Offshore is one of the world's most impressive marine gardens, maintained by the National Park Service as an underwater protected reef. St Thomas is the second-largest and the most cosmopolitan of this chain of islands. Like St Croix, it has many associations with the Danes and retains much Danish influence. The main town, Charlotte Amalie , is the group's capital. Imported goods from all over the world make it a marvellous shopping centre and stores tucked into remodelled Danish warehouses line each side of the picturesque Main Street .
Cobblestone alleys with numerous boutiques lead down to the waterfront.
Blackbeard's Castle is the earliest fortification in the US Virgin Islands. On the northern coast is Magens Bay , claimed to be one of the world's top ten beaches. St John is the most 'unspoilt' of the islands. It has no airport, and two-thirds of the island's deep valleys and most of its shoreline have been set aside as the Virgin Islands National Park . Cruz Bay is a small town offering excellent gift shops and dive centres.