The city is located on the southern coast of the island of St. Thomas, stretching along a picturesque harbor for one and a half miles. It stands on three low hills of volcanic origin. The hilly terrain and the presence of a river meant that the vegetation was not very rich. These are mainly woodlands and shrubs. But the rich marine world fully compensates for this deficiency. As for animals, you can mainly find small rodents, lizards and various types of birds.
Attractions
Charlotte Amalie was founded in 1672 by Danish colonialists. The city got its name in honor of the wife of the Danish king Christian V. If during your stay in Charlotte Amalie you spend time on historical attractions, you definitely won’t regret it! In addition, this is a relatively small city, which means that most places of worship can be explored in a few hours by walking, or you can rent a bicycle, taxi or car.
1. Fort Kristjan
The fort was built in 1672 and was used for completely different purposes - as a church, a government house, a meeting place, and also as a defensive point against pirate raids. Fort Kristjan even managed to be a prison, and since 1987 the National Museum of the US Virgin Islands has been located here.
2. Blackbeard's Castle
The castle was built by the Danes in the 17th century. They say that this is where the famous pirate Blackbeard lived. There are rumors that the castle still contains treasures looted by the villain. Maybe you'll be lucky?
3. Beracha Veshalom Vegimult Hasidim
It is uniquely the oldest operating synagogue in the United States and the second oldest in the entire Western Hemisphere. It was built by Jewish refugees from Spain and is definitely worth a visit.
4. Coral World
In this marine observatory you can see aquariums with a volume of three hundred thousand liters, where stingrays, eels, sharks, countless tropical fish, crustaceans and corals live. An underwater tower was built to observe all these marine inhabitants.
5. House-Museum of Camille Pissarro
The famous impressionist artist was born on the island of St. Thomas. Currently, the museum named after him houses a unique collection of works by the master.
Entertainment
The pearl of Charlotte Amalie - Magens Bay Beach - one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The bay with the clearest water of the Caribbean Sea and snow-white sand is bordered by tropical trees. And the boulders of volcanic origin scattered everywhere only complement the vibrant beach landscape.
If you are not afraid of heights, we recommend taking a tour on a small plane. The view of the US Virgin Islands will be an unforgettable experience! You can also take the Paradise Point cable car to the top of one of the hills to admire the bay and the city. This entertainment includes a funny parrot show: birds perform various tricks for tips, which is especially popular with children.
Young people in the city will also not be bored. Dynamic and lively, Charlotte Amalie offers tourists a variety of nightclubs and bars. This city is also the best place for shopping in the US Virgin Islands. There are more than 300 stores in the central neighborhoods of Charlotte Amalie. Interesting shops can also be found at the pier, near the stopping places of cruise ships. Don't forget to buy rum and pirate souvenirs!
She is on St. Thomas, the largest island of the archipelago. The city was founded in 1672 by Danish colonialists. It was named after the wife of the Danish king Christian V. Located city of Charlotte Amalie on the hillsides.
Now it is a modern tourism center where tourists from all over the world come to soak up the sun, go on a cruise, go shopping or simply enjoy the beauty of the US Virgin Islands. Your vacation in Charlotte Amalie will be unforgettable!
Climate
The city is located on the island of St. Thomas. It has a tropical maritime climate and pleasant temperatures throughout the year. In summer the average temperature is +29 °C, in winter it drops only a couple of degrees - to +24 °C.
The peculiarity of the local climate is that there are two dry and wet seasons. Winter and summer here can be called dry seasons, but autumn and spring are real rainy seasons. In September - November the most precipitation falls here, but the rains are most often short-lived.
From mid-summer to mid-autumn there is a high probability of hurricanes.
The best time to visit Charlotte Amalie is from January to April.
The best time to come here for diving is at the beginning of summer: at this time it is quiet and calm here, there are practically no storms.
Nature
The city is located on the hills of the largest island of the archipelago, which is located in Caribbean Sea.
St. Thomas― an island of limestone origin, but in some places there are volcanic and crystalline rocks. The area is hilly and there is a river.
The vegetation here on the island is not very rich: open forests and shrubs. But the coastal waters abound with marine life.
The fauna is represented by small rodents, lizards, and various breeds of birds.
