The islands are not known for great facilities for visiting yachts, though the sailing there is lovely. That being said, it is best to avoid the hurricane season between September to November. Your Source for Shipping Excellence to the Caribbean; 305-800-0340 or 340-690-1110 Toll Free: 800-566-2340; . Made it difficult for hilltop residents. The Netherlands At least theres are no land and reefs around to hit like there is on the Thorny Parth. A natural harbor is found in Coral Bay, however Cruz Bay is the main town and harbor. However, you can take the line 112 bus to E 25 St & 11 Av Hialeah, take the walk to Metrorail Transfer Station, take the train to Miami Airport Station, take the walk to Airport Station, take the tram to Miami Intl Airport Ground Level, take the walk to Miami airport, fly to Beef Island, take the walk to Beef Island Airport, take the ferry to Peter Island, then take the ferry to Virgin Islands. This is usually an upwind slog, also without many good safe harbors. South of the Grenadines lies Grenada and its possession Carriacou, then Trinidad and Tobago at the southernmost point in the Windwards. I am a first time boat owner so forgive me if I dont know the lingo. He was also instrumental in persuading the Danish to allow the US to purchase the islands of Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix. There is no direct connection from Florida to Virgin Islands. Carrying a passport can still be a good idea as hopping between islands from St. Thomas is fairly easy, and a passport is required for travel to the British Virgin Islands such as Tortola or Virgin Gorda. This sprawling country has many smaller islands you can hop between, most are only a few miles apart. [citation needed], In 1915, David Hamilton Jackson traveled to Denmark and convinced the King of Denmark to allow freedom of the press in Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix. The best time to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands is April to June, when you can expect mild weather and very little rainfall. St. Thomas, thirteen miles long by four miles wide, encompasses a little over 31 square miles. Average Cost of Buying & Owning a Sailboat (With 4 Examples), Sailing Route from Florida to the Virgin Islands (with Map), The Sailing Seasons Around the World (with Map), How to Convert your Freshwater Boat for Saltwater Use, Do I Need a License to Drive a Boat? St. Thomas and its nearby . St. Thomas, one of the three United States Virign Islands, along with St. Croix and St. John, St. Thomas is one of the most beautiful island destinations in the world, dressed with powdery beaches and sun-drenched weather.St. Jamie Cail, 42, was found . You can download the Excel spreadsheet I've used to calculate these itineraries here for free. to Cyril E. King. Need to go back to the gas golf carts. 9034 GD Marsum It has plenty of anchorage space, its protected, and most marine services. Things to Do in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 1. If you press, you can do it in less than a month but you may run into some unpleasant conditions if you push the schedule. The options include taking a passenger ferry, car barge, water taxi, boat charter, or term yacht charter. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. St Thomas Accommodation Hotels and Resorts Villa Restaurants Location Downtown French Town East End North Side South Side Crown Bay Havensite Upscale and Famous West Indian Cuisine Fast Food/Chains Chinese and Thai Sushi Mexican Pizza Music Hang Outs Happy Hour Specials Aerial Views Beaches Walking Tour Attractions Shopping Nightlife Sailing Diving Also, once you hit the trade winds, the sailing becomes upwind and much less comfortable. 350 reviews. And, unlike Florida, temperatures here are typically in the 80s during the day and the 70s at night all year round. [13], The first British invasion and occupation of the island occurred in 1801. The highest temperature ever recorded was 37.2C (99.0F) on August 4, 1994 and June 23, 1996, which is the highest temperature to have ever been recorded in the United States Virgin Islands. If you're in a rush to get to the Virgin Islands and are fine going offshore, then I-65 sounds like the best plan for you. Board of Elections finalized its choice for leadership in the current term. We are aim to start in November 2024, should have a budget for a yacht of approximately 40000, could you give us some advice on what type of yacht would best suit the trip we have planned and what kit/equipment we should look to take. Locals throughout the USVI speak English and the currency used is the U.S. dollar. Great article. There are thousands of islands in the Caribbean, and over forty with major populations. High season is considered to be November, December and January. How long does it take to get around