US Virgin Islands Travel Guide: How to Plan the Perfect Trip

Why Visit the US Virgin Islands?

The US Virgin Islands is in the heart of the Caribbean with vibrant blue waters, hiking trails, and fantastic resorts to fully relax.

Whether you are traveling solo, as a couple, or as a family, the US Virgin Islands are the perfect destination to relax. There is truly something to do for everyone, and you can be as adventurous as you want to be!

The US Virgin Islands are different than other Caribbean islands because they are a US Territory, meaning you don’t need a passport to enter the country. You may still want to bring your passport though.. more on that later.

The US Virgin Islands at a Glance

There are 3 islands that make up the US Virgin Islands: St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix.

St. Thomas

St. Thomas is the main island where you will fly into the airport (STT). Charlotte Amalie is the largest town where you will find shopping on Main Street, cruise ship terminals, and countless resorts. This part of the island is very lively but also very crowded, especially in peak season.

On the opposite side of St. Thomas, you will find Red Hook and Great Bay Area. This side of the island is quieter with no cruise ships in sight, and direct views of St. John. You can also access the inter-island ferries from Red Hook making it a very accessible yet relaxing area.

Consider staying on St. Thomas if you are traveling with a family or group to ensure there are plenty of options for activity.

St. John

St. John is known for its pristine beaches with white sand and vibrant blue waters. A good majority of St. John makes up the Virgin Islands National Park.

Since St. John is smaller and mainly National Park space, there is not as much activity as St. Thomas, but a great place to unwind.

Consider staying on St. John if you want more of an off-grid feel or go camping.

St. Croix

St. Croix is the farthest of the US Virgin Islands, about 40 miles offshore from St. Thomas. You can get to St. Croix by airplane or ferry from St. Thomas.

Because St. Croix is farther from St. Thomas and St. John it is a lesser visited island but still offers many of the same activities. Snorkeling, history, and hiking are all prevalent here.

Consider staying on St. Croix if you want to explore a lesser visited, more remote island.

Which US Virgin Island Is Right for You?

For a semi luxury, adventure, group trip itinerary, check out US Virgin Islands Itinerary: How to Spend 7 Days Across St. Thomas & St. John

All three US virgin islands are beautiful, but here are my recommendations for specific types of trips.

👫🏼Best Island for Couples: St. John

🥾 Best Island for Adventure: St. Thomas or St. John

🗺️ Best Island for History: St. Croix

🤿 Best Island for Snorkeling: St. John

🍽️ Best Island for Culture & Food: St. Thomas or St. Croix

✈️ Best Island for Shorter Trips: St. Thomas

How to Plan the Perfect US Virgin Islands Trip

Do You Need a Passport?

No, you do not need a passport to travel to the US Virgin Islands from the United States. However, it is easier if you have your passport with you.

Before leaving the US Virgin Islands, you will pass through Customs and Border Protection, and having your passport will make the process much smoother.

You may also want to visit the nearby British Virgin Islands during your trip, in which case you will need your passport.

Best Airport to Fly Into

The main airport in the US Virgin Islands is on St. Thomas where you will fly into Cyril E King International Airport (STT).

There is also an airport on St. Croix – Henry E. Rohlsen (STX).

It is normally cheaper and faster to fly into St. Thomas (STT), especially if you are staying on St. Thomas or St. John.

Getting Between Islands (Ferries vs Flights)

The easiest way to travel between St. Thomas and St. John is by ferry.

There is a passenger ferry as well as a car ferry if you plan to take your rental car between islands.

The ferry between St. Thomas and St. John takes about 20-30 minutes.

The passenger ferry between St. Thomas and St. John has a much more flexible schedule, whereas the car ferry has less times and requires arriving at least an hour in advance.

If you’re traveling between St. Thomas to St. Croix, the journey by ferry takes about 2.5 hours.

Renting a Car & Driving on the Left

Renting a car on the island is fairly easy but highly recommended booking a car well in advance especially in peak season.

The roads on both St. Thomas and St. John are relatively steep and narrow making driving best suited for experienced drivers. BUT.. it is not impossible and having a car gives you a lot of flexibility.

The US Virgin Islands are one of the only places in the world where the steering wheel is on the left, and you also drive on the left side of the road.

I thought driving on the left would be a lot harder to get used to, but it honestly felt more natural!

Cell Service, Currency & Tipping

Cell Service: T-Mobile covered all of St. Thomas with no issue. St. John is more remote and service was a bit spotty outside of Cruz Bay.

Currency: US Dollars. The US Virgin Islands are split between taking cash and card. I recommend having at least $200 cash in small bills.

Tipping: Tipping is customary for dining out and any excursions, similar to mainland US. I experienced some grocery store workers expecting a tip for bagging groceries, usually $2-3 USD is appropriate but use your discretion.

