Coral World Ocean Park
U.S. Virgin Islands
Coral World Ocean Park, located next to Coki Beach on the East End of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, is a renowned marine park and tourist attraction established in 1978. The park's signature feature is its Underwater Observatory Tower, which descends 20 feet below the ocean surface, providing visitors with stunning underwater views of local marine life. The park also houses an 80,000-gallon Caribbean Reef Encounter tank, showcasing diverse sea creatures such as sea turtles, stingrays, juvenile sharks, seahorses, and sea stars. Additionally, Coral World features South American sea lions, iguanas, and lorikeets, many of which are rescued animals rehabilitated and released when possible. The park emphasizes education and interactive experiences through activities like touch encounters, feedings, snorkeling, snuba diving, and Sea Trek ocean floor walks. Despite damage from hurricanes over the years, Coral World has continually rebuilt and expanded, including adding sea lions in 2007 and constructing an in-ocean dolphinarium starting in 2018. This combination of immersive exhibits and hands-on animal interactions makes Coral World a unique destination for marine life enthusiasts and families alike.
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Consejo: For the best experience, visit during weekdays to avoid crowds and consider booking activities like dolphin swims, Sea Trek, or sea lion encounters in advance as general admission is included with activity bookings. The park offers interactive programs suitable for various ages, and early booking may provide better availability and potential discounts. Check the official website for current opening hours and weather advisories, especially during hurricane season.
Datos interesantes
- •The Underwater Observatory Tower descends 20 feet underwater, offering unique marine views.
- •The park uses an open-water system circulating ocean water through its exhibits to maintain a natural environment.
- •Many animals at Coral World, such as sea turtles, are rescued from the wild and rehabilitated before release.
- •Former world boxing champion Julian Jackson served as a celebrity tour guide in the 1990s to attract visitors.
- •Coral World has survived multiple major hurricanes, including Hugo (1989), Marilyn (1995), Irma and Maria (2017).
Historia
Coral World Ocean Park opened in 1978 as the second marine park by Coral World International, following their original park in Eilat, Israel.
In 1989, Hurricane Hugo caused significant destruction to the park, and again in 1995, Hurricane Marilyn damaged the observatory and tanks.
After changing ownership in the mid-1990s, the park added sea lions in 2007 and proposed a dolphin swim attraction in 2012.
Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 inflicted approximately $2 million in damage, prompting further restoration and expansion efforts including the building of a dolphinarium in 2018.
Guía del lugar
Underwater Observatory Tower1978
A tower that descends 20 feet below the ocean surface, allowing visitors to view marine life in their natural habitat through underwater windows, providing an immersive ocean experience.
Caribbean Reef Encounter Tank
An 80,000-gallon circular tank housing a variety of Caribbean marine species including fish, sea turtles, stingrays, and juvenile sharks, designed to simulate a natural reef environment.
Sea Lion Enclosure2007
A habitat for South American sea lions where visitors can observe and interact with the animals through feedings and swim programs, added to the park in 2007.
Interactive Marine Activities
Various visitor experiences including touch encounters, feedings, snorkeling, snuba diving, Sea Trek ocean floor walks, and dolphin swims, designed to educate and engage guests with marine life.
Contacto
Teléfono: (340) 775-1555