from place to place? There are relatively no flat areas on St. Thomas. Additional terms apply. Find all the transport options for your trip from Florida to Virgin Islands right here. A lot of sailors heading to the Virgin Islands from the continental U.S. prefer to leave from further north. Visit a local restaurant, The Top of the Baths for lunch (own expense), then head to Jost Van Dyke to enjoy some time swimming . Men should pack several pairs of shorts, t-shirts and perhaps a polo shirt or two as well as one pair of slacks for going out at night, while women might bring a few cute sundresses, a wrap skirt, shorts, tank tops and other casual attire. U.S. Virgin Islands ; St. Thomas ; St. Thomas Travel Forum; Search. OK, it isn't cheap, but it can absolutely be done on a budget. Rodney Bay in the north has most of the marine services, though the scenic Pitons near Soufrire in the south is a popular departure point. Look for most of the cruising community in the southern bays and harbors. Sheltered harbors aren't as common as you'd like, nor are ports with marinas and supplies. Directions. A lot of people lump them together and it is easy to take a ferry between the two. ? There are 1112 mi between Florida and Saint Thomas Island. Arawak sites have been uncovered in Magen's Bay and Botany Bay, and Carib sites have been uncovered in Magen's Bay and Salt River. How far is Saint Thomas from Miami, FL? The region includes hundreds of islands and cays. A sea lion show that is held twice daily in Marine Gardens. The Safari Taxi System on St. Thomas allows riders to hop on and hop off whenever they please for just a few dollars per ride (think of a colectivo in Mexico). Leaving from north of St. Lucie isn't going to make the trip appreciably longer. Following the Danish Revolution of 1848, slavery was abolished and the resulting rise in labor costs further weakened the position of Saint Thomas's sugar producers. Beach shoes or sandals as well as a pair of comfortable walking shoes for exploring inland are a must, and youll want to bring two bathing suits so that you have a dry one available when the other is wet. Exhibits include the Caribbean Reef Encounter an 80,000 gallon circular tank open at the top for the natural elements to filter in. As of the 2020 census, the population of Saint Thomas was 42,261,[3] about 48.5% of the total population of the United States Virgin Islands. All personal care items can be purchased on St. Thomas (although they can be a little pricey) so try to bring your own in travel-sized containers. In this article, I'll show you what to expect. Great answer. The island has many regular taxis from compact size to large vans, as well as open-air, covered trucks called "safaris" with bench seats. But the answer is a bit more complicated, so we'll give you some detail about why. Very few people sail from an island in the Leewards, to say, Aruba or Bonaire. The total area of the BVI is 59 square miles. Two-thirds of the island is a National Park, and its 5,500 protected acres are crisscrossed by dozens of spectacular hiking trails with panoramic views and diverse flora and fauna. We'll get to those in a moment. The land slopes to flat-lands on the southern side of the island. Even a day sail is exhausting if you spend the entire day getting beat up and tipped on your ear while bashing upwind. So why are we getting into this? The waters of St. John are among the most pristine and unspoiled in the Caribbean, so be sure to bring a mask and snorkel. Switching between the British Virgin Islands and the US Virgin Islands is a very easy procedure (as long as you have a valid passport) and shouldn't take more than 20/25 minutes after your ferry ride. Where the "island" column is blank on departure, it's a repeat of the row above. The West Indies, a misnomer dating back to the days of Christopher Columbus, refers to pretty much all the Caribbean islands and the Bahamas. It's efficient, comfortable, and fun - the ride alone is worth the cost of the ticket. It has a deep-water harbor that was once a haven for pirates and is now one of the busiest ports of call for cruise ships in the Caribbean, with about 1.5 million/plus cruise ship passengers landing there annually. Connect with travelers that are planning vacations right here, right now. Every hour, one of the ferries departs Red Hook, St. Thomas, and the other Cruz Bay, St. John, crossing each other along the way. Sun. However, the other islands are close enough together that you can clear out of Tortola and only add a few more hours travel time to St. Martin. It's warm and sunny, but that doesn't mean you don't have adverse winds and currents. Required fields are marked *, {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}Your submission failed. The island is renowned as the biggest tax-free, duty-free shopping hub