U.S. Virgin Islands – Choosing the Perfect Island for Your Vacation

No passport? No problem with this family’s reviews of the U.S. Virgin Islands to help you decide which of America’s Caribbean isles is right for your family beach vacation.

American family in search of a hassle-free Caribbean vacation? It’s a no-brainer: the U.S. Virgin Islands. No need for passports or foreign currency, everybody speaks English, and your hair dryer works without voltage attachments. Jumbo jets fly to the main airport and puddle jumpers make it easy to get from island to island. Just get used to driving on the wrong side of the road.

Island Paradise Showdown: St. John, St. Thomas, or St. Croix?

The real question is: St. John, St. Thomas, or St. Croix? Although each is filled with stunning beaches, superior snorkeling, terrific hiking trails, and resorts ranging from luxury to eco-camping, each Saint has a distinct personality. My 10-year-old son Jamie and I recently discovered the differences.

St. John: Relaxation and Natural Beauty

The smallest and least populated, St. John primarily is a protected national parkland donated by Laurence Rockefeller 51 years ago, and the remainder is thankfully not heavily developed. This is beach lover nirvana — gorgeous white sand beaches separating clear turquoise waters from lush mountains filled with tropical flora. Its unspoiled beauty and laidback vibe, even in quaint Cruz Bay, full of art galleries, shops, and restaurants, made it our hands-down favorite Virgin and one of our all-time Caribbean favorites.

Underwater Adventures

Like many others, we played on St. John’s Trunk Bay beach (well-known for its 225-yard underwater trail marked by descriptor plaques) while mustering up the courage to meet our SNUBA instructor. Thank goodness we didn’t chicken out. The shallow-water dive system requires no certification, lengthy training, or heavy gear, making it perfect for adventuresome kids (ages 8 and up) and their skittish moms.

Family-Friendly Resorts

VI Snuba owner Tammi Cummings patiently oriented us to the proper underwater diving signals, breathing apparatus, and buoyancy belts before leading a few shallow-water drills and then diving in with us for forty-five minutes. Jamie loved his first SNUBA experience — he spotted a small octopus, countless schools of colorful fish, and loads of coral, all the while giving his nervous-nelly mom the thumbs-up sign.

The two full-service resorts on St. John are wonderful: the Tony Caneel Bay and the Westin St. John. Both are kid-friendly, but I give the Westin St. John a slight edge for families from a value standpoint. Jamie really enjoyed the evening kids program where he won the hermit crab races, watched the resort’s iguanas get their nightly feeding, and caught a dive-in movie on a raft at the hotel pool.

Dining in Cruz Bay

In the meantime, I had a memorable dinner in downtown Cruz Bay at La Tapa, a hip little open-air restaurant with a decidedly urban feel, right down to the cute little beatnik guitar player who sang like Jewel as we dined on top-notch Mediterranean food.

Update: The Caneel Bay resort was severely damaged by hurricanes in 2017 and has not yet reopened.

Local Knowledge: St. John Style

For general information about the USVI, head to USVI Tourism, St. John, or call 800/372-USVI.

• VI Snuba 340/-693-8063
• Westin St. John 866/716-8108

St. Thomas: Shopping and Nightlife

St. Thomas lies three miles and a twenty-minute water taxi ride from St. John, but it feels worlds away. The island is home to the U.S. VI’s capital Charlotte Amalie, the busiest cruise ship harbor and one of the busiest shopping hubs in the Caribbean.

Charlotte Amalie: Shopping Hub and Cruise Ship Harbor

Charlotte Amalie’s streets and alleys are lined with store after store filled with electronics, jewelry, cameras, perfume, and liquor at duty-free prices. (U.S. residents can bring back $1,200 worth of goods, duty-free — three times the norm — a bonus for the die-hard shopper in the family, but not my primary reason for traveling.) The town gets crowded when the cruise ships are in port (apparently Fridays are less crowded), and rush hour can be a bear.

