As far as Caribbean tourist destinations go, the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) are some of the best to visit for quick island getaway vacations. The USVI consists of three islands: St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. We are fortunate to have traveled to all three destinations and lay out the similarities and the unique features to help you pick the perfect island getaway in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
All three islands have a tropical climate, with temperatures ranging from 75-90 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. Each island is surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea and boasts beautiful sandy beaches.
In deciding when to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands, be aware that hurricane season is from June to November, with the highest chance of hurricanes from late August through October. We have traveled in the Caribbean during this time of year with no problems, but it is an issue to keep in mind when planning your island getaway.
Getting There and Around
Flying into St. Thomas (STT) and St. Croix (STX) is relatively easy from the United States, especially if you are coming from the East Coast and have a direct flight. If you are staying on St. John, you will fly into STT and then take the 20-minute ferry ride across the bay. A U.S. passport is not required for entry into the USVI but is required if you plan to venture across to the British Virgin Islands (BVI).
A rental car is recommended for all three islands. It’s not completely necessary because rideshares and taxis are available, but it will be more convenient. We also recommend renting a jeep as opposed to a car. St. Thomas and St. John have mountainous roads that aren’t always in the best condition. St. Croix is less mountainous, and a small car may be fine. When driving in the USVI, remember they drive on the left! Also, the narrow curvy roads can be a bit treacherous to drive at night, so we recommend having a designated driver or taking a rideshare/taxi.
Beaches
Planning the perfect island getaway begins with identifying the beaches you want to explore. We believe lying on a beach (or by a pool) is the best way to relax, especially if you only have a few days to spend there!
St. Thomas
So, where do you start? If you are on St. Thomas, the most well-known and easily accessible beach is Magens Bay Beach. This beach is consistently named by Travel & Leisure, Conde Nast, and Caribbean Travel & Life as one of the best beaches in the world. And when you see it, you will know why.
Horseshoe-shaped and only one mile long, this beach is a beach-lovers dream. Its unspoiled waters, soft, white sand, and spectacular views across the Caribbean Sea. Lucky you if you happen to be on a sailboat looking back at the shore! Either way though, it’s a perfect place to spend an afternoon. There is an entrance fee of $5 per person over 12. Snorkel gear, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards are available for rent. There is also a beach bar serving bar food and cocktails. A covered pavilion is located at one end of the beach in case it rains, or you need a break from the sun.
St. John
On St. John, we recommend Trunk Bay Beach (our personal favorite), Maho Bay Beach, and Cinnamon Bay. What is unique about Maho is the chance to observe and swim with the turtles. St. John is home to three species of turtles: the Loggerhead, Leatherback, and the endangered Green Turtle.
Trunk Bay Beach is our favorite because it has an underwater marked trail which is great for beginning snorkelers. You are guaranteed to see a few tropical fish and maybe even a sea turtle or two. It’s also the most popular beach so arrive early and stake out your space before it fills up.
St. Croix
If you are on St. Croix and want wide-open space, head for Shoys Beach, outside of Christiansted. You will need to pack water and snacks since no services are available on this stretch of sand. Near Frederiksted, you will find Rainbow Beach. You can rent umbrellas and chairs and enjoy one of the restaurants close by. If you want to avoid a crowd, consider visiting on a day when the cruise ships aren’t docked at the port. One other beach we recommend on St. Croix is Buccaneer, located at The Buccaneer St. Croix Beach & Golf Resort, which is a Wyndham property. There is plenty to do and you won’t need to go far for food!
Other Activities
The three islands offer standard water activities and sports, such as snorkeling, scuba diving, jet skiing, parasailing, and more. However, each island also has its own unique features.
On St. Thomas, you will find Drake’s Seat, a historic lookout point located high above the Caribbean Sea. It was named after Sir Frances Drake who visited the area in 1595. From the top of Drake’s Seat visitors can enjoy the breathtaking views of St. Thomas and the surrounding islands of St. John and Tortola, BVI. The lookout is reached by a short hike and is the perfect place to watch the sunset or enjoy a bite of lunch. We generally take in this view after we’ve spent some time enjoying the beach at Magens Bay.
Two-thirds of St. John is part of the U.S. National Park system and is an excellent place for nature lovers. In addition to the water activities, the National Park provides visitors with places to hike, opportunities for bird watching, and views of ancient plantation ruins. Regrettably, much of the natural beauty of the island was destroyed by hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. The island continues to recover though and is worth visiting for a day or more!
One of our favorite side trips while on St. Croix was a visit to the Cruzan Rum Distillery where we sipped on coconut, mango, and pineapple rums, as well as tasted a Single Barrel rum. Unfortunately, as of this writing, the Distillery closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and remains closed for now.
Not unlike St. John, nature lovers will also enjoy St. Croix. Hike through rainforests and down cliff sides to float in tidal pools, or watch the sunrise at Point Udall, the easternmost point of the United States. You will also want to experience kayaking in the Salt River Bay National Historic Park and Ecological Preserve. Located on the south shore of St. Croix, the Bioluminescent Bay is a natural phenomenon caused by microorganisms called dinoflagellates that emit light when agitated. Kayaking on this bay at night is an unforgettable experience that should not be missed.
Island Hopping
Island hopping is one of our favorite island getaway things to do. The distance between St. Thomas and St. John is a short 20-minute ferry ride. One ferry allows you to take your car. We found this wasn’t necessary because taxis are readily available every time the ferry docks, but the option is there.
From either St. Thomas or St. John, you can also island hop to the British Virgin Islands (BVI), where you will need to have your passport. For example, the ferry ride from St. Thomas to Tortola BVI is about one hour which includes sailing time and getting through customs. Not bad!
Travel time between St. Thomas and St. Croix by ferry is about 2.5 hours. In our opinion, the travel time is too much, especially when our time on the islands is already short. We recommend one trip that allows you to stay on St. John or St. Thomas and another trip where you stay on St. Croix.
In addition to traveling by ferry, there are numerous day trip operators willing to sail you anywhere you want to visit within the Virgin Islands. These trips can be expensive, but a lot of fun. You may want to check with your hotel in advance to see what tour operators they suggest.
If you are looking for vibrant nightlife, you may want to stick to St. Thomas. The other two islands will have something going on, it just won’t be as much.
Other Information
If your island getaway takes you to St. Thomas, check out our curated digital travel guide. It will cut your research time by half and provide you with great recommendations for hotels, food, and activities.
St. John and St. Croix offer a variety of accommodation options as well from hotels and resorts to private homes and condominiums. St. John even has a campground available at Cinnamon Bay. Lodging ranges from basic tents to small cottages. This option is worth a look especially if your budget is tight.
Conclusions
Each of the US Virgin Islands is similar yet also unique. Consider what you want to do on your island getaway. If you want access to great restaurants, shopping, and a little nightlife your best pick is St. Thomas. If you need something more chilled and want to spend time in nature, consider heading to St. John or St. Croix.
The beaches on all three islands are magnificent. We promise you won’t be disappointed with any island choice when it comes to the beaches. And why not just plan to visit them all (not necessarily in one trip)? That way you can decide for yourself which island you prefer!