of the Caribbean and is home to many artists. Visit the National Heritage Sites Black Beard's Castle Fort Christian St Thomas. Not a sailboat but powered by two gas engines, basically Chevy 350 V8s. Passenger and limited car-ferry services to neighboring islands such as Water Island, Saint John, Saint Croix, and the British Virgin Islands run regularly out of the Red Hook Terminal, Charlotte Amalie, and Crown Bay Marina. So it is ok to ignore them!!! American forces were based on the island during the Second World War. Two of the three islands (St. Thomas and St. John) are in close proximity and can potentially be done in the same trip. [5][6] The island was later inhabited by the Arawaks and then the Caribs. However, the Danes did resettle St. Thomas in 1671, under the sponsorship of the Glueckstadt Co., later the Danish West India Company. Planning your vacation to St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John and Water Island will be a lot easier with this great packet of magazines and booklets. This site is owned and operated by Truly Content. Id like to go to the USVI this fall. Distance from Virgin Islands to Florida is 1989.07 kilometers . Adults $5, Kids (2-11) $3 Call to confirm . ImproveSailing is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Hamilton, J. Taylor and Hamilton, Kenneth G., Invasion of the Danish West Indies (1807), Transportation in the United States Virgin Islands, Category:United States Virgin Islands people, "Where is the U.S. Virgin Islands: Geography", "2020 Island Areas Censuses: U.S. Virgin Islands", "St. Thomas: island, United States Virgin Islands Britannica", "St. Thomas, Virgin Islands: Facts & History", "Charlotte Amalie St. Thomas U.S. Virgin Islands", "David Hamilton Jackson - Famous Virgin Islander", Liberty Day festivities to include parade, re-enactment about D. Hamilton Jackson, "Purchase of the United States Virgin Islands, 1917", "Water Island History - the Military History of Water Island", National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, "Race Relations in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands", American Association for the Advancement of Science, Saint Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Saint_Thomas,_U.S._Virgin_Islands&oldid=1138363039, Islands of the United States Virgin Islands, Articles with unsourced statements from June 2021, Articles needing the year an event occurred from April 2022, Articles with MusicBrainz area identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Virgin Islands Montessori School & Peter Gruber International Academy, This page was last edited on 9 February 2023, at 07:41. The territorial capital and port of Charlotte Amalie is located on the island. The Leeward Antilles also includes several islands which belong to Venezuela, but take care visiting them. Need more shuttle/tram drivers. Virgin Island Ferry Schedules Ferry Schedules Ferry Schedules are published for information purposes only as a service to all tourism interest. Spirit Airlines and JetBlue can get you from Florida to Saint Thomas Island in just under 2h 36m. Where the "island" column is blank on departure, it's a repeat of the row above. The British Virgin Islands lie to the northeast of the United States Virgin Islands. Fort Christian is a Dano-Norwegian-built fort in Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. . Rome2rio makes travelling from Florida to Virgin Islands easy. It has a deep-water harbor that was once a haven for pirates and is now one of the busiest ports of call for cruise ships in the Caribbean, with about 1.5 million/plus cruise ship passengers landing there annually. [4], The island was originally settled around 1500 BC by the Ciboney people. Distrusted at first by the white masters, they lived among the slaves and soon won their confidence. A boat making six knots good on the course will take a little over ten days to make this passage. $4.09 + $1.00 shipping. Saint Thomas has a tropical savanna climate (Aw according to the Kppen climate classification) with a drier season and a wetter season. The extra miles to avoid sailing against the trades are worth it, and the key to what makes this quicker passage possible. Sasker van Heringawei 16E The island boasts one of the most beautiful harbors in the world as well as some of the most popular activities in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn More{{/message}}. It's not a wasteland, but you're not hopping from Ft. Lauderdale to Palm Beach, either. An island pulsing with energy A modern paradise filled with colonial jewels, St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands is both a historian's and an adventure-seeker's playground. Updated information dedicated to Moving and Living in the Virgin Islands. Small boutique hotels, resorts and private villas abound on