Dreaming of turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, and Caribbean charm? Head to the U.S. Virgin Islands! Comprising St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix, this tropical paradise blends natural beauty with rich history and vibrant culture. Whether you're snorkeling coral reefs, hiking rainforest trails, or sipping rum by the sea, the USVI offers the perfect island escape—all without a passport for U.S. citizens.
U.S. Virgin Islands Highlights:
- For Beach Lovers: Lounge at Trunk Bay (St. John) – Famous for its powdery sand, clear waters, and underwater snorkeling trail.
- For History Buffs: Tour Christiansted and Fort Christiansvaern (St. Croix) – Explore colonial Danish architecture and Caribbean heritage.
- For Snorkelers: Swim at Sapphire Beach (St. Thomas) – Enjoy coral reefs, sea turtles, and vibrant marine life steps from shore.
- For Nature Lovers: Hike Virgin Islands National Park (St. John) – Discover lush trails, hidden beaches, and ancient petroglyphs.
- For Foodies: Try local dishes like conch fritters, kallaloo, and johnnycakes – Authentic island flavors abound across all three islands.
When I like to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands
The best time to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands is from December to April, when weather is sunny and dry. May to November is the low season, with fewer crowds and better deals, though it overlaps with hurricane season (peak is August–October).
Tips for getting to the U.S. Virgin Islands
- By Air: Fly into Cyril E. King Airport (STT) on St. Thomas or Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) on St. Croix from major U.S. cities.
- By Ferry: Travel between St. Thomas and St. John via regular passenger ferries. Some ferries also connect to the British Virgin Islands (passport required).
- By Cruise: Many Caribbean cruises stop at St. Thomas or St. Croix as part of their itineraries.
Where I like to stay in the U.S. Virgin Islands
- Recommended for Families: The Buccaneer (St. Croix) – Full-service beachfront resort with family activities, golf, and spacious rooms.
- For Couples: Gallows Point Resort (St. John) – Romantic oceanfront suites near Cruz Bay with sunset views and a private beach.
- For Adventure Seekers: Bolongo Bay Beach Resort (St. Thomas) – All-inclusive fun with snorkeling, paddleboarding, and live music.
Best Things to Do in the U.S. Virgin Islands
1. Snorkel into Serenity at Waterlemon Cay
Waterlemon Cay is a cay on St. John that is named for the water lemon fruit. The cay is located within Leinster Bay and serves as the island's most popular spot for snorkeling, attracting thousands of visitors each year to observe the region's native fish, nurse sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, and coral reefs. Less than 200 yards from the cay, the Leinster Bay Plantation Ruins are visible, showcasing a former sugar factory building and a seven-foot animal round. Nearby, the Annaberg Plantation Ruins showcase more colonial-era ruins preserved as part of Virgin Islands National park, while the Old Danish Guardhouse and the Windy Hill Ruins preserve buildings from the island's Danish era of rule. Map
2. Wander Wild and Free in Virgin Islands National Park
Virgin Islands National Park was originally established in 1956 to protect tracts of land throughout the island of St. John with historical and ecological significance. The park is free to enter and is accessible from Cruz Bay, which offers a visitor center providing park information and an outdoor picnic area. It is home to some of the world's most renowned beaches, including Trunk, Cinnamon, Honeymoon, Hawksnest, and Maho Bays. A number of hiking trails are offered throughout the park, including the six-mile Reef Bay Trail, which showcases Taíno petroglyphs and sugar mill ruins. Historic attractions also abound, including the Annaberg Historic District, which preserves a partially-restored sugar plantation near Mary's Point. Overnight mooring balls are available to boaters for an anchoring fee, and overnight campgrounds are offered at Cinnamon Bay Campground.
1300 Cruz Bay Creek, St. John, VI 00830, Phone: 340-776-6201 x238, Map
3. Explore the Past and Protect the Future at Salt River Bay
Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve is a National Park Service unit located on the northern side of St Croix, along its central coastline bay.
