Traditionally, a trip to the US Virgin Islands hasn’t been too high on many Americans’ travel bucket lists, and not because we don’t love all-inclusive resorts, Caribbean water, white sand beaches, and world-class snorkeling.
Until recently, it’s always been considered a location reserved for the uber-wealthy. A combination of new budget airline routes, hurricanes Irma and Maria disasters, and the pandemic has made the US Virgin Islands (abbreviated as”USVI’) more accessible than ever.
And it’s not hard to see why the upper class has kept this destination a secret.
From the Danish architecture and pirate history of Charlotte Amalie to the translucent beaches of St. John, read on for your ultimate travel guide to the US Virgin Islands.
What are the US Virgin Islands?
There are 4 main islands in the USVI though there are over 50 islands and cays, most of which are private and inaccessible.
The primary islands are Saint Thomas, Saint John, Saint Croix, and Water Island; When someone says they’re ‘going to travel to the US Virgin Islands,’ these are the islands they usually refer to.
The dark history of the US Virgin Islands
The history of the Caribbean is colored with suffering.
The British, Spanish, French, Dutch, and Danish colonized most of the islands. Each island went through different rulerships as the Europeans feuded, each colonizer leaving a piece of their culture behind. These traditions blended with the cultures of the natives (the Caribs or Arawaks) and the West African slaves brought to work the sugar and tobacco plantations.
This combination of worldly influences makes the Caribbean so unlike any other place in the world, and what makes each island unique, even as they share so many of the same characteristics.
When to visit the USVI
The best time to travel to the US Virgin Islands is April through June, when you can expect perfect weather. Hurricane season officially begins in June and ends in November.
The USVI’s peak tourist season is from December to March.
How to get to the USVI
Unless you visit by cruise ship, you’ll likely fly into the USVI’s capital, St. Thomas. Cyril E. King Airport (STT).
Remember that until budget options were available, paying over $500 to visit the USVI was pretty standard. The best flight deals will likely come from Spirit. You’ll likely be in Miami or Fort Lauderdale if you have a layover.
The US Virgin Islands is an excellent destination for budget packing because your wardrobe will mainly consist of bathing suits and beach fits.
Bragging: I paid $126 roundtrip to fly from Dallas to St. Thomas with Spirit.
What to do in the USVI
Hit the Beach
The biggest attraction of the USVI is, without a doubt, those soft and clear beaches filled with turtles and Pina Coladas that we see all over the internet.
The most famous beach on St. Thomas is Magen’s Bay Beach, followed closely by Coki Beach, known for its bars and party atmosphere.
Other popular beaches in the USVI include Maho Beach on St. John, known for its turtle nesting and excellent snorkeling, and Honeymoon Beach, also on St. John, known for its towering coconut trees.
Some beaches, such as Coki, have snorkel rentals, but in many cases, you will need to bring your own. I suggest this durable, inexpensive set.
Charlotte Amalie
Charlotte Amalie was once a pirate’s hangout and one of the busiest cruise ship ports in the world, with 1.5 million visitors annually. Today, the city is the capital and largest city in the US Virgin Islands, located on the island of St. Thomas.
The historic district of Charlotte Amalie combines bright Caribbean colors and Danish architecture from the 1600s – think narrow cobblestone streets, functioning shutters on windows and doors, dramatic columns and curving flights of stairs, touches of cast iron, and balconies dotted with tropical plants.
To add to the charm, the streets still go by their Danish names, such as Raadgets Gade and Norre Gade.
What to do in Charlotte Amalie
- 99 Steps: These steps were built from the bricks of the original ships that brought products and people between Europe and the islands. Despite the name, the step count is 103.
- Main Street: While there are some restaurants and souvenir shops here, most businesses are diamond (you read that right) shops, all hosted in the elegantly repurposed warehouses of Charlotte Amalie’s Historic District.
- Drake’s Seat: This is where Sir Francis Drake looked for enemy ships, and it’s easy to see why- the panoramic view shows where the Atlantic Ocean joins the Caribbean Sea.
- Fort Christian: Throughout its life, this 17th-century Danish fort has been a prison, police station, and center for the slave trade.
- The Emancipation Garden: This park was built to celebrate the freeing of the slaves on July 3rd, 1843. This small space contains a plaque, a bronze bust of a freed slave blowing a conch shell, and a replica of the Liberty Bell.
- Caribbean Food: Charlotte Amalie has some of the best food in all of the USVI. I like this tour because it includes both samples and history.
Island Hop
Island Hopping is a great way to travel around to see a little bit of everything the US Virgin Islands has to offer!
Water Island, for example, is home to the famous Honeymoon Bay, an area known for extremely calm waters. The island has no cars or taxis, a population of less than 300, and some of the USVI’s most rugged and unspoiled views.
The easiest way to explore is with a boat tour
I wanted to push the easy button, so I took this tour with the family-owned and operated Stormy Pirates.
Stormy Pirates provided the snorkel gear, open bar (Sally makes a mean rum punch!), pizza, and knowledge. I loved being able to point to any random island and learn its name.
We also saw the captain from Below Deck and a filming location for Charlie’s Angels, neither of which I’d have known to look for on my own.
