Around and about St. Thomas
St. Thomas
St. Thomas is a fairly small but hilly island. Measuring about 13 miles wide and 3 miles high, its total area is only about 35 square miles. The highest point on the island (and the highest point on any of the US Virgin Islands) is a bit over 1,500 feet above sea level. The 2000 census counted a bit over 50,000 residents, but that number may now be quite low. It is estimated that the island hosts more than 1,000,000 vacationers and cruise ship passengers annually.
There is one "downtown" next to the island’s magnificent natural harbor, Charlotte Amalie. Marvelous shopping is to be had there, diamonds, gems and jewelry and all manner of wonderful specialties and, of course, souvenirs. Much of the downtown area is very old, and a guidebook to help find the many historical sites is recommended to those with an interest in the history of the island. You can also catch a ferry to St. John and other local destinations from the waterfront area downtown. Be sure to pick up a restaurant guide to introduce you to many of the places to eat on St. Thomas. From the local food stand on the corner to the finest romantic or formal dining, you'll be amazed at the variety available.
The island's biggest shopping mall, Tutu Mall, is east of town. There you will find numerous stateside chain stores and a wide range of regional and local businesses and services. A US Post Office, a large grocery and warehouse store, automotive parts, office supplies, restaurants, banks, home improvement and many other stores and services are all in or near the mall. A short drive away at Market Square East is Caribbean Cinemas, another warehouse shopping store, a major household and hardware supply store, a resturant a gymnasium and other services.
Another major shopping area surrounding the cruise ship docks at Havensite offers many businesses providing goods and services to vacationers and residents alike. The US Post Office has a branch located here, which is open most Sundays and holidays when cruise ships are in port. Also there are banks, restaurants, bookstores, specialty food stores, gifts, clothing, and souvenirs galore to be found all within walking distance. Another large shopping center, located at a main intersection less than a mile to the north of Havensite, is Lockhart Gardens. This area offers an additional variety of products and services ranging from local grocers, bakeries, small and large retailers, clothes, shoes, banking, the Roy Schneider memorial Hospital and other medical services.
Near the airport you will find Nisky Center, another destination shopping area on the island. It is the stop of choice for folks that live west of downtown offering a large grocery store, the islands largest bakery, an assortment of retail stores and local service businesses.
A little further west is the Crown Bay Marina and the new cruise ship docks. This area is home to some of the most beautiful mega yachts visiting St. Thomas. Many fine retail stores are now opening in a the new development adjacent to the docks. Crown Bay Marina itself features an excellent gourmet grocery store, good food and many marine oriented businesses.
You also want to visit the east end (called the "country" by us locals), which sports another center of commerce, Red Hook. Known for it's beautiful and protected harbor, there are many excellent shops and boutiques that serve both local folks and the tourist trade. The boating community finds many of its resources here. Fishing trips, day sails, boat rentals, scuba dives and more can all be arranged through east end businesses. The major Ferry Terminal (newly referbished!) is located in Red Hook where the most frequent departures for both passenger and car ferries can be found. Ferries depart from here to St. John and some British Virgin island destinations. Be sure to call ahead for schedules and prices. Red Hook is also known for it's wide variety of restaurants, from hang-outs to fine dining, and it's assortment of night life spots.
Is that all? Not at all. There are many shops and services all around the island. So if you have some time here, be sure to poke around the out of the way parts of the island and discover shopping "treasures" most people overlook!
Of course stunning beaches abound all around the island. Magen's Bay has been named as one of the worlds ten most beautiful beaches. Coki Point, home of Coral World, is renown for its marine science exhibits and wonderful snorkeling! Sunning, swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving provide water activities for everyone. But PLEASE don't forget - DON'T TOUCH OR STAND ON THE CORAL when you are enjoying our beautiful ocean and sea! Coral scrapes can be painful and slow to heal, and coral is extremely fragile. Our reefs are under great stress from warmer than normal ocean temperatures, and careless wading, snorkeling and diving can make things even worse for this remarkable feature of our islands. And, of course, it is against the law to damage or remove things from our marine environment.
