CORAL WORLD MARINE PARK. Coral World is home to an offshore underwater observatory that houses the Predator Tank, one of the world's largest coral reef tanks, and an aquarium with more than 20 portholes providing close-ups of Caribbean sea life. There are also several outdoor pools, a mangrove lagoon and a nature trail full of lush tropical flora. Daily feedings and talks take place at most every exhibit. 6450 Coki Point, turn north off Rte. 38 at sign, PHONE: 340/775-1555. COST: $18. Daily 9-5. www.coralworld.com/cwvi

DRAKE'S SEAT. Sir Francis Drake was supposed to have kept watch over his fleet and looked for enemy ships from this vantage point. The panorama is especially breathtaking (and romantic) at dusk, and if you arrive late in the day you'll miss the hordes of day-trippers on taxi tours who stop here to take a picture and buy a T-shirt from one of the many vendors. Rte. 40.

FT. CHRISTIAN. St. Thomas's oldest standing structure, this monument anchors the shopping district. It was built in 1672-80 and now has U.S. National Landmark status. The clock tower was added in the 19th century. This remarkable redoubt has, over time, been used as a jail, governor's residence, town hall, courthouse, and church. It now houses the Virgin Islands Museum, a gift shop, and local artists' exhibits that change monthly. Waterfront Hwy. just east of shopping district, PHONE: 340/776-4566. COST: Free. Weekdays 8:30-4:30.

GOVERNMENT HOUSE. Built as an elegant residence in 1867, Government House now serves as the governor's office, with the first floor open to the public. The staircases are of native mahogany, as are the plaques hand-lettered in gold with the names of the governors appointed and elected. A deputy administrator can take you on a tour of the second floor. Call ahead for an appointment, or take a chance that an official will be in. It's worth the extra effort, if for no other reason than the terrace view. Government Hill, PHONE: 340/774-0001. COST: Free. Weekdays 8-5.

PARADISE POINT TRAMWAY. Fly skyward in a gondola to Paradise Point, an overlook with breathtaking views of Charlotte Amalie and the harbor. There are several shops, a bar, and a restaurant. A ¼-mi hiking trail leads to spectacular sights of St. Croix to the south. Wear sturdy shoes; the trail is steep and rocky. Rte. 30 at Havensight, PHONE: 340/774-9809. COST: $12. Daily 7:30-4:30. st-thomas.com/tramway

SEVEN ARCHES MUSEUM. This restored 18th-century home is a striking example of classic Danish-West Indian architecture. There seem to be arches everywhere -- seven to be exact -- all supporting a "welcoming arms" staircase that leads to the second floor and the flower-framed front doorway. The Danish kitchen is a highlight: it's housed in a separate building just off the main house. Tall, cool glasses of bush (herbal tea) are served in a charming courtyard. Government Hill, 3 bldgs. east of Government House, PHONE: 340/774-9295. COST: $5 (suggested donation). Tues.-Sun. 10-3, or by appointment.

Beaches

BREWER'S BEACH. On Route 30 near the airport, Brewer's Beach is a long stretch of powdery white sand. Trucks that sell lunch, snacks, and drinks often park along the road bordering the beach.

COKI BEACH. Next to Coral World (turn north off Route 38), this is a popular snorkeling spot for cruise-ship passengers, and also a good place to dash in for a swim or just to do some people-watching. Don't leave valuables unattended in your car or on the beach.

HULL BAY. On the north shore (Route 37), this beach faces Inner and Outer Brass cays and attracts fishermen and beachcombers. With its rough Atlantic surf and relative isolation, Hull Bay is one of the island's best surfing spots.

MAGENS BAY. On Route 35, Magens Bay is usually lively because of its spectacular crescent of white sand and its calm waters. It's often listed among the world's most beautiful beaches. The bottom is flat and sandy, so this is a place for sunning and swimming rather than snorkeling. You'll find a bar, bathhouses, a nature trail, and a snack bar.

MORNING STAR BEACH. Close to Charlotte Amalie and fronting the Marriott Frenchman's Reef Hotel, this pretty curve of beach is where many young locals bodysurf or play volleyball. Snorkeling is good near the rocks when the current doesn't affect visibility.

