The US Virgin Islands are a great Caribbean destination to visit if you are looking for a tropical escape with no passport needed for US citizens. Comprised of four main islands and over 50 smaller islands and cays, it can be hard to figure out which is best for your Caribbean vacation. Whether you are visiting on a cruise or planning a longer getaway, this guide has everything that you need to know about choosing an island to visit in the USVI.
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About Each US Virgin Island:
About St. Thomas (STT)
St. Thomas is home to the capital of the USVI (Charlotte Amalie) and is the easiest of the three islands to get to with an international airport that has numerous flights per day and is a popular cruise stop for most major cruise lines. The island offers lots of accommodation options including resorts, boutique hotels, villas, and more. St. Thomas falls in the middle of the three islands for a trip to the USVI when it comes to budget. If you’re into sailing, it’s a great hub to begin long-term yacht charters, or to use as a base for your USVI vacation!
There are lots of options for dining, shopping, entertainment, beaches, and is a hub for many different excursions or day trips to neighboring islands and cays. Transportation around the island is relatively easy to access from main areas and hotels. If you plan on island hopping, it’s arguably the easiest island to get to and from the the USVI, BVI, Puerto Rico, and more! From families to solo travelers, couples to cruisers, those looking for their first Caribbean adventure or well seasoned travelers, St. Thomas is a great Caribbean destination to visit.
You may have heard about the fourth main USVI, Water Island. For the sake of simplicity in this post, I am counting Water Island as a part of St. Thomas due to it’s close proximity and ease of travel between the two islands.
About St. John (STJ)
St. John is the smallest of the three main islands both in size and population. With around 60% of the island protected as National Park (I’ve even heard estimates of 80% protected land/waters), it’s a nature lover’s paradise. There are two main “towns” on the island, with very little in between. The only way to get to St. John is by boat (either car ferry, people ferry, or private boat taxi), there is not an airport on St. John so you will connect through St. Thomas. For accommodations, St. John offers villas, one Westin resort, or a couple small/boutique hotels. Transportation outside of the main beaches and Cruz Bay can be hard to find, so a rental car is recommended if you plan on staying on St. John and want to see most of the island.
St. John can be much quieter from cruise traffic, but during peak season can get very crowded if you’re not an early riser. It’s a great spot for hiking, beaches, wildlife, and definitely has that more rugged feel since most of the island is protected. If you are looking for nightlife, St. John businesses and restaurants tend to close down pretty early. In terms of budget, St. John is definitely the most expensive of the three main islands.
About St. Croix (STX)
St. Croix is likely the island you may not have heard of compared to St. Thomas and St. John, but is still a worthy destination to add to your Caribbean bucket list, especially if you are a diver. St. Croix is home to a cruise port and an international airport, but is much quieter than St. Thomas.
St. Croix is the largest of the three islands by land mass, but is much quieter when it comes to people and tourism. If you choose St. Croix, you will need a rental car, and plan to have scheduled tours or destinations to visit. There are a decent number of hotels, from boutique properties to some larger beachfront resorts, but everything is going to be locally owned (no major chains).
The island is very spread out, especially compared to St. Thomas and St. John, but St. Croix offers a wide variety of landscapes and landmarks to explore including Point Udall, the USA’s Easternmost point. If you’re a diver, St. Croix offers world class dive sites, and is a great spot for whale watching during the winter months. This is an island to focus on daytime adventures, and stick to the restaurants and nightlife next to or at the hotels. St. Croix is by far the most budget friendly, and look for stays in Christiansted or Fredriksted for the best experience.
Quick Overview Comparison of the US Virgin Islands
St. Thomas
The capital of the USVI with the most dining, entertainment, accommodations, tours, and shopping.
Cost: $$ – $$$ (mid-range)
Best for: Solo travelers, families, first time travelers
St. John
Mostly national park, perfect for secluded accommodations, hiking, or a quieter pace. More tourism-focused feel than local.
