Which is the best Virgin Island to visit? Arguably, all of them, as they’re all beautiful. Nearly 100 islands and cays make up the Virgin Islands, each with its own unique charm and appeal.
These Caribbean island hideaways are world-renowned for their water sports, shipwreck dives and underwater adventures, surf-worthy waves, and perfect beaches.
Whether you’re planning a romantic honeymoon or a family getaway, this pocket of islands has it all. Here’s all you need to know about the U.S. Virgin Islands—and how to choose between them.
Where are the U.S. Virgin Islands?
St. Thomas
The U.S. Virgin Islands are among the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles, some 40 miles from Puerto Rico and to the southeast of Miami. The three main islands are St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix, although there are dozens of smaller islets and cays in the chain.
St. Thomas and St. John are close together, linked by ferries and boat trips, while larger St. Croix is around 45 miles to the south. The ferry from St. Thomas to St. Croix takes around two and a half hours, so you wouldn’t travel from one to the other for a day trip unless you decided to fly instead.
History of the U.S. Virgin Islands
St. John
The three main islands were originally inhabited by the Ciboney, Arawak, and later the Carib peoples. These indigenous groups farmed, fished, and traded throughout the Caribbean.
Christopher Columbus arrived in 1493. He named the islands “Santa Úrsula y las Once Mil Vírgenes” after the legendary Saint Ursula, who, the story goes, traveled with 11,000 virgins, all of whom were murdered in what’s now Germany. Clearly, this was something of an unwieldy name, and it was later abbreviated to the “Virgin Islands.”
The Danish West India Company arrived in the 17th century and gradually took control of the islands: St. Thomas first, in 1672, then St. John in 1718, and finally St. Croix, which at the time belonged to France. They gave towns across the islands Danish names; Charlotte Amalie, for example, was the Queen Consort of King Christian V of Denmark.
St. Croix
The Danes, like other Europeans, developed sugar plantations and shipped in enslaved Africans to tend them. The slaves put up an impressive resistance; in 1733, one of the largest uprisings in the whole of the Caribbean took place on sleepy St. John.
Slavery was abolished in 1848; check out the Freedom Statue in Charlotte Amalie’s Emancipation Garden to pay your respects. There’s a Freedom Statue in Cruz Bay, St. John, while St. Croix has its own monument, a statue in Frederikstad of a man blowing a conch shell and wielding a machete.
The U.S. noted the strategic importance of the islands during World War I as a means of protecting the Panama Canal and bought them from Denmark for $25 million, paid in gold, in 1917. The islands have remained a territory of the USA ever since.
Read: Best Things to Do in the U.S. Virgin Islands
The Culture of the U.S. Virgin Islands
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
The U.S. Virgin Islands may have plenty of Danish legacy in their culture, but the reality is, the islands are truly multicultural and have an identity of their own. You won’t hear Danish spoken here, but you will hear Creole, English, French patois, and sometimes, Spanish.
The islands are a territory of the United States, and you will come across certain American traditions, such as Thanksgiving and a love of basketball, though there are many other influences in the mix.
The people of all three islands are generally speaking, friendly and laid-back; “limin’”, or just relaxing with friends and shooting the breeze, is a way of life. Islanders are strongly family-oriented and combine their faith, mainly Christianity, with a tradition of superstition and rituals. What might be called voodoo elsewhere is called Obeah here.
The two main islands, St. Thomas and St. Croix, have a lively cultural calendar, although St. John is quieter. On St. Croix, there are four “jump-ups”—lively street parties—a year, as well as Mardi Croix, held just before actual Mardi Gras. St. Thomas has spectacularly colorful Carnival celebrations, complete with parades and elaborate costumes.
Sailing in St. Croix
Both islands hold famous regattas: the St. Croix International Regatta and the St. Thomas International Regatta, each with multiple sideshows of partying, live bands, and free-flowing Caribbean rum. St. John also hosts an annual yacht race, the Coral Bay Thanksgiving Regatta.