SAPPHIRE BEACH. Here you'll find a fine view of St. John and other islands. The snorkeling is excellent at the reef to the right or east, near Pettyklip Point, and the Sapphire Beach Resort rents water-sports gear.

SECRET HARBOUR. The condo resort here doesn't at all detract from the attractiveness of the covelike beach. Not only is this east end spot pretty, it also has superb snorkeling -- head out to the left, near the rocks.

Boating and Sailing

Calm seas, crystal waters, and close-by islands make St. Thomas a favorite jumping-off spot for day- or weeklong sails or powerboat adventures. With well over 100 vessels from which to choose, St. Thomas is the charter-boat mecca of the USVI. You can go through a broker to book a sailing vessel with a crew or contact a charter company directly.

BLUE WATER CRUISES. This brokerage has an excellent worldwide reputation. Box 1345, Camden, ME 04843, PHONE: 800/524-2020.

FANFARE CHARTERS. Located at the Vessup Bay Marina, Fanfare Charters is the only yacht rental to offer sailboats by the day. 6501 Red Hook Plaza, Suite 201, PHONE: 340/715-1326.

ISLAND YACHTS. 6100 Red Hook Quarter, 18B, Red Hook, PHONE: 340/775-6666 or 800/524-2019.

REGENCY YACHT VACATIONS. 5200 Long Bay Rd., at the Yacht Haven Marina, PHONE: 340/776-5950 or 800/524-7676.

VIP YACHT CHARTERS. 6118 Estate Frydenhoj 58, near Red Hook, PHONE: 340/776-1510 or 800/524-2015.

NAUTI NYMPH. Nauti Nymph has a large selection of powerboats for rent. Rates range from $215 to $350 a day and include snorkel gear. 6501 Red Hook Plaza, Suite 201, 340/775-5066 or PHONE: 800/734-7345.

Fishing

FISHING. Fishing here is synonymous with blue marlin angling -- especially from June through October. Four 1,000-pound-plus blues, including three world records, have been caught on the famous North Drop, about 20 mi north of St. Thomas. To book a boat, contact the American Yacht Harbor (6100 Red Hook Plaza, PHONE: 340/775-6454), Charter Boat Center (6300 Red Hook Plaza, PHONE: 340/775-7990 or 800/866-5714), or Sapphire Beach Marina (Sapphire Bay, PHONE: 340/775-6100). Or to find the trip that will best suit you, walk down the docks at either American Yacht Harbor or Sapphire Beach Marina and chat with the captains.

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling

Dive sites feature wrecks such as the Cartanser Sr., and the General Rogers,. Reef dives offer hidden caves and archways at Cow and Calf Rocks, coral-covered pinnacles at Frenchcap, and tunnels where you can explore undersea from the Caribbean to the Atlantic at Thatch Cay, Grass Cay, and Congo Cay. There are plenty of snorkeling possibilities, too. Nick Aquilar's At-A-Glance Snorkeller's Guide To St. Thomas, available at local souvenir shops, describes 15 idyllic spots in detail.

AQUA ACTION. This full-service, PADI five-star shop offers all levels of instruction at Secret Harbour Beach Resort. 6501 Red Hook Plaza, PHONE: 340/775-6285 or 800/775-6285.

CHRIS SAWYER DIVING CENTER. Located at the American Yacht Harbor marina and the Renaissance Grand Beach Resort, this PADI five-star outfit specializes in dives to the 310-ft-long RMS Rhone, in the BVI. It also has a NAUI certification center that offers instruction up to dive master. PHONE: 340/777-7804 or 800/882-2965. www.sawyerdive.vi

SEA HORSEDIVE BOATS. Sea HorseDive Boats is another PADI five-star facility that does both day and night dives to wrecks and reefs. Crown Bay Marina, Suite 505, PHONE: 340/774-2001.

SNUBA OF ST. THOMAS. A cross between snorkeling and scuba diving is offered here: a 20-ft air hose connects you to the surface. Coki Point, PHONE: 340/693-8063. www.visnuba.com