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 largest section of Virgin Islands Books & Souvenirs. St Thomas is a small island with 32 square miles . Some will sail south to the Dominican Republic into Lupern, then work their way across to coast of the Dominican Republic. How to Get There from Anguilla: You can fly from Anguilla to St. Thomas direct on Air Sunshine in about 45 minutes. American forces were based on the island during the Second World War. Fares between BVI and USVI do not include USVI Port Fee/$10, BVI Environment Fee/$10 and BVI Departure Tax/$20 ($15 resident). 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. There are three main islands to visit: St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix. Again much thanks for the info . Every hour, one of the ferries departs Red Hook, St. Thomas, and the other Cruz Bay, St. John, crossing each other along the way. The land was divided into plantations and sugarcane production became the primary economic activity. In the USVI's peak season, from December to March . Distance from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Saint Thomas The total straight line flight distance from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Saint Thomas is 1,110 miles. 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. Mon-Sun: 6:30 am until 9:00 pm. Most of the islands rise only to a few hundred feet above sea level. Your Source for Shipping Excellence to the Caribbean; 305-800-0340 or 340-690-1110 Toll Free: 800-566-2340; . When talking about moving between islands, cruisers will often use the phrases up island and down island. It sees less traffic because it's a long trip there and back, with a lot of upwind. Dont rush things have patience and consider your time here as a chance to relax and enjoy a nice breather. This is only a problem if you turn south too soon. Spirit Airlines and JetBlue can get you from Florida to Saint Thomas Island in just under 2h 36m. Privacy Policy, Improve Sailing helps you to make your sailing dream actionable, by writing in-depth articles on practical questions. These refer to islands to the north as "Up" and those to the south as "Down" the island chains. Today tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for 80% of GDP and employment. For those looking for an accessible tropical destination with warm climate to sit at a pool or on a sandy beach, St Thomas offers an ideal landing spot. A lot of people lump them together and it is easy to take a ferry between the two. Taking enough time the Thorny Path can be a much more pleasant experience over two to three months. There are a few natural harbors and protected bays. On St. Thomas, life tends to move at a slower pace than on the mainland. Rome2rio makes travelling from Florida to Virgin Islands easy. We measured courses to just inside the harbor in most cases with a wide safety margin, and not for optimal course length with the absolute shortest route. Good manners and formality are highly esteemed. 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. Some hotels on St. Kitts provide 110-volt . Duty-Free Shopping 3. The West Indies, a misnomer dating back to the days of Christopher Columbus, refers to pretty much all the Caribbean islands and the Bahamas. Do you want to earn money to write on our website? In fact, more than half of the island is dedicated to . You've got broad banks of shallows and exposed reefs butting into mile-deep waters between islands. You heard meits not far at all from South Florida. There are gaps between islands where you'd be pressed to take a shoal draft boat, so you have to take less direct routes and pick your way through the shallows by the color of the water. Great Location. 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. A stingray pool where guests can feed the stingray after the presentation. [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. Virgin Islanders are generally a conservative and quiet people. There aren't any Caribbean destinations beyond Trinidad. This info was very helpful Thanks. [7], The Dutch West India Company established a post on Saint Thomas in 1657. I am wanting to bring my 37 ft Chris Craft to the Virgin Islands. There are a couple of reasons. St. Thomas has a beautiful natural harbor and many protected bays. ? Additional terms apply. You will be approached by "boat boys" in Soufrire, though they are not as organized as those in Dominica they can still be helpful. Water Island is 2 miles long and to 1 mile wide. But when you leave from further south, the Bahamas and other islands get between you and the Virgin Islands, which complicates the whole route and adds a lot of time and work to the trip. The average price for direct flights from Jacksonville, Florida to St Thomas Island is $463. The remaining islands are independent island nations. Did you find the answer to your specific question? But where to go and when? The company eventually sold the island to the United States in 1944, during the German occupation of Denmark. This site is owned and operated by Truly Content. In both cases the route distance is subjective, since you're sailing east to an arbitrary longitude before making a course shift, so wind and sailing conditions can change the distance you need to sail and how long it takes. However, the proponents of the purchase failed to gain legislative support for the bid. Copyright 2023 ImproveSailing.com Good. It is advisable to contact the ferry company the day before your intended . There are 10 airlines flying into STT: Spirit Airlines. Thirteen of the 14-member territorial board officials met by way of a teleconference between St. Thomas and St. Croix. It has plenty of anchorage space, its protected, and most marine services. 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). 