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Coordinates: 18°20′56″N 64°51′54″W / 18.3490241°N 64.8650489°W / 18.3490241; -64.8650489
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{{Short description|Marine park in Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands}}
{{Infobox zoo
{{Infobox zoo
|zoo_name = Coral World Ocean Park
|zoo_name = Coral World Ocean Park
|logo =
|logo =
|logo_caption =
|logo_caption =
|image = Turtle feeding at Coral World.jpg
|image = File:CoralWorldTower.jpg
|image_caption = [[Turtle]] feeding at Coral World
|image_caption = Coral World Undersea Observatory Tower
|location = [[Saint Thomas, United States Virgin Islands|St. Thomas]], [[U.S. Virgin Islands]]
|location = [[Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands]]
|date_opened = 1970s
|date_opened = 1978
|date_closed =
|date_closed =
|coordinates = {{Coord|18.3490241|-64.8650489|type:landmark_scale:500|display=inline,title}}
|coordinates = {{Coord|18.3490241|-64.8650489|type:landmark_scale:500|display=inline,title}}
Line 12: Line 13:
|num_species =
|num_species =
|num_animals =
|num_animals =
|largest_tank_vol = {{Convert|80000|gal|l|-3}}<ref name=StThomasTraveler>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stthomastraveler.com/attractions/coral-world-ocean-park.php|title=Coral World Ocean Park|publisher=St Thomas Traveler|accessdate=July 29, 2012}}</ref>
|largest_tank_vol = {{Convert|80000|gal|l|-3}}<ref name=StThomasTraveler>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stthomastraveler.com/attractions/coral-world-ocean-park.php|title=Coral World Ocean Park|publisher=St Thomas Traveler|accessdate=July 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060522181027/http://www.stthomastraveler.com/attractions/coral-world-ocean-park.php|archive-date=May 22, 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|total_tank_vol =
|total_tank_vol =
|annual_visitors =
|annual_visitors =
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|website = {{URL|http://www.coralworldvi.com}}
|website = {{URL|http://www.coralworldvi.com}}
}}
}}
'''Coral World''' is a [[marine park]] located in the island of [[Saint Thomas, United States Virgin Islands|St. Thomas]], [[U.S. Virgin Islands]]. The museum and park's structure consists of an over-water floor with gift shops, restaurants, exhibitions, a touch pool and an underwater observatory where tourists can see non-captive fish going about their lives.
'''Coral World''' is a [[marine park]] and tourist attraction located next to [[Coki Beach]] on the [[East End, Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands|East End]] of [[Saint Thomas, United States Virgin Islands|St. Thomas]], [[U.S. Virgin Islands]].


==Facilities and attractions==
Coral World was inaugurated in the 1970s. It has been one of St. Thomas' most important tourist attractions since then. In the 1990s, world [[boxing]] champion [[Julian Jackson]], the third boxer from the Virgin Islands to become a world champion and a big celebrity in St. Thomas, was hired as a worker, to attract more tourists to the site.
Since its opening in 1978, the park has featured a signature Underwater Observatory Tower. The tower descends 20 feet in the ocean to allow underwater viewing. Later additions to the park include an 80,0000 gallon circular Caribbean Reef Encounter tank, which houses local fish and other sea life, and an enclosure for [[South American sea lion]]s. The park uses an open-water system to circulate ocean water through the exhibits.<ref name="coralworldvi">{{cite web | url=https://coralworldvi.com/ | title=Coral World Ocean Park US Virgin Islands Eco Park | publisher=Coral World Ocean Park | accessdate = July 16, 2018}}</ref>


Other park animals include [[sea turtle]]s, [[stingray]]s, [[Shark|juvenile sharks]], [[Seahorse (fish)|seahorses]], [[sea star]]s, [[conch]], [[sea cucumber]]s, [[Green iguana|iguanas]], and [[Lories and lorikeets|lorikeets]]. Many of the animals, such as the turtles, are rescued from the wild and released when possible.<ref name="coralworldvi" />
In September 1998, workers at Coral World began to breed [[Seahorse (fish)|seahorses]]. In 2000, the park was awarded the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|EPA]] Environmental Quality Award.<ref>[http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/b853d6fe004acebf852572a000656840/11bc221d0f0514da852571730064fdbe!OpenDocument "EPA Honors Environmental Advocates for Exemplary Work; An Individual and a Business in Virgin Islands Recognized for Environmental Accomplishments"]. [[United States Environmental Protection Agency]]. May 5, 2000.</ref>

The park focuses on visitor education and interaction with the animals, through touch encounters, feedings, swims, [[snuba]], and Sea Trek.<ref name="coralworldvi" />

==History==
Coral World opened in 1978, as Coral World International's second marine park, following [[Coral World Underwater Observatory]] in [[Eilat, Israel]].<ref name="coralworld">{{cite web | url=http://www.coralworld.com/cwvi/ | title=Coral World International | publisher=Coral World International | accessdate = July 16, 2018}}</ref>

In 1989 it was destroyed by [[Hurricane Hugo]].<ref name="coralworld" />

In 1995 another storm, [[Hurricane Marilyn]], destroyed the observatory and other tanks. Coral World was sold to new owners more than a year later.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://harvardmagazine.com/2001/01/remaking-paradise.html | title=Remaking Paradise | date=January 2001 | publisher=Harvard Magazine | accessdate = July 16, 2018}}</ref>

