Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before your visit.
FAQs
All Experiences include a general admission ticket to the park.
1. Planning Your Visit
Our hours are 9:00 AM–4:00 PM, with the ticket booth closing at 3:00 PM. Operating days vary by season. Please visit our What to Expect page for the current schedule and closure dates.
Coral World Ocean Park is located at 6450 Coki Point Road, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 00802. We are located right next to Coki Beach.
Most general admission guests spend 2-3 hours exploring the park. If you’re participating in an animal encounter or underwater experience, plan for 3 to 5 hours. Many guests also enjoy relaxing at nearby Coki Beach during their visit, as guests are allowed to travel freely between the park and the beach after receiving their park admission wristbands.
Yes! Coral World offers experiences for all ages, including interactive encounters, marine exhibits, animal presentations, and educational activities that children and families love.
Absolutely! Adults visit Coral World for unique marine encounters, conservation experiences, snorkeling, Sea Trek, SNUBA, and beautiful ocean views.
Yes. Coral World is a popular destination for cruise ship visitors and can easily be visited during most port stops.
Coral World does not generally provide transportation. Taxis are readily available from cruise ports, hotels, and downtown St. Thomas.
Many guests spend time at nearby Coki Beach, enjoy snorkeling, visit local restaurants, or explore other attractions around St. Thomas after their visit.
You can contact Coral World by phone at (340) 775-1555 or by email at [email protected].
2. Tickets, Admission & Memberships
Advance reservations are highly recommended, especially for animal encounters and underwater experiences, as they often sell out. General admission tickets may also be purchased at the park, subject to availability.
Yes. Every paid animal encounter and underwater experience includes general admission to Coral World Ocean Park.
General admission includes access to all exhibits, including our unique and stunning Undersea Observatory. It also provides access to our aviary, all animal talks and presentations, and our nature trail.
Yes, guests have in-and-out access to the park during our hours of operation on the day of your ticket.
Yes. Coral World memberships include unlimited admission for one year along with additional member benefits and discounts.
3. Choosing Your Experience
Coral World offers Dolphin Splash & Swim, Dolphin Encounter, Sea Lion Encounter, Sea Lion Splash & Swim, Shark Encounter, Sea Trek, and SNUBA experiences on park operating days, subject to availability.
Guests must be confident swimmers for Dolphin Splash & Swim and SNUBA. Some swimming ability is recommended for Sea Lion Splash & Swim. Our other experiences do not require swimming ability.
Our experiences offer different levels of water immersion. The best activities to stay dry are our Dolphin and Sea Lion Encounters, during which guests may be splashed or have their feet submerged but will not ever have to immerse themself in water or get soaked with water. Sea Trek also offers the unique opportunity to get fully underwater without getting your head wet.
Sea Trek allows guests to walk underwater using a specialized diving helmet. SNUBA combines snorkeling and scuba diving without requiring scuba certification.
No. Neither Sea Trek nor SNUBA requires scuba certification.
Tell us a little about your group, whether you want to swim, your budget, and your favorite marine animals, and we’ll recommend the best experience for you.
If you only have a few hours, start with the Undersea Observatory and explore our marine life exhibits, then catch an animal presentation during your visit. For a more hands-on adventure, book an animal encounter, Sea Trek, or SNUBA in advance and plan your park visit around your scheduled experience. General admission is included with every experience booking.
Our most popular experiences include Dolphin Swim, Sea Trek, and Sea Lion Swim.
4. Encounter Preparation, Safety & Photos
If participating in a water activity, wear comfortable clothing over your swimsuit, bring a towel, and wear sandals or water shoes. If visiting for general admission, dress according to the weather. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are also recommended.
Our animal welfare specialists may ask that loose jewelry be removed and safely stored in our lockers before animal encounters in order to ensure safety. For non-animal encounters, you can keep jewelry on according to personal preference.
For the safety of our guests and animals, personal cameras, phones, and GoPros are generally not permitted during encounters. Professional photos are available for purchase afterward.
Yes. All encounters are supervised by trained professionals and follow established safety procedures to protect both guests and animals.
Most activities continue during light rain. Severe weather may require schedule adjustments or temporary delays for guest and animal safety.
Yes. Professional photographers capture many encounters, and photo packages are available for purchase afterward.
5. Animals & Conservation
With the exception of our touch tank, animal interactions are only permitted during designated encounters under the supervision of trained animal welfare specialists. This is in order to ensure the safety and comfort of all of our animals.
All of our dolphins were born in captivity and receive the highest standards of care and enrichment. Our first four dolphins were brought in from a park that was closing, ensuring they would have a safe place to thrive for the rest of their lives.
No. Our Shark Encounter features juvenile sharks and is conducted under the supervision of trained professionals following strict safety protocols.
We generally have juvenile nurse and lemon sharks in our Shark Shallows, but specific animals vary as our sharks mature and are released back into the wild.
Our exhibits and presentations allow guests to see dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles, sharks, stingrays, reef fish, lorikeets, tortoises, ducks, and iguanas. Our Undersea Observatory also provides a view directly into our reef, meaning that guests may see any of the vast variety of wild marine animals that live in our surrounding reef.
Yes. Conservation is one of Coral World’s core missions. Our work includes coral restoration, marine wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, education, and protecting Caribbean marine ecosystems.
You can support conservation by visiting Coral World, participating in encounters, becoming a member, donating to conservation initiatives, and helping spread awareness about ocean protection.
Animals may only be fed during supervised programs when instructed by Coral World staff.
6. Accessibility & Park Policies
Many areas of the park are wheelchair accessible, although some exhibits and encounter locations may have accessibility limitations. Please contact Guest Services with any specific accessibility questions.
Yes. Strollers are welcome throughout much of the park.
Pets are not permitted. Only approved service animals may be allowed in designated areas.
7. Food & Shopping
Yes. Food and refreshments are available for purchase during your visit.
Yes. Our gift shop offers souvenirs, apparel, toys, educational items, and marine-themed gifts.
Outside food policies may vary. Guests with dietary restrictions should speak with Guest Services before visiting.