SHORE EXCURSIONS CREDIT

OVERVIEW

Relax on the gorgeous beach at Trunk Bay on neighboring St. John, the most naturally preserved of the U.S. Virgin Islands. After taking the ferry across Pillsbury Sound, you will travel in an open-air safari-style vehicle through the Virgin Islands National Park on the way to Trunk Bay, which is part of the park. Its backdrop of coconut palms and flowering maho trees makes for an idyllic setting. It couldn’t be more photogenic as the sand is sparkling white and the water bright turquoise. You will be welcome to do most anything you please. Feel free to stretch out and bask in the sun, stroll along the gently curving coast and ease into the water for a refreshing swim. The sea there is teeming with marine life, including the occasional leatherback turtle. These largest of the sea turtles are nicknamed “trunks” because they are said to look like floating steamer trunks. Trunk Bay is named in their honor.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take the ferry to the nearby island of St. John and continue on in a safari-style vehicle.
• Drive through the Virgin Islands National Park to Trunk Bay, which is contained within it.
• Relax however you please on the sparkling white beach at Trunk Bay.
• Enjoy the laid-back ambiance of what may well be the Caribbean’s most photogenic beach.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Enjoy the thrill of sailing through the turquoise Caribbean Sea on the Castaway Girl, a catamaran that will take you to Shipwreck Cove for snorkeling. The catamaran is fast, stable and extraordinarily comfortable with spacious sunbathing decks and a large cockpit for those who prefer a bit of shade. You can expect an exhilarating cruise all the way to Shipwreck Cove, which is located on Buck Island. Once Castaway Girl anchors, you will be free to snorkel the surrounding coral reefs. Besides observing an array of tropical fish, you may spot the wreck of a ship that lies in just 25 feet of water. As you will see, these waters are absolutely teeming with marine life. After snorkeling, the bar will open, the Caribbean music will be turned up and the onboard party will begin in earnest.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sail the catamaran Castaway Girl to Buck Island while admiring the gorgeous scenery.
• Snorkel the crystal-clear waters at Shipwreck Cove.
• See a shipwreck that lies just 25 feet below the surface of the water.
• Enjoy an open bar and Caribbean music on the return cruise.

OVERVIEW

Take in St. Thomas’ stunning natural beauty from two unique vantage points and spend hours relaxing at the island’s most celebrated beach. As you ascend the verdant hills behind the capital city of Charlotte Amalie, the sights will become all the more magnificent. While pausing for photos at the Drake’s Seat lookout, you will be treated to a sweeping view of the sea from the spot where Sir Francis Drake supposedly watched for ships to plunder in the late 1500s. Below lies lovely Magens Bay, whose beach is considered one of the world’s finest. During free time there, you might stretch out on a blanket and bask in the sun, take a refreshing swim in the turquoise waters and stroll the sugar-sand shoreline. Back in Charlotte Amalie, you will hop into a Skyride aerial tram and travel up to the top of Paradise Point. The views will be extraordinary the entire way, but especially from the summit.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Pause at Drake’s Seat for the ultimate view of Magens Bay and beyond.
• Spend hours relaxing however you wish on the beautiful stretch of sand at Magens Bay.
• Take the Skyride aerial tram to Paradise Point and enjoy magnificent island views

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore neighboring St. John, the most naturally preserved of the U.S. Virgin Islands, at your own pace and however you wish. During the private ferry ride to the village of Cruz Bay, enlightening commentary will describe the attractions of St. John, which will help you decide how to spend your time there. Of course, you are free to do whatever you like. Be assured there are abundant choices. If you prefer to simply stay in Cruz Bay, it’s a delightful setting for one-of-a-kind shopping and dining, especially along the waterfront. If you’re looking for something more unusual, drop by the visitor center for a recommendation. Outdoor activities are particularly inviting because two-thirds of St. John is protected national parkland. You won’t have to go far to find a beach, as many of them overlook the bay. As an alternative, you could just walk around the village and visit the place you find most attractive.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take a private ferry to the village of Cruz Bay on the neighboring island of St. John.
• Spend your time on St. John doing whatever you please at your own pace.
• Explore Cruz Bay or the surrounding countryside, if you find that more intriguing.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a swimsuit and a towel if you wish to swim.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Snorkel two reefs that are teeming with marine life and see the wreck of a freighter that has become an artificial reef. A sleek catamaran will bring you to the snorkeling sites, which are both located just off Buck Island, a naturally beautiful oasis that is a national wildlife refuge. Turtle Cove is known for its abundant sea turtles, the most common being green and hawksbill turtles. It’s easy to differentiate between the species, as green sea turtles weigh as much as 500 pounds and are typically twice the size of hawksbills. Countless tropical fish inhabit Turtle Cove and Shipwreck Cove, the second snorkeling venue, which is named for the ship that was scuttled there in 1979. A few years later, Hurricane Hugo broke the ship into three pieces and pushed it into shallower water. While snorkeling in the coves, you can expect to see snapper, blue tangs and parrotfish of every imaginable neon color.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Double your chances of seeing marine life by snorkeling two reefs off Buck Island.
• Look for sea turtles and brightly colored tropical fish, which are abundant in both locales.
• See a shipwreck that lies just 25 feet below the surface of the water.
• Enjoy an open bar and Caribbean music on the return cruise.

OVERVIEW

Soak up the views on the scenic Skyride to Paradise Point. The Skyride takes you approximately 700 feet above sea level to one of the most amazing views in the Caribbean. Enjoy a breathtaking, panoramic view of the harbor, cruise ships, historic downtown Charlotte Amalie, and on a clear day all the way to St. Croix, Culebra, and Vieques. While enjoying the view, make sure to stop by the bar for our World Famous Bailey's Bushwacker and restaurant for a bite to eat (at your own expense), browse through the many local shops, and venture out onto the Skywalk! Once you take the Skyride back down to street level, the Pirate's Treasure Museum is right next door! Ahoy, Matey! Welcome aboard Pirates Treasure, A Shipwreck Museum. Dive deep into the swashbucklin’ world of pirates and experience the rich history of deep-sea exploration. Set sail across two thrilling decks -er, I mean floors – brimming with real life booty salvaged from shipwrecks around the seven seas. Whether you’re hunting for facts about famous marauders like Blackbeard or want to see what lies beneath the ocean floor, this treasure trove is the real deal (no scallywaggery here)! Hold onto yar tricorn hat – Pirates Treasure isn’t just a lookin’ museum, it’s an experiencing one too! Enjoy interactive exhibits that’ll have you feeling like the captain of your own adventure. Kids and grown buccaneers alike will have a jolly-rogerin’ good time through this self-paced attraction. Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop and bring home some real treasure of your own.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Your tour guide takes you through Basseterre, the oldest town in the Eastern Caribbean where elements of French and British colonization have been carefully preserved. Highlights of the tour include, Brimstone Hill Fortress and National Park, known as the Gibraltar of the West Indies, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Caribelle Batik where local artists transform Sea Island cotton into stunning Batik fabrics. At Romney Manor experience a 12-acre botanical paradise and former home of Samuel Jefferson, an ancestor of U.S. President Thomas Jefferson. Your tour continues to Fairview Great House and Gardens where you can explore the 3 1/2 acres of old world charm and meticulously restored Great House along with the tropical garden oasis surrounding it at your leisure. Your final stop will be at the Timothy Hill lookout for breathtaking views of the Frigate Bay Area with its long stretches of golden sandy beaches.