Coral World: A Marine Park with a View

Beyond chaotic Charlotte Amalie lie the island’s family-oriented diversions. Like most visitors to St. Thomas, we checked out Coral World, a five-acre marine park with a three-story underwater observation tower located one hundred feet offshore. We ogled the sponges, the vast variety of fish, deep-sea flowers, and coral in their natural state. Jamie was fascinated with the shark and stingray pools and the sea turtles (memories of his recent trip to the Galapagos?). Coral World’s admission fee includes unlimited access to the small, adjacent Coki Beach, a lovely and popular (reportedly often crowded) spot for snorkeling with another VI Snuba outpost.

Virgin Island Eco Tours: Exploring Cas Cay

The guides at Virgin Island Eco Tours escorted us on an inflatable dinghy to the pristine, offshore island of Cas Cay, where we hiked through a mangrove forest to a hermit crab village for crab races (shaded, thankfully). We continued hiking past a geological blowhole, tidal pool, coral and shell beach, and cave with “pirates’ treasure” (gold coins and eye patches planted by our guides) for the kids to discover before our group snorkeled in the protected mangrove lagoon.

Sugar Bay Resort: Our All-Inclusive Home on St. Thomas

Our temporary home on St. Thomas, the 300-room, sprawling Sugar Bay Resort — a Wyndham Resort at our visit and now independently run — is one of the few all-inclusive properties in the Virgin Islands. Not a big fan of large, all-inclusive, we nevertheless enjoyed our brief stay at the Wyndham and spent most of our limited on-property time in the three large interconnecting pools, playing water basketball with other guests instead of playing on the small beach.

St. Croix: History and Culture

For general information about the USVI, head to USVI Tourism, St. Thomas, or call 800/372-USVI.

• Coral World 340/775-1555 or 888/695-2073
• VI Snuba
• Virgin Islands Eco Tours 877/845-2925
• Sugar Bay Resort (877/894-4461)

The U.S.V.I’s Quiet, Dignified St. Croix

Though ferries are readily available, we traveled from St. Thomas to St. Croix by seaplane, a scenic, smooth but noisy mode of transportation. In 20 minutes, we were in lovely, historic Christiansted, ready to explore our third island.

The Beauty of St. Croix

The largest of the sister islands, St. Croix has two distinct landscapes — tall, green forest on one end and dry, windswept scrub and grasslands on the other. Once home to more than one hundred sugar mills, decaying plantation houses and windmills dot the landscape. While St. Croix offers plenty of duty-free shopping, golf, historical landmarks, beautiful beaches, and eco-opportunities, the island gets far less attention than glitzy St. Thomas and laid-back St. John. It feels almost like a secret.

A Memorable Hike

Hiking is big on all three islands, but we will never forget Ras Lumumba, the spry, aging Rastafarian owner of Ay-Ay Ecotours on St. Croix. Throughout a long, hot hike through gorgeous forests, steep hillsides, open fields, thick brush (taller than Jamie at times), and colonial ruins, Ras Lumumba kept both the adults and kids in our group spellbound with his knowledge of local flora and fauna, the colonial history of St. Croix and Caribbean bush medicine.

At times Ras would stop dramatically to whack away at some plant in our path and have us taste its delicious innards, even if it smelled god-awful. He created a sturdy rope from another plant in a matter of minutes and reported that others were as effective as modern-day Cialis. At one point we ran headlong into the path of a bull that was looking to rumble, but we were in good hands: Ras simply brandished his machete and stared down the bull. Phew!

Underwater Adventures

Mark Mile Watersports took us on a lovely half-day sail to Buck Island, America’s first underwater National Monument and St. Croix’s most popular attraction, renowned for snorkeling. After spotting an eagle ray, sea turtles, and dolphins en route, we anchored offshore to snorkel in the crystal clear water above beautiful coral reefs, sometimes in rather deep water. The Mark Mile crew worked closely with the snorkel-shy kids onboard, including Jamie. In no time, Jamie was snorkeling comfortably twenty feet above sea urchins and fire coral. We then played on the island’s beautiful white sand beach amid scads of beautiful fish (and numerous other boats) while on the unsuccessful lookout for Sammy, the affable stingray who often joins the swimmers.

