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The restaurants and shops in and around Coral Bay may seem like just a stop on your round-the-island tour, but if you look a little closer you’ll discover a real sense of community. Indeed, the Guy Benjamin School bears the name of a retired educator who lives just down the road. The boat yard may seem a tad on the ramshackle side, but it’s the center of life for the dozens of folks who live aboard their boats in Coral Bay harbor.

Get a taste of the marine life that surrounds St. Thomas without the need to get wet, although that is an option with some of the activities (seeCoral World, St. Thomas).

This marine park connects visitors with the undersea life around the islands. Watch colorful fish in tanks or up close on underwater adventures such as Sea Trekkin’ or Snuba (seeCoral World, St. Thomas).

Coral World provides the ideal introduction to the under-sea world that surrounds the Virgin Islands. With easy-to-understand exhibits, kid-friendly staff, and a nearby beach, this marine park is a must-see for visitors to St. Thomas. It’s a great place to spend the entire day (seeCoral World, St. Thomas).

Fresh Anegada lobster served in the shell and dripping butter is the dish to order here.

The island’s best artisans set up shop at this Road Town market.

The ambience at this cozy place centers around wine, with an ever-changing menu.

Only a few cruise ships tie up at the Crown Bay dock; most go to Havensight. Facilities are minimal around the pier, so you’ll have to walk a few blocks to the Crown Bay Marina and shopping complex to find restaurants and a gourmet grocery. A few more restaurants and a couple of shops flank the busy road that runs from the pier to the Crown Bay Marina. If you are there in winter, visit the marina for a gander at the multimillion-dollar yachts that stop by St. Thomas.

Lasting through December until Three Kings Day, this annual festival features a plethora of events, from parades to musical programs. Sample island dishes at Food Fair, held in mid-December. Event locations vary, usually between Christiansted and Frederiksted in alternating years.

The busy ferry port at Cruz Bay is most visitors’ first impression of the town and the island. But don’t let the cacophony of ferry noise and taxi drivers put you off. Outside the dock, the noise abates and the town unfolds. Small, with narrow streets carrying no discernible names, Cruz Bay offers visitors the Virgin Islands National Park Visitor’s Center (seeVirgin Islands National Park Visitor’s Center), restaurants, and shopping, but also serves as the heart of island life for St. John residents (seeStroll Through Cruz Bay, St. John).