The Town has been inhabited for centuries. [8] The first congregation was the St. Thomas Reformed Church, which was established in 1660 and was associated with the Dutch Reformed Church. For this article, we're going to focus on the islands. The Virgin Islands are divided between the United States and the United Kingdom; so you have the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) and the British Virgin Islands (BVI). It's not a wasteland, but you're not hopping from Ft. Lauderdale to Palm Beach, either. St. Thomas Synagogue is a historic synagogue at 2116 Crystal Gade, Queens Quarters, in Charlotte Amalie on the island of Saint Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. You're sailing east before you're affected by the southeasterly trades, and if you hit the trades before 65W, you've gone too far south. As far as islands to hit on the way down, most people making the passage work their way through the Bahamas and the Turks & Caicos, past Puerto Rico and the Spanish Virgins before ending in St. Thomas or one of the other USVI's . . Now that I type this out, it seems more idiotic than at first. There are relatively no flat areas on St. Thomas. Travel times between the USVI and British Virgin Islands can be quite short, and you must clear in and out every time you move between the USVI and BVI. Everything You Need to Know About Getting to St. John - Virgin Islands Sign up to receive Virgin Islands articles, updates and offers. Explore the grottoes, arches, and chain of tidal pools formed by eroded rocks along the beach. By proceeding, you accept the use of cookies in accordance with our, Fly from Miami (MIA) to Beef Island (EIS), Take the ferry from Peter Island to Cruz Bay, St John. 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. [11], While the sugar trade had brought prosperity to the island's free citizens, by the early 19th century Saint Thomas was in decline. Currently, we are unable to provide international travel restriction information for U.S. Virgin Islands relating to Coronavirus (COVID-19). I now understand the options a little more. William has been sailing and owning boats for over twenty years. Is St. Thomas Safe to Visit in 2023? (Honest Advice & Tips) Beginner's Guide to Island Hopping in the Virgin Islands Most sailing yachts come to Falmouth/English Harbour, though you can also clear in to Jolly Harbour, but there is not much of an anchorage. In 1685, the Brandenburgisch-Africanische Compagnie took control of the slave trade on Saint Thomas, and for some time the largest slave auctions in the world were held there. The major island groups and countries in the Leewards, from north to south, are the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, St. Martin/Sint Maartin, St. Barthlemy ("St. Barts"), Saba, St. Eustatius ("Statia"), St. Christopher ("St. Kitts") and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat, Guadeloupe, and Dominica. The quickest flight from Miami Airport to Beef Island Airport is the direct flight which takes 2h 59m. Taxis are readily available and there are also drivers that run dollar rides via safaris. A safari is a truck thats been outfitted with bench seating in the back. This site is owned and operated by Truly Content. Don't Travel to St. Thomas Before Reading This! - Virgin Island Saver William has been sailing and owning boats for over twenty years. Barbados lies about eight-five miles east of St. Vincent, and can be a tricky upwind sail. Since you can't sail that straight line, if you're in a hurry you can sail offshore. Florida to St. Thomas - 9 ways to travel via train, plane - Rome2rio It is currently 2:44 AM in Florida and 3:44 AM in Virgin Islands. Ferry Schedules & FAQs - Routes, Map, Fares, Contact Info - Best Of BVI So are you on "Team Thorny Path" or the "I-65 Squad?". 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. That being said, it is best to avoid the hurricane season between September to November. That's where you find most of the small island nations and territories you can sail between in less than a day. Adults $5, Kids (2-11) $3 Call to confirm . High season is considered to be November, December and January. 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. 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. A sailboat doesn't have to be expensive if you know what you're doing. Rome2rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Drive distance from Key West Florida United States to St Thomas U S Your trip begins in Orlando, Florida. These distances assume coast-hopping from one end of the island to a different departure point, which we almost always did. Since you can't sail that straight line, if you're in a hurry you can sail offshore. You can reach the British Virgin Islands by ferry from Charlotte Amalie. Ferry Schedule in St. Thomas, U.S.Virgin Islands The Lesser Antilles are all the rest of the islands. For the latest travel status in U.S. Virgin Islands, please check government recommendations. When talking about moving between islands, cruisers will often use the phrases up island and down island. Savor a taste of St. Thomas with the dining options at Marriott's Frenchman's Cove, including an oceanview restaurant and bar and a casual market for snacks and drinks. 