Sept. 1, 2006 – Coral World is bringing back "Dollar Days" offering a special $1 admission rate for Virgin Islands residents during the month of September. This admission rate is good for adults and children on Saturdays and Sundays in September and includes Sunday, Oct. 1st. In addition, residents will also receive a 10 percent discount on water sports activities and purchases of non-sale items in the gift shop.
Coral World is known for its aquarium, but it also has unique water sports and other interactive water activities such as the Sea Trek helmet dive, the Shark Encounter, a ride on the semi submarine, and parasailing. On the Sea Trek tour you walk along an underwater trail on the floor of the sea with an expert guide. No experience is necessary; you don't even need to know how to swim. The Shark Encounter program begins with an educational briefing and then, with a guide, you will climb into the Shark Shallows Pool and observe sharks as close as two feet away. The semi-submarine ride is a 45-minute fully narrated underwater tour in the air-conditioned Nautilus semi-submarine. From your own large viewing window you will see schools of colorful fish, a vibrant coral reef, and sea grass beds. You can also go parasailing and enjoy a bird's eye view of St. John and the British Virgin Islands as you soar 600 feet above Coki Point. To make reservations for water sports, call 775-1555, ext. 233.
There are exhibits that include the Undersea Observatory, the Marine Gardens gallery of 21 aquariums and the Caribbean Reef Encounter circular reef tank. Pet a shark at the Shark Shallows Pool, feed the stingrays, hold a starfish at the Touch Pool, and visit the ducks and tortoises on the nature trail. When you are ready for a break there are two cafes. Coral World has three shops, Go Fish, Currents, and Under the Sun that feature clothing, art, toys, snorkeling gear, bathing suits and much more.
Coral World is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The ticket booth closes at 4 p.m. The park will be closed on Thursdays and Fridays in September, when there are no cruise ships in port. To take advantage of the discounted rates, V.I. residents must present proof of residency. For more information, call 775-1555 ext. 250.
