Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas Island, U.S. Virgin Islands

Fort Christian

Fort Christian is one of the main attractions not only of the city of Charlotte Amalie, but of the entire island of St. Thomas as well. The military structure was built in 1672. The fort was named after the Danish King Christian V. The need to protect the island’s territory from the ambitions of many European rulers who wanted to conquer St. Thomas, and from pirate attacks-whose bases on some islands of the archipelago were extensive-made it necessary to build the fort. Today, it is an interesting historical landmark. At Fort Christian, you can not only see the military communications structures of the 17th century, but also visit a wonderful museum dedicated to the Virgin Islands.

Blackbeard’s Castle

The castle was built by the Danes in 1679 and served as a fortress, protecting the harbor and the town. From the castle’s tower, Danish soldiers could see enemy ships even from a great distance. It is believed that the prototype for the man named Blackbeard was Edward Teach, known for his pirate raids on other islands in the Caribbean Sea. He also used the tower for these purposes, keeping watch over ships-something that eventually made it possible to give it this original name. For a long time, Blackbeard’s Castle was privately owned. Today, a small tourist hotel is located in the castle.

Butterfly Garden

A park where hundreds of "living flowers" live will leave no one indifferent. During a 25-minute tour of the garden, you will learn a lot of interesting facts about the world of butterflies, everything that happens to them, from a caterpillar to a beautiful winged creature. If you want the butterflies to like you too, wear bright clothes! The park’s inhabitants are most active in the morning, so schedule your visit to the garden for the first half of the day. And for photography lovers it’s better to come after lunch-in the afternoon, butterfly activity decreases and it’s easier to catch them sitting still in the same spot.

Coral World Marine Park

The Sea Park opened on the U.S. Virgin Islands in the seventies of the 20th century. Since then, it has become the island of St. Thomas’s most famous attraction. Here, there are aquariums of 300,000 liters in which rays, eels, sharks, many species of tropical fish, crustaceans, and corals live. To observe all these marine inhabitants, a real marine observatory has been built, where tourists can watch the life of fish and sea animals in the real world. In addition, the park has small restaurants and souvenir shops. The museum hosts various exhibitions devoted to the inhabitants of the seas and oceans.

Magens Bay

Magens Bay is a Caribbean Sea inlet located on the north of the island of St. Thomas. The coastline of the bay features unique protected sandy beaches-some of the most beautiful in the world. The bay’s bottom is mostly sandy, so divers here won’t find it particularly interesting. But it’s an excellent place for swimming. This is a superb cove with a pristine white sandy shoreline, embraced in a half-circle by tropical trees. Porous volcanic boulders scattered throughout the area and the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea give this place its special charm. A special tourist trail leads to the beaches. Along it, you can see descriptions of the trees and plants that grow on the island. This was created with the aim of protecting the natural environment of St. Thomas.

Beaches

Bluebeard’s Beach is quite uncrowded, with all the infrastructure you need: a water sports equipment rental point, several bars, and cafés. The water in this part of the coast is calm and clear. Hull Bay is a relatively quiet small beach with calm waters-an ideal place for family vacations with children and pets. Here you’ll find white sand with coral pebbles, along the edge of which trees grow, so part of the shoreline in Hull Bay is shaded. All of this attracts people who want to simply sunbathe in silence and peace. If you love swimming with a mask, head to Coki Beach. Off its shores there is a picturesque reef teeming with inhabitants that you can simply watch or even feed. The fish are so used to people that they eat food right from your hands.

Island sightseeing tour

This tour offers a wonderful opportunity to get to know the entire island, learn about its history, and enjoy panoramic views from the Mountain Top, Drake’s Seat, and Magen’s Bay viewpoints, where you’ll make stops on the way to the famous Blackbeard’s Castle. At Britannia House and Haagensen House, you’ll learn how life on the island was organized during colonial times. In the Rum Museum, you’ll see how this drink is made, and, if you wish, you can purchase a bottle of pirate rum. Don’t forget to take a look at the dinosaur footprint and the breathtaking amber waterfall in the Amber Museum, and also visit the historic hotel that has been operating since 1829.

Hassel Island

Uninhabited Hassel Island is part of the National Parks System of the Virgin Islands and hosts a namesake sanctuary on its territory. Of the historical structures, one can find only the ruins of an old British military garrison (19th century)-the rest of the island is given over to the power of plants. There are several lovely beaches on the island; the seafloor in this area is very beautiful and offers excellent opportunities for snorkeling. Excursion tours to the island are conducted as walking tours or kayaking and snorkeling.

For a more detailed list of excursions and their prices, you can review them after booking your cruise in your “Customer Personal Account”.