Attractions
The main attraction of Charlotte Amalie is Fort Kristjan. It was erected in 1672, and then used for various needs of the city: as a church, as a government house, as a meeting place, as a defensive point against pirate raids. For some time the fort was used as a prison, and since 1987 it has housed the National Museum of the US Virgin Islands.
In the 17th century, the Danes built another landmark of the city - Blackbird Castle. According to legends, it was here that the famous pirate Blackbeard lived. They say that the treasures looted by the villain are still kept here.
Charlotte Amalie is also home to the oldest operating synagogue in the United States — Beracha Veshalom Vegimult Hasidim.
Must visit Coral World- marine observatory. There are 300,000 liter aquariums containing rays, eels, sharks, many types of tropical fish, crustaceans and corals. An underwater tower was built to observe all these marine inhabitants.
The famous impressionist artist was born on the island of St. Thomas Camille Pissarro. Now in Charlotte Amalie there is a museum named after him, where a unique collection of paintings by the painter is collected.
Another asset of the city can be called the hills on the slopes of which it was built: it is from their tops that you can observe a breathtaking panorama of all the islands of the Archipelago.
Nutrition
In the city's bars and restaurants you will find American, European and Creole menus. A local restaurant has earned a good reputation among restaurant critics The Agave Terrace for excellent seafood dishes.
It is worth saying that a rare dish of national cuisine is complete without seafood. Be sure to try the sauce. Underneath the name of the dish lies a simple composition - an assortment of pork by-products. However, there is an interesting point here: there is no single recipe; each chef adds his own signature ingredients, so that every time you taste a unique sauce.
But let's get back to seafood. There is such an abundance of fish and shellfish in the local cuisine that here they... are used to make pancakes! This dish is called conk. Also, many stews and soups are prepared here based on seafood. For example, callaloo- seafood soup with the addition of stewed vegetables, herbs, spices and meat.
For a side dish, try potato pudding or fungi(this is cereal porridge prepared according to a special recipe). Often meat and fish dishes here are accompanied by fried bananas or local bread, reminiscent of pita bread.
Drink local herbal tea here bush-ti, coffee or fresh fruit juices. Local rum is popular among alcohol, because it was consumed by real pirates!
Accommodation
Although there are many hotels in Charlotte Amalie, a vacation here cannot be called cheap. A room in a local hotel or boarding house costs on average $250-300 per night per person. This is the normal price for resort hotels on this island.
Of course, there are more modest options, but you won’t get a cheap holiday here either: budget hotels will charge $150-170 per night, and a room in a boarding house will cost $80-100. At the same time - we must pay tribute to the islanders - the service in any of the hotels will be of the highest quality.
Tent cities are popular among tourists, but not every island has them.
Well, if you do not intend to save money, then you can rent an apartment or villa on the coast. If an apartment costs you from $1000 per week, then for a villa you will have to pay at least 5 times more.
Entertainment and relaxation
Charlotte Amalie is home to one of the world's most beautiful beaches, Magens Bay Beach. This is an excellent bay with a snow-white sandy shore, which is framed in a semicircle by tropical trees. Scattered porous volcanic boulders and crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea give this place a special chic. It's a pleasure to relax here!
For lovers of active recreation, many sports are available here: diving, tennis, horse riding, golf, sport fishing, snorkeling and sailing.
The island is also famous for its carnivals. The main one is held in April. At this time, masquerades and dance processions take place here. And traditional for Americans St.Patrick 's Day They celebrate here with a blues festival.
For those who are not afraid of heights, an excursion on a small plane will be unforgettable. The bird's eye view of the Virgin Islands will impress you for a long time.
Another entertainment is the funicular ride Paradise Point to the top of one of the hills. From there you can enjoy a picturesque view of the bay and the city. You can also enjoy a parrot show there: birds perform various tricks for tips. This show is usually very popular with children.
Fans of nightlife in the city will also not be bored: Charlotte Amalie has many nightclubs and bars.
Purchases
Charlotte Amalie is the best shopping destination in the US Virgin Islands. There are more than 300 stores in several central blocks of the city. You will also find interesting shops at the pier, as cruise ships stop there.
It is profitable to buy jewelry, jewelry, watches, photo and video cameras, and perfumes here. As for souvenirs, people usually bring rum, pirate-themed items and sea souvenirs from here to remember the trip.
Transport
The town is small, so you may not even need transport: all the interesting places can be explored in a few hours by walking. However, you can rent a bicycle. Taxis and rental cars are also popular here.
