U.S. Virgin Islands

Key facts

• Region: The Caribbean
• Sovereignty: Non-sovereign territory administered by the United States
• Capital: Charlotte Amalie, on St. Thomas
• Currency: US dollar (USD)
• Languages: English
• Main airport: STT — Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas
• Best time to visit: December to April, the dry season; the hurricane season runs June to November, and September to October is the peak risk

Overview

The U.S. Virgin Islands is an unincorporated territory of the United States in the eastern Caribbean, made up of the main islands of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. Because it is a US territory, it uses the US dollar and US citizens do not need a passport to travel there. The islands combine duty-free shopping and cruise ports with protected national park land and good diving.

Airports

Cyril E. King Airport (STT) on St. Thomas is the main international gateway, near Charlotte Amalie. Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) on St. Croix serves the southern island. St. John has no airport, so visitors reach it by ferry from St. Thomas, typically from Red Hook or Charlotte Amalie. Both STT and STX receive nonstop flights from the US mainland.

Main cities

Charlotte Amalie, on St. Thomas, is the capital and the main cruise port, known for its duty-free shopping. Cruz Bay is the main town on St. John, at the ferry dock, and is the gateway to the national park. On St. Croix, Christiansted is the historic north-coast town with a Danish colonial waterfront, and Frederiksted is the smaller town at the west end of the island.

Places to go

Virgin Islands National Park covers much of St. John, including Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay, and Honeymoon Beach. Buck Island Reef National Monument, off St. Croix, protects an elkhorn coral barrier reef and an underwater marked trail. On St. Thomas, Magens Bay is a wide, sheltered beach, and Coral World Ocean Park is at Coki Beach. Salt River Bay on St. Croix is a national historical park and biosphere reserve, and Point Udall marks the eastern end of St. Croix.

Getting there

Cheapest cached round-trip fare into U.S. Virgin Islands, refreshed every 6 hours:

Where to stay

Practical information

Frequently asked