Secret Harbour · 7, Boat Tours in St. Thomas · Flavors of St. Thomas Walking. Maho Bay, Trunk Bay Beach, Cinnamon Bay and Salt Pond Beach are among the most beautiful beaches in the Virgin Islands.
Pirates of the Caribbean may be a fictional story, but the idea comes from the very real story of pirates in the Virgin Islands in the 1600s and 1700s. During the Golden Age of Piracy, St. Thomas served as the main base for English privateer ships. It is even rumored that Edward Teach, the infamous Blackbeard, frequented the island.
One of Charlotte Amalie's most popular spots, the 99 steps are a staple of St. This staircase was built in the 18th century by the Danish colony, using bricks brought from Denmark on sailing boats. The port city is known for its hills, and the Danes built steep streets and staircases to make it easier to get around. Blackbeard Castle is a collection of sites, national monuments and historic properties on five acres of land, also known as the Williamsburg of the Caribbean.
It is one of the most popular destinations for visitors, whether they are history buffs or not. With some of the properties dating back to the late 17th century, visitors will enjoy all of the famous hilltop sites. The French Heritage Museum has a long and interesting history; the building itself was built in the 1950s as a fire station and, over the years, has been a nursery and health clinic. Hurricane Marilyn damaged the structure in 1995, but the Frenchtown Civic Organization lovingly restored it to its original splendour.
There are several historic sites on the island that visitors can explore, such as the Creque marine railway, the Leprosarium and Shipley's Battery, a defensive fortification built in the 19th century by the British. One of the most exclusive attractions is the Garrison House, a building used as an artillery warehouse and to house weapons, ammunition and military equipment. Located 1,500 feet above Charlotte Amalie, the Plantation Crown and Hawk Botanical Garden offers visitors a tour of the lush tropical gardens. In addition to that, visitors will be able to see incredible views of the top of the hill and take great photos at the 5 ½ acre sugar plantation.
Peter Greathouse Estate and Gardens is a picturesque place that has been appreciated since the 1700s and was originally part of Plantation St. Visitors can explore the 2 ½ acre land that is full of tropical fruits, exotic plants and orchids, among other things. The original tower is preserved as a historic structure, surrounded by a patio with a 14-foot bronze sculpture depicting the 18th century pirate. Visitors can access the tower and site from the downtown Charlotte Amalie business district via a historic 99-step stepped staircase, which was built in the mid-18th century as part of the region's urban planning and was formerly known as Store Taarne Gade.
. In addition to Blackbeard Castle, three manor houses that are part of the historic site region are preserved, available for exploration as part of guided or self-guided tours. Villa Notman, originally built in 1860, features white cast iron balcony details imported from New Orleans and is an excellent example of the island's colonial period architecture. A large patio on the second floor of the villa overlooks the city's harbor, while the mahogany wooden floors and classic French doors show the comforts of the home era.
The historic 1829 hotel, originally built by French maritime merchants, has a world-famous amber waterfall fountain and houses the restored 1829 bar. The Haagensen House, the restored house of a 19th-century Danish banking magnate, has a Pirate Gallery on its first floor that displays 19 life-size statues of famous pirates. All three properties can be explored as part of walking tours, and admission to the facility includes rum tastings and access to the facility's pools. For visitors who want to spend the night on site, The Inn at Blackbeard's Castle offers 15 rental units as part of a historic pirate-themed property.
The inn's services include a terrace with views of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean and free breakfast and rum tastings for all visitors. Free admission to Blackbeard Castle attractions is included in the price of all room reservations. Charlotte Amalie tourists can also access a bar located on the inn's property without paying for hotel reservations. Succulents include cactus, agave and euphobia.
Aroids are known for their “inflorescence”, which is sometimes referred to as a flower, but it's actually a leafy but colorful combination of spathe and spadix. Among the garden's most colorful offerings are bromeliads and heliconias, also known as “lobster claws”. There are more than 3,000 known species of bromeliads. While some are found in West Africa, most are native to the tropical Americas.
Perhaps the most popular among garden residents are orchids. Cattleyas are among the most popular and come in a variety of shapes and colors. Phalaenopsis, also known as moth orchids, are the easiest to grow at home and the type most commonly found in retail florists. Dendrobiums cover more than 1000 species of hard and soft cane varieties.
A list of what is currently flourishing can be found on the Phantasea website. The Gran Casa de la Finca is a classic example of Antillean architecture, restored to its original 19th century historical state. A 2.5-acre Botanical Garden facility is offered on the house's grounds, which formerly housed the facility's sugarcane plantation fields. Today, more than 150 species of plants and fruits native to the Caribbean are on display in the gardens, which offer a nature trail, fish ponds and an observation deck offering views of the surrounding Magens Bay area.
Highlights of the botanical gardens and their adjacent facilities include an orchid jungle, a multi-level wooden walkway, an exhibition of caged toucans, and an art gallery showcasing rotating displays of works by local artists. Free locally produced rum punch is offered to visitors of legal age to drink, which they can consume while strolling through the botanical gardens. If you're looking for one of the best snorkeling spots in the Virgin Islands, you can't miss a day trip to St. All of the U.S.
Virgin Islands enjoy tax-free shopping, so don't be confused by the plethora of jewelry stores that line Main Street in Charlotte Amalie. Built between 1672 and 1680, Fort Christian is a fort built in Saint Thomas as a point of defense during the Dano-Norwegian government. The 11-acre mountaintop facility overlooks the Magens Bay area and offers spectacular views from more than 1,000 people above sea level of the nearby Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, as well as more than 14 other Virgin Islands and Cays. Thomas Food Tours is the creation of a woman who knows that the island's delicious dishes are the best way to truly enjoy the Virgin Islands.
Visitors can see not only the beach at Magens Bay, but the views extend to Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands. If you're looking for a bit of adventure, head to Tree Limin' Extreme Ziplining, the first ziplining park in the Virgin Islands. Now, visitors can explore the public museum dedicated to the rich French culture and heritage found in the Virgin Islands. Thomas, the Danish governor on July 3, 1848, 15 years before the Emancipation Proclamation, did the same in the United States.
Thomas offers an opportunity to see something unique just a few meters from the coast, making it a great place to go snorkeling. Despite being on another island, it's incredibly easy to visit the Virgin Islands National Park for an entire day straight from St. Thomas Adventure Tours: You are guaranteed to have a good time regardless of your choice, as each of them offers an incredible experience for exploring the coasts, the lush tropics and wildlife. John's bay oils, which had a unique smell due to the climate and the rich soil, together with the fine rums of the Virgin Islands created a delicious fragrance.
A 7-minute ferry ride from Crown Bay Marina will take you to the shores of Water Island, the smallest of the U.S. Virgin Islands. .