Sample US Virgin Islands Itinerary

7-Day US Virgin Islands Itinerary

The 7 days I spent island hopping between St. Thomas and St. John were absolutely fantastic. The trip was a mix of luxury, adventure, and relaxation. The only thing I would change would be adding an extra day to relax! Check out my itinerary here: US Virgin Islands Itinerary: How to Spend 7 Days Across St. Thomas & St. John

Want to plan your own trip? These are exact locations for the best places to stay, eat, beach, snorkel, and more!

What I’d Skip If Short on Time

If I had less than 7 days in the US Virgin Islands, I would prioritize a day or two visiting St. John beaches and another day or two taking a snorkel tour. The highlight of my trip was a day trip catamaran cruise to a floating taco bar! You’ll never eat a taco in a cooler place. See the rest of my tour recs here to plan your trip around!

5 Best Excursions in the US Virgin Islands You Don’t Want to Miss

How Much Does a Trip to the US Virgin Islands Cost?

The USVI is not a budget destination. Island life comes with island prices, but you can find some good deals by booking early.

Accommodation expectations

I highly recommend the Great Bay Condominiums at the Ritz Carlton St. Thomas. Boujee, yes, but it was the most wonderful and relaxing experience.

Coincidentally, most of the hotels and Airbnb’s at the time of booking were more expensive than the Ritz, and with less amenities.

8 days and 7 nights at the Great Bay Condominiums cost $5,328.

💡Pro-Tip: Book through Booking.com to receive their Genius Discount. I’ve found some really great deals this way!

Food & grocery costs

Food prices are of course very dependent on where and what you eat, but these were the averages I experienced.

Going out to eat in the USVI was not too much more expensive than the mainland US. Think about $15-20pp for lunch, and $30-50pp for dinner.

I love grocery shopping on vacation due to dietary restrictions, which also saves some money. I highly recommend booking an accommodation with a kitchen to at least have the option of making your own meals.

There are multiple grocery store options on St. Thomas, and smaller shops on St. John.

Transportation & excursions

Renting a car while visiting St. Thomas or St. John is a must. While there are taxis around the islands, they can’t always be relied on to pick you back up. Having a car gives you the flexibility to see what you want to see.

The most popular excursions in the USVI are snorkel tours. There is a ton of amazing wildlife from green sea turtles to stingrays, countless types of fish and amazing reef.

My all time favorite snorkel tour is aboard the Lady Lynsey. 10/10 staff, food, drinks, catamaran, and knowledge of the area. Seriously cannot beat this tour. Read about it here! 5 Best Excursions in the US Virgin Islands You Don’t Want to Miss

Is the USVI worth the cost?

In short, I think the USVI are definitely worth the cost. Book at least 5-8 months in advance to get the best flight deals and most accommodation options.

Best Time to Visit the US Virgin Islands

Weather by season

Peak season in the Virgin Islands is December through April. This time of the year avoids hurricane season and is generally less rainy.

I visited USVI in early January and the weather was a nice 85. Rain showers are common but come and go very quickly.

The islands can get a bit windy during the winter so take that into consideration if planning excursions on the water.

Hurricane season

Hurricane season in the USVI is typically June through November. It’s best to avoid travel during these months.

Hurricane Irma hit St. Thomas and St. John in September 2017 and changed the islands forever. There is still a lot of rebuilding being done on the islands.

Best months for snorkeling & calm seas

The best time for snorkeling in the Virgin Islands is December through April. This is peak season for a reason. The water typically has great visibility and is also very warm around 70-75 degrees. Some days on the water can be “sporty” depending on wind speed, but the seas are generally calm.

The summer months offer even warmer water temperatures for snorkeling, but you run the risk of traveling closer to hurricane season.

Sustainable & Responsible Travel in the USVI

As in any place you visit, it is SO important to travel responsibly and always leave no trace.

Some of my favorite sustainable travel tips for the USVI include:

• Wearing only reef safe sunscreen
• Respecting National Park land by staying on marked trails
• Bringing a reusable water bottle
  • bonus points for packing a meal in reusable Tupperware
• Leaving honest reviews everywhere you go
  • my favorites are Google Maps and Yelp

Final Thoughts + Planning Resources

I loved the US Virgin Islands as a destination to relax and experience world class snorkeling. The USVI are the epitome of Caribbean lifestyle and it is well worth experiencing.

👉 If you don’t know where to start planning your trip, start here! These are my hand picked recommendations for accommodations, food, snorkeling, and much more.

👉 Be sure to check out US Virgin Islands Itinerary: How to Spend 7 Days Across St. Thomas & St. John for more day to day planning tips.

Happy travels!