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. St. Thomas and St. John are both part of the U.S. Virgin Islands. St. Thomas , St. John is located about 4 miles from St. Thomas east end. Of those, only Martinique is a French overseas territory, the rest are all independent countries. Find all the transport options for your trip from Florida to Virgin Islands right here. While you are in the tropics and it is warm, the prevailing wind patterns and navigational requirements can turn the time you aren't lounging on a beach into some pretty unpleasant sailing. Sailing Time Between All Caribbean Islands (Tables & Tips) 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. The cheapest month to fly is February. Distance between Florida and St Thomas is 1989.12 km. St. Croix , St. Thomas is known for having one long ridge of hills running east and west through the center of the island with smaller ridges branching off from the center. 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. St. Thomas-St. John School District operates public schools on Saint Thomas. This gives you plenty of time to wait for favorable conditions and better weather, make night passages to avoid wind, and avoid the worst of the pounding. to Cyril E. King. The geography of the islands consists of seaside cliffs, mountains with lush forest, tiny streams, arid lands and beautiful white sand beaches. The Leeward Antilles aren't in "Island Hopping" range, since reaching them from the Windward Islands is a multi-day offshore passage. Saint Thomas is divided into the following subdistricts (with population as per the 2020 U.S. Census): From 1796 a small Jewish community developed in Charlotte Amalie. [20] The lowest recorded temperature was 11C (52F) in November. Despite a high crime rate, St. Thomas has plenty of beaches, safe tourist areas, hotels, and resorts where visitors are rarely affected by violent crime. Prices and availability are subject to change. There is no direct connection from Florida to Virgin Islands. 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. Where the "island" column is blank on departure, it's a repeat of the row above. U.S. Virgin Islands ; St. Thomas ; St. Thomas Travel Forum; Search. The island has a land area of 32 square miles (83km2). Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. St. Thomas is a safe destination for your next Caribbean vacation. . Recommended Fly Orlando Sanford to London Fly from Orlando Sanford (SFB) to London (YXU) 3h 28m $276 - $649 Cheapest Youll even find American TV stations in your hotel and many similar chain stores that are found on the mainland. However, the proponents of the purchase failed to gain legislative support for the bid. Your flight direction from Orlando, FL to Saint Thomas is Southeast (120 degrees from North). Every two weeks leaving on a Sunday at 1:00pm, there is a fast ferry between Fajardo in Puerto Rico and St. John and St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands. Most people dont know exactly where it isso we thought wed help clear that up. Distance between Puerto Rico and St Thomas is 179.54 km. travel time. 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 . Required fields are marked *, {{#message}}{{{message}}}{{/message}}{{^message}}Your submission failed. Butyou can't sail straight from Miami to St. Thomas, because there are a lot of islands in the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos in the way. The United States Virgin Islands is the only place under United States jurisdiction where the rule of the road is to drive on the left. He was also instrumental in persuading the Danish to allow the US to purchase the islands of Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix. USVI takes first loss in tournament; Curacao moves to No. 1 There are no airports on St. John so you must fly to St. Thomas Cyril E. King Airport (code STT) and travel from there. Car rental agencies are located at the airport as well as near the main cruise ship dock and large resorts. The major town of Pointe--Pitre is an important shipping harbor and less popular with sailing visitors. But it works better if you start further north. 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]. Distance from Orlando, FL to Saint Thomas - Travelmath Just tell us the best email address to send your tips to: Improve Sailing [7], The Dutch West India Company established a post on Saint Thomas in 1657. Jackson was the editor of The Herald, which had its office at 1B Kongens Gadein Christiansted. 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. It takes 0.2 hours to arrive. The British Virgin Islands (BVI) are made up of 4 larger islands; Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and Anegada, and 32 smaller 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. FIRST AIR MAIL FLIGHT FAM 9 MIAMI FLORIDA MULTIPLE BACKSTAMPS US COVER. The total flight duration from Florida to U.S. Virgin Islands is 3 hours, 4 minutes. