America's Caribbean Paradise. Explore 51 attractions across the island.
The US Virgin Islands are three very different islands that happen to share a flag. St. Thomas is the arrival point for most visitors, and Charlotte Amalie, its capital, deserves more than a cruise-port dash through the jewelry shops on Main Street. Walk up the 99 Steps, a steep staircase built by the Danes in the 1700s from ballast bricks of sailing ships, and you will reach Blackbeard's Castle with a sweeping view of the harbor and the scattered green islands beyond. Below, the narrow streets of the historic district are lined with 300-year-old Danish colonial warehouses now housing duty-free shops where rum, cigars, and electronics are genuinely cheaper than stateside.
Magens Bay, on the north shore, is the postcard beach - a sheltered, heart-shaped cove with calm turquoise water and soft white sand, though it gets crowded when cruise ships are in port, so arrive early or visit on a non-ship day.
Take the Red Hook ferry to St. John, a 20-minute ride that drops you in Cruz Bay, a walkable little town with open-air restaurants and a handful of shops. Two-thirds of St. John is Virgin Islands National Park, donated to the nation by Laurance Rockefeller in 1956, and it feels genuinely wild. Trunk Bay's underwater snorkeling trail is the marquee attraction, but Cinnamon Bay and Maho Bay offer better snorkeling with fewer people and resident sea turtles that graze on the seagrass just offshore. The Reef Bay Trail is a 2.5-mile downhill hike through tropical forest past pre-Columbian petroglyphs to a beachside sugar mill ruin - book the ranger-led version, which includes a boat ride back so you do not have to climb uphill in the heat.
St. Croix, the largest and least visited island, sits 40 miles south and has its own distinct personality. Christiansted's pastel-colored waterfront buildings date to the Danish colonial era, and Fort Christiansvaern, a bright yellow fortress from 1749, is one of the best-preserved colonial forts in the Caribbean. The Cruzan Rum Distillery near Frederiksted offers tours and tastings where you can sample aged rums not available on the mainland. Buck Island Reef National Monument, a short boat ride from Christiansted, has an underwater snorkeling trail through an elkhorn coral barrier reef that Jacques Cousteau once called one of the most beautiful in the world.
St. John's most famous beach has a 225-yard marked underwater trail with plaques identifying coral and fish species along the way. The water is shallow and calm, making it ideal for beginners. Arrive before 10 a.m. to beat the crowds - entrance to the national park beach costs $5 per person.
A 2.5-mile downhill trail through lush tropical forest, passing Taino petroglyphs carved into streambed rocks and ending at a ruined sugar plantation on the beach. The National Park Service runs guided hikes with a return boat ride to Cruz Bay - book well in advance as spots fill quickly.
Green sea turtles feed on the seagrass beds in the shallow waters of Maho Bay on St. John's north shore. Wade in knee-deep water and you are likely to spot them grazing just a few feet away. No boat trip or guide needed - just bring a mask and snorkel and be respectful of their space.
A boat ride from Christiansted on St. Croix takes you to this uninhabited island surrounded by an elkhorn coral barrier reef. The underwater snorkeling trail is marked with signs identifying marine life. Half-day catamaran trips run daily and include gear and a beach stop on the island.
The USVI has been producing rum since the 1760s, and Cruzan has been distilling on St. Croix since 1760. The guided tour walks through the aging warehouses where barrels of rum mature in the Caribbean heat, and the tasting room pours single-barrel and estate varieties not sold stateside.
Climb the 99 Steps, a steep staircase built in the 1700s from Danish sailing ship ballast bricks, to reach Blackbeard's Castle and panoramic harbor views. Then explore the narrow streets of Charlotte Amalie's historic district, where three centuries of Danish colonial warehouses house duty-free shops.
Salt River Bay on St. Croix is a national historical park and ecological preserve. Daytime kayak tours navigate through red mangrove channels teeming with juvenile fish and bird life. Night kayak tours on moonless nights reveal bioluminescent plankton that glow electric blue with each paddle stroke.
Cane Bay Wall is one of the Caribbean's most accessible wall dives - you can swim out from the beach and reach the drop-off, which plunges thousands of feet into the Virgin Islands Trough. Expect black coral, sea fans, spotted eagle rays, and the occasional reef shark. Dive shops line the beach.
Marine park with 5 acres of activities such as a touch pool, undersea observatory tower & aquariums.
Gondola rides 700 ft. up to an observation area with scenic views of the bay & a restaurant/bar.
Polished rooms, most with beach access, in a casual seafront resort with an outdoor pool & dining.
Parking is available at this popular lookout point with panoramic views of Magens Bay & the islands.
Charlotte Amalie Overlook is a nature attraction on US Virgin Islands. This natural area showcases the lush tropical landscapes and diverse ecosystems that US Virgin Islands is known for. Visitors can explore the local flora and fauna in a serene setting.
Hull Bay Beach is a nature attraction on US Virgin Islands. This natural area showcases the lush tropical landscapes and diverse ecosystems that US Virgin Islands is known for. Visitors can explore the local flora and fauna in a serene setting.
Cruz Bay Visitor Center is a nature attraction on US Virgin Islands. This natural area showcases the lush tropical landscapes and diverse ecosystems that US Virgin Islands is known for. Visitors can explore the local flora and fauna in a serene setting.
Fort Christian is a historical site on US Virgin Islands. This historic site reflects the rich cultural heritage and storied past of US Virgin Islands. It offers a glimpse into the events and traditions that have shaped the island over centuries.
Home base for a lively zip-line attraction in the rainforest with island views & multiple platforms.
Pirates Treasure Museum is a cultural attraction on US Virgin Islands. Visitors can experience the vibrant local culture and artistic traditions of US Virgin Islands at this destination. It is a window into the creative spirit and community life of the island.
Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden is a nature attraction on US Virgin Islands. This natural area showcases the lush tropical landscapes and diverse ecosystems that US Virgin Islands is known for. Visitors can explore the local flora and fauna in a serene setting.
Long brick staircase leading up a hill to a 17th-century watchtower known as Blackbeard's Castle.
Find hotels, restaurants, and bookable experiences on our full island page.
