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St. Thomas is an island in the Caribbean Sea and with the islands of Saint John, Saint Croix, and Water Island the newest of the four Islands to comprise the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), an unincorporated territory of the United States. So how might you sail the Caribbean, and what are the distances and times involved? Currently, we are unable to provide travel restriction information for leaving United States. Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands are U.K. territories, the U.S. Virgin Islands are an American territory, and the Netherlands administer Saba, Statia, and the Dutch Half of Sint Maarten. We're looking for writers! The best time to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands is December through March, as the weather is drier and you can enjoy blue skies most of the time. Pack light clothing, a sun. This column is for archipelagos and destinations with multiple islands. It is only 491.5 acres in size. Also, once you hit the trade winds, the sailing becomes upwind and much less comfortable. U.S. Virgin Islands ; St. Thomas ; St. Thomas Travel Forum; Search. Learn More{{/message}}. But make sure you pay atttention to the shallows at the end of the narrows and pick the north or south channel out. ', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' The USVI consist of 4 larger islands: St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island, and some 50 smaller islets and cays. Many view the trip past Georgetown as the worst stretch. There are a few natural harbors and protected bays. It is not only the ultimate tropical vacation location; it can be as affordable as a similar vacation to Florida. The US Virgin Islands are located just to the right of Puerto Rico. 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. The post-war era also saw the rise of tourism on the island. 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 West Indies, a misnomer dating back to the days of Christopher Columbus, refers to pretty much all the Caribbean islands and the Bahamas. The island is serviced by the Cyril E. King International Airport. At six knots, sailing from Florida to the Virgin Islands would take you about seven days. Some hotels on St. Kitts provide 110-volt . In 1954, passage of the U.S. Virgin Islands Organic Act officially granted territorial status to the three islands, and allowed for the formation of a local senate with politics dominated by the American Republican and Democratic parties. Saint Thomas receives 989 millimeters (38.9in) of precipitation annually over 163.6 precipitation days. Directions. 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. The territorial capital and port of Charlotte Amalie is located on the island. Did you find the answer to your specific question? The options include taking a passenger ferry, car barge, water taxi, boat charter, or term yacht charter. Since you can't sail that straight line, if you're in a hurry you can sail offshore. 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). [15] After beginning The Herald, Jackson organized labor unions among the islanders for better working conditions. The federal government then used the island for military purposes until 1950, before finally transferring it to the territorial government in 1996.[19]. Along with surrounding minor islands, it is one of three county-equivalents in the USVI. It is currently 2:44 AM in Florida and 3:44 AM in Virgin Islands. 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? Find all the transport options for your trip from Florida to Virgin Islands right here. Contact us This distance is equal to 111.56 miles, and 96.88 nautical miles. 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. Copyright 2023 ImproveSailing.com Today tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for 80% of GDP and employment. 9034 GD Marsum ? 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. 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. (Clear Info for 50 States). Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed decision about which option will suit you best. The average price for connecting flights from Jacksonville, Florida to St Thomas Island is $228. Plenty of sunscreen and insect repellant are also musts. From St. Thomas, you can take the public ferry from either Red Hook or Charlotte Amalie to St. John. In 2010 the City had a population of 18,481, which makes it the largest city in the Virgin Islands Archipelago. 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]. The answer depends on you - your skill level, your tolerance for discomfort and pounding your boat, how much you like offshore sailing, and how much time you have. 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. 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. 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. The highest point is Mount Sage on Tortola in the BVI, which is 1,710 feet high. St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands has been revitalized in recent years. But you're headed through The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos - that's a tropical paradise, right? Gift shops and restaurants are also on site. . While this is an exotic island, it also has the familiar atmosphere of home. There aren't any Caribbean destinations beyond Trinidad. Most island hopping is in the Eastern Caribbean, in the Windward and Leeward Islands. This air travel distance is equal to 1235.95 miles. Thank you , Excellent run down of the two optionsthank you! The Virgin Islands are located in the Caribbean. 