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. From the airport you rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Redhook (east end) St. Thomas. Some hotels on St. Kitts provide 110-volt . Distances Between Caribbean Islands Since 2012 he's been cruising the world with his wife and living aboard full time. About us Id like to go to the USVI this fall. The islands normally host 2 million visitors a year, many of whom visit on cruise ships. Most island hopping is in the Eastern Caribbean, in the Windward and Leeward Islands. Puerto Rico - United States Virgin Islands vv. Flights to St. Thomas (STT) | Delta Air Lines Please contact the developer of this form processor to improve this message. Jamie Cail, 42, was found . Cheap Flights from Tampa Intl. Best Months to Visit. How to Go from St. Thomas to St. John (in 2023) - Travel Lemming Red Hook is an unofficial "town" located on the East End subdistrict. Protected by Hassel Island, the harbor has docking and fueling facilities, machine shops, and shipyards and was a U.S. submarine base until 1966. If youre planning a getaway to St. Thomas, consider these important things to know before you go to ensure the best possible experience on the island. Because the Florida coast is a couple of hundred miles further west than a northern starting point like Hampton, VA, the total distance is pretty similar because you have to get back east. How long does it generally take to fly between these two places in a modern commercial jet airliner? It ends in Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Mon-Sun: 6:30 am until 9:00 pm. Again much thanks for the info . 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. Rome2rio makes travelling from Florida to Virgin Islands easy. 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. The post-war era also saw the rise of tourism on the island. Since then I've enjoyed sailing very much - and I've never been afraid of the water again. ', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' Most of the islands rise only to a few hundred feet above sea level. Cheap plane tickets may be available from different airlines at different times and with unique terms. St Thomas (USVI) Charlotte Amalie Cruise Port Guide | IQCruising But the answer is a bit more complicated, so we'll give you some detail about why. Copyright 1999 2023 VInow.com All rights reserved. The U.S. Virgin Islands lie near the boundary of the North American Plate and the Caribbean Plate . [15] The newspaper's focus was civic and labor rights for local workers,[16] and it published criticisms of the labor situation in the islands. Explore the British Virgin Islands during this full-day boat trip from St. John or St. Thomas. Built in 1833 for a congregation founded in 1792, it is the synagogue with the longest history of continuous use on what is now United States soil. Getting from Puerto Rico to St. Thomas: Caribbean Logue The US Virgin Islands are located just to the right of Puerto Rico. The total area of the USVI is 133 square miles. Your email address will not be published. November is the wettest month, receiving 152 millimeters (6.0in) of rain on average over 17.8 precipitation days, the most of any month. You can stay on the French side in the lagoon, but you still must transit the Dutch side to leave via the Simpson Bay bridge, so you still have to deal with the Dutch authorities to pay the fees. Last updated: March 1 | Data sourced from: ACAPS, OXFORD. Thirteen sovereign island nations and a dozen dependent territories make up most of the islands, and ten countries in Latin America have Caribbean coastline. So it is ok to ignore them!!! These refer to islands to the north as "Up" and those to the south as "Down" the island chains. 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). 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. Marine Gardens which has 21 smaller tanks displaying ocean life in the Caribbean. $4.09 + $1.00 shipping. During this excursion, enjoy a breakfast boat ride to Virgin Gorda's Baths. 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. The general approach to sailing the Thorny Path is to make short hops, day sails, and overnight passages between close destinations. A stingray pool where guests can feed the stingray after the presentation. 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. If you have any prescription medications, be sure to bring enough for the duration of your trip and carry a note from your physician, especially for any prescribed narcotics. St. Thomas has a beautiful natural harbor and many protected bays. Moving to STT; traveling by power boat - anyone done it? - VIMovingCenter This site is owned and operated by Truly Content. Autumn is the wettest time of year because of tropical cyclones. Leaving north of the Bahamas from St. Lucie Inlet in Florida and sailing to 65W then down to the Virgin Islands is about 1,500 nautical miles, half again the length of the thorny path. And an Underwater Observatory Tower that goes down 20 feet under the ocean with windows for looking and watching ocean life in its natural habit. During the off season, the prices are between US$99 and US$159 per person one way, economy class, depending on the hour of departure and airline. We could spend several more years and have a different experience, since we we only saw a fraction of what there was to see. Things to Do in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 1. How far is St Thomas from Florida by plane? Visit a local restaurant, The Top of the Baths for lunch (own expense), then head to Jost Van Dyke to enjoy some time swimming . So when a cruiser in St. Martin may tell you he's heading "down island" next month, he's planning somewhere south, probably St. Barts, St. Kitts, Statia, or Antigua. Exhibits include the Caribbean Reef Encounter an 80,000 gallon circular tank open at the top for the natural elements to filter in. 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. 9034 GD Marsum Airlines that fly to St. Thomas (STT) You have several options for which airline you choose to travel with to St. Thomas. The highest point is Crown Mountain at 1,556 feet. 