The park was established in 1992 to preserve the Columbus Landing Site, the site where Christopher Columbus' expeditions first arrived in the Caribbean in 1493 and made contact with the region's indigenous people. Prehistoric and colonial sites are preserved throughout the park, including the 1617 Fort Salé and a primitive ball court. The park is also home to one of the largest remaining mangrove forests throughout the Virgin Islands, as well as one of the island's two bioluminescent bays, one of only seven located throughout the Caribbean.
2100 Church St, Christiansted, St Croix 00820, USVI, Phone: 340-773-1460, Map
4. Dive Deep into Discovery at Coral World Ocean Park
Coral World Ocean Park is a marine park located on St. Thomas' eastern end, near Coki Beach. The park was originally opened to the public in 1978 and is known for its unique underwater observatory tower, which allows visitors to descend 20 feet under the ocean's surface to view native marine life. Other attractions in the park include an 80,000-gallon Caribbean Reef Encounter habitat, which is home to a variety of native fish and marine life. Exhibits of sea turtles, sea lions, stingrays, sharks, and seahorses are showcased throughout the park, which utilizes an open-water ocean water circulation system in all of its exhibits. Visitor interaction programs are offered at the park, including guided tours and animal meet-and-greet opportunities.
6450 Coki Point, St Thomas, Virgin Islands 00802, U.S. Virgin Islands, Phone: 340-775-1555, Map
What to do if you are traveling with kids:
5. If You’re a History Buff, Step Back in Time at Fort Christian
Fort Christian is a Danish and Norwegian-constructed for within St. Thomas' Charlotte Amalie, originally constructed between 1672 and 1680 as the island's first colonial settlement. The fort continued to serve as a major military camp on the island through the end of the island's Danish rule in 1917. Between 1960 and 1977, the fort was operated as a United States National Historic Site, though today it is operated under the care of the Virgin Islands as a territorial park within the Charlotte Amalie Historic District. The designated National Historic Landmark showcases a variety of historic artifacts from the island's colonial period within its St. Thomas Museum, which is open to the public Monday through Friday. Historic photos and documents are showcased, along with colonial-period furniture and exhibits on the region's flora and fauna.
Forte Strade, Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas 00801, USVI, Phone: 340-776-4566, Map
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
6. Lounge Like a Local at Honeymoon Beach
Honeymoon Beach is one of seven beaches with Virgin Islands National Park's Caneel Bay Resort, offering soft white sands and easy water access for swimmers, fishers, and snorkelers. All-day beach access passes are available for adults and children, which offer kayak, paddleboard, and snorkeling gear rentals, including masks, fins, and vests. Chaise beach lounges are also available for use with passes, along with use of locker and changing room facilities. Visitors can purchase beverages and light lunch fare at the Canella Beach Hut, including alcoholic beverages. Next door, Canella's Beach Bar sells to-go food and gelato, take-out wine and beer, and a variety of craft cocktails, including the islands' famous rum painkiller cocktails.
6526 Estate Nadir #2, St. Thomas, VI 00802, Phone: 340-779-2155
7. Ride Off-Road with IslandBuddy Jeep Tours
IslandBuddy Jeep Tours offer opportunities for visitors to explore historic St. Thomas and St. John aboard private excursion Jeeps, led by experienced tour guide drivers. Tours offer chances to go off-road to see some of the islands' most secluded hidden gems, including private beach areas, light-traffic nature trails, and sugar plantation ruins. All trips are private for small groups and may be customized to visitor needs, with opportunities for hiking, swimming, and snorkeling available. Snorkeling gear is included with all trips, along with beach chairs and supplies, Bluetooth accessories, and complimentary bottled water and rum punch.
