Discover an island that pulse with energy

St. Thomas is our most cosmopolitan island, yet it still retains the distinctive atmosphere of a secluded Caribbean paradise. For families or couples, St. Thomas is packed with millions of opportunities for smiles and surprise.

Though it's only 32 square miles in size, St. Thomas has a million miles worth of things to do. Go shopping and sailing, snorkeling and sightseeing, or diving and dining. Enjoy the island's world-renowned golf course, picture-perfect beaches and spectacular nightlife. Take the Skyride 700 feet above the city or climb the famous 99 Steps of Charlotte Amalie for an incomparable view of the Caribbean. And if you're interested in culture and history, don't miss seeing the second-oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere, the 1680-built Fort Christian or the childhood home of Camille Pissarro, one of the best-known French Impressionists.

Culture and History : St. Thomas's history and culture alone are worth a visit to the island. Fort Christian, a U.S. National Landmark, is the oldest standing structure in the Virgin Islands and home to the Virgin Islands Museum, where early island memorabilia and old maps trace the islands' history. Market Square, a bustling produce marketplace, was once one of the West Indies' busiest 18th-century slave markets.

Also of interest is the Synagogue of Beracha Veshalom Vegmiluth Hasidim, the oldest synagogue in continuous use in the United States. On nearby Government Hill, looming over Charlotte Amalie, stands Blackbeard's Castle. Known during colonial times as Skytsborg, this 17th-century fortified tower also serves as a popular restaurant and hotel.

Located in the hills not far from the heart of Charlotte Amalie, Government House has been the center of government in St. Thomas since the mid-1860s. Visitors interested in seeing St. Thomas's political life may tour the building's first two floors. The 99 Steps, made by bricks that were once used as ballast on Danish and British ships, were built into the hillside to keep the orderly grid of the city intact.

Available Resorts in St.Thomas

• Wyndham Sugar Bay

Getting Here

The U.S. Virgin Islands has daily, nonstop flights from New York, Newark, Baltimore, Atlanta, Miami, Philadelphia, Boston, Charlotte, Detroit, Chicago and Fort Lauderdale. Connecting flights are available to and from 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, St. Croix and St. Thomas is also available. Commuter airlines can transport you between islands in as little as 17 minutes. The seaplane is an exciting way to travel between St. Thomas and St. Croix.

Airports and Airlines

Airports: There are two major airports in the Virgin Islands; the Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas and the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix. The St. Thomas International Airport (STT) is just three miles west of the capitol, Charlotte Amalie.

St. Thomas (STT) - American Airlines

St. Thomas (STT) - US Airways
Direct Flights From: Charlotte, Philadelphia
Phone: 1-800-622-1015

www.usairways.com

Entry Requirements

For US citizens, US Virgin Islands are considered United States territories and do not require a passport. However, we strongly recommend to take your US passport with you when traveling to this area.

Departure Tax

There is a departure tax that is usually included in the cost of an airline ticket.

Driving Law

Driving takes place on the left-hand side of the road.

Government

As part of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), St. Thomas operates under U.S. law and is lead by a Governor.

Currency

US Dollars

Electricity

St. Thomas uses the same voltage as in US, 120 volts/60 cycles.

Transportation

What's your vacation pleasure? St.Thomas has it! Experience a wide variety of fun St.Thomas activities. Shopping, diving, hiking, beaches. These are just some of the breathtaking St.Thomas sightseeing adventures you'll enjoy. Explore our wonderful island by car, taxi, bicycle,

Also Available :

CORAL WORLD OCEAN PARK

Spend the day at Coral World Ocean Park, one of St. Thomas's Greatest Attractions. Get up close and personal with the beauty and magic of Caribbean marine life in a stunning setting. View life on a coral reef from the unique Undersea Observatory. Pet a shark, hand feed a stingray or a rainbow lorikeet! There are several gift shops, cafes and shower facilities. Additional activities include three Sea Lion activities, Sea Trek Helmet Dive, Snuba Diving, Shark and Turtle Encounters, and the Nautilus Semi-Submarine. Located next to Coki Beach. Open 9-5 daily, November - May. Summer schedule may vary.

Phone: (340) 775-1555
Toll Free: (888) 695-2073
www.coralworldvi.com

VIRGIN ISLANDS ECOTOURS

Kayak, Hike & Snorkel tours offered at three locations: St Thoma's Mangrove Lagoon, Historic Hassel Island, VI National Park and Caneel Bay, St John, VI National Park. All tours are led by Professional Guides with easy to paddle, sit-on-top kayaks. Fun for the entire family. Snorkeling instruction and all gear included. Half day and full day tours with lunch offered. Reservations Required.
Phone: (340) 779-2155
Toll Free: (877) 845-2925
www.viecotours.com

Dining

HERVE RESTAURANT & WINE BAR

A panoramic view of the harbor at sunset and the twinkling lights of the historic town by night await you at this top, gourmet landmark.
Herve opened 14 years ago and has been highly acclaimed in THE NEW YORK TIMES, FROMMER'S, FIELDING'S, FODOR'S, GOURMET MAGAZINE AND TRAVEL + LEISURE. WINE SPECTATOR "Award of Excellence" for their wine list. 25 wines by the glass.
Most recently, VI DAILY NEWS readers voted Herve "Best Creative Cuisine in the Virgin Islands, 2009." The cuisine is a mix of French and American with Caribbean influences - extensive seafood choices. A mature, professional wait staff makes this a popular venue for family and corporate special events. For a memorable dining experience, reserve Herve Restaurant. True fine dining.
Phone: (340) 777-9703
www.herverestaurant.com