the island. Virgin Gorda to St Thomas (calls at Road Town, Tortola) 6:30am 2:45pm: 6:30am . They run during the day and are not on a set schedule. From the airport you rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Redhook (east end) St. Thomas. Airlines that fly to St. Thomas (STT) You have several options for which airline you choose to travel with to St. Thomas. But it works better if you start further north. Thomas is located in the Lesser Antilles, 1,600 miles south, south east of New York City; 1,100 east, southeast of Miami; 70 miles of San Juan. Hi, I'm Shawn, and when I was 2 years old, I was sailing (with my parents) on the English Channel during a proper storm (and by proper I mean something along the lines of force 10). Like countries in Europe, the majority of outlets on St. Kitts operate with a 230 voltage, unlike the United States and St. Thomas, which use 110 voltage. Since you can't sail that straight line, if you're in a hurry you can sail offshore. Of the three islands, St. Thomas is the middle island in terms of size. St. Croix is about 40 miles away from St. Thomas. Again much thanks for the info . The Safari Taxis follow a loop passing Red Hook, Charlotte Amalie, and the island's resort-heavy East End. [26], Magens Bay as seen from Drake's Seat, St. Thomas. The general approach to sailing the Thorny Path is to make short hops, day sails, and overnight passages between close destinations. Your travel time can differ by up to 2h 42m. Carrying a passport can still be a good idea as hopping between islands from St. Thomas is fairly easy, and a passport is required for travel to the British Virgin Islands such as Tortola or Virgin Gorda. Since then I've enjoyed sailing very much - and I've never been afraid of the water again. The formal name of the synagogue is Beracha Veshalom Vegmiluth Hasadim. Good manners and formality are highly esteemed. Whether taking a boat trip, scuba diving, parasailing or snorkeling, call the outfit before you arrive on island to make reservations. There are two main towns Frederiksted and Christiansted. Although these connecting flights sacrifice some convenience, on average, travelers save 20%-60% when they choose to fly multi-stop versus a direct flight. Check out, If you have any questions about events, activities and goings on while you are visiting, enter your email on the home page of, Things to Do in St. Thomas and St. John in 2022, Things to Do in St. Thomas and St. John Sitemap. - to help you get the most out of your next trip. There aren't any Caribbean destinations beyond Trinidad. Check out 74 Things to Do on St. Thomas and St. John at: http://bit.ly/YRlwnH. At six knots, sailing from Florida to the Virgin Islands would take you about seven days. You do this while waiting for favorable (or less unfavorable) weather and winds. Provide locals with respect and try not to be patronizing or condescending. The continued export of sugar was threatened by hurricanes, drought, and American competition. But you're headed through The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos - that's a tropical paradise, right? While we can't cover every combination for you, there is more than enough information to give you a sense for how you can island hop, and how long it might take. Routes between the ABCs are included for completeness, as it is possible to charter there and a stop on the way across to Panama is common. St. Croixs highest peak, Mount Eagle, is 1,088 feet high. Along with surrounding minor islands, it is one of three county-equivalents in the USVI. The USVI consist of 4 larger islands: St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island, and some 50 smaller islets and cays. U.S. Virgin Islands Distance Chart (Distance Table): For your quick reference, below is a Distance Chart or Distance Table of distances between some of the major cities in U.S. Virgin Islands. ST. JOHN The U.S. Virgin Islands National Team suffered its first loss of the tournament, but still remained in contention to play for the title after Friday's games in . On St. Thomas, life tends to move at a slower pace than on the mainland. Taking enough time the Thorny Path can be a much more pleasant experience over two to three months. Cheap Flights from Tampa Intl. ImproveSailing is compensated for referring traffic and business to this companies. ImproveSailing is compensated for referring traffic and business to this companies. All times are based on an average speed made good on the plotted course of 5, 6, or 7 knots. Contact us This is a destination meant for relaxation there is no need for a tie or a fancy dress. And it doesn't mean the waters aren't littered with reefs, shoals, low-lying islands, and other hazards. [14] He began the first newspaper in the islands, known as The Herald. We could spend several more years and have a different experience, since we we only saw a fraction of what there was to see. Fares between BVI and USVI do not include USVI Port Fee/$10, BVI Environment Fee/$10 and BVI Departure Tax/$20 ($15 resident). ? Hotels have been built from the West End to the East End, and in recent years, Saint Thomas has become a busy cruise ship port and vacation venue. Distance Between Puerto Rico and St Thomas. Fire destroyed hundreds of homes in Charlotte Amalie in 1804. One-way ferry rates are $75. Luggage fees may apply. 