North America

U.S. Virgin Islands

National park trails, snorkelling bays and Danish colonial towns.

The US Virgin Islands are three main islands with distinct characters. St Thomas has the busy harbour of Charlotte Amalie and Magens Bay, a sweeping sheltered beach. St John is mostly Virgin Islands National Park, with forest trails and the underwater snorkel trail at Trunk Bay. St Croix, the largest, has the Danish-era towns of Christiansted and Frederiksted and Buck Island Reef offshore.

It is an easy Caribbean trip for Americans, with US dollars and familiar standards, but island time still applies. Try johnnycakes, fish and fungi, and local rum. Ferries link St Thomas and St John. December to April is the driest, most comfortable period; September and October carry the highest hurricane risk.

Best time to visit U.S. Virgin Islands

January, February, March, April, December.

Places to visit in U.S. Virgin Islands

• St John: The smallest of the main US Virgin Islands, mostly protected as a national park, with Trunk Bay's underwater snorkel trail.

Essentials

• Currency: US Dollar (USD)
• Language: English; Virgin Islands Creole widely spoken
• Plugs: Type A / B, 120 V
• Driving: Left side
• Time zone: UTC−4
• Tipping: 15–20% in restaurants, as on the US mainland
• Getting around: Hire a car (note left-side driving) or use shared safari taxis; ferries link St Thomas and St John
• Entry: Check the official rules for your passport before booking

Plan a trip to U.S. Virgin Islands