MILANO DIAMOND GALLERY

Come aboard! Sail away with us for a day and experience the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation aboard our 65' custom Sloop.
There is nothing like it! All you need is your towel! Swim, snorkel, sun, or just "lime out" as you sail the Caribbean in the unparalleled spaciousness of this luxury yacht!
Toll Free: (877) MDG-JUST-4U

www.milanodiamondgallery.com

Diving

Diving in St. Thomas is easy and accessible, and offers an array of experiences for everyone. And because the U.S. Virgin Islands is a territory of the United States, you'll enjoy the added safety of diving within U.S. waters. This means that all dive boats are inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard and captains are USCG-certified.

More than 500 species of fish, 40 types of coral and hundreds of invertebrates inhabit the water. Vibrant blue tang, silvery horse-eye jacks, queen triggerfish, spiny Caribbean lobster, spotted eagle rays, Creole wrasses, and cleaner gobies are just a sampling of the marine life populating the underwater terrain. As the sun sets, octopuses, sea horses and moray eels make their appearance. Hawksbill, green, and leatherback turtles, call the USVI home and can be seen on many a dive. Lucky vacationers may even witness turtles hatching at one of the many turtle-nesting grounds.

Most dive operators teach a full range of PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) and NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors) courses from beginner scuba to instructor training. Specialty courses such as underwater photography, peak buoyancy, wreck, drift and boat diving are also available through many operators. Training for those with physical disabilities is available at several dive outlets.

St. Thomas is surrounded by some of the Caribbean's healthiest reefs, and it offers more than a dozen shipwrecks.

ST.THOMAS DIVING FACTS

The average water temperature is around 82 F (29 C) in the summer and 80 F (26 C) in the winter. Most visitors are comfortable in shorty-style wetsuits year-round.
Visibility generally ranges from 60 to 100 feet, but it can occasionally be higher or lower depending on weather conditions.
A recompression chamber is available on St. Thomas in case of dive emergencies.

Island Wedding

If you're looking to escape to a simple, romantic island wedding getaway that intensifies your feelings of love and captivates your adventurous spirit, the U.S. Virgin Islands are ideal! With historic churches, centuries-old sugar mills and forts, romantic resorts, unique wedding locales, glorious palm-fringed beaches and simple marriage laws, the U.S. Virgin Islands is a natural aphrodisiac for budget-conscious couples or those for whom the ultimate ceremony has no price tag. But which of the isles will you choose - St. Croix, the historic, free-spirited jewel; St. John, the unspoiled natural beauty; St. Thomas, the cosmopolitan sister; or unassuming Water Island. Any of these provide the ultimate setting for a tropical Caribbean wedding.

Whatever island wedding destination you select, experienced resort and independent wedding specialists are available to relieve your stress, and help you plan a ceremony nothing short of amazing. Services are available for first-time brides and grooms, those renewing vows, or couples just interested in reaffirming their love for each other. Exchanging vows the traditional way, like in one of our beautiful houses of worship, remains in vogue with many couples. Synagogues, mosques, Moravian churches, Catholic cathedrals, and other houses of worship can be reserved. Weddings on the beach are also popular. Interested in something unconventional? Consider getting married underwater, aboard a charter yacht or in a lavish villa. For a reception like no other, dine surrounded by a coral reef aquarium, or enjoy drinks in a submarine immersed in the Caribbean Sea. Coordinators will take care of every minute detail, including incorporating family traditions; recreating special themes; helping with the menu selection; getting custom floral arrangements, photographers and musicians; and arranging for unique gifts and activities for you or any guests or family members.

Island Honeymoon

And don't forget, when you get married here, you're also in an idyllic location for a romantic honeymoon. So why not have your wedding on one island and honeymoon on another? That's the beauty of having three different islands to choose from, all within a quick ferry or plane ride of each other. Choose from luxurious and all-inclusive resorts, stunning villas, privately owned great houses, quaint inns and well-stocked condominiums, all prepared to help you treasure the moment. Enjoy indulgent in spa treatments, picnicking on a private island, parasailing in tandem, dining in candlelit ruins or just lounging in a hammock at sunset. Chartering a yacht is another option you're sure to remember forever. Boats are equipped with experienced crews and private chefs, as well as a variety of swimming and fishing equipment to allow you to explore secluded coves teeming with animal life.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

To make your dream wedding a reality, download an application here for a wedding license from the Territorial Court of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You may also call 340-774-6680 for a wedding on St. Thomas or St. John and 340-778-9750 for a wedding on St. Croix.

After the Court receives a completed and authorized application there is a required eight-day waiting period. If either party is divorced, he or she must have a certified copy of the divorce decree or a notarized affidavit stating when the divorce was granted. Additionally, please specify whether the marriage will be performed by a Judge in the Court or by a member of the clergy. The combined marriage application and license fee is $100. If the marriage is to be performed by a Judge, there is an additional $200 fee for the ceremony, and an appointment is required. Personal checks are not accepted.