Between Charlotte Amalie and other cities on St. Thomas There are minibuses. The islands are connected by sea ferries, and air flights are organized.
Connection
Mobile operators in St. Thomas are combined into one network with American ones. In Charlotte Amalie, you can purchase a SIM card from one of these operators.
Russian mobile operators offer roaming in the US Virgin Islands, so you can take care of communication with loved ones while traveling while still at home.
At the hotel you can order an international call from your room. Hotels also usually have wi-fi. It is also available in all public places, cafes and restaurants.
There is an Internet cafe in the city center.
Safety
The crime situation on the island is relatively calm. The only problem in the city is pickpockets, so be vigilant in crowded places. Try not to advertise the amount of money in your wallet, do not display expensive things. We also do not recommend walking along the outskirts of the city alone at night.
You should only drink bottled water, otherwise you may get an intestinal disease.
Business climate
Major contribution to the economy St. Thomas The tourism sector does and contributes, of course. More than a million tourists visit Charlotte Amalie every year! It is this area that attracts investors, and local authorities encourage this in every possible way.
Quite a lot of the population is employed here in industry. The island produces equipment, watches, rum, textiles, and pharmaceuticals.
Around Charlotte Amalie They grow sugar cane, although agriculture in general is poorly developed.
The business climate depends on the American economy.
Real estate
Buy a house or apartment in Charlotte Amalie not so simple. Firstly, there is much less real estate here than there are people willing to buy it. And secondly, the prices are incredibly high. For example, to buy a small house on an island, you will need at least a million dollars. And on the other islands of the archipelago, prices will be even higher!
Such sky-high amounts are due to the ecology of the area, remoteness from the continent and quiet on the islands, as well as climate and infrastructure.
Housing prices here are constantly growing, but real estate here should be bought either for your own needs or as a financial investment: renting out will not return the money you invested in the purchase.
Hotel bills often include additional costs such as room tax, staff and electricity.
In restaurants, a tip of 10-15% is included in the bill, but in small cafes it is customary to tip the waiter who serves you personally.
Do not forget that lifting marine organisms and sunken objects from the bottom is strictly prohibited. Collecting shells washed ashore is also prohibited. And for sport fishing you will need a special permit.
Information
The island of St. Thomas is one of the most visited by cruise ships in the world. In 2016 1,700,000 passengers visited here. There are 2 piers on the island. The main one in the city of Charlotte Amalie is called Havensight, most of the ships dock there. Second berth - Crown Bay. Mega-liners Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas always dock there.
You can find out where your ship will be docked on the port’s website. Havensight pier on the website is called West Indian Co.
By and large, the parking location is unimportant. If you just want to go swimming, then from Havensight you can walk to Morning Beach, from Crown Bay to the excellent Emerald Beach (Lindberg Bay). Not far from this pier there is also a good beach called Brewers Bay.
The most popular beach on the island is Magen's Bay. A very beautiful bay, but there are a lot of people. Entrance costs $4. There is good snorkeling on the beaches of Coki beach and Saphire Beach. We recommend that fans take a mask. Near the first there is a small marine park Coral World. Ticket It’s quite expensive – $19.
In the capital, Charlotte Amalie, and on the island in general, there are no architectural or historical attractions. From Havensight Pier up the hill Paradise Point The funicular goes up. Ticket costs $21. It is designed for those who do not intend to leave the pier area. You will see the same view on the way to the beaches. There are numerous Duty Free shops at the piers. Many products have really inexpensive prices. For example, for cigarettes and alcohol.
If you want to take an organized tour of the island, you can book one. Prices are much cheaper than cruise lines.
The cost of ship excursions using the example of the Princess company.
A taxi on the same route will cost $100-120. You can rent a car. There are many rent a car offices at the piers. A sedan for 6 people (3 seats on the first row) costs from $75.
Attention! Driving on the island is on the left. Local residents are accustomed to tourists constantly confusing lanes, so they drive slowly. A circle around the island with a stop at the 5 most beautiful beaches will be only 40 km.
The most economical way to get around the island is in municipal pickup trucks ( public bus or safari). The fare is $1, stops are located near the terminals on the main road. There is a circular route past all the beaches.
There are also tourist minibuses. Their stops are closer to the piers.
