The US Virgin Islands is an unincorporated overseas territory of the United States. There are 3 main islands, St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas, as well as several dozen smaller islands and cays surrounding them. The economy relies heavily on tourism as the islands are a prime destination for honeymooners and cruise ships. Indeed, the crystal clear water and vibrant coral reefs also attract a clientele of scuba divers to the U.S. Virgin Islands.
In this article, you will find all the practical information to prepare for a trip to the United States Virgin Islands.
Where to stay?
Each of the three islands has its atmosphere, so the best advice is to do your research and determine which one interests you the most to stay there. In summary, St. Thomas is the most touristy island, with many hotel chains and resorts. St. John offers several types of simpler, less expensive accommodations. Then, St. Croix is the island with the most cultural atmosphere.
Divers can also consider a diving cruise. A diving safari is ideal to explore more sites, and possibly some sites belonging to the British Virgin Islands.
Things to do and excursions in the US Virgin Islands
In addition to the incredible scuba diving, the US Virgin Islands are known for their beautiful beaches and water sports.
St. Thomas receives the majority of visitors, and almost all cruise ship passengers. The activities available on St. Thomas are varied, here are some of them:
Visit Blackbeard’s Castle: Located on top of a small mountain, the castle that was used by the famous pirate Blackbeard is a delight for visitors, young and old. The castle itself is a real ruin, but it’s worth the visit, with the bonus of a history lesson and an incredible view of the landscape.
Sailing: The US Virgin Islands are a mecca for sailing enthusiasts. Even if you’re not a sailor yourself, you can take a sea excursion and sail around the island.
Coral World Ocean Park: Experience the beauty and diversity of marine life found in the Caribbean. The marine park offers discovery programs for non-divers, as well as special dives for certified divers.
Beaches: St. Thomas has a long stretch of sandy coastline with over 40 distinct beaches… you’ll be spoiled for choice.
The Paradise Point Skyride will take you 700 feet above the town of Charlotte Amalie.
The island of St. Croix does not get all the attention, as does St. Thomas, and therefore receives fewer tourists. That said, the island does have several natural and historical attractions. Here are some ideas of what to do on St. Croix.
- Visit of a historical fortress. You will find 2 of them on the island of Sainte-Croix.
- Hiking. You will find many trails for hiking, or trekking in the jungle.
- Rent an all-terrain vehicle. If hiking isn’t for you, get a four-wheeler, or all-terrain vehicle, and explore the jungle.
- Ride a horse on the beach.
As for the island of St. John, a large part of its surface is included in the Virgin Islands National Park. Indeed, the island is an ideal habitat for many species of plants and animals, both on land and underwater. In addition, many of the protected species are among those in danger.
In summary, the US Virgin Islands National Park is home to :
- 138 species of birds
- 400 species of coral fish
- 17 species of whales and dolphins
- Over 230 species of invertebrates
- 13 species of reptiles
- A wide variety of coral and sponge species.
US Virgin Islands National Park also protects the last remaining tropical dry forests in the Caribbean. In 1976, Virgin Islands National Park became one of the first protected areas to receive the title of International Biosphere Reserve from UNESCO.
Best time to visit the US Virgin Islands
The US Virgin Islands, like the rest of the Caribbean Islands, is a great destination to visit year-round. However, be careful during the hurricane season as the Virgin Islands are in the region where temperatures are affected. Generally speaking, the U.S. Virgin Islands is affected by hurricanes once every 3 years. Then, the islands are directly affected by hurricanes only 1 time every 8 years.
Health and Safety
Schneider Regional Medical Center oversees the operations of three medical centers operating on St. Thomas and St. John. These are Roy Lester Schneider Hospital (St. Thomas), Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Institute (St. Thomas), and Myrah Keating Smith Community Health Center (St. John).
Overall, the health centers included in the Schneider Regional employ many people, with 500 staff and 70 physicians of various specialties. Several specialties are treated at these health centers such as cardiology, oncology, neurology, orthopedics, and ophthalmology.
