Things to do in  US Virgin Islands

Known for snorkeling, hiking, and water sports, the trio of Caribbean islands that comprise the US Virgin Islands—St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas—boast picturesque beaches and outdoor adventures. St. Thomas is the most visited of the islands, with its main town, Charlotte Amalie, serving as a major cruise ship port, while St. John is home to Virgin Islands National Park.

Besides sunbathing on the pristine, white-sand beaches, visitors to the US Virgin Islands participate in a range of outdoor activities including hiking, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, and kayaking. On St. John, you’ll find the Virgin Islands National Park, which boasts hiking trails, boating, and snorkeling. In Charlotte Amalie, travelers can exercise their wallets and do some duty-free shopping.

St. Thomas is the most visited of the US Virgin Islands. Its main town, Charlotte Amalie, is a major cruise ship port as well as the archipelago’s capital. It offers plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options, and is home to most of the bigger resorts. St. Croix, despite being the biggest island, is the least touristy.

As a gateway to the archipelago, St. Thomas is the busiest and most bustling of the three islands. Here, you can ride the St. Thomas Skyride tram, tour Bluebeard’s Castle, and climb the iconic 99 Steps. St. Thomas also offers duty-free shopping and more nightlife than the other islands.

St. Thomas is home to some exceptionally pretty places, such as Water Island, technically the fourth and smallest island of the US Virgin Islands, located in Charlotte Amalie Harbor. Drake’s Seat, in the center of St. Thomas, offers panoramic views of the entire island, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Caribbean Sea.

No. Traveling to the US Virgin Islands, an official US territory, is like any other domestic travel for US citizens: No passport is required if you’re arriving from Puerto Rico or the US. Entry requirements for non-US citizens are equivalent to entering the US from any international country. Upon departure, a passport is required for non-US citizens.