Bustling cities, lush natural parks, historic plantations and more—there are plenty of reasons for visitors to skip across the sea to the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The capital, Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas, is the first place most visitors to the U.S. Virgin Islands see and for groups of girlfriends or guy friends traveling together, it’s an ideal home base for enjoying the destination. Like most cruise ports in the Caribbean, Charlotte Amalie boasts spectacular shopping. You’ll fi nd everything from quaint local souvenirs like art or antiques, to jewelry, china, glassware, leather goods and designer fashions. Shoppers who tire of the boutiques at the Havensight Mall or along Main Street and Back Street, should head away from the port to Market Square, a local farmer’s market where vendors sell ackee, cassava, breadfruit and fresh coconuts. When they’ve had their fill at the shops, visitors can take a break at any of Charlotte Amalie’s restaurants, boasting a diverse assortment of cuisines. American, Italian, Mexican, Asian—whatever you’re craving, you’ll find it here. Or simply head to famed Magens Bay, boasting the title of the island’s best beach thanks to its calm azure waters and soft white sand.
Though they’re tied to the States in name, the islands of St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John are as Caribbean as it gets, ringed with spectacular beaches, covered with lush tropical forests and surrounded by an abundance of sea life. And it’s all yours to explore. If St. Thomas is the urban, cosmopolitan island, St. John sits at the other end of the spectrum. Here, on the smallest and least populated of the three islands, you’ll find the Virgin Islands National Park, taking up a full two-thirds of the land. Amid its 7,000 acres, you’ll find 23 nature trails cutting through the lush hillside. Hikers have the chance to spot more than 22 mammal species, 140 species of birds and a whopping 740 different types of plants that make up the park’s fascinating natural ecosystem. In addition to its natural attractions, the Virgin Islands National Park is also home to historical sites where ancient petroglyphs testify to the existence of an original native population who lived here more than 500 years before the arrival of Christopher Columbus. Head out to sea from St. John and there’s even more to explore, including the Trunk Bay underwater snorkeling trail. Guiding travelers from site to teeming site, the trail showcases the very best of St. John’s undersea environment, including impressive corals and colorful tropical fish, all with signs posted along the way explaining the sights. Over on St. Croix, the Buck Island National Reef Monument offers even more sights for snorkelers with an underwater trail of its own and visibility stretching to 100 ft. or more. Divers should head to the north side of the island, where thousand-ft. walls and canyons await them at sights like Salt River Canyon, Cane Bay and Northstar Reef. For experienced divers, Davis Bay is a thrilling challenge, featuring the 12,000- ft.-deep Puerto Rico Trench.
The U.S. Virgin Islands offer just as much fun above the waves as underneath them, thanks to the islands’ thriving sailing culture. Dozens of charter sailboats take sailors of all levels out to sea from St. Thomas’ marinas, whether it’s for daytime sails to sites populated with sea turtles and dolphins, or for overnight stays of up to a week or more. Beginning boaters can learn the ropes—literally—as they steer the course around any of the three islands, stopping for snorkeling, swimming or simply relaxing on the beach. One of the island’s better known charters is The Lady Lynsey, which docks at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, offering sunset and snorkeling cruises. St. Thomas is also the best island of the three for golfers, with the Mahogany Run championship course sitting right in their backyard. Its 18 holes were designed by George and Tom Fazio, and have become famous for three signature holes overlooking the ocean that have earned the nickname “the Devil’s Triangle.” The challenge is so great that players who manage to complete the 13th, 14th and 15th holes without having to take any penalty strokes earn a special certificate from the course’s pro shop.
The capital, Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas, is the first place most visitors to the U.S. Virgin Islands see and for groups of girlfriends or guy friends traveling together, it’s an ideal home base for enjoying the destination. Like most cruise ports in the Caribbean, Charlotte Amalie boasts spectacular shopping. You’ll fi nd everything from quaint local souvenirs like art or antiques, to jewelry, china, glassware, leather goods and designer fashions. Shoppers who tire of the boutiques at the Havensight Mall or along Main Street and Back Street, should head away from the port to Market Square, a local farmer’s market where vendors sell ackee, cassava, breadfruit and fresh coconuts. When they’ve had their fill at the shops, visitors can take a break at any of Charlotte Amalie’s restaurants, boasting a diverse assortment of cuisines. American, Italian, Mexican, Asian—whatever you’re craving, you’ll find it here. Or simply head to famed Magens Bay, boasting the title of the island’s best beach thanks to its calm azure waters and soft white sand.
Though they’re tied to the States in name, the islands of St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John are as Caribbean as it gets, ringed with spectacular beaches, covered with lush tropical forests and surrounded by an abundance of sea life. And it’s all yours to explore. If St. Thomas is the urban, cosmopolitan island, St. John sits at the other end of the spectrum. Here, on the smallest and least populated of the three islands, you’ll find the Virgin Islands National Park, taking up a full two-thirds of the land. Amid its 7,000 acres, you’ll find 23 nature trails cutting through the lush hillside. Hikers have the chance to spot more than 22 mammal species, 140 species of birds and a whopping 740 different types of plants that make up the park’s fascinating natural ecosystem. In addition to its natural attractions, the Virgin Islands National Park is also home to historical sites where ancient petroglyphs testify to the existence of an original native population who lived here more than 500 years before the arrival of Christopher Columbus. Head out to sea from St. John and there’s even more to explore, including the Trunk Bay underwater snorkeling trail. Guiding travelers from site to teeming site, the trail showcases the very best of St. John’s undersea environment, including impressive corals and colorful tropical fish, all with signs posted along the way explaining the sights. Over on St. Croix, the Buck Island National Reef Monument offers even more sights for snorkelers with an underwater trail of its own and visibility stretching to 100 ft. or more. Divers should head to the north side of the island, where thousand-ft. walls and canyons await them at sights like Salt River Canyon, Cane Bay and Northstar Reef. For experienced divers, Davis Bay is a thrilling challenge, featuring the 12,000- ft.-deep Puerto Rico Trench.
The U.S. Virgin Islands offer just as much fun above the waves as underneath them, thanks to the islands’ thriving sailing culture. Dozens of charter sailboats take sailors of all levels out to sea from St. Thomas’ marinas, whether it’s for daytime sails to sites populated with sea turtles and dolphins, or for overnight stays of up to a week or more. Beginning boaters can learn the ropes—literally—as they steer the course around any of the three islands, stopping for snorkeling, swimming or simply relaxing on the beach. One of the island’s better known charters is The Lady Lynsey, which docks at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, offering sunset and snorkeling cruises. St. Thomas is also the best island of the three for golfers, with the Mahogany Run championship course sitting right in their backyard. Its 18 holes were designed by George and Tom Fazio, and have become famous for three signature holes overlooking the ocean that have earned the nickname “the Devil’s Triangle.” The challenge is so great that players who manage to complete the 13th, 14th and 15th holes without having to take any penalty strokes earn a special certificate from the course’s pro shop.
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