8: . There's no right way or wrong way to cruise the Caribbean, but if you plan, you can see a lot no matter how you choose to sail it. Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. St. Thomas of the U.S. Virgin Islands is located in the eastern Caribbean, just a mere 1100 miles southeast of Miami. "St. Thomas" is among the most recognisable instrumentals in the repertoire of American jazz tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins based on a traditional calypso sung to him by his mother, Valborg Solomon Rollins, who was born on Saint Thomas. So when you do your own plots, you will get different numbers if you choose more careful routes, stay closer to shorelines, or plot more exact departure and arrival points. ', 'How much should I expect to pay? The assumption is you are leaving from and heading to the closest major ports of entry on each island, your time sailing across the island or cruising from one end to the other isn't factored in. The highest Point is 300 feet above sea level. From To Measure Distance Distance between Virgin Islands and Florida is: Facebook Twitter The air travel (bird fly) shortest distance from Virgin Islands to Florida is 1989.07 km= 1235.95 miles. Mon-Sat. Distances are in Nautical Miles, times are in hours rounded UP to the nearest hour. This is equivalent to 1 787 kilometers or 965 nautical miles. The unstable situation on the mainland means conditions may be unpredictable. Charlotte Amalie, located on the island of St. Thomas, is the capital and the largest city of the United States Virgin Islands, founded in 1666 as Taphus (meaning "beer house" or "beer hall"). At six knots, sailing from Florida to the Virgin Islands would take you about seven days. Copyright 2023 ImproveSailing.com Thorough and considerate. It ends in Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. It currently holds the St. Thomas Museum, which holds artifacts and art of the Dano-Norwegian period. Youll find everyone dressed fairly casually in the Virgin Islands. The British Virgin Islands (BVI) are made up of 4 larger islands; Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and Anegada, and 32 smaller islands. In 1685, the Danish leased part of the island to the Brandenburger Company,[8] which was resold to the Danish in 1754,[10] and was granted free port status in 1764.[11]. For this article, we're going to focus on the islands. Many clear into Bequia instead of St. Vincent on the way south. ', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' Once you get outside hurricane season, the trade winds hit their peak seasonal strength. When talking about moving between islands, cruisers will often use the phrases up island and down island. Plenty of sunscreen and insect repellant are also musts. Cheap plane tickets may be available from different airlines at different times and with unique terms. If you want to learn how to make your sailing dream reality within a year, leave your email and I'll send you free updates. Leaving Crown Bay, St. Thomas. Pack light clothing, a sun. Most island passages happen in a more stepwise, logical fashion. Answer 1 of 4: What is the one-way fare on a taxi for two people from the airport (STT) to Wyndham St. Thomas Margaritaville Resort? August has the highest average high of 32.3C (90.1F), with July, August and September all having the highest average low at 25.6C (78.1F). Those who appreciate fine art and a good shopping experience will be happy to know that visitors can exit St. Thomas with $1,600 in duty-free goods which is double that of most destinations. Also, the Trinidad to Aruba leg is longer than a rhumb-line route; due to political and social instability in Venezuela we plotted a course to keep us well north of Venezuelan waters and did not want to shorten the route by cruising the coast. You can reach the British Virgin Islands by ferry from Charlotte Amalie. As you are already on the US side of the Virgin Islands heading over to St. Thomas from St. John is very easy. By the time you haul anchor and set the sails and drop anchor on the other end, even a three-mile trip will take you an hour. For the latest travel status in U.S. Virgin Islands, please check government recommendations. It established the Beracha Veshalom Vegmiluth Hasadim, the second oldest synagogue in the United States. The