Cost from berth Havensight:
- to the city center - 4$
- to Magens Beach - $8
- to the ferry pier on the island of St. John Red Hook Ferry - $10
- to Coral World - 9$
- to the Marriott hotel beach - $6
from the pier Crown Bay:
- to the city center - 4$
- to Havensight pier - $4
- to Magens Beach - 10$
- to the ferry pier on the island of St. John Red Hook Ferry - $11
- to Coral World - 10$
- to Emerald Beach - $4
The author will be pleased!
Cruise date - December 2011
Liner:
nice beaches with iguanas
St. Thomas is quite densely populated compared to Culebra (unfortunately, it is not on the Cruise Guide, but we also visited there during a yacht cruise) and its nature does not shine with splendor. These are mostly flattened hills overgrown with low-growing jungle, but the beaches there are good and somehow separated from the main development.
Locals mainly live on the hillsides. There are few people on the beaches, but there are a lot of huge iguanas. One of which ran almost over my leg while I was lying on the sand. And then she had hard sex with her companion one and a half meters away from me!
In short, it’s just some kind of “In the Animal World” against the backdrop of classic Caribbean beaches and villas of rich Americans on the green slopes of volcanic hills!
Did you like the review? Click The author will be pleased!
The main attraction of the island is its excellent beaches.
In St. Thomas, the liner's parking was from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Our Norwegian Sun did not have enough space at the berth and we were standing in the roadstead. Passengers were transported ashore on boats. We went out to the pier, asked where the rental car was and we were directed to the Avis office. But in the Avis office there was only one car - a jeep. And it cost $98 + 32 insurance.
So we took a taxi and went to Megan's Bay. The driver wanted $25 per person for a 2-3 hour tour of the island, but only for a ride, without stopping or swimming. Of course, this didn’t suit us. And we just asked to take us to the beach. Cost $8 per person. After about 20 minutes we arrived at the beach. Entrance fee - $4. The water is as clear as a tear. A real Caribbean beach - with palm trees.
We spent about 2 hours on the beach and went to Coral World. It cost again $8 per person. In about 15 minutes we reached Coral World and Coki Beach. We agreed with the driver that he would come pick us up in 2 hours. First we decided to go to the park and then swim. Entrance to the park is $19 per person. In my opinion, it's a little expensive for such a place. Nothing much to see. But children will certainly find it interesting. But the most interesting thing in the park is the iguanas. They run freely in the cafe area, hoping to profit from something tasty.
After the park we went to nearby Coki Beach. We had about an hour to swim. It vaguely resembles the resort of Sochi. It's not surprising. There were 6 liners in the port, including our Norwegian Sun. And everyone is taken either here or to Megan's Bay. My husband snorkeled and said that the underwater world is very poor. There is no variety of fish compared to Egypt. The water is warm and clear, clear, so we sat in the “paddling pool” with pleasure.
Charlotte Amalie is the capital and largest city of the dependent territory of the US Virgin Islands, located on the island of St. Thomas.
The population according to the 2000 census is 18.9 thousand people.
Charlotte Amalie got its name in honor of Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Kassel, wife of Christian V.
Charlotte Amalie was once popular as a pirate haven and today is a tourist destination where cruise ships often stop.
the small island of Amalia in the Atlantic Ocean. The famous pirate, Captain Edward Teach, nicknamed Blackbeard, repaired his ships here and buried treasures. As the chronicles tell, Teach carried the stolen gold into the interior of the island along with one of the sailors. The captain chose a suitable place and, while the poor guy was digging a hole, smoked his pipe. After the sailor finished his work, he shot him in the back of the head and, having lowered the treasure, pushed the corpse there. In November 1718, Teach was killed during another boarding battle. He took the secret of the buried treasures with him to the grave forever.
After Edward Teach, Amalia Island became the base of the French pirates - the brothers Jean and Pierre Lafitte. They robbed slave traders in the Caribbean Sea and, having sold captured black slaves, hid the “earned” money on the island. In 1809, Jean Lafitte's ship was caught by an English frigate off the northern shore of the Gulf of Mexico just as the pirates were about to unload looted treasures ashore. Realizing the hopelessness of the situation, the captain sank his ship.
Since its coordinates were precisely known, in 1949 the American company Kirger and Been Exploration Company began search work. But, despite the use of the latest technology at that time, the search for treasures was not crowned with success. Apparently the ship's hull was deeply sucked into the bottom mud.
