For several years, one of the most popular activities for visitors to St. Thomas hasn't taken place on the island. Instead, tourists cruise the crystal-clear waters surrounding this unique island, soaking up the sun and finding adventure in the water. With numerous charters and rental organizations catering to the tourists of the island ? each with unique water sport activities and boating options ? there are plenty of ways to set sail in St. Thomas.
As conditions for sailing and water sports are nearly perfect year-round in St. Thomas, it is no wonder that tourists regularly cite the weather as one of the most memorable details of their vacations. In addition to the persistent sunshine and mild temperatures, the waters surrounding St. Thomas and the U.S. Virgin Islands are typically calm year-round, but light tropical breezes provide more than enough strength for the sails. Regardless of where your boat travels around St. Thomas, you will also experience incredible underwater visibility, allowing you to see the colorful diversity of the Caribbean Sea.
The easiest way to experience the Caribbean Sea while on St. Thomas is to charter either a sailboat or powerboat. St. Thomas currently has at least 100 different charter boats, each offering different activities and boating options. While day trips are the most popular option with tourists, many charter services in St. Thomas also offer week long boating tours. In most cases, both single day and week long charters are staffed with a complete crew, allowing you to sit back and enjoy the ride. However, experienced sailors can also find boat rentals without crews, allowing tourists to take the helm and coast through the calm Caribbean waters. In most cases, charter boats are limited to groups of 6-8, meaning your family will be able to enjoy not only the weather but also the precious privacy afforded by luxurious Caribbean destinations like St. Thomas.
Boating in the Caribbean also allows adventurous tourists a chance to explore what lies beneath the water. Most boating charters come complete with snorkeling equipment and visit many of the island's best sites for observing underwater life. If you charter a powerboat, you can also take advantage of equipment such as water skis and inflatable toys. Even if you want to stay dry, you can try your hand at deep sea fishing and reel in some of the Caribbean's most spectacular fish. If you have a particular activity in mind, check the listings for individual charters as most will detail the types of water sport equipment available. You can also ask the concierge at your resort for recommendations based on your family's interests and budget.
If you have never attempted any of these sports before, don't be discouraged from hopping aboard a boat. Many of the charter boats operating in St. Thomas are staffed by knowledgeable personnel that take pride in serving not only as tour guides, but also as teachers. While out at sea, you can receive lessons on snorkeling or scuba diving and gain valuable insight about how to reel in the perfect catch. Some charter companies even offer sailing lessons, allowing first-timers a chance to man the sails.
One of the best ways to find a charter boat or sailing tour is directly through your resort with the help of the concierge or front desk staff. In many cases, charter companies will offer substantial discounts or free add-ons to your rental through your resort. If you are still having trouble finding the right charter for your family, check local publications for detailed listings featuring the types of activities offered by each company. When you have found the right tour or boat rental, you can also make the necessary reservations directly through your resort and devote your free time to enjoying everything else St. Thomas has to offer.
St. Thomas has long been known as one of the best shopping destinations in the Caribbean. With numerous malls and markets catering to resort and cruise tourists, you can find almost anything you want at a great price in the island's bustling capital ? Charlotte Amalie. However, not all travelers are aware of the wealth of incredible locally-produced products available in St. Thomas. From folk arts and crafts to handmade food products and spices, there are plenty of ways to shop for the best products St. Thomas has to offer.
The best location to find Caribbean folk art and local products is the Native Arts and Crafts Cooperative. Featuring the work of nearly 100 different locals throughout the year, the Native Arts and Crafts Cooperative is the largest shopping center devoted to local artisans in the Virgin Islands. Conveniently located next to the tourist information office in central Charlotte Amalie, the Cooperative allows locals to sell their artwork and handmade products directly to the public from the former United States colonial courthouse.
One of the most popular booths within the Cooperative belongs to Gwendolyn Harley, the artist behind a very popular series of hand-sewn dolls. Throughout the years, Harley has maintained an adoption log and seen her historically-minded dolls travel throughout the world in the hands of tourists and collectors.
For those in search of unique food products, a stop by Cheryl Miller's booth will yield a number of award-winning flavors. Besides the popular jams and jellies handmade by Miller, five of her sauces ? known by the label ?Cheryl's Taste of Paradise? ? have taken home trophies from the National Fiery Foods Show in Albuquerque, New Mexico. You can also find Miller's products within the store she maintains in conjunction with her kitchen at the Compass Point Marina.
One of the Native Arts and Crafts Cooperative's strangest booths belongs to Justin Todman, known locally as The Broom Man. Utilizing traditional Caribbean methods, The Broom Man weaves date palm fronds in intricate patterns and attaches all lengths of handles to create brooms for every possible purpose. Todman's brooms are also very popular with couples getting married in St. Thomas, supporting African and Caribbean tradition of newlyweds symbolically jumping over a broom to start their life together.
Art collectors will also want to visit the gallery and silkscreen studio located at Tillet Gardens. For nearly 50 years, Tillet Gardens has served as the home of St. Thomas? vibrant art community. The gallery is full of paintings and prints by the island's most talented residents with work available for all budgets and interests. Housed in an old Danish farm, Tillet Gardens is also a great place to spend an afternoon as the site features a great outdoor restaurant and occasional performances by local musicians.
As you walk through the streets of the capital city, you will also see several additional art galleries selling the work of local painters and sculptors. Outside of Tillet Gardens, the best selection of artwork created in the Virgin Islands can be found at Mango Tango. Like Tillet Gardens and the Native Arts and Crafts Cooperative, the work available at Mango Tango and other galleries throughout Charlotte Amalie is reasonably priced, with unique pieces for all tastes and budgets. Also, keep an eye out for artisans selling their work in the small, open-air markets of the city. Many talented individuals sell directly to the public each day and all love sharing their stories with visitors.
St. Thomas is also one of the best locations in the Caribbean to find exotic spices. Much like the fabled Caribbean spice markets of the colonial period, today's spice markets offer visitors the chance to taste and purchase exotic flavors and gourmet products. The best assortment of Caribbean spices can be found at Caribbean Marketplace, a sprawling emporium that specializes in bulk spices and gourmet condiments. Spices, teas and condiments can also be found at Down Island Traders ? a popular store in Charlotte Amalie that also carries locally-made jewelry and crafts.
Like many other islands in the Caribbean, St. Thomas has plenty of talented individuals creating distinctive products by hand. Wherever you travel in St. Thomas, you will be able to find a piece of the island to take home with you. Most importantly, in most cases, you won't be able to find these special treasures anywhere else.
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