U.S. Virgin Islands travel guide

Getting there

The main gateways are Cyril E. King Airport on St Thomas and Henry E.

Best time to visit: Dec–Apr – dry and sunny season.

Flights: see the cheapest month to fly from your nearest airport.

Tougher months: August to October – the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, with more rain, storms and some businesses closing.

Weather by month in Charlotte Amalie

• 29°J●
• 29°F
• 29°M
• 30°A●
• 31°M●
• 31°J●
• 32°J●
• 32°A●●
• 32°S●●
• 31°O●●
• 30°N●●
• 29°D●

Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).

Time zone: America/St_Thomas. Compare with your local time.

Background: Visa policy of the United States (Wikipedia).

Stay

Most trips to U.S. Virgin Islands are based around Charlotte Amalie, Virgin Islands National Park or Cruz Bay. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.

Typical daily budget: about US$100–150 for a backpacker and US$220–400 mid-range, per person.

Connect

Plug types: A, B. Voltage: 110 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.

Calling code: +1340.

Mobile data: set up a travel eSIM or check your roaming plan before you fly, so data works as soon as you land.

Do

• Charlotte Amalie (St Thomas · capital): A historic harbour town with Danish forts, duty-free shopping and hilltop lookouts.
• Virgin Islands National Park (St John · nature): Covering much of St John, with forest trails, ruins and some of the Caribbean's most beautiful beaches.
• Cruz Bay (St John · harbour village): A relaxed little port with beach bars and ferry links, and the gateway to the national park.
• Christiansted (St Croix · colonial town): Arcaded streets and a yellow Danish fort make this one of the best-preserved colonial towns in the region.
• Frederiksted (St Croix · west coast): A quiet Victorian-era town with sunset beaches and a famous pier for diving.
• Buck Island Reef National Monument (Off St Croix · marine reserve): A small island ringed by protected reef, ideal for snorkelling and picnics.
• Magens Bay (St Thomas · beach): The territory's most famous beach, calm and gently curving with green hills behind.
• Water Island (Off St Thomas · small island): A tiny, laid-back island with Honeymoon Beach and a slower pace than its neighbours.

Things to do

• Snorkel Trunk Bay. Follow an underwater trail with signs on the seabed past coral heads and tropical fish.
• Day trip to Buck Island. Sail out from St Croix to a protected reef and swim through elkhorn coral gardens.
• Hike the Reef Bay Trail. Descend through forest on St John to ancient Taíno petroglyphs beside a freshwater pool.
• Explore Annaberg ruins. Wander the stone remains of a Danish-era sugar plantation with sweeping views across the channel.
• Dive Frederiksted Pier. Look for seahorses, octopus and turtles beneath the pilings, a famous spot for night dives.
• Sunrise at Point Udall. Watch the first light hit the United States from this windswept cape on St Croix.
• Swim at Magens Bay. Spend a lazy day on a sweeping, sheltered heart-shaped beach on St Thomas.
• Kayak a bioluminescent bay. Paddle Salt River Bay at night and watch the water sparkle with every stroke.

Eat and drink

• Pate – fried pastry with meat or fish
• Fungi and fish – cornmeal with stewed fish
• Johnnycakes – fried bread
• Kallaloo – leafy green stew with seafood

Money and safety

Currency: US dollar (USD). Currency and plug checker.

Tipping: 15–20% in restaurants.

Emergency numbers: 911 police, fire & ambulance.

• The US dollar is the currency, and ATMs are common in the main towns.
• Credit cards are widely accepted, but carry cash for safari taxis, small stalls and beach vendors.
• Most visits are trouble-free, but avoid isolated areas at night and don't leave valuables in cars or on the beach.
• Traffic drives on the left, often on steep, winding roads, so take extra care if you hire a car.