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Universal Orlando Resort: Where to Stay & Play for a Few Days

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My recent stay at Universal Orlando Resort was so much fun and I’m going to share and highlight my favorite moments with you. First and foremost, I stayed at the Cabana Bay Beach Resort on the property which allowed me early access (one hour) to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™. It was my first time experiencing Diagon Alley™. I took advantage of the complimentary shuttle service to Universal Studios Florida and was able to … [Read More...]

Life & Style

Navigating Disney World During a Pandemic

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I recently had an opportunity to visit Walt Disney World as part of my Goofy Getaways FAM Training. It was exciting and I was a bit anxious because even though some restrictions are being lifted, guidelines are more relaxed, and travel is starting to … [Read More...]

Strike a pose at Pose Selfie Studio

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I recently had an opportunity to visit the NEW Pose Selfie Studio in Raleigh, NC with my daughter and it was so much fun. The great thing about this studio is that you have all the tools you need to capture your perfect photos alone or you can go … [Read More...]

Taste the Flavors of St. Thomas USVI

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I am excited to be collaborating with my fellow foodie lover Hannah Victoria on this listing of places to eat in St. Thomas USVI whether you are visiting or local to the island. We are giving you our personal opinions based on our dining experiences … [Read More...]

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Navigating Disney World During a Pandemic

By

I recently had an opportunity to visit Walt Disney World as part of my Goofy Getaways FAM Training. It was exciting and I was a bit anxious because even though some restrictions are being lifted, guidelines are more relaxed, and travel is starting to … [Read More...]

Taste the Flavors of St. Thomas USVI

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I am excited to be collaborating with my fellow foodie lover Hannah Victoria on this listing of places to eat in St. Thomas USVI whether you are visiting or local to the island. We are giving you our personal opinions based on our dining experiences … [Read More...]

Food

Rosé All Day at Seasons 52

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I recently had the opportunity to experience the Seasons 52 Summer Menu paired perfectly with Rose cocktails. The menu changes with the season and I can really appreciate that. My reservation was for 7:00pm and it … [Read More...]

Watching seaplanes take off from Charlotte Amalie harbor

I had heard about the seaplane activity in St. Thomas long before I set foot on the island, but nothing prepared me for the sight of a twin-engine aircraft lifting off just metres from the cruise pier. Charlotte Amalie harbor sits at the heart of the capital, and because almost every flight to the neighbouring British Virgin Islands begins from this very stretch of water, the daily rhythm of the town is shaped by propellers. Standing on the boardwalk with a cold drink in hand, I realised this was more than a transit point for tourists, it was a living postcard.

Back home in Australia, the closest comparison I can draw is the Rose Bay terminal in Sydney, where similar floatplanes hum over the heads of joggers along the harbour foreshore. Both harbours share that mix of leisure boats, ferries and low-flying aviation, but the Caribbean light gives Charlotte Amalie a softer, more cinematic glow. Watching the splash and climb from a café terrace quickly became my favourite way to spend a slow afternoon.

Strolling down to the waterfront

The waterfront in Charlotte Amalie is compact and walkable, which surprised me given how much action happens there. From the main shopping streets near Main Street, it takes only a few minutes to wander down to the boardwalk where vendors sell cold drinks, handmade jewellery and grilled corn. Locals and visitors mingle easily, and the constant chatter is punctuated by the deep rumble of an engine spooling up nearby.

The seaplane dock sits within view of the old Danish warehouses that line the harbour, many of which have been converted into shops and galleries. I found myself weaving between camera-wielding tourists and locals catching a water taxi, all of us glancing up whenever the engine note changed pitch. The harbour is small enough that you do not need to commit to one viewing spot; you can wander, sit on a bench, then move again when a fresh flight prepares to depart.

The rhythm of propellers

There is a particular sound that precedes every takeoff: the slow churn of a propeller testing its bite, then a sudden acceleration that sprays a wide fan of water behind the aircraft. From the seawall I watched a pilot taxi out from a floating pontoon, point the nose into the wind, and then roar down the surface for what felt like only a heartbeat before the floats lifted clean. The whole sequence, from engine start to airborne, takes less than fifteen seconds, which is part of the thrill.

Because flights run frequently between the US Virgin Islands and places like St. John, Tortola and Virgin Gorda, there is rarely a quiet stretch of more than twenty minutes. I started to recognise the schedule by mid-afternoon, almost the way I recognise the Manly ferries pulling out of Circular Quay back home. The cadence of arrivals and departures becomes a kind of harbour heartbeat that structures your visit, even if you came for shopping or dining rather than aviation.

More than just a flight

What struck me most was the variety of passengers boarding these small aircraft. Couples with carry-on backpacks headed for a beach day in Jost Van Dyke sat next to well-dressed business travellers flying to Tortola for meetings. There were also families returning from a BVI day trip, sunburned and chatty, and a few solo travellers like myself who simply wanted to see the islands from above. The seaplanes serve as commuter transport, day-trip shuttle and sightseeing experience all in one.

Most operators offer short scenic loops as well as point-to-point transfers, which means even visitors who never leave St. Thomas can book a thirty-minute flight over the harbour and surrounding cays. The pilot flying my loop pointed out Coral World Ocean Park, the outer breakers and the cruise ships anchored in deeper water, with commentary that mixed local history with practical navigation tips. From the air, the patchwork of turquoise tones around the harbour is breathtaking, and the takeoff and landing happen on water, which gives the experience a uniquely Caribbean flavour.

Why travelers flock to this spot

Charlotte Amalie is one of the busiest cruise ports in the Caribbean, and thousands of passengers disembark each morning looking for a memorable activity within walking distance of their ship. Watching the seaplanes is free, requires no booking, and pairs well with a slow lunch at one of the harbourfront restaurants. It also suits travellers of every age, from grandparents resting on a shaded bench to children who never tire of counting each splash.

Travelers from Australia, particularly those who have already flown long hours via Los Angeles to reach the Caribbean, appreciate how undemanding this activity feels. There is no tour bus, no long queue, and no minimum spend. You simply find a comfortable spot, order a local drink such as a passion fruit mauby or a strong Cruzan rum cocktail, and let the harbour do the entertaining. For many visitors on a tight schedule, this effortless experience becomes the unexpected highlight of their Caribbean stopover.

Bringing the memory home

When I packed my bags to leave St. Thomas, I knew the harbourfront would be the image I carried with me. The combination of pastel-coloured warehouses, bobbing sailboats and those bright white seaplanes lifting off against a blue sky felt distinctly Caribbean in a way that no brochure had quite managed to capture. I filled my phone with short videos, knowing that back in Sydney the sound of those propellers would be hard to find.

If you decide to make the trip yourself, a few small choices make the experience more enjoyable. Pack a hat, bring reef-safe sunscreen, and pick a waterfront café where you can linger for at least an hour. Here are a few practical suggestions before you go.

What to bring for a comfortable harbour visit

How to make the most of an hour by the water

For more first-hand stories and travel notes from the Caribbean and beyond, you can find my full collection of journals at jenoni.com, where I share the small details that never quite fit inside a guidebook.