Coral World - Excursion or on my own?

[psimon]

While in St. Thomas, we are considering visiting Coral World. We are trying to decide whether to do it through Disney as an excursion, or on our own.

Through Disney, my family of 5 (2A, 1-13yo, and 2-6yo) would cost me $175! Were I to do it on my own, Coral World has a family ticket, which is for 2 Adults and up to 4 kids for $52. According to their web page, a taxi from the ship to Coral World is about $7 per person, or an additional $35. This brings the visit up to $87.

My questions are these:

Is there an advantage to go with the Disney package for an additional $88? I realize I get an "island tour" for that, but is it worth it? Also, is $7 per person a reasonable amount to pay for taxi service from the ship to CW? Has anyone done it this way? I get the impression that the ship is not in walking distance to CW. Is that true?

All comments and any other thoughts greatly apprecaited......

 

[MarkRG]

The Island tour will take you up to the highest point on the island where there is an established building to enjoy the view from, before taking you over to Coral World. We felt it was worth the extra bit of cash to do, at least once. Coral World is on the other side of the island from where the docks are, it's a bit of a ride, no way you could walk to it.

However, while you're at St. Thomas, make a bit of time to walk across the street from the docks/shopping district and take the Paradise Point Tramway Click Here! for a gorgeous view of the harbor and to visit the birds!

 

[andybear]

Personally, I would do it on my own. Coral World is at Coki Beach, a great place to snorkle or, in our case, scuba dive. As to a tour, you can get a taxi to take you around the island if you desire, and can do it at your own pace.

Steve

 

[reggie92762]

You can definitely do this on your own and at your own speed to take advantage of the beach....Definitely true about the high point of St Thomas but just ask your cab driver to stop...they will also set a time up for your return trip...

 

[kendall]

$7 for cab is the going, and pretty standard, rate. I agree - your cab will stop if you ask him on top of the mountain overlooking the bay for a wonderful photo! We happened to have a very talkative cabbie who told us about the island, so our "tour" happened right on the trip to Coral World/Coki Beach. And our taxi offered to pick us up - we weren't ready to leave yet - we took a different taxi back - no problem.

We spent the day on our own- we went to Coral World first. I would recommend renting a locker at coral world - in addition to having a handy locker to store your beach stuff, there are showers in Coral World - the locker rooms are separated for men and women. We enjoyed Coral World, packed sandwiches (actually a whole lunch - sandwich, apples, etc from the buffet the night before - or order room service) and ate in the picnic pavillion at Coral World. Then after lunch we retrieved our items from the locker, stored morning stuff, and walked the few steps outside of Coral World to Coki Beach. Coki is REALLY close - as in Coral World is AT Coki Beach. After an afternoon at the beach (crowded beach), we returned to Coral World (admission is good for all day) and used the showers to rinse off and change back to our street clothes. Packed up and grabbed a taxi!

Great day - and definitely doable on your own, without the rush of a large tour group (and the waiting)!

I would recommend save the dollars, do this on your own, and buy a few more photos from Shutters!

 

[myfairygodmother]

We did Coral World on our own last week and had a blast! The standard rate for the cab is $7.00 a person from ship to Coral World however some of the cabbies will negotiate rates. The ride out was about 15 minutes and they drop you off right in front of Coral World. We had coupons that we printed off of the Coral World web site ($4.00 off for adults and $3.00 off for kids) so that saved a few extra dollars. Coral World gives you a wristband so that you can come and go as you please. Coki beach is literally attached to Coral World by a short boardwalk. It is a beautiful beach and I found it to be great for the kids with very calm water--there are vendors there that will rent you a chair/umbrella if you wish.

Coral World has showers and lockers available that come in quite handy. There are two fast food style resturants, one on the boardwalk and the other inside Coral World--prices were pretty reasonable for a tourist attraction. When you get ready to leave, there are always taxis there waiting to take you back to the ship or into downtown.

We were very happy with going on our own--we didn't have the time constraints that come with a shore excursion and it was cheaper!!

 

[Californiaamy]

thanks, Psimon, for putting out this post! I am going on the Oct. 5th Magic next week and researched to do this myself as well, but was wondering...well, was it really doable? I have a 3-yr old that I wanted to take here while DH is golfing and I didn't think the 3-yr old would really care for the "island tour"....

I emailed coral world and they replied that the taxis are very safe to do on your own, and available at the parking lot to return. I didn't realize about the beach right next door, and think I'll make it a beach excursion as well!

Only bummer...the coupon is now $3 for adults and $1 off for kids....unless there's a different one on the site I didn't find!

What cruise are you on or any other 10-5 cruisers?

 

[SweetSpot]

I seem to always have a million questions. If you really just want to enjoy a nice beach while in St. Thomas is it worth taking the trip to Coral World/Coki Beach or is the beach close to the ship nice also? If the taxi is $7.00 each way per person than it would be $70.00 just for the taxi. Is Coki beach worth the ride?

Are the lockers at Coral World large enough to hold snorling equipment? Is it worth bringing snorkling equipment or should we just count on a good day swimming at the beach?

Also, do you tip the taxi drivers or are the taxi's more like mini buses? What would be the going rate for tipping in taxis?

Thank you!

 

[psimon]

Originally posted by Californiaamy

....Only bummer...the coupon is now $3 for adults and $1 off for kids....unless there's a different one on the site I didn't find!

Californiaamy, you are correct, it is now a $3 coupon. Oh well..... blew that one!

Does the family plan help you? They have a ticket for 2 adults and up to 4 kids for $52. Probably not valid with the coupon, but does save a few $ as well.

Paul

 

[IrishCowboy]

We rented a car from one of the car rental agencies located right by the dock and spent the morning at Coral World and then drove over to Megan's Bay for a picnic lunch and afternoon on the beach. I think the rental car was about $50-$60.

 

[candleonwater]

What is required to rent a car? I love the idea! It's going to be just me and my DD (6) and I was nervous about grabbing a cab. Is there plenty of parking at Coral World?

 

[IrishCowboy]

Renting a car was very easy. You'll need a valid driver's license and a major credit card (not a debit card).

Plenty of parking at Coral World. Grab a few snacks at breakfast to take along for your picnic on the beach.