Schneider’s regional medical organization is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Healthcare Organization and meets international quality standards.
In addition, on the island of St. Thomas, you will find a network of regular health centers. As for St. Croix, you will find a hospital, the Juan Luis Hospital, and Medical Center, where you will have access to regular and urgent care, depending on the case.
In terms of safety, the US Virgin Islands has the inglorious title of the state or department with the highest per capita murder rate. That said, the islands do not have a particularly high crime rate against tourists. It is recommended that you follow the advice as to which neighborhoods and areas of the island to visit, and which not to.
If you are planning a trip to the US Virgin Islands, I recommend investing in good travel insurance that also covers scuba diving. You never know what can happen and good insurance can get you out of difficult situations. I recommend this travel insurance because they offer worldwide coverage and cover many risky sports like scuba diving.
Where is the US Virgin Islands located in the world?
The US Virgin Islands are part of the group of leeward islands and are therefore part of the Lesser Antilles. It forms, with the other islands, the border between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
The geographical group of the Virgin Islands is divided between the British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the United States. The British Virgin Islands (BVI) is at the eastern end of the island group and are composed of 4 main islands and about 60 smaller islands. The United States Virgin Islands (USVI) has 3 main islands and about 50 smaller islands. They were bought from Denmark in 1916 to become a US territory.
Finally, the last islands in the chain are very close to Puerto Rico. Although efforts are being made to have these islands recognized as the Spanish Virgin Islands, they are considered part of Puerto Rico.
How do I get to the US Virgin Islands?
The USVI has many flights to cities in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean Islands. Some connections between the U.S. and the islands are seasonal only, while others, such as Miami, Atlanta, and New York, are available year-round. Then, from its major airports, it is possible to fly everywhere, local and international.
Cyril E. King Airport is located near the capital of the islands, the city of Charlotte Amalie, on the island of St. Thomas. It is the main point of entry to the country. The Henry E. Rohlsen Airport in Christiansted on St. Croix offers limited connections to the surrounding countries.
The majority of travelers to the island of St. John, or even to the British Virgin Islands, pass through Cyril E. King Airport and then take a ferry to their final destination.
Is a visa required for the US Virgin Islands?
U.S. citizens, or permanent residents, do not need a passport to travel to the US Virgin Islands. They do need proof of identity and nationality, i.e., proof that they are legally living in the United States. A passport is of course the ideal travel document and allows you to go to the US Virgin Islands on the same trip.
The majority of the time, a tourist visa is necessary. However, some countries have a visa waiver, so their citizens can enter U.S. territory with only an electronic travel authorization.
This exemption is available to citizens of the following countries:
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Republic of Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom
In addition, Canadian citizens are free to enter the United States with only a passport when arriving by air. Other travel documents, such as a driver’s license plus, are sufficient to cross the Canada/US border by land or sea.
For citizens of countries other than those mentioned above, you will generally need to apply for a visa. The US State Department website has an online program that allows you to quickly identify the visa you will need.
How do get around?
Once you arrive in the U.S. Virgin Islands, it’s pretty easy to get around. The island of St. Thomas is the major destination of the islands, and you can easily get around by cab on it. Please note that cab fares in the U.S. Virgin Islands are per person and are regulated according to a price table. In addition, you will notice that there is public transportation, which means that buses operate on a regular schedule. Safari buses, for example, are sometimes known as “dollar buses,” and they are a terrific way to go around while still seeing the sites.
Safari Buses: Safari buses are trucks, modified to have large benches in the back to hold several people. The fare is US$1 for transportation within the city and US$2 to cross the island. Always check the fare before boarding, as some cabs use the same vehicles.
If you wish to travel from island to island, there is a regular ferry service available. You can use the ferry service to travel between the Virgin, American, and British Islands. You can also travel by air and seaplane between the different destinations.
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