The entire ocean shoreline of St. Thomas is public. But a few beaches do not have public access over land and can only be reached from the water. Please be mindful not to trespass private property to get to the beach.
A Bit About the Culture
One of the first things that attracts the attention of a visitor is that Virgin Islanders drive on the LEFT side of the road. (Keep that in mind if you rent a car)! Interestingly though, the cars sold here are mostly imported from the US so they have left side steering wheels.
Another thing visitors will quickly to notice is that the islands have their own unique culture. The islands are NOT just a warm extension of the US mainland and culture, and that greatly enhances the romance and mystery of this wonderful vacation spot. So lay back and relax and leave your stresses behind. Come enjoy "island time" with us!
St. Thomas holds it's annual "Carnival" the end of April. This is a spectacular event celebrating the culture, spirit, food and music of this island. Carnival spans several weeks of music, paegents, food, and night life all leading up to the Children's Parade and the main event; the day of the Carnival Parade. The "Moko Jumbies", the dance troups and various entrants showing off their glorious floats and costumes while they dance down the streets to the music of their "Jam Band" is something that must be seen and heard to be believed. There are many carnival celebrations around the world. But if you could only see one, come join ours.
There are generally two Agricultural Fairs held annually on St. Thomas, as there is quite a lot of produce grown on the farms around the island. In addition to fresh produce you can find local island-grown honey, fresh and preserved foods, local plants, and many locally made arts and crafts. These are big events for the local folks here, offering a place to meet and catch up with friends and plan a day with family.
Theater? Yes! The Pistarckle Theater offers live performance put on by our local theater group. Held at Tillett Garden on a regular basis, come join us for an evening of dinner and theater. Even whenTillett Garden is not playing host to the theater, it is a charming spot where you will find local artisans at work as you stroll through their studios. The restaurant and courtyard offer an environment where you can sit back and enjoy food and drink in this unique island oasis.
More culture? Yes! The Reichold Center, located on the grounds of the UVI offers a number of musicals annually. Also, held at this open air amphitheater are many performances by some of the world's best known musical artists of the day. It is an amazing experience to lean back, look up at the star studded sky and listen to your favorite live music!!!!
What do you do if you want to blend in? First and foremost, ALWAYS share the local courtesy of saying “good morning”, “good afternoon”, or “good night ” (according to the time of day) when you meet or speak with someone. Also, notice that formalized lines are common at banks, the post office and other institutions. Please don't go "up to the desk" until you are called, and please respect your place in line. Oh yes, near the top of the "blending in" list is DON'T GET SUNBURNED (only tourists do that, residents treat the sun with respect). Be sure to use plenty of sun screen. Remember the reflection from the sun while in the water or sitting in the shade at the beach can result in unexpected burning.
The Weather in St. Thomas
The Virgin Islands are located just above18 Degrees North latitude, so they are truly in the tropics and therefore have tropical weather! That means the weather is warm and generally sunny (but as you can see from the pictures, changeable!), but the trade winds keep the temperatures below the mid 90’s F even on the hottest summer days. Lows in the 70’s are the general rule. The rainiest months are May and November, but most rainstorms are localized (though perhaps heavy) and they pass quickly. Don't forget that the sun is high in the sky in the tropics, and its intensity, even when the sky is cloudy, can mean burns for the unwary or unprepared!
To find more about St. Thomas
There are many books available about the Islands, and if you don’t buy some before you come then plan on making some purchases after you arrive. In addition there are innumerable sources of information on the internet, just enter "US Virgin Islands" into any search engine.
Enjoy your St Thomas Vacation rental condo.
Photo Attributions:
Charlotte Amalie photo: Wikipedia
Underwater pictures copyright MA Detroit, 2005
All other pictures copyright R Chalfan, 2005
