Coral World Ocean Park

Coral World Ocean Park Review

This interactive aquarium and water-sports center lets you experience a variety of sea life and other animals up close and personal. Coral World has an offshore underwater observatory, an 80,000-gallon coral reef exhibit, and 21 jewel aquariums displaying the Virgin Islands' coral reef habitats and unusual marine life. The park also has several outdoor pools where you can pet baby sharks, feed stingrays, touch starfish, and view endangered sea turtles. Daily feedings take place at most exhibits.

In addition, the park operates several activities, both above and below the water. The Sea Trek Helmet Dive allows you to walk along an underwater trail with a high-tech helmet that provides a continuous supply of air (and which keeps you head dry). Snuba, a cross between Scuba and snorkeling, allows you to snorkel deeper underwater connected to the top by an air hose rather than carrying your air on your back as you would when diving. Shark and Turtle Encounter programs let you observe these fascinating animals as they swim around you. Get a big, wet, whiskered kiss while taking a swim in the sea lion pool, or choose to have a personal encounter with a sea lion on dry land. Buy a cup of nectar and let the friendly, rainbow-colored lorikeets perch on your hand and drink. Finally, the Nautilus semi-submersible allows you to look at the abundant sea life and coral reefs around Coki Point from a depth of eight feet in air-conditioned comfort without ever leaving the vessel, which has underwater observation windows but stays on the surface.