Kayaking Under the Moonlight

One evening we ventured off on a moonlit kayaking tour of Salt River National Historical Park & Ecological Preserve, the only place Christopher Columbus landed on (now) U.S. soil. Our guide and fellow kayakers thankfully were patient as Jamie and I struggled to propel our two-person kayak (cooperation and known center of gravity required). As we floundered under star-lit skies through the calm, bioluminescent bays amid protected mangrove forests, our guide regaled us with St. Croix folk tales, pirate legends, and a few local ghost stories. We stopped splashing our paddles often to sweep our hands through the waters to reveal the blue and white glow from the phosphorous in the water. Jamie and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves but were quite weary (and wet) after two hours of paddling.

The Buccaneer: Our Home Away from Home

There are a few full-service resorts and several small, quaint hotels on St. Croix. Our home was The Buccaneer, a 132-room family-owned property that has warmly welcomed its guests for more than 50 years. The most upscale property on the island, The Buccaneer is arguably the best choice for families and a good value (the year-round kids camp is included). Guests stay perched up high either in the main building with its stunning, panoramic open-air lobby, terrace, and restaurant, or in extremely roomy family cottages or doubloons that overlook the sea. Besides the two pools and three beaches, there is a well-regarded tennis program (eight lighted courts) and 18 holes of golf on-site.

A Historical Walk Through Christiansted

We took a historic walking tour of downtown Christiansted, which once served as the capital of the entire Danish colony. We wandered by Fort Christiansvaern, an imposing, yellow-brick structure built to ward off pirates and imprison those who were caught plundering the island’s ports, and the stately Government House which dates back to the days when ‘sugar was king’ in the West Indies. We ambled past colorful shops and restaurants housed in old Danish colonial structures. Despite the fascinating stories and architecture, the walk was a bit too hot and informative for Jamie, who wound up taking pictures of stray chickens (digital camera courtesy of duty-free St. Thomas) to pass the time.

Local Knowledge: St. Croix Smarts

For general information about the USVI, head to USVI Tourism, St. Croix, or call 800/372-USVI.

• Ay-Ay Ecotours and Hikes 340/772-4079 or 340/626-5385. Prices vary based on the type of hike.
• Mile Mark Watersports/Buck Island 340/773-2628. If you find a website for them, please post it in the Comments field below.
• Salt River National Historical Park & Ecological Preserve 800/532-3483
• The Buccaneer 340/712-2100 or 800/255-3881

Three Times More Fun on 3 Islands

The U.S. Virgin Islands are like three good friends: they all share something in common with you, yet their differences make you want to spend time alone with each other.

So if you like friends who are into hiking, swimming, snorkeling, diving, beaches, dining, and luxury, you have come to the right place. And you can choose to hang out with the one who likes to shop and party, St. Thomas… or the one with the Bohemian streak, St. John… or the quieter one with the mysterious past, St. Croix. They all are here.

Choosing the Perfect US Virgin Island: Factors to Consider

When dreaming of a US Virgin Islands getaway, the biggest question becomes: St. John, St. Thomas, or St. Croix? To make the best choice, let’s break down some essential factors that set each island apart:

Weather and Seasonality

The US Virgin Islands enjoy a tropical climate with consistently warm temperatures. However, there are subtle variations:

1. Temperature: Expect averages in the 80s (Fahrenheit) year-round, with slight dips in winter.
2. Rainy Season: The rainiest months are September through November, but showers are typically brief.
3. Best Times: The ideal weather and lower crowds are found in the shoulder seasons (spring and fall).
4. Peak season (December-April) means higher prices.

Budget Considerations

The cost of your trip will vary depending on your choices:

1. Flights and Accommodation: St. Thomas tends to have the most affordable options, while St. John is considered more upscale.
2. Activities and Dining: Prices are similar across the islands but with a wider variety on St. Thomas.
3. Deals and Discounts: Look for package deals or travel during the off-season for the best value.
   Travel Style

Consider what kind of experience you’re looking for:

1. Relaxation vs. Adventure: St. John is the haven of relaxation, while St. Thomas offers more activities and nightlife. St. Croix blends both worlds.
2. Family-Friendly vs. Couples Retreat: All islands are family-friendly, though St. John’s focus on nature may appeal more to adults.
3. Interests: If watersports are key, St. John and St. Croix excel. History buffs will adore St. Croix, while shopaholics should head to St. Thomas.

By considering these factors, alongside your personal preferences, you’ll be able to choose the US Virgin Islands that best aligns with your ideal vacation.

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