of beaches. Cruz Bay, the center of activity on St. John, contains colorful shops, lively bars, and fabulous restaurants.

St. Croix's rich culture and history, along with its beautiful beaches and world-class recreational activities, create an experience unlike any other in the Caribbean. Since the day Christopher Columbus first arrived at Salt River on St.Croix more than 500 years ago, sugar and rum have shaped the island's life and land. Fifty-four sugar mills, each with imposing windmill towers and factory chimneys, still rest in the shadows of stately eighteenth-century and nineteenth-century homes. Located on the west end of the island, Estate Whim Plantation is just one example of these "greathouses." With acres of rolling green hills, St.Croix's plantation estates also bore crops of okra, cabbage, corn, and other vegetables still prominent in Caribbean cuisine. As the sugar industry declined after the 1960s, tourism became the most important industry on the island.

U.S. Virgin Islands Scuba Diving Travel and AccommodationsChristiansted and Frederiksted, the two main towns of St. Croix, flourished as commercial ports during the eighteenth century and nineteenth century. Distinct architecture reflects the seven flags--Spanish, Dutch, British, French, Knights of Malta, Danish, and American -- that have flown over the island. Today, visitors to St. Croix can enjoy a number of indoor and outdoor activities, from fine dining, shopping, and a casino, to golf, scuba diving, and horsback riding.

St. Thomas offers plenty of shallow reef sites teeming with colorful tropicals and tons of soft corals. Sites such as Cow and Calf Rocks provide caves, caverns and swimthroughs, while Sail Rock has fast current thrills and the chance to see large critters.

Diving St. John is quite similar to St. Thomas. Lots of dives with extended bottom times. Check out the Major General Rogers, a Coast Guard tender ship, intentionally sunk in just 65' of water as an artificial reef. You will be amazed at the swarms of schooling fish and large barracuda patrol the wreck on a regular basis.

What so different about diving St. Croix? Walls! Sites such as Cane Bay Drop-Off provide walls starting in as little as 40'. Along the crest of the walls, hard and soft corals are found in abundance. St. Croix also offers a great selection of wreck and shallow reef dives.

Dive Centers & Accommodations


Antilles Resorts
St. Thomas / St. Croix





New Travel Regulations
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
The proposed implementation timeline has two phases:
Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form I-551, if applicable.

As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries.

The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the United States and do not need to present a passport. U.S. territories include the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. More Details...

 

Getting There

The U.S. Virgin Islands have daily, non-stop flights from New York, Newark, Baltimore, Atlanta, and Miami. Connecting U.S. Virgin Islands Airlines, Flights and Ferry Servicesflights are availabe to and from Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, New York, Miami, and Atlanta via the San Juan hub. In addition, there's connecting service from Canada, Europe, South America, and the Far East. Commuter service between San Juan and St. Croix and St. Thomas is also available.

These airlines offer service from the U.S. mainland to the U.S. Virgin Islands.

American Airlines
Continental Airlines
Delta Airlines
United Airlines
U.S. Airways

Inter Island Travel

Travel between the U.S. Virgin Islands is simple and convenient. St. Thomas to St. John is just 20 minutes from
by ferry (and 75 minutes to St. Croix (seasonal - November to May). There is also daily direct service between St. Croix and St. Thomas by small plane. The trip takes about 25 minutes. Helicopter service also connects the islands. Don't limit your choices, because you can easily include all three islands in your visit.

Ferry Service - V.I. Fast Ferry

The following companies provide service between St. Thomas and St. Croix, and
San Juan and St. Thomas / St. Croix:

Air St. Thomas
Air Sunshine
American Eagle
Bohlke International Airways
Cape Air
Leeward Island Air Transport (LIAT)
Seaborne Airlines, Inc.

Entry Requirements

Passports for U.S. Citizens are not required for the U.S. Virgin Islands, but you must be prepared to show evidence of citizenship upon leaving (such as a birth certificate and photo ID). Citizens of countries other than the U.S. should follow U.S. travel regulations. Travel outside the U.S. Virgin Islands requires valid passport. Health certificates are not required if you're entering from the U.S. or Puerto Rico; citizens entering from other countries should follow the same guidelines as for the mainland U.S.

Travel Tips

Getting Around
Driving
Any U.S. driver's license is good for 90 days on the USVI, and while the minimum age for drivers is 18, many agencies won't rent to anyone under the age of 25. Driving is on the left-hand side of the road, even though the steering wheel will be on the left-hand side of the car. In addition, the law requires everyone in the car to wear seat belts. Many of the roads are narrow, and the islands are dotted with hills, so there's ample reason to put safety first. A variety of automobiles are for rent, from sporty four-wheel drives to air-conditioned sedans. Mileage is unlimited, you pay for gas.

St. Thomas
Taxis are common throughout St. Thomas. Buses run regularly between Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook (on the eastside of the island) and Charlotte Amalie and Bordeaux (to the west). For more information, call the VITRAN office at 774-5678. Charlotte Amalie also offers city buses for local transport and to and from the airport.

Most major car rental companies and several local rental companies rent automobiles on St. Thomas, offering everything from four-wheel-drive jeeps to luxury sedans and minivans. Most major roads are well-maintained asphalt.

St. Croix
Buses run regularly between Christiansted and Frederiksted from 5:30am to 9:30pm except Sunday. Service is also available from both cities to and from the airport. Exact change is required. For more information, call the VITRAN office at 773-1290, ext. 2291.

Taxis are readily available on St. Croix. In Christiansted, taxi stands are located near the Government House on King Street, and on Market Square. Frederiksted's taxi stand is next to Fort Frederik.

Most major rental companies and several local rental companies rent automobiles on St. Croix, offering everything from four-wheel drive Jeeps to luxury sedans and minivans. Parking can be limited in Christiansted. Most major roads are well-maintained asphalt.

St. John
Taxis are available on St. John. Visitors can take a two-hour tour of the island by taxi for a set fee. For more information, call the Taxi Commission at 776-8294.

Buses run from Cruz Bay on the west side of the island every hour on the half hour to Coral Bay on the east side of the island. Fares are one dollar each way.

A limited number of auto rentals are available in Cruz Bay.

Helpful Information

  • The U.S. Virgin Islands are in the Atlantic standard time zone, one hour ahead of Eastern standard time (during daylight savings time only).

  • Should you rent a car, remember to obey traffic laws wear your seat belt, and dive on the left side of the road!!

  • English is the official language.

  • Currency is the U.S. dollar. Traveler's checks and all major credit cards are honored.

  • The U.S. Postal Service provides mail services for USVI.

  • You can direct-dial from the United States Virgin Islands to the U.S. mainland. The service connects callers to Europe and South America.

  • The electrical current is the same as in North America (standard 120 volt/60 cycle).

  • Tipping of 15 percent to 20 percent is customary for good service. Some hotels automatically add a service charge.

  • Bring casual clothes for warm weather, as the average temperature ranges between 77F and 83F. Swimsuits should not be worn around town. Bring plenty of sunscreen and use it!!

  • Most visitors drink the local tap water with no harmful aftereffects. Those with more delicate stomachs might want to stick to bottled water.

 

 

 

Rates & Services as well as travel regulations are subject to change without notice.

© 2007
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