During the 1990s, Coral World hired former world boxing champion [[Julian Jackson (boxer)|Julian Jackson]] as a celebrity tour guide, to attract more tourists to the park.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Visit Coral World Ocean Park |url=https://tripbucket.com/dreams/dream/visit-coral-world-ocean-park-saint-thomas-usvi/ |website=TripBucket}}</ref>

In 2007 the park added sea lions.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://stthomassource.com/content/2007/05/02/sea-lions-provide-roaring-good-time-park-visitors/ | title=Sea Lions to Provide 'Roaring' Good Time for Park Visitors | date=2 May 2007 | publisher=The St. Thomas Source | accessdate = July 16, 2018}}</ref>

In 2012 Coral World proposed adding a controversial dolphin swim attraction.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://stthomassource.com/content/2018/02/18/coral-world-coming-back-from-hurricane-damage/
| title=A Dolphin Swim in the Works for Coral World | date=18 February 2018 | publisher=The St. Thomas Source | accessdate = July 16, 2018}}</ref>

In 2017 [[Hurricane Irma]] and [[Hurricane Maria]] caused an estimed $2 million in damage to the park.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://stthomassource.com/content/2012/08/28/dolphin-swim-works-coral-world/
| title=Coral World Coming Back from Hurricane Damage | date=28 August 2012 | publisher=The St. Thomas Source | accessdate = July 16, 2018}}</ref>

In 2018 Coral World began construction of an in-ocean [[dolphinarium]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://viconsortium.com/virgin-islands-2/coral-world-announces-construction-of-in-ocean-dolphin-habitat/ | title=Coral World Announces Construction of an In-Ocean Dolphin Habitat | publisher=The Virgin Islands Consortium | accessdate = July 16, 2018 }}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed" heights=150px>
File:CoralWorldSeaLion.jpg|Sea lion Remo jumping at Coral World
File:Turtle feeding at Coral World.jpg|Sea turtles feeding at Coral World
</gallery>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
*{{Official|http://www.coralworldvi.com}}
*{{Official website|http://www.coralworldvi.com}}


⚫
[[Category:Economy of the United States Virgin Islands]]
[[Category:Marine parks of the United States Virgin Islands]]
[[Category:Marine parks of the United States Virgin Islands]]
[[Category:Coral World International's Public Aquariums]]

⚫
[[Category:1978 establishments in the United States Virgin Islands]]
{{StThomasVI-geo-stub}}
[[Category:East End, Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands]]
{{Zoo-stub}}

Latest revision as of 13:55, 30 May 2024

Coral World Ocean Park
Coral World Undersea Observatory Tower
Map
18°20′56″N 64°51′54″W / 18.3490241°N 64.8650489°W / 18.3490241; -64.8650489
Date opened1978
LocationSaint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Volume of largest tank80,000 US gallons (303,000 L)[1]
Websitewww.coralworldvi.com

Coral World is a marine park and tourist attraction located next to Coki Beach on the East End of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Facilities and attractions

[edit]

Since its opening in 1978, the park has featured a signature Underwater Observatory Tower. The tower descends 20 feet in the ocean to allow underwater viewing. Later additions to the park include an 80,0000 gallon circular Caribbean Reef Encounter tank, which houses local fish and other sea life, and an enclosure for South American sea lions. The park uses an open-water system to circulate ocean water through the exhibits.[2]

Other park animals include sea turtles, stingrays, juvenile sharks, seahorses, sea stars, conch, sea cucumbers, iguanas, and lorikeets. Many of the animals, such as the turtles, are rescued from the wild and released when possible.[2]

The park focuses on visitor education and interaction with the animals, through touch encounters, feedings, swims, snuba, and Sea Trek.[2]

History

[edit]

Coral World opened in 1978, as Coral World International's second marine park, following Coral World Underwater Observatory in Eilat, Israel.[3]

In 1989 it was destroyed by Hurricane Hugo.[3]

In 1995 another storm, Hurricane Marilyn, destroyed the observatory and other tanks. Coral World was sold to new owners more than a year later.[4]

During the 1990s, Coral World hired former world boxing champion Julian Jackson as a celebrity tour guide, to attract more tourists to the park.[5]

In 2007 the park added sea lions.[6]

In 2012 Coral World proposed adding a controversial dolphin swim attraction.[7]

In 2017 Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria caused an estimed $2 million in damage to the park.[8]

In 2018 Coral World began construction of an in-ocean dolphinarium.[9]

[edit]
  • Sea lion Remo jumping at Coral World
    Sea lion Remo jumping at Coral World
  • Sea turtles feeding at Coral World
    Sea turtles feeding at Coral World

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Coral World Ocean Park". St Thomas Traveler. Archived from the original on May 22, 2006. Retrieved July 29, 2012.
  2. ^ a b c "Coral World Ocean Park US Virgin Islands Eco Park". Coral World Ocean Park. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Coral World International". Coral World International. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  4. ^ "Remaking Paradise". Harvard Magazine. January 2001. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  5. ^ "Visit Coral World Ocean Park". TripBucket.
  6. ^ "Sea Lions to Provide 'Roaring' Good Time for Park Visitors". The St. Thomas Source. 2 May 2007. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  7. ^ "A Dolphin Swim in the Works for Coral World". The St. Thomas Source. 18 February 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  8. ^ "Coral World Coming Back from Hurricane Damage". The St. Thomas Source. 28 August 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  9. ^ "Coral World Announces Construction of an In-Ocean Dolphin Habitat". The Virgin Islands Consortium. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Coral_World_Ocean_Park&oldid=1226413978"