island has an irregular shape with many bays and peninsulas. So it's best to wait for better conditions, and even motor sail on dead days or over night to avoid taking a beating off shore. A sailboat doesn't have to be expensive if you know what you're doing. Full home rule was achieved in 1970. I've made a list of sailing conditions around the world, so you know where to go when. There are a number of ferry options between the island of the British Virgin Islands and also to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Marine Gardens which has 21 smaller tanks displaying ocean life in the Caribbean. The islands coastal areas have many fine protected bays. Or if you're a full-time cruiser, a lifestyle. Skimpy dress such as super short shorts or any very revealing clothing should not be worn while shopping or dining in town; only wear bathing suits at the swimming pool or the beach. This is okay, though you sail more miles you're looking to avoid getting hammered sailing upwind for days. Your email address will not be published. We are relatively new to sailing. Maybe a follow up article on the options returning from virgins or points south back to Florida or other ports along the east coast? Approx. Nearby Saba isn't recommended as a strong wind anchorage, either. In the middle of the island are miles of beautiful beaches, rolling pasture lands and beautiful land. The USVI consist of 4 larger islands: St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island, and some 50 smaller islets and cays. [9], Denmark-Norway's first attempt to settle the island in 1665 failed. The Straight Line Air Flying Distance from Key West Florida United States to St Thomas U S Virgin Islands1157.6 milesor 1862.97 km Flight time: 3 hours and 23 minutesNon-Stop flight time [7], The Dutch West India Company established a post on Saint Thomas in 1657. Please try again. Your email address will not be published. These distances assume coast-hopping from one end of the island to a different departure point, which we almost always did. St. Thomas and St. John are only about 6 miles away from each other, while St. Croix is located about 40 miles south of the other two islands. Charlotte Amalie - St. Croix Charlotte Amalie - St John Charlotte Amalie - Tortola BVI Red Hook - St John This covered a period of almost a year, since we often spent weeks or even months in some places, especially during hurricane season. The cheapest month to fly is February. The latter usually operate only between high-traffic points, e.g., cruise-ship terminals at Havensight and Crown Bay and downtown Charlotte Amalie. Your subscription could not be saved. If you're leaving from somewhere like Georgetown in the Bahamas, the trip is closer to 1,050 miles and will take about a week. A few days after celebrating the 60th year of free elections in the Virgin Islands, the V.I. Known as "I-65," this alternate route has you sail east/east-northeast until longitude 65W, then turn south and reach towards the Virgin Islands across the trade winds. It is only 491.5 acres in size. When speaking with locals the conversation should always begin with a greeting such as Good morning, Good afternoon, or Good night. Mon-Sun: 6:30 am until 9:00 pm. Do you want to earn money to write on our website? More than two thirds of the island is protected by the National Park Service. What to pack You'll find everyone dressed fairly casually in the Virgin Islands. Since you can't sail that straight line, if you're in a hurry you can sail offshore. St. Thomas is located just off the south eastern coast of Florida. Moving at six knots, you don't want to skip something and go back to it, and the islands in the eastern Caribbean are in a somewhat straight line, which makes for an ordered way of going through them. There are no airports on St. John so you must fly to St. Thomas Cyril E. King Airport (code STT) and travel from there. Saint Thomas (Danish: Sankt Thomas) is one of the Virgin Islands in the Caribbean Sea, one of the three largest of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), an unincorporated territory of the United States. Accessible through Cyril E. King Airport (STT), the 32 square mile island is full of hills and cobblestone streets, with the most popular being the picturesque 99 Steps. Free WIFI! St. John , Water Island is the smallest populated island of USVI group. Many heading down island from the BVIs leave from Virgin Gorda, as it is the furthest island to the east. Great Location. The Sunday schedule offers a noon departure from St. Thomas and 4 p.m. from St. Croix. [23], During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries a group of French Catholic immigrants known as the Chacas came to St. Thomas from the St. Barthlemy islands to the east, forming one community of fishermen and one of farmers.[24][25].