In addition to Teach and the Lafittes, the island served as a haven for many more gangs of pirates, so modern treasure hunters constantly visit Amalia and search for treasures with enviable tenacity, using metal detectors and other devices.
"Blackbeard"- famous English pirate , operating in the area Caribbean Sea in 1716 - 1718 years. Probably born in 1680 in Bristol or London . Real name: Edward Drummond ( English Edward Drummond). Nothing is known about childhood and adolescence either. There is a hypothesis that before taking up piracy, he was an instructor in the English fleet, as evidenced by the nickname “Teach” (from English teach- to teach). But in most primary sources his pseudonym is indicated as “Thatch,” which is not strange, given the characteristic appearance of “Blackbeard” ( English thatch- thick hair).
Filibuster
The first documentary mention of Tich dates back to October 1717 of the year (newspaper Boston News-Letter), when he was already a pirate under the captainBenjamin Hornigold(English) Benjamin Hornigold), who robbed Spanish and French ships, first as private , and then at your own peril and risk. Historians suggest that Teach participated inWar of the Spanish Succession (also known as Queen Anne's War) as a private owner, and after signingPeace of Utrecht , not wanting to give up his favorite profession, he joined filibusters Hornigold. This indirectly confirms the name that Teach later gave flagship of his pirate fleet - "Queen Anne's Revenge" ( English Queen Anne's Revenge).
While on Hornigold's team, Teach took part in a large number of privateering operations against the French. Taking advantage of the fact that England was at war with France, the filibusters freely used the island Jamaica as its base. At the end 1716 Hornigold gave Ticha personal command sloop , captured from the French during one of the raids. By this time, Teach already had a reputation as a fearless and furious pirate.
Early 1717 year Teach (possibly in company with Hornigold) went to the shoresNorth America . After leaving the island New Providence , pirates captured barque , marching under the command of Captain Tyrbar withBermuda . There were 120 barrels of flour on board the bark, but the pirates took only wine from it and released it. Then they managed to capture a ship with rich booty, sailing to South Carolina from Madera. After repairs and maintenance of their vessels on the coast Virginia , the pirates have returned to West Indian Islands.
In November 1717 year, Tich's sloops attacked and, after a short battle, captured a large French ship near the island Saint Vincent . At this point, Blackbeard's fleet consisted of two sloops: one with 12 guns and 120 crew members, the second with 8 guns and 30 crew members. The captured ship turned out to be a sloop of slave traders "Concord" ( fr. La Concorde), coming from Guinea to Martinique under the command of Captain Dossett. Pirates brought "Concord" to the island Bequia in the Grenadines , where the French and African slaves were landed. French cabin boy Lewis Arot and several other crew members voluntarily joined the pirates and pointed out to them the valuable cargo that was secretly transported on the ship. As a result, the loot from the ship turned out to be very rich; among other things, a fair amount of gold sand and precious stones were found on it.
The pirates gave the smaller of the two sloops to the French, and they themselves switched to "Concord", which Teach strengthened, equipped with 40 cannons and renamed "Queen Anne's Revenge".
Pirate "Blackbeard"
In 1717 new governorBahamas Woods Rogers announced the beginning of a merciless fight against piracy. Hornigold and part of his team decided to surrender to the mercy of the British authorities and receive the amnesty promised by royal decree. Teach refused to stop his craft and raised above "Queen Anne's Revenge" black flag, thereby finally placing himself outside the law.
Traveling alongLesser Antilles , Teach attacked and robbed all oncoming merchant ships (attacks were recorded near the islands Saint Vincent, Saint Lucia, Nevis, Antigua ). In the vicinity of the island of St. Vincent, pirates captured a large English merchant ship under the command of Christophe Taylor. Having taken everything of value, the pirates landed the crew on the island, and set the ship itself on fire. December 1717 Teach's fleet left Puerto Rico towards the Samana Bay on the island Hispaniola.
By January 1718 year, Teach’s team already had about 300 people. Cruising around the islands St. Christopher and Crab, the pirates captured several more British sloops. In the end of January "Queen Anne's Revenge" anchored near the town of Buttown ( English Bathtown) VNorth Carolina . This small town, whose population at that time did not exceed 8 thousand people, was a good refuge for ships coming from Atlantic . The settlers happily bought up the cargo looted by the pirates, so Teach liked Bathtown as a rear base, and he returned to it several times.
