US Virgin Islands

Why the US Virgin Islands are special
The three islands - St Thomas, St John and St Croix - offer visitors three different Caribbean experiences.

Comparison
Alike but different
They have much in common, including lush tropical landscapes. However, they also differ in marked ways. See my critiques below.

St Thomas
Most developed and touristed
St Thomas' main city, Charlotte Amalie, is one of the best duty-free shopping towns in the Caribbean.

However, when several big cruise ships arrive and unload their passengers, Charlotte Amalie loses its Caribbean look and feel. The waterfront becomes overrun with tourists and cruise ships dominate the seaward view.

St John
A beautiful and back-to-nature retreat
St John especially appeals to nature lovers and adventure travelers who like to hike and snorkel in pristine environments.

The Virgin Islands National Park occupies two-thirds of the island, protecting the land from commercial development. Its Trunk Bay has a fine-looking white-sand beach and an exciting snorkeling trail (with underwater signs).

St John has no airport or cruise ship docking facilities. This keeps the visitor count low.

St Croix
The largest and most populated island
St Croix has the fewest tourists. One reason is 65 kilometers (40 miles) of water separate it from St Thomas, the gateway city to the US Virgin Islands. St John, in contrast, is a short ferry ride from St Thomas.

More US Virgin Islands tips & insights
Beachront resorts

• World class
  Caneel Bay in St John and the Ritz-Carlton in St Thomas.
• Upmarket
  Frenchman's Reef is near Charlotte Amalie.
• Mid-priced
  Emerald Beach Resort is near the airport in St Thomas, making it convenient for cruise passengers whose flights require a layover.

Sugar plantation tours
All three islands have them and they should be on your don't miss list. You'll learn about plantation life (including slavery conditions) and how the cane is processed into sugar and molasses.

Location Map