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. 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. 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. How far is Saint Thomas from Miami, FL? "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. Often referred to as "The People Ferry", this is the cheapest, easiest, most popular, and shortest route from St. Thomas to Cruz Bay. The island has a land area of 32 square miles (83km2). St. Croixs highest peak, Mount Eagle, is 1,088 feet high. St. John , Water Island is the smallest populated island of USVI group. every Hour. The islands now have an annual celebration in November to honor the legacy of David Hamilton Jackson.[17]. 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. Prices were available within the past 7 days and start at $108 for one-way flights and $196 for round trip, for the period specified. [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. Of those, only Martinique is a French overseas territory, the rest are all independent countries. The Sunday schedule offers a noon departure from St. Thomas and 4 p.m. from St. Croix. This site is owned and operated by Truly Content. There is widespread community transmission globally. Once you get outside hurricane season, the trade winds hit their peak seasonal strength. There's no shelter on I-65. Sheltered harbors aren't as common as you'd like, nor are ports with marinas and supplies. The first congregation was the St. Thomas Reformed Church, which was established in 1660 and was associated with the Dutch Reformed Church.. Denmark-Norway's first attempt to settle the island in 1665 failed.However, the Danes did resettle St. Thomas in 1671, under the sponsorship of the Glueckstadt Co., later the Danish . Scooters are also an excellent way to get around the island. Country Cities United States Florida | U.S. Virgin Islands St Thomas The distance line on map shows distance from Florida to St Thomas between two cities. 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). We have received no reports of travel restrictions in U.S. Virgin Islands. The total straight line flight distance from Orlando, FL to Saint Thomas is 1,256 miles. The most notable is that you can make the entire trip with no really long offshore passages. 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). FIRST AIR MAIL FLIGHT FAM 9 MIAMI FLORIDA MULTIPLE BACKSTAMPS US COVER. 8: . Rome2rio uses cookies to help personalize content and show you personalised ads. Water Island . The Greater Antilles includes the islands of Cuba, the Cayman Islands, Hispaniola (with the Dominican Republic and Haiti), Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. Nearby Saba isn't recommended as a strong wind anchorage, either. Hundreds of ferries and yachts pass by the Town each week. 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. Things to Do in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 1. The Virgin Islands are located in the Caribbean. O and by the way late Aug or Sept, is NOT a Good time to be going that way it can be the worst time for BIG storms LOL just sayin Bob and Connie 15-02-2012, 16:28 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 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. 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. It's vague, but it's a common way to discuss plans, especially when they aren't settled. Virgin Islands is 1h ahead of Florida. All times are based on an average speed made good on the plotted course of 5, 6, or 7 knots. The latter usually operate only between high-traffic points, e.g., cruise-ship terminals at Havensight and Crown Bay and downtown Charlotte Amalie. Your flight direction from Orlando, FL to Saint Thomas is Southeast (120 degrees from North). I am a first time boat owner so forgive me if I dont know the lingo. It's an established part of the local economy, and they will handle much of what you need on the island like tours and supplies. How about August/September? Look for most of the cruising community in the southern bays and harbors. 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"). If pounding upwind into chop, slop, and current between stops on small islands isn't your thing, there is another option - head offshore. We'll get to those in a moment. The US Virgin Islands are 40-50 miles east of Puerto Rico; and about 1106 miles southeast Miami, Florida. Find directions to St Thomas, browse local businesses, landmarks, get current traffic estimates, road conditions, and more. About us We are relatively new to sailing. 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 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.. The Netherlands 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 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. [13], The first British invasion and occupation of the island occurred in 1801. St. Croix is 84 square miles in size, 22 miles long and the widest point is a little more than 6 miles. The southeasterly winds and opposing currents can lead to steep, sloppy and rough seas for upwind sailing. For the latest travel status, please check the official page for U.S. Virgin Islands. OK, it isn't cheap, but it can absolutely be done on a budget. 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. Shark Shallows a nursery for adolescent sharks. Most trips are just $1 or $2 per person. The highest point is Bordeaux Mountain at 1,277 feet. ImproveSailing is compensated for referring traffic and business to this companies. The arc of Caribbean islands begins off the coast of Florida and extends all the way to South America. If its blank on arrival/to, there's only a single island destination in that country. 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. To give you a sense of why and how you might plan your sailing itineraries. 