Cost: $$$$ (most expensive)
Best for: couples, nature lovers, hikers
St. Croix
The largest and most affordable with world class diving and rugged landscapes. Great for travelers looking for a unique island.
Cost: $ – $$ (most affordable)
Best for: Well seasoned travelers, divers
Do you need to choose one USVI?
The beauty of visiting the US Virgin Islands is that you don’t have to pick just one island to visit! If you want to experience it all, I’d recommend a 10 – 14 day trip to allow the most time to explore, but you can definitely take a week getaway and focus on St. Thomas or St. John. You can island hop via ferry or plane, or consider a yacht charter and sail through the islands!
Curious about other Caribbean Island destinations to visit? Check out this ultimate guide to the Best Caribbean Islands!
How to Island Hop in the US Virgin Islands
Island hopping between the different islands in the USVI is relatively straightforward, but can differ from island to island.
Island Hopping from St. Thomas to St. John
St. Thomas to St. John is going to be the most straightforward travel between islands. There are passenger ferries that run hourly out of Red Hook to Cruz Bay as well as limited service from Charlotte Amalie to Cruz Bay. Red Hook also has a car barge to Cruz Bay if you are renting a car and want to take it over to St. John. There are also many private water taxis available. You don’t need a whole lot of pre-planning or advanced ticket purchases to transfer between St. Thomas and St. John, just allow for plenty of travel time!
Island Hopping from St. Thomas to St. Croix
Island hopping to and from St. Thomas and St. Croix requires a bit more pre-planning as the islands are 45 miles apart. There is a public ferry, though the ride is known to be uncomfortable and rough. If you opt for the ferry, you may want to look into this guide on how to avoid seasickness. Other than the ferry, water transport options are limited unless you are sailing a private or charter boat down.
The easiest and quickest (and most comfortable) way between St. Thomas and St. Croix is going to be flying. There are major commercial flights (usually connecting through Puerto Rico), commuter flights (usually on small planes like a Cessna), and a sea plane. The sea plane is generally the most expensive of the flight options, but is the most unique way to fly between islands!
Island Hopping from St. Croix to St. John
As there is no airport on St. John, the only way to travel between St. John and St. Croix is by connecting through St. Thomas or aboard a private (or charter) boat. If you want to go right from St. Croix to St. John, plan for a full travel day.
Which USVI is best for your travel style?
The beauty of having these islands to visit is that there really is an island for every travel style, or try them all out and you may find your own personal favorite!
Which USVI is best for Couples
St. John will have that romantic, secluded feel with luxury stays, camping, or even off the grid villas. There are boutique hotels in Cruz Bay as well as large villas with incredible views, or head towards Coral Bay on the east side for seclusion and romantic star gazing.
Arguably the most romantic option might be a stay at Lovango Beach Resort, a luxury private island with gorgeous rooms, amazing dining, and easy transport between both St. Thomas and St. John.
St. Thomas does have quite a few boutique hotels and luxe resorts to consider, and is great for social couples to consider using as a base!
Which US Virgin Island should famillies visit
For the best variety, easier travel and transport, St. Thomas is going to be the best option for families (especially if you have children). It is easy to take a day trip to and from St. John, but families with children may find better amenities, availability, and accommodation options on St. Thomas. Plus, shorter travel days mean you have less to navigate with tired kids!
The best USVI for solo travelers
Solo travelers may find St. Thomas is the most inviting and social to meet other travelers. There are lots of social places, easy transport options, lots of accommodation options and is a bit more affordable for one person. There are adults-only properties, and lots of events that happen throughout the week. If you want some seclusion and relaxation still, there are plenty of places to enjoy some quiet, but you won’t feel as isolated as you may on other islands.