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 terrain on the east end of the island is rocky and arid with short grassy hillsides and many cactus clusters. How far is St Thomas from Florida by plane? The ocean park consists of an open-water system where water flows through each of the exhibits and back out to the ocean. Need to go back to the gas golf carts. VIRGIN ISLANDS to ST. LUCIA 1929 LINDBERGH Flown FAM6 . Distance Between Puerto Rico and St Thomas. . The island groups are named relative to the trade winds, which blow from the south and southeast. Silver Airways and American Airlines offer flights from Miami Airport to Beef Island Airport. The US Virgin Islands are 40-50 miles east of Puerto Rico; and about 1106 miles southeast Miami, Florida. So it is ok to ignore them!!! In 1917, Saint Thomas was purchased (along with Saint Croix and Saint John) by the United States for $25 million in gold ($529 million today),[18] as part of a defensive strategy to maintain control over the Caribbean and the Panama Canal during the First World War. Exhibits include the Caribbean Reef Encounter an 80,000 gallon circular tank open at the top for the natural elements to filter in. You will find a table for each major island or island group and distances to common passages from that island. The Greater Antilles includes the islands of Cuba, the Cayman Islands, Hispaniola (with the Dominican Republic and Haiti), Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. All times are based on an average speed made good on the plotted course of 5, 6, or 7 knots. Rome2rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. The highest point is Crown Mountain at 1,556 feet. The best time to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands is April to June, when you can expect mild weather and very little rainfall. Hundreds of ferries and yachts pass by the Town each week. Sheltered harbors aren't as common as you'd like, nor are ports with marinas and supplies. It sees less traffic because it's a long trip there and back, with a lot of upwind. Sailings from Florida to St. Thomas, VI: Receiving Location: Cutoff Day / Time: Sailing Day: Estimated Transit . Built 1672-1680, early in the first successful colonial establishment on the island, the fort served as critical point of defense and government during entire period of Dano-Norwegian, and later Danish, administration, which ended in 1917 with the sale of the islands to the United States. $4.09 + $1.00 shipping. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1997. . For crews without blue water experience or not comfortable being a hundred miles from land, this is a big draw. 8: . On St. Thomas, life tends to move at a slower pace than on the mainland. This is only a problem if you turn south too soon. The Safari Taxis follow a loop passing Red Hook, Charlotte Amalie, and the island's resort-heavy East End. Since 2012 he's been cruising the world with his wife and living aboard full time. 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. 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. "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. There are no airports on St. John so you must fly to St. Thomas Cyril E. King Airport (code STT) and travel from there. St Thomas is a small island with 32 square miles . Additional terms apply. 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. 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. How far is Saint Thomas from Miami, FL? - Wikipedia. Your flight direction from Orlando, FL to Saint Thomas is Southeast (120 degrees from North). The southeasterly winds and opposing currents can lead to steep, sloppy and rough seas for upwind sailing. 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. The remaining islands are independent island nations. Even though the server responded OK, it is possible the submission was not processed. Start planning today. #topofthelinetransport #usvishipping #autoshipping #vehicleshipping #cartransport #lcltrucking #caribbeanshipping #lclshipping #fclshipping. The British Virgin Islands (BVI) are made up of 4 larger islands; Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and Anegada, and 32 smaller islands. The Netherlands Though it's a petite 32 square miles, the U.S. Virgin Island of St. Thomas boasts a few great all-inclusive hotelsall the better for having a stress-free home base while sailing, snorkeling . Last updated: March 1 | Data sourced from: ACAPS, OXFORD. But the answer is a bit more complicated, so we'll give you some detail about why. Then we get into the Leeward Islands, Windward Islands, and the Leeward Antilles. There are 1112 mi between Florida and Saint Thomas Island. Ciboney sites have been uncovered in Krum Bay. Often referred to as "The People Ferry", this is the cheapest, easiest, most popular, and shortest route from St. Thomas to Cruz Bay. I don't like spam - I will only send helpful content. [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]. Some will sail south to the Dominican Republic into Lupern, then work their way across to coast of the Dominican Republic. 350 reviews. With relatively cheap air travel and the American embargo on Cuba, the numbers of visitors greatly increased. Wonderful info.. thanks you kindly.. Am looking into Bahamas to Grenada arriving in Grenada before may ..will be in Bahamas in January.. Any advise is greatly appreciated Prefer short overnights and pleasant seas :-) There are activities for all ages and interests. St. Thomas and its nearby . The unstable situation on the mainland means conditions may be unpredictable. Depending on where you leave from - northern Florida or somewhere in the Bahamas - you may sail north to avoid the trades. 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. St. Croix is 84 square miles in size, 22 miles long and the widest point is a little more than 6 miles. The land was divided into plantations and sugarcane production became the primary economic activity. The destinations are from north to south, and reverse routes and distances are not given to keep the tables simpler to read. This is equivalent to 1 787 kilometers or 965 nautical miles. The cheapest flight from Tampa to Saint Thomas Island was found 42 days before departure, on average. This info was very helpful Thanks. The general approach to sailing the Thorny Path is to make short hops, day sails, and overnight passages between close destinations. 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. 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. The islands were returned to Denmark in 1802, under the terms of the Treaty of Amiens. How about August/September? St. John , Water Island is the smallest populated island of USVI group. But it works better if you start further north. The islands extend from west to east for about 60 miles and are located west of the Anegada Passage, a major channel connecting the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The baccalaureate service for the transfer was held at the St. Thomas Reformed Church as it was identified as the American church in the Danish West Indies. Leaving from north of St. Lucie isn't going to make the trip appreciably longer. The St Thomas time zone is Atlantic Standard Time which is 4 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).