Coral World, Sea a New World!
By Cathy O'Gara on 26th October, 2015
At Coral World Ocean Park, one of the Caribbean’s top attractions, you can experience the beauty and magic of Caribbean marine life up close and personal. Have close encounters with fascinating marine animals like sea lions, turtles, sharks and stingrays in a stunning setting. Surrounded by beautiful island vistas and landscaped with palm trees and other tropical flora, the park also exhibits Caribbean sea life in a variety of aquariums and outdoor pools and offers unique gift shops and outdoor eateries. The park is a favorite among local residents who annually have voted it “Best Attraction” in the Virgin Islands since 2004. According to General Manager Trudie Prior, the park maintains its popularity by introducing activities that offer guests exciting interactive experiences. She notes that encouraging conservation is important at Coral World so all presentations and animal encounters seek to educate as well as entertain.
One of Coral World’s most popular attractions are the Sea Lion Encounter and Swim programs with four amazing South American sea lions. This is one of the world’s only swim programs with South American sea lions and offers a level of interaction unavailable anywhere else. No waist deep platforms here, guests jump right in and swim with the boys! Under the guidance of a trainer, the sea lions will swim up to guests allowing participants to pet them, play with them, and pose for some unforgettable pictures. For those who wish to stay dry, a Sea Lion Encounter is a must do alternative. All the fun and intimacy of the swim program without getting wet. Imagine your new Facebook profile picture – cuddling with 500 pound Franco!
If sharks intrigue you, enter the world of these fascinating, magnificent, and misunderstood creatures through the Shark Encounter. After a briefing on sharks by a staff biologist, guests climb into the Shark Shallows Pool to observe juvenile lemon, blacktip, and nurse sharks from as close as two feet! Starting January 2015 Coral World will be donating a portion of the activity fee for both Shark and Sea Turtle Encounters towards helping support research, education and conservation efforts.
Coral World Sea Trek
Guests can take part in many other activities at Coral World. The Sea Trek Helmet Dive allows you to walk under water along a coral reef trail. The space-age Sea Trek helmet provides the air for breathing and weight for stability. It even keeps your hair completely dry and you don’t need to know how to swim! Coral World was rated the number #1 Sea Trek Operation in the world in 2010. SNUBA (a cross between scuba and snorkeling), and a ride in a semi-submarine are a few of the other adventures also available at Coral World.
The ever popular Undersea Observatory is great for guests who want to view marine life in the wild, but prefer to stay dry. Where else can you walk underwater without getting wet and view non-captive fish go about their daily routine on a colorful coral reef? Be sure to pet a shark, touch a sea star, and feed the stingrays at the daily narrated feedings. And when you are ready to relax, you can cool off in the Marine Gardens gallery of 21 aquariums, shop at two gift shops, and grab a frozen colada at the Shark Bar & Grill. Coral World has it all, and there’s more coming soon!
For further information call (340) 775-1555
or visit www.coralworldvi.com.