Attractions Near the Morning Star Resort on St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

Infinity pools with views of the sparkling waters of the Caribbean, easy access to your own white-sand beach, gourmet meals in an exclusive restaurant and a score of other modern comforts included in a 2011 $48 million renovation make the Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort a top choice for travelers looking for luxury on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, if your looking for activities outside of the resort, the island does not disappoint.

Nearby Beaches

• The resort's two closest beaches are Morning Star, also known as Frenchman's Bay Beach, and Limetree Beach. Morning Star is known for attracting a younger crowd, including a fair number of gay singles and couples. The beach is accessed via a cliff-front elevator at Frenchman's reef. Visitors can rent snorkeling gear or sailboats if they want to take advantage of the water, or just lounge chairs if they prefer to relax. The sea-grape and palm trees of Limetree Beach are home to a host of iguanas that beachgoers enjoy feeding hibiscus blossoms by hand. Although no public transportation is available, it is possible to call a taxi from the resort.

Historic Charlotte Amalie

• Two miles west of the Morning Star Resort lies the capital city of Charlotte Amalie. Originally settled by the Dutch, it was once the world's largest slave market. Over the centuries, it has been the port of call for pirates, slavers and sailors from around the world. Today, it is where giant cruise ships dock to allow day-trippers to explore the shops that now occupy the warehouses and storage buildings once used for pirate booty and other goods.

  The city has various art galleries, including Gallery St. Thomas, that features mainly Caribbean-flavored art in everything from watercolors to photographs. It also is home to the oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere. The building features a sand floor, representing the period of the Spanish Inquisition when practicing Jews were relegated to worshiping in cellars with sand on the floor to absorb the sound. The adjacent Weibel Museum contains historical documents and literature connected with the history of the synagogue. The 17th-century Fort Christian, built by the Danes, also serves as a vivid reminder of the island's diverse cultural past.

Bluebeard's Castle

• This timeshare resort sits atop Bluebeard's Hill between the resort and Charlotte Amalie. On the grounds is Bluebeard's Castle, the alleged hideout of Bluebeard the pirate during his days of plundering the nearby shipping lanes. The resort's reception hall is housed in what was once the residence of the Danish governor.

Lookout Points

• Besides the picturesque views offered from the resort's many rooms, restaurants, pool decks and terraces, visitors may want to experience St. Thomas from one of the nearby scenic vista areas. Drake's Seat is a short detour north of Charlotte Amalie on route 40. Local legend claims it was a favorite lookout point for Sir Francis Drake during his career as a privateer on behalf of the English crown. On clear days, you can see parts of the nearby British Virgin Islands. The Paradise Point Tramway offers Charlotte Amalie visitors postcard-perfect views of the surrounding area from the top of Flag Hill. It takes about seven minutes for the tram to reach the top of the 700-foot hill with its observation deck, restaurant, nature trail and tropical-bird display waiting to great you at journey's end.

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Stand-up Paddleboarding in St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands

The call of seabirds and the music of water falling off your paddle are the only sounds as you glide over the surface of azure water just off the shore of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. Standing up on a paddleboard reveals clear views of colorful fish and sea turtles often missed when paddling a kayak or canoe. Quiet bays around the island are ideal for even the first-time stand-up paddler to get a unique view of the island's scenery.

Bring Your Own

• Compact inflatable boards and folding paddles make bringing your own stand-up paddling equipment to the islands a cinch, and gives you unlimited possibilities for exploring the island's coastal waters with the beaches just 2 to 5 miles from Charlotte Amalie. On the east side of the island, Coki Point Beach's warm, quiet waters are a good place for a relaxed paddle to view multicolored fish. If you're looking for paddle-surfing action, you'll find good waves on the western part of Hull Bay on the north side of the island.

Take a Lesson

• If you've never paddled before, a few basic instructions helps you get your feet under you and find your balance as you head out in the water. Most shops renting stand-up paddleboards brief you on paddling, turning and other basics so you don't waste precious hours figuring it out. An experienced instructor matches you with a board based on your height and weight to make balancing easy. Lessons sometimes are as close as the resort where you're staying. Other companies, including Blue Water Safaris, bring you to the board at a quiet paddling harbor or deliver boards to your hotel, such as the Virgin Islands Paddle Club.

SUP Excursions

• A SUP excursion pairs you with an experienced instructor and guide who shares knowledge of technique, sea life and local lore. Good Day Charters and the Virgin Islands Paddle Club have bay-hopping adventures combining boating, SUP and snorkeling to scenic destinations on neighboring islands. Tours visit caves and lava tubes on St. Thomas as well as head out to farther destinations such as the Baths National Park on Virgin Gorda and the uninhabited islets known as the Indians.

Fit and Fun

• While stand-up paddling provides exercise for your core, legs and shoulders, SUP fitness classes using yoga and Pilates while balancing on the boards stretch and tone your entire body while building strength. You'll find classes at Secret Harbour beach resort on the island's East End, or book private sessions for your family or small group. The classes' instructors are SUP-core certified and are members of the Virgin Islands professional stand-up paddling team.

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