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. The unstable situation on the mainland means conditions may be unpredictable. In 1691, the town was renamed to Charlotte Amalie after Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Kassel (16501714), queen consort to King Christian V of Denmark-Norway. Which makes it quite convenient to get to if you live in the United States for sure with easy connections out of MIA (Miami International Airport) of FLL (Fort Lauderdale International Airport). St. Thomas has a tropical climate, and many people from the mainland U.S. and northern Europe are not prepared for the intensity of the sun, the humidity or the heat. Great Location. Along with surrounding minor islands, it is one of three county-equivalents in the USVI. The islands have an average temperatures of 70s and 80s degrees Fahrenheit year round. Locals throughout the USVI speak English and the currency used is the U.S. dollar. Short hops into rough conditions take a toll on crew energy and on the boat - things break and wear. Taxi from STT to Wyndham Margaritaville Resort - St. Thomas Forum This distance is equal to 1235.98 miles, and 1073.33 nautical miles. There are too many islands to make a "travel time" table like you'd find in a road atlas with every island to every island. The United States Virgin Islands are a group of several dozen islands and cays located in the Caribbean, about 1,100 miles (1,770 km) southeast of Florida, 600 miles (966 km) north of Venezuela, 40 miles (64 km) east of Puerto Rico, and immediately west and south of the British Virgin Islands.. Is it even possible to transit from Flordia to the Virgin Islands as I think I would have to find fuel every 10 hours. Privacy Policy, Improve Sailing helps you to make your sailing dream actionable, by writing in-depth articles on practical questions. When travelling within the territory no passport is required but if you are going to or coming from the USVI - don't forget your passport! So why are we getting into this? One word to the wisethe taxi drivers and store barkers downtown are the only exception. In the opposite direction, boats leave every two weeks on a Thursday at 5:00pm from St. John and 6:00pm from St. Thomas. St Thomas, VI Map & Directions - MapQuest Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands - Wikipedia There are 214+ hotels available in Virgin Islands. The temperature is warm year-round, with January and February, the coolest months, having average highs of 29.5C (85.1F) and average lows of 22.4C (72.3F). Grenada is a popular hurricane season destination for full time cruisers, because it's far enough south to reduce (but not eliminate) storm risk, and it's close enough to Trinidad to sail there on an overnight if a storm threatens. ImproveSailing is compensated for referring traffic and business to this companies. To give you some examples, I re-created the route we took through the Caribbean, starting from the British Virgin Islands and working our way through the Leeward and Windward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean before heading west for Panama and the canal. 28 Awesome Things to Do in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands - Cruise Hive Copyright 2023 ImproveSailing.com Most island passages happen in a more stepwise, logical fashion. At six knots that would take about ten and a half days. How long does it take to get around from place to place? Saint Thomas receives 989 millimeters (38.9in) of precipitation annually over 163.6 precipitation days. 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. Located in the Northeastern area of the Caribbean Sea, St. Thomas is part of the Leeward Islands enjoying both a wonderful and reliable weather in the winter months. Need to go back to the gas golf carts. The islands were returned to Denmark in 1802, under the terms of the Treaty of Amiens. Even a day sail is exhausting if you spend the entire day getting beat up and tipped on your ear while bashing upwind. 8: . It's a variation on leaving from points north like we did, and if you're too far south when you try it, it doesn't work. This was inherited from what was the then-current Danish practice at the time of the American acquisition in 1917. Directions. Difference Between St. Kitts & St. Thomas | USA Today Nearby Saba isn't recommended as a strong wind anchorage, either. Find cheap flights from Tampa to Saint Thomas Island - Kayak Whether taking a boat trip, scuba diving, parasailing or snorkeling, call the outfit before you arrive on island to make reservations. 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. Dont rush things have patience and consider your time here as a chance to relax and enjoy a nice breather. If you are leaving from St. Kitts, you can go through the narrows between the islands. It is SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE, and NO RESPONSIBILITY is assumed for errors or omissions. This is only a problem if you turn south too soon. 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. As a result, the economies of Saint Thomas and the neighboring islands of Saint John and Saint Croix became highly dependent on slave labor and the slave trade. This is okay, though you sail more miles you're looking to avoid getting hammered sailing upwind for days. For the latest travel status, we recommend checking the official page for U.S. Virgin Islands. 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). St. Thomas, St. John, Or St. Croix: Which One Of The US Virgin Islands If you could sail it straight though, how long would it take? Visit The Baths & Jost Van Dyke from St Thomas or St John - Viator