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What if I told you that you could visit a beautiful Caribbean hotspot and you wouldn’t even need to pack your passport?
The U.S. Virgin Islands boast breathtaking, world-renowned beaches, swimmable turquoise waters, and charming historic towns.
And according to the latest figures, the islands welcomed unprecedented visitor numbers in 2024, with December alone breaking the islands' all-time arrival record.
The three U.S. Virgin Islands of St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John are leading the charge as the top destinations here.
But why are these iconic islands worth visiting right now?
No Passport Needed For The U.S. Virgin Islands
Despite its idyllic location in the heart of the Caribbean, the U.S. Virgin Islands are (as the name suggests) actually a U.S. Territory.
This means that if you're a US citizen traveling from the mainland US or Puerto Rico, you don't need a passport to enter the U.S. Virgin Islands. Instead, you can use another form of government-issued photo ID instead, for example, a driver’s license.
This means the U.S. Virgin Islands is a great option if your passport has expired or if you don’t have time to apply for a new passport but still want a tropical getaway in the sun.
Another benefit of choosing a getaway to the U.S. Virgin Islands is that US citizens don't require a visa to visit the destination. Meaning less hassle and less expense.
Another added benefit worth pointing out?
The official and most widely spoken language in the U.S. Virgin Islands is English, although you may also hear French Creole and Spanish spoken here.
This means you won’t have any language barrier to worry about, making the U.S. Virgin Islands a great first overseas trip or a great destination if you’re looking for maximum fun with minimum stress.
Visiting St Croix
The largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands in St Croix, which measures 28 miles long and 7 miles wide. St Croix is a beautiful island with a rich history, and it is the most densely populated island in the chain, while also being incredibly popular with tourists.
If you’re interested in history then St Croix has so much to offer. One of the most fascinating attractions is Fort Frederik, a fort that was constructed in the 1700s to protect the island from smugglers and pirates.
The fort is open weekdays from 8:30 AM–4 PM and Saturdays from 1–4 PM.
As well as enjoying the architecture itself, you’ll also find a museum and art gallery here. Admission is $3 per person.
Downtown Christiansted is also a great place to explore. You can walk along its pretty boardwalk, enjoy views of the pastel historic buildings that fringe the streets, and shop the bustling commercial area for souvenirs. And the whole area is wonderfully safe too.
Finally, but perhaps most importantly, St. Croix is home to breathtakingly beautiful beaches. Davis Bay and Northstar Bay are considered the two most popular and picturesque.
Why not head underwater and visit the Buck Island Reef National Monument? This is an iconic mile-long reef packed full of marine species and a handy underwater trail ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Caribbean Adventures offers Buck Island snorkeling tours, and you can choose from either a half-day or full-day tour. Prices start from $95 per person.
Visiting St Thomas
Although St Croix is the biggest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, the most popular island for tourists is actually St Thomas.
St Thomas is home to a major cruise port and a bustling waterfront commercial area. But the main draw here is that it’s home to some of the U.S. Virgin Islands' best beaches.
Snow white sand and calm, gentle waters make this a perfect place for a beach day.
If you don’t have time to explore all of St Thomas’ beaches, then make sure you don’t miss Sapphire Beach and Magens Bay. Magens Bay is particularly popular for watersports such as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding thanks to its exceptionally calm waters.
And if you love to shop? You need to visit St Thomas’ duty-free shops!
You’ll find tourists flocking to Main Street in Charlotte Amalie for duty-free alcohol and tobacco, but the real stand-out shopping here is for hand-end goods such as handcrafted jewelry and watches.
Visiting St John
If you’re looking for incredible views and outstanding natural attractions, then St John should be your first pick.
This island is effectively a large national park with a pristine environment.
But the payoff for this beauty? St John is a little harder to get to, as the island is only accessible by boat. There are ferries to the island running to and from St Thomas, so you’ll need to fly into the main island and then catch a boat from there.
This journey takes between 20 minutes and 40 minutes, depending on the route you choose, and ticket prices start from $6.
As well as its natural scenery and incredible tropical rainforest hikes, St John also boasts beautiful beaches.
Visit Maho Bay for calm waters and the chance to spot sea turtles in their natural habitat.
Or try Trunk Bay, which is the most popular beach in St John for tourists thanks to its location and stunning stretch of sand.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Paula Waterdancer
Thursday 16th of January 2025
I really enjoyed reading about USVI as well as the update on the Carlsbad airport! I hope they add on to Vegas soon!