Food & Drink in the U.S. Virgin Islands
Conch
The cuisine of the U.S. Virgin Islands is a reflection of the archipelago’s history and diversity. You’ll find African, Caribbean, European, and American influences here.
Across all the islands, much use is made of what’s available locally. There’s fish on every menu, particularly snapper, conch, and mahi-mahi. If you see “fungi and fish”, there are no funghi involved; fungi is a mix of cornmeal and okra, and the dish that comes with it is typically stewed or sauteed.
Callaloo
Roti is a flatbread stuffed with curried meat and vegetables, while johnnycakes are cornmeal-based griddle cakes served with syrup and melted butter or as a side to savory dishes. Callaloo, meanwhile, is a filling soup made from leafy greens and okra. Meat or fish is sometimes added.
Typical sides and snacks are carbohydrate-rich. Rice ‘n’ peas is rice simmered in coconut milk and speckled with pigeon peas. Pates are deep-fried pastries stuffed with spiced meat or fish.
Captain Morgan Visitor Center, St. Croix
You’ll want to try the local drinks, too, whichever island you visit. Cruzan Rum, unsurprisingly, is distilled on St. Croix, as is Captain Morgan Rum; the island still grows sugar cane to support the rum industry.
On St. Thomas, you can try Bones Rum, made by a small-batch distiller. St. Thomas is also the home of the calorific Bushwhacker, which is like a rich dessert in itself. The recipe includes vodka, Kahlua, dark Crème de Cacao, cream of coconut, triple sec, milk, crushed ice, and nutmeg.
A great way to sample Virgin Islands cuisine is to take a culinary walking tour of Charlotte Amalie with an expert. You’ll visit different restaurants to try curried chicken, rice ‘n’ peas, fungi, sweet plantains, and a rum-based dessert.
Things to Do
St. Thomas
Magens Bay, St. Thomas
Discover the rolling green hills and gorgeous beaches of St. Thomas. Hop on a thrilling jet ski across St. John Bay, or kayak the picturesque Cas Cay, where you might spot turtles or starfish along the way.
Admire the marine life and see various exhibits on marine conservation efforts in St. Thomas at Coral World Ocean Park on Coki Beach. Or, head to Buck Island, a pristine national park known for its protected nature trails and a famous underwater passage that attracts snorkeling enthusiasts of all levels.
Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands, is a place where relics of 17th-century colonial life fuse with modernity and island charm. Its waterfront restaurants, lively beach bars, and duty-free shopping make Charlotte Amalie a top destination for sightseeing. Scale the historic 99 Steps for panoramic city views at the top.
Magens Bay, St. Thomas
Don’t miss a trip to Magens Bay, which has been consistently rated one of the Caribbean’s best beaches. The sugar-sand beach winds around a crescent-shaped bay, and foliage-studded hills paint a vibrant landscape. Stroll along the shore or embark on an island hike along one of the area’s walking trails.
A visit to St. Thomas can often be bundled with a day trip to St. John, as Charlotte Amalie makes for an easy jumping-off point to get to the scenic island by boat.
St. John
Honeymoon Beach, St. John
The casual atmosphere of St. John is a perfect place for rest and relaxation. Though it’s the smallest of the main U.S. Virgin Islands, it’s home to dozens of beaches, cays, and trails. Unmanicured and rugged landscapes make this one of the best Virgin Islands to visit for nature lovers.
Trek the four-mile Reef Bay Trail to work up a sweat, or go snorkeling in the transparent waters of Honeymoon Beach. Another local treasure of St. John is Trunk Bay, which is home to its own underwater nature trail.
Cruz Bay, St. John
Two of the most popular destinations on the island are Cruz Bay and Coral Bay. Head to Cruz Bay if you want to experience the more lively and energetic side of St. John. If you’re craving tranquility and time in nature, Coral Bay is the place for you.
Over half of the island is devoted to the Virgin Islands National Park, a haven for birds and marine animals. Hurricane Hole, the mangrove forest off the coast of Coral Bay, is another protected area for local wildlife. Don’t miss the chance to kayak or stand-up paddleboard through the mangroves.