A boat tour is the best way to see the most pristine beaches throughout the different islands without navigating ferries, taxis (or lack of!), worrying about food, snorkel gear, or basically anything else.
Virgin Islands National Park
Virgin Islands National Park occupies 2/3rds of St. John.
This National Park has coral reef-fringed beaches and crystal-clear water that is home to sea turtles. You’ll also find several ruins, including Annaberg, a well-persevered 18th-century sugar plantation.
40% of Virgin Islands National Park is underwater, and did I mention sea turtles? You’ll find some of the best snorkeling here. You don’t want to miss this when you travel to the US Virgin Islands.
Highlights:
- Underwater Trail at Trunk Bay: This is a prime experience for beginner snorkelers. The trail follows Trunk Bay Cay and makes a U-turn back to the beach. Plaques along the way teach you about the fish and coral life, making it a true underwater trail.
- Maho Bay is the place for sea turtles, thanks to the seagrass beds. The water is calm and shallow, so you don’t need a boat to reach the prime snorkel spots. Notes: Sea turtles are most easily spotted in the early morning or late afternoon. The turtles are a protected species; it is illegal to touch them.
- Reef Bay Trail is above water and leads you through the oldest trees on the island, ancient rock carvings, and a waterfall.
- Ruins of plantations, sugar, rum mills, and more are protected by the Virgin Islands National Park. Read below for some suggestions on which ones to visit.
- Petroglyph Trail: Just under 3.5 miles, Reef Bay is a trail located near Coral Bay. I found the petroglyphs here extremely interesting and noted symbols, some faces, and a cross.
Explore ancient ruins
Due to the history of slavery, sugar, rum, and molasses in the Virgin Islands, there are a lot of plantation ruins on the islands. These places are beautiful but solemn and should be treated with respect.
Remember: people were forced to literally work themselves to death on these lands. People were beaten, raped, killed, and disposed of like garbage on these lands.
Learning the mistakes of our history, is one way to honor them today.
The best ruins to tour
- Annaberg Plantation, St. John: These are the most visited ruins on St. John due to how intact they are. The Annaberg Plantation Ruins include a windmill tower, factory, and slave quarters. There is a half-mile loop trail with some info signs near the ruins that are worth a walk.
- Cinnamon Bay Sugar Mill Ruins, St. John: There is a half-mile loop trail near the ruins that are well worth a walk. Placards along the trails describe how sugar was produced and the history behind the site, including a small cemetery. Cinnamon Bay Plantation dates back to 1717.
Think about this:
St. John had 25 active sugar plantations…the entire island is 19 miles.
Reflect on how that must have been taken from the land. The land was also destroyed during the hay day of these plantations.
Watch the first sunrise in the US
St. Croix is home to Point Udall, the easternmost point of the United States! The monument is actually a huge sundial, which is even more esoteric.
Millennium Monument was built in 2000 on New Year, as this is the first place American land sees the sunrise each day.
Coral World Ocean Park
Coral World is a marine park near Coki Beach on St.Thomas. Here you can see a live coral reef from The Undersea Observatory, hand-feed marine life, and have animal encounters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a passport to go to the US Virgin Islands?
If you are a US citizen, you will not need a passport to visit the USVI.
You will, however, have to go through customs only when leaving the islands and returning to the mainland, but a passport is not required. I only had my driver’s license with me during my trip to the islands and could get through customs without any issues.
What currency and languages are used in the USVI?
The official language of the USVI is American English. You’ll also hear Spanish, French, and Creole.
How many islands are in the USVI?
The US Virgin Islands are made up of the four main islands of St. Croix, St. John, St. Thomas, and Water Island, plus 50 other surrounding small islands and cays, most of which are uninhabited.
What is the drinking age in the USVI?
Unlike the US mainland, the drinking age in the USVI is 18.
Are the USVI safe?
The US Virgin Islands are known for being mostly safe. Overall, I felt very safe on all the islands I visited. As with any trip, take all safety precautions possible.
What side of the road do you drive on while in the USVI?
You drive on the left side of the road in the USVI, the opposite side as on the mainland.
If you’re not comfortable driving on the left, my advice is not to get a car. The roads are steep, often slick, poorly lit at night, and parking is scarce.
Ask yourself how much time you want to spend dealing with those types of driving conditions.
Is the USVI a good honeymoon destination?
Simply put, if you love beaches and beach activities, the US Virgin Islands is a great place to travel for your honeymoon without leaving the country.
How much cash do I need, really?
Consider this- if you’re not renting a car, you will need cash for all public safaris and taxis, and there are no Uber or rideshare apps on the islands. Many restaurants and bars are cash-only, and convenience stores often have a $10 or more card minimum.
Bring more than you think you will need to avoid fees or having to hunt for ATMs.
What kind of Sunscreen is allowed in the US Virgin Islands?
All sunscreens must be reef safe, meaning they don’t contain the “toxic 3 Os” (oxybenzone, octinoxate, and octocrylene).
I like this hydrating, non-irritating reef-safe sunscreen because it’s one of the few that don’t break out my sensitive skin.
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What did you see and do in the US Virgin Islands?
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