Looking for a tropical island paradise in the Caribbean? The U.S. Virgin Islands has all what it takes to be one, including world-class beaches, yachting marinas, jungles, coral reefs excellent for diving and snorkeling, tax-free shopping, deep-sea fishing, and golf courses. The warm and sunny Caribbean climate and colorful culture of the U.S. Virgin Islands await you!
The US Virgin Islands (USVI) are a territory of the United States in the Caribbean Sea east of Puerto Rico. The U.S. Virgin Islands consist of three main islands: Saint Thomas, Saint Croix and Saint John, plus a number of smaller island and cays. Half of the Virgin Islands in the east are British Virgin Islands territory. The inhabitants of the US Virgin Islands are mainly descendants of African slaves, but there are also minorities of Europeans, Asians and Puerto Ricans. These islands with a laid-back Caribbean culture attract approximately 2 million visitors a year, mostly coming in by cruise ships.
St. Thomas, the main island of the US Virgin Islands offers great shopping and beaches, snorkeling, kayaking and horseback riding tours, sports fishing, sailing, windsurfing as well as surfing, golf courses and tennis courts. St Thomas is also home to Charlotte Amalie, the capital of U.S. Virgin Islands and a popular cruise ship port. The crescent-shaped Magen's Bay just across Charlotte Amalie is a popular beach destination. Sapphire and Coki Beaches are also lovely places to visit on St.Thomas. The island also hosts an ocean Park called Coral World, a Dutch fort built in the 1600s, and the historical Danish-built 99 steps in Charlotte Amalie.
St. Croix, the largest island of the U.S. Virgin Islands, offers unspoiled sandy beaches, coral reefs, forested hills and small towns with historical buildings and shopping opportunities. The main attractions on St Croix are the Buck Island Reef National Park that offers great snorkeling and diving, the St. Croix Aquarium, St. George Village Botanical Gardens, Estete Whim Plantation, the Cruzan Rum Factory and the rainforests in the northwest of the island. St.Croix is also home to golf courses, a casino and good opportunities for kayaking and horseback riding.
St. John, the smallest of the three main islands has the best world-class beaches on the U.S. virgin Islands. Two thirds of the island is protected as Virgin Islands National Park, offering great hiking, snorkeling and diving. Sailing is also very popular on St John, and shops, nightlife and historical sights can also be found on the island.
The US Virgin Islands (USVI) are a territory of the United States in the Caribbean Sea east of Puerto Rico. The U.S. Virgin Islands consist of three main islands: Saint Thomas, Saint Croix and Saint John, plus a number of smaller island and cays. Half of the Virgin Islands in the east are British Virgin Islands territory. The inhabitants of the US Virgin Islands are mainly descendants of African slaves, but there are also minorities of Europeans, Asians and Puerto Ricans. These islands with a laid-back Caribbean culture attract approximately 2 million visitors a year, mostly coming in by cruise ships.
Sights and activities on U.S. Virgin Islands: beaches, diving, snorkeling, shopping and golf
Above all, U.S. Virgin Islands are a beautiful tropical beach holiday destination, offering excellent beaches, coral reefs and lush rainforests, in addition to a variety of activities from sailing to golf and from diving to shopping. Tax-free shopping on U.S. Virgin Islands is available in all towns on the islands. Snorkeling and diving in US Virgin Islands are especially good on St John and Buck Island off St Croix, whereas a variety of other water sports can be practiced on most resort beaches on the islands. Sailing in the US Virgin Islands is a popular pastime and hiking and horseback riding are also available. Golf courses on the U.S. Virgin Islands offer yet another form of relaxing activity.St. Thomas, the main island of the US Virgin Islands offers great shopping and beaches, snorkeling, kayaking and horseback riding tours, sports fishing, sailing, windsurfing as well as surfing, golf courses and tennis courts. St Thomas is also home to Charlotte Amalie, the capital of U.S. Virgin Islands and a popular cruise ship port. The crescent-shaped Magen's Bay just across Charlotte Amalie is a popular beach destination. Sapphire and Coki Beaches are also lovely places to visit on St.Thomas. The island also hosts an ocean Park called Coral World, a Dutch fort built in the 1600s, and the historical Danish-built 99 steps in Charlotte Amalie.
St. Croix, the largest island of the U.S. Virgin Islands, offers unspoiled sandy beaches, coral reefs, forested hills and small towns with historical buildings and shopping opportunities. The main attractions on St Croix are the Buck Island Reef National Park that offers great snorkeling and diving, the St. Croix Aquarium, St. George Village Botanical Gardens, Estete Whim Plantation, the Cruzan Rum Factory and the rainforests in the northwest of the island. St.Croix is also home to golf courses, a casino and good opportunities for kayaking and horseback riding.
St. John, the smallest of the three main islands has the best world-class beaches on the U.S. virgin Islands. Two thirds of the island is protected as Virgin Islands National Park, offering great hiking, snorkeling and diving. Sailing is also very popular on St John, and shops, nightlife and historical sights can also be found on the island.
U.S. Virgin Islands travel information and practical tips
You can travel to U.S. Virgin Islands by air or by sea. There are airports on St Croix and St Thomas, both with international flights to US Virgin Islands mainly from The US and the Caribbean region.
Photo: *Micky, used under Creative Commons License (By SA 2.0)
The other islands do not have airports, but are mostly easily accessible from the main islands by boat. A popular way travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands is on board a Caribbean cruise. Especially the island of St Thomas is frequently visited by cruise ships. The Virgin Islands are also popular yachting destinations.
Regular ferries run between the three main islands, as well as to the British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. There is also a daily small plane service between St. Thomas and St.Croix. All main islands have a bus service and plenty of taxis. Taxis on the U.S. Virgin Islands are either normal taxis or so-called dollar taxis that have a set route. Car rental on US Virgin Islands is widely available on all major islands.
Climate on U.S. Virgin Islands is tropical with constantly warm temperatures and little rainfall. The easterly trade winds keep the humidity low. There is a rainy season on the U.S. Virgin Islands from May to November. The wettest months are from July to October, which is also the hurricane season. The best time to visit the US Virgin Islands is naturally outside the hurricane season.
Services & safety. There are plenty of hotels on U.S. Virgin Islands, majority of which are beach resorts located along the sandy shores of St Thomas, St Croix or St John. The main towns on the islands also have hotels. You can find many rental villas on the islands. Restaurants on U.S. Virgin Islands vary from fine dining to local eateries, serving international as well as local Caribbean dishes. Nightlife spots can be found mainly on St. Thomas and St. Croix. English is the official language on USVI, but there are also some Spanish-speakers. Violent crime is not a major concern in the U.S. Virgin Islands, but it does occur, so it is worthwhile to avoid some town areas especially on St Thomas.
Short history of U.S. Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands were settled by 2000 BC and were originally inhabited by Siboney, Taino and Carib Indians. Columbus found the islands in 1493, after which the Spanish, English, French and Danish tried to establish colonies there. The Danish West India Company succeeded in this in the late 1600s, and by 1733 all the islands were under Danish rule, known as the Danish West Indies. Sugar plantations run by slave labor were established. After abolishing of slavery in 1848, the Danish West Indies got into economic decline and The USA purchased the islands in 1917. Today, the economy of USVI is run mainly by tourism.hint See also these nearby destinations: Luquillo, San Juan