St. Croix
Buck Island, St. Croix
St. Croix is the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands and the best Virgin Island to visit for snorkelers and divers. It’s home to one of the only underwater national monuments in the United States, Buck Island Reef National Park, not to be confused with the Buck Island off St. Thomas. There are nearly 200 acres of underwater trails and a colorful ecosystem of coral.
Another top snorkeling site in St. Croix is Cane Bay on the north shore, which is also a favorite spot for eel, turtle, and seahorse sightings. About a quarter-mile into your swim, you’ll come upon the striking Cane Bay Wall, a steep underwater cliff that descends thousands of feet below.
Visit the Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge, where you can see endangered species like leatherback sea turtles. From April to September, the beach is used as a nesting ground for the turtles and their hatchlings. During other parts of the year, Sandy Point remains beautifully untouched by human development.
Fort Frederiksted, St. Croix
Stroll along the west side of the island to Frederiksted, where history buffs will find plenty to see and do. Tour Fort Frederiksted, or soak up art and culture at the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts (CMCArts), which pays homage to local artists from islands across the Caribbean.
Visiting the town of Christiansted is another one of the best things to do in St. Croix. Admire Christiansted’s classic Danish architecture on a tour of its 18th-century fort, then hit Gallows Bay to shop at local boutiques and explore the harborfront restaurants.
FAQs
What is the best U.S. Virgin Island to visit?
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
All of the U.S. Virgin Islands are glorious in their own way. St. Thomas is great for shopping, beaches, and the buzzing capital, Charlotte Amalie. Sleepy St. John is for romantics and hikers who want to get away from it all. St. Croix is much bigger, with incredible diversity, from mountains to rainforest and coral reefs. The best U.S. Virgin Island to visit is a matter of personal choice; in an ideal world, you’d visit them all.
Which island has the best beaches?
Trunk Bay, St. John
Dazzlingly beautiful beaches protected by coral reefs are the hallmark of each of the U.S. Virgin Islands; you really couldn’t do better for a beach vacation. When it comes to which Virgin Island to visit for beaches, it’s almost impossible to choose.
Magens Bay is the standout beach of St. Thomas, with bone-white sand and bright aquamarine water. There are plenty of facilities here for a toes-in-the-sand lunch, too.
Visitors to St. John, meanwhile, head to Trunk Bay, which is inside the national park. There’s an entrance fee here, but it’s worth it simply to bask in this pristine landscape of white sand backed by sea grapes. Follow the underwater snorkel trail to learn more about the marine life here.
Buck Island
For a real get-away-from-it-all experience, make a beeline for Buck Island when you’re in St. Croix. The sand here is powder soft, while the marine life is teeming; look for sea turtles, blue tang, pink-hued parrotfish, and elegant angelfish. In short, you’d struggle to find a less-than-perfect beach on any of the islands.
What is the most beautiful island in the Virgin Islands?
St. Thomas
This is purely a matter of opinion. The islands are all beautiful. St. Thomas and St. John lie close together and share the same forested mountain scenery and white sand beaches. St. Croix is some 45 miles away and has a similar culture. It’s bigger, but less mountainous.
Is St. Thomas or St. Croix better?
St. Croix
Choosing between St. Croix or St. Thomas comes down to personal taste—neither island is better, they’re just different. St. Thomas is livelier, with abundant duty-free shopping and plenty of activities. St. Croix is much bigger, but at the same time, quieter. It’s known for its diving, snorkeling, and beach life.
Which is nicer, St. Thomas or St. John?
St. John
Although you can see one from the other, St. Thomas and St. John are different. St. Thomas has more buzz, with plenty of activities, a lively food scene, and opportunities for duty-free shopping. St. John is much quieter, with most of the island devoted to nature. The good news is, you can visit both in a day.
St. Thomas
Discover these beautiful islands for yourself. Browse Celebrity’s cruises to the U.S. Virgin Islands and book your vacation in paradise today.
