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St. Thomas: The Hub of the US Virgin Islands!

St. Thomas, located in the US Virgin Islands (USVI), is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the Caribbean. The area is the top draw in the world for cruise lines, which stop at St. Thomas more than any other destination. No wonder. The island is a paradise for people seeking time in the Caribbean sun. Shoppers flock here in droves seeking duty-free purchases. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the diving, swimming, snorkeling, parasailing, wind surfing, cycling, sun bathing, beachcombing, and other active pursuits the island offers.

Charlotte Amalie (a-MALL-ya), located mid-island on the south shore, is the heartbeat of St. Thomas. This port city sits nestled around St. Thomas Harbor and accepts more than 900 cruise ships a year. People flock here for the myriad of shopping opportunities, but become entranced by the wonderful architecture that is reflective of the island's Danish heritage. Fort Christian, recognizable by its blood-red bricks, is the oldest colonial building in the Virgin Islands. The museum inside is one of the best places to gain a visual idea of the history of the USVI. Nearby Emancipation Garden is a great place to relax with a cold beverage and do some people watching. The park is the center of Charlotte Amalie, and is named in honor of the emancipation of the slaves in 1848. A worthwhile walk up Government Hill leads visitors to Blackbeard's Castle. In the 18th century, the pirate Edward Teach, aka Blackbeard, allegedly used this site as a lookout post from which the pirate ambushed unsuspecting merchant ships. It is worth the walk just to see the spectacular view of St. Thomas Harbor and all the red-roof houses of Charlotte Amalie.

But the most famous draw of Charlotte Amalie is the shopping. As a duty-free port with a long tradition of importing items from all over the world, the town is a bargain hunter's paradise. Retail shops and street vendors sell jewelry, crystal, fabrics, cosmetics, fashions, electronics, and other items, all at substantial savings. Venture to Vendor's Plaza for local crafts and a bazaar of costume jewelry kiosks. The area around Main Street, Back Street, and the warehouses that stretch to the waterfront has been turned into an open-air mall. Here, elegant boutiques are tucked among the streets and alleys scented with spices, with the soft wail of jazz or calypso wafting around as a backdrop.

When you aren't shopping, or taking in the local scenery, you will be remiss if you don't spend some time on one of St. Thomas' gorgeous beaches. The more than 40 beaches range from remote strands of unvisited sand to full-blown hotel beaches with water sport rentals. All of them, even the ones close to the many resorts, are open to the public. Water Island, located by ferry at the extreme end of St. Thomas harbor, is the location for beautiful Honeymoon Bay. This kid-friendly, shallow, undeveloped beach is relatively un-crowded, and is a great spot for the entire family. Water Island is also a neat spot for cycling. Tours are available to take cyclists on a 3 ½ hour trail ride that visits island ruins, old forts, and an abandoned sugar plantation. Bolongo Bay, located in front of the hotel with the same name, is a wide, crescent shaped beach that is one of the most picturesque on the island. Wind surfing, kayaking, snorkeling, and parasailing excursions can be booked at the hotel.

On the east end of the island, near Red Hook, Coki Bay offers great snorkeling and is right beside the Coral World Marine Park & Underwater Observatory. The 4 ½-acre marine park is the most popular tourist attraction on St. Thomas. The underwater observatory takes you 15 feet below the surface to view the coral reef. Topside, you can visit a shark tank, turtle pool, mangrove lagoon, and see a marine garden that cares for the native flora and fauna. Sapphire Beach, also on the east side of the island, is known for great sand, volleyball games, and the weekend parties thrown by the islanders. There is also a great view of Tortola, Jost Van Dyke, and St. John from the shore.

Magens Bay, located on the north end of the island approximately 3 miles from Charlotte Amalie, is possibly the most photographed beach on the island. Numerous publications have ranked it as one of the best beaches in the entire world. The seas are calm, protected by surrounding outcroppings of the island. The beach offers dramatic views of the surrounding green hills.

The old sea dogs at both American Yacht Harbor and Sapphire Beach Marina can point anglers in the right direction. From June to October, the favorite catch is blue marlin. Three world-record-setting fish have been caught off the area of North Drop. Dolphin fishing is the highlight of the spring.

Scuba diving is extremely popular in the waters off of St. Thomas. Less than 100 yards from the shore of Coki Beach, a reef is waiting that will challenge all skill levels. The depth is only 50 feet, but that gives plenty of time to check out what is actually two sets of reef separated by a sand flat. One of the favorite dives in the area takes visitors to the remains of the freighter Witshoal, which lies in 90-feet of water just west of Saba Island. The hull of the ship has formed an artificial reef teeming with coral, sponges, yellowtail snappers, brown chromis, and dozens of other species of reef fish.

St. Thomas is the most populated of the USVI. It hums with activity, be it shopping or playing volleyball on one of the beaches. One can appreciate the Danish influence on a stroll through town. Adventurous seafarers journey out in the Caribbean looking for a lost ship or coral bed. Expatriates throw beach parties on the weekends. The island is a vibrant mix of cultures, food, and musical styles. Visitors are always welcome. Bring your smile and your sun screen, and you will fit right in!