10 Reasons to Visit the U.S. Virgin Islands

[Calida Jenkins]

Thinking of a vacation in the Caribbean? If so, there are plenty of reasons why the US Virgin Islands - St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John, and Water Island - should top on your destination list. Recovery of infrastructure from back-to-back hurricanes Maria and Irma iin 2017 has been proceeding apacem and there's plenty to see and do in this tropical island paradise, which is relatively quieter than other popular Caribbean spot, - making them perfect for a honeymoon or a family vacation.  But they can also offer some pretty wild fun (especially St. Thomas) if you're traveling solo or with friends. (And by the way, there are various ways to hop between islands, but one of the best and most reliable - allowing you to bring a rental car - is the Big Red Barge Co. between St. Thomas and St. John.)

So without further ado, here's why the USVI should be on your travel bucket list:

Have Plenty of Fun in/on the Water

Top "full-service" beaches, with amenities and myriad water sports, include Magens Bay on St. Thomas; Cane Bay Beach on St. Croix; and St. John's Cinnamon Bay and Caneel Bay.  For a more laid back, even "castaway" vibe, there's St. Thomas' Secret Harbour, Hull Bay, and Lindquist; St. Croix' Rainbow Beach and Sandy Point; and on St. John, Leinster Bay/Waterlemon Cay, Salt Pond Bay, and Lameshur Bay. Off many of these you'll you'll also find a snorkeler’s/diver's paradise, where the water is so clear you can see up to a hundred feet down. One particularly notable snorkeling/diving mecca is the underwater trail of St. Croix' Buck Island Reef National Monument.

Camp on a Beautiful Beach

Have you ever wished to camp on a beach? St. John's Cinnamon Bay Resort and Campground is one of the few beach spots in the world that where you can do it, against the background of tropical jungles and mountains in the nearby national park. Unfortunately, it's still rebuilding after Maria and Irma, so check the campground's page for updates.

 

Be Mesmerized by Pirate Legends at Blackbeard's Castle

How about tales of dead men’s chests and bottles of rum? Visit Blackbeard’s Castle, a five-acre spread overlooking St. Thomas (and USVI) capital Charlotte Amalie. On property you'll visit a 17th-century Danish military tower (these islands were actually first colonized by Denmark in the 17th and 18th centuries) as well as three manor houses with period furnishings, lush gardens and fountains, and a museum of life-size pirate sculptures and lore. This, too, is still recovering from hurricane damage, so check its website.

 

Play Golf with Ocean Views

The USVI is home to five great golf courses, and in particular Tom Fazio-designed Mahogany Run on St. Thomas offers spectacular sea views as players go through its 18 holes. If you love a challenge, you'll find it at holes 13, 14, and 15, famously known as the Devil’s Triangle. 

 

Sample World-class Rum

Take a tour to Frederiksted’s distillery on St. Croix, which is home to the world-famous Cruzan rum. You will learn about the rum distillation process and have a cocktail sampling at the end of the tour.

 

Try Lady Luck at Divi Carina

For a bit of gambling, try the casino at the Divi Carina. You can find your luck in Caribbean stud poker, craps, blackjack, video poker, and slot machines. The casino is open all night Saturdays.

 

Witness Marine Turtle Nesting

Sandy Point National Wildlife refuge is one of the few nesting places in the world for the endangered turtles. You will find it perfect for a quiet beach picnic because it is off the main tourist circuit. 

 

Go on Wonderful Hikes

You can go hiking on one of the 22 hiking trails in the national park on St. John ’s Island. The hiking trails go through a beautiful variety of flora, with very good views of Trunk bay.

 

Visit an Old-world Sugar Plantation

Visit one of the 18th-century sugar plantations like Estate Whim and Annaberg to learn a bit of history about the islands. 

 

Take a Photo on Dreamy Trunk Bay Beach

What better way to remember your beach vacation than with the perfect picture on one of the most photogenic beaches in the Caribbean?