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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. At least theres are no land and reefs around to hit like there is on the Thorny Parth. to Cyril E. King. The distance between Florida and Virgin Islands is 1249 miles. 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. 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. They run during the day and are not on a set schedule. Great answer. The Dutch West India Company established a post on Saint Thomas in 1657. Official Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for U.S. Virgin Islands, Charlotte Amalie, United States Virgin Islands, Suntastic Island Getaway. 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. Even a day sail is exhausting if you spend the entire day getting beat up and tipped on your ear while bashing upwind. [26], Magens Bay as seen from Drake's Seat, St. Thomas. 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. Where the "island" column is blank on departure, it's a repeat of the row above. The islands have an average temperatures of 70s and 80s degrees Fahrenheit year round. As you are already on the US side of the Virgin Islands heading over to St. Thomas from St. John is very easy. But it works better if you start further north. [14] He began the first newspaper in the islands, known as The Herald. Since 2012 he's been cruising the world with his wife and living aboard full time. To get times going the other way, just use the reverse route to your departure point. Not a sailboat but powered by two gas engines, basically Chevy 350 V8s. The two islands are maybe 6 miles apart at their closest points. The British Virgin Islands (BVI) are made up of 4 larger islands; Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and Anegada, and 32 smaller 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. 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. 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. This is equivalent to 2 021 kilometers or 1,092 nautical miles. 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. A lot of sailors heading to the Virgin Islands from the continental U.S. prefer to leave from further north. William has been sailing and owning boats for over twenty years. 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. Heading further south, the Windward islands start with Martinique, then St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. South Pacific South Pacific Fiji US Northeast Newport - St. Johns Canada Cape Breton _____ Distances Between Islands _____ I s l a n d s: Distance in Miles: Average Length of Sail: St Thomas : to: St Martin: 140: 20 hours: St Martin: to: St Thomas: 114: 14 hours: St Martin: to . From the airport you rent a car and drive or take a taxi to Redhook (east end) St. Thomas. The highest point is Crown Mountain at 1,556 feet. Despite natural disasters such as Hurricane Hugo (1989), Hurricanes Luis and Marilyn (1995), and Hurricanes Irma and Maria (2017) the island's infrastructure continues to improve as the flow of visitors continues. Need more shuttle/tram drivers. And if you have time, you can make the Thorny Path the journey and destination. During this excursion, enjoy a breakfast boat ride to Virgin Gorda's Baths. The average price for connecting flights from Jacksonville, Florida to St Thomas Island is $228. Knowing the sailing seasons around the world help you to plan your trip well. 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 (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. The British Virgin Islands lie to the northeast of the United States Virgin Islands. [Note: The distance between cities in U.S. Virgin Islands distance chart below is straight line distance (may be called as flying or air distance) between the two locations in U.S. Virgin Islands . There is 1 way to get from Florida to Virgin Islands by plane or ferry Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. Most island passages happen in a more stepwise, logical fashion. Silver Airways and American Airlines offer flights from Miami Airport to Beef Island Airport. This is a destination meant for relaxation there is no need for a tie or a fancy dress. Short hops into rough conditions take a toll on crew energy and on the boat - things break and wear. He was also instrumental in persuading the Danish to allow the US to purchase the islands of Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix. how far is st thomas virgin islands from florida Posted by June 8, 2022 golden retriever age progression pictures on how far is st thomas virgin islands from florida The Leeward Antilles also includes several islands which belong to Venezuela, but take care visiting them. Coki Beach is a beach on the island Saint Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, located in the Caribbean. Puerto Rico - United States Virgin Islands vv. These distances assume coast-hopping from one end of the island to a different departure point, which we almost always did. Jackson was the editor of The Herald, which had its office at 1B Kongens Gadein Christiansted. Just tell us the best email address to send your tips to: Improve Sailing If it's blank on arrival/to, there's only a single island destination in that country. Is it even possible to transit from Flordia to the Virgin Islands as I think I would have to find fuel every 10 hours. The nonstop route for optimal wind is closer to 1,500 nautical miles. 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. And it doesn't mean the waters aren't littered with reefs, shoals, low-lying islands, and other hazards. A touch pool with sea stars, couch, hermit crabs, sea cucumbers and sea urchins. The general approach to sailing the Thorny Path is to make short hops, day sails, and overnight passages between close destinations.