The best USVI for outdoorsy travelers
If you’re a traveler that loves the outdoors, National Parks, hiking and snorkeling, then St. John is going to be the USVI for your Caribbean trip. With a majority of the island being National Park, there is no shortage of hiking, ocean, and nature to experience. There are simple, short hikes all the way to more complex hikes to satisfy even most avid hikers, and world class beaches and amazing snorkeling for all levels. Cinnamon Bay offers camping (tent spaces, glamping, and even national park rooms), and there is also eco-stays such as Concordia Eco Resort. Try renting a dinghy to explore the National Park by sea, or explore on land by Jeep or hiking trails!
Best island for divers
If you are an avid diver and want to explore the USVI underwater, consider visiting St. Croix as a top choice. With world class diving at sites like Buck Island, Frederikstead Pier, Salt River Canyon, and more, St. Croix is often renowned as one of the best dive destinations in the USVI, the Caribbean, and even the world! From shore dives to wall dives, there is a dive for everyone in St. Croix!
The best Virgin Island for the well traveled
If you’ve “done it all” on many Caribbean Islands (not necessarily visited only resorts) or other destinations, and are looking for a unique getaway, then St. Croix should be on your list. This destination is full of culture, varied topography, and a history that needs to be appreciated. Since it is much less tourism focused than the other islands, it is definitely better suited for a well-traveled person.
St. Croix isn’t a resort bubble, and that’s most of the charm, and also why I’d treat nighttime and aimless wandering differently here than on St. Thomas and St. John. I’d recommend even seasoned travelers stick close to their accommodations after dark; it’s not a destination geared towards wandering after hours or unknown areas.
Tips for choosing which USVI to visit
Do I need a passport to visit the USVI?
You do NOT need a passport to visit this Caribbean destination, which is why it should be on your Caribbean bucket list! There are some nuances to this: if you plan to visit the BVI during your trip, do not have a Real ID, or are not a US Citizen, then you will need a passport. I generally travel with mine in and out to avoid any complicaitons.
Is the USVI safe?
The USVI is generally safe for tourists and visitors. Just like anywhere you travel, you should exercise caution and street smarts. Avoid leaving doors or cars unlocked, and avoid leaving valuables in plain sight. I always recommend to know where you’re headed and avoid looking lost.
On St. Croix specifically, I’d recommend sticking close to your hotel or resort area at night rather than wandering to unknown areas. Your resort can help point you toward recommended spots and give guidance specific to where you’re staying.
The Best Time of Year to Visit the USVI
The USVI is great to visit year-round, but does have varying seasons, costs, and benefits.
- Visit the USVI in Winter (November to March) if you:
- Prefer peak season travel when most activities are open
- Want to escape the cold
- Don’t want to worry about hurricane season
- Want the most open options for accommodations, tours, and travels
- Visit the USVI in late Spring (March to May) or early Fall (October) if you:
- Like a little less crowds with most things available
- Are OK with some things being limited or unavailable (i.e,. some things may be closed as the season progresses or opens up)
- Prefer warmer and more budget-friendly option (this is shoulder season – weather is generally a bit more mild)
- Visit the USVI in Summer (June to September) if you:
- Prioritize budget for your trips
- Are open to a relaxing trip with little tours accommodations compared to other seasons
- Have a robust travel insurance policy (this is generally peak hurricane season)
- Don’t mind heat and prefer quiet getaways
How many days do you need per island Can you visit more than one island in one trip?
You can definitely visit more than one (or even all!) the USVI in one trip! If you want to explore it all, 10 days would be a great way to explore – head to St. John for 2 days, then St. Thomas for 4 to 5 days, and 3 days in St. Croix. A longer stay in St. Thomas allows for day trips or excursions like visiting Water Island, shopping, and is a good intermediate between St. John and St. Croix.
You can definitely shift around the amount of time that you spend in each destination, and could even make a long trip out of one island at a time. I’d recommend no shorter than a 5 day trip to the islands, regardless of which one you pick – as your first and last days really get lost due to travel.
Which island would you stay at in the US Virgin Islands and why? Comment down below and don’t forget to Pin these for your USVI trip inspo!
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