Most families have visited aquariums, but few can compare to St. Thomas’ Coral World Ocean Park. As one of the highest rated attractions on the island, Coral World delights scores of visitors every year. Unlike many other aquariums, Coral World also features several distinct activities – each highlighting a different aspect of the Caribbean’s diverse underwater universe. Families can interact with sharks or observe a colorful coral reef from an underwater observatory. If you want to get in the water yourself, Coral World is located next to one of St. Thomas’ most popular beaches for snorkeling and the park’s two-story catamaran, complete with slides and rides, takes visitors out into the Caribbean. When you visit St. Thomas, trust the recommendations and experience the Coral World Ocean Park for yourself.

For aquarium lovers or anyone curious about life under the sea, the Underwater Observatory is the can’t-miss attraction. Located 100 feet from the shore, the observatory takes you 15 feet underwater to the home of coral reef and more fish than you can imagine. At the complex’s bottom level, you can photograph numerous species of tropical fish swimming amongst the natural coral reef. Check the times of the twice-daily feedings as you will have the opportunity to see creatures of all sizes swim into view to meet the courageous diver.

Another part of the offshore facility is the Predator Tank, a 50,000 gallon aquarium housing all of the region’s most imposing sea creatures. Gazing into the massive tank, you can expect to see plenty of sharks, moray eels and tarpon. Much like the observatory that is open to the sea, Coral World has scheduled feeding times for the predators throughout the day. Lastly, while you are keeping dry underwater in the sprawling offshore exhibit hall, check out the Caribbean Reef Encounter. In addition to being one of the world’s largest coral reef tanks, this 80,000 gallon aquarium is open to the light at the top, providing a truly unique way to view different types of coral, sponges and tropical fish.

If you are thrilled by the predators of the deep, you can take your obsession one step further at the Shark Encounter. After participating in a lesson about these often misunderstood creatures, you can hop in the Shark Shallows Pool with the guide and swim with over a dozen young lemon, blacktip and nurse sharks. With your mask and snorkel, your guide will allow you to get within two feet of the sharks. Afterwards, guests are invited to touch one of the park’s baby nurse sharks.

If you decide you want to get wet out at sea, make a reservation for the park’s popular Sea Trek. Supported by an underwater handrail, visitors walk on the bottom of the sea while schools of fish dart through the coral reefs. Sea trekkers are supplied with giant underwater helmets capable of providing oxygen and stability without the weight of a tank. A less-wet – but no less eye-opening – alternative is the Nautilus semi-submarine, described as half-boat, half-submarine. From the air conditioned interior, you can relax and watch all the bustling activity of the Caribbean through oversized windows.

Within the past year, Coral World Ocean Park also added two new activities – Sea Lion Splash and Lorikeet Garden. The Sea Lion Splash allows visitors to interact and swim with some of the world’s friendliest sea creatures. The Lorikeet Garden is an aviary full of sociable tropical birds. If you saunter the trails of the garden with a cup of nectar, the birds will flutter down and eat from your hand.

Once you have experienced all the sites of the Coral World Ocean Park, walk up the shore to Coki Beach – one of the most popular beaches in St. Thomas and a great site for snorkeling. Rental equipment is available at the beach for snorkeling and other water sports. When you are finally done playing in the water, relax on a stretch of sand and plan your next adventure in St. Thomas. If you just can’t get enough of the Coral World Ocean Park, you can always head back the next day and take advantage of free admission for return visitors.

About the Author

This article was written by Justin Burch. Justin writes select pieces about vacationing in the Caribbean for the Frenchman's Reef St. Thomas Resort.

If you are looking for a laid back getaway destination a holiday in California, San Francisco is the answer. The basic pleasures of life are in abundance in this chic city- glorious food, buzzing nightlife and spectacular views are there for your enjoyment. The tone, quality and atmosphere are something quite different from anything you will experience in New York or LA.

San Francisco is renowned for its hilly streets and there is plenty of sightseeing to be done from unique vantage points providing stunning views of the sparkling bays and famous bridges. The Golden Gate is one of the most famous and the best anywhere. Watch the fog fill the 210m high towers of the Golden Gate at sunset or marvel at the 360° views across San Francisco.

The best months to explore the diverse surroundings on offer are either side of the peak summer season. There is always a festival or street party pulsing in San Francisco and the months of September and November are particularly festive.

There are a number if tours in and around San Francisco to popular attractions such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Carmel and Napa. Alcatraz sits in the middle of San Francisco Bay on an island and has many stories and mysteries to tell. Infamous as a maximum security prison known as ‘The Rock’ and home to America’s most wanted Alcatraz, is a major tourist hot spot. Other more leisurely attractions include Aquarium of the Bay a 300 feet long tunnel display of marine life, located amongst Pier 39 where there are 100 shops and 13 restaurants and the shopping centres, districts and malls of Union Square, Sacramento Street and Hayes Valley offering some of the best shopping in the world.

World class shopping goes hand in hand with world class hotels in San Francisco. Boutique hotels, Victorian architecture and historic gems enchant the 15 million visitors to San Francisco every year. For food lovers dining out is also a top class event. There is a multitude of fine dining and neighborhood restaurants through out San Francisco to visit of an evening and bars, lounges and nightclubs to entertain you right through into the night.

The cosmopolitan appeal of San Francisco and its neighborhood niches make it a top choice destination for a holiday in California.

About the Author

For more information on holidays in California please visit http://www.vacationsgroup.co.uk