St. Thomas, USVI, Phone: 704-929-9204, Map
8. If You Love Craft Beer and Caribbean Vibes, Sip at Leatherback Brewing Company
Leatherback Brewing Company is a St. Croix brewery that was opened in May of 2018 by Virgin Islands and Pennsylvania natives Aaron Hutchins, Scot McChain, John Giannopoulos, and Packy Gilbert, named in honor of the region's native leatherback turtle species. The company's brewing facility and public tap room is located within William Roebuck Industrial Park on the island's south side and offers family-friendly indoor and outdoor bar spaces. Drafts and to-go sales of the company's beers are available for purchase, including its flagship Reef Life IPA, Island Life Lager, Sweet Bottom Blonde Ale, Bush Life Saison, and Thunderbolt Coffee Porter. Food service is available during the afternoon hours, with appetizers and craft sandwiches available. Live music performances are hosted periodically, along with a variety of public special events, including trivia nights.
RR1 BOX 9902 Kingshill VI VI, 00850, U.S. Virgin Islands, Phone: 340-772-2337, Map
9. See the Reef Come Alive on a Night Dive with Coki Diving Center
Coki Diving Center Night Diving Tours are offered for certified divers visiting the St. Thomas region, available with proof of Scuba or Open Water Diver Certification licensing. The touring company was originally opened to the public in 1989 and has received several Best in the Virgin Islands awards for its eco-friendly daytime and nighttime excursion dives. Tours meet daily between 5:30pm and 6:30pm, depending on sunset times throughout the year. Dives last approximately one hours, offering opportunities to see marine life such as eels, stingrays, and octopuses. Underwater photography is available for sale after dives, with all excursions led by experienced tour guides. All diving gear is provided with tours, including nighttime diving lights.
6406 Coki Point, St Thomas, VI 00802, U.S. Virgin Islands, Phone: 340-775-4220, Map
10. If Thrill Is Your Thing, Soar with Parasail Virgin Islands
Parasail Virgin Islands is a St. Thomas-based company offering parasailing and other air travel adventures throughout the Virgin Islands for participants ages six and older. The company uses custom-built Ocean Pro parasailing technology to provide the safest experience possible, with winch boat launches allowing participants to ascend into the air without getting wet. Groups of up to 15 passengers are able to launch from boats at one time, allowing accommodations for small group tours. Each flight lasts approximately 10 minutes, with adventures lasting approximately one hour from launch to harbor return. Ballooning and gliding adventures are also offered throughout the St. Thomas and St. John region. Reservations are strongly recommended, with a non-refundable security deposit required to hold passengers' places for boat launches.
6720 Estate Smith Bay, St Thomas, VI 00802, Phone: 340-227-8303, Map
Where I Like to Eat in the U.S. Virgin Islands
- Recommended for Families: Gladys' Café (St. Thomas) – Local institution known for Caribbean comfort food and homemade hot sauce.
- For Fine Dining: Savant (St. Croix) – Upscale, globally inspired cuisine in a romantic courtyard setting.
- For Casual Bites: Lime Inn (St. John) – Relaxed island dining with fresh seafood, tropical cocktails, and local charm.
My favorite local events:
- For Culture: St. Thomas Carnival (April–May) – Parades, music, pageants, and food in a month-long cultural celebration.
- For History Fans: Transfer Day Commemoration (March 31) – Marks the U.S. acquisition of the islands from Denmark with special events.
- For Holiday Fun: Christmas Festival (St. Croix) (December–January) – Island-style holiday parades, pageants, and music.
Day Trip Itineraries Within 30–90 Minutes (Inter-island):
- From St. Thomas: Ferry to St. John (20–30 min) – Hike Virgin Islands National Park or enjoy secluded beaches like Cinnamon Bay.
- From St. Croix: Buck Island (30 min by boat) – Half-day sailing and snorkeling excursions to this marine wonderland.
- From St. Thomas: Coral World Ocean Park (15–20 min) – Hands-on marine exhibits, sea lion encounters, and snorkeling beach.
- From St. John: Cruz Bay to Coral Bay drive (30–40 min) – Scenic winding roads lead to quiet coves and quirky local shops.
- From St. Thomas: Take a charter to Water Island (10 min) – Enjoy beach bars and snorkeling at secluded Honeymoon Beach.
Plan Your Trip