The U.S. Virgin Islands are a group of Caribbean islands and islets. A U.S. territory, it’s known for white-sand beaches, reefs and verdant hills. St. Thomas island is home to the capital, Charlotte Amalie. To the east is the island of St. John, most of which comprises Virgin Islands National Park. St. Croix island and its historic towns, Christiansted and Frederiksted, are to the south.
St. Thomas
St. Thomas is our most cosmopolitan island, yet it still retains the distinctive atmosphere of a Caribbean paradise. St. Thomas is the gateway isle of the U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. It’s known for its beaches and snorkeling spots.
Coral World Ocean Park has long been a favorite among visitors and residents. Park goers can swim with sea lions, do a Sea Trek walk along the ocean floor, encounter turtles, sharks and stingrays, feed the lorikeets and more. Other highlights include the Undersea Observatory, built nine meters underwater, and the Marine Gardens gallery of 21 aquariums.
St. Thomas Skyride whisks visitors up more than 200 meters above the town of Charlotte Amalie for some of the most dramatic views in the Caribbean. Hike the Nature Trail and see parrots, goats, ducks, geese and other tropical birds. The Butterfly Garden is a beautiful oasis filled with colorful butterfly species from around the world.
Snorkel with graceful sea turtles during an eco-adventure in St. Thomas. Visit one of the island’s picturesque beaches by nature walk or kayak. With an expert snorkel guide in the lead, they provide mask and flippers and slip into the calm, protected waters. Watch the serene turtles swimming slowly around you or munching seagrass on the ocean floor. Relax on the beach and enjoy beverages and an included lunch.
Diving on St. Thomas are incredible. Whether you’re newly certified or a more advanced diver, it’s possible to spot more than 500 species of fish, 40 types of coral and hundreds of invertebrates inhabiting the water. As the sun sets, octopi, seahorses and moray eels make their appearance. Lucky vacationers may even witness turtles hatching at one of the many turtle nesting grounds.
Secret Harbour Beach Resort is the best St Thomas destination for couples & families to relax and play on the beach. Boutique condominium resort in the US Virgin Islands features beachfront & hillside apartment-style accommodations plus 2 restaurants, watersport rentals, scuba diving, boating and more on one of the island’s most idyllic and tranquil swimming beaches.
Ethical Choices:
- Encouraging guests to bring specific in-kind donations to support the people in a positive way.
- Students working to complete their two-year education for a certificate in tourism and hospitality.
- Buying locally to promote employment and to provide business opportunities that benefit the local communities the most.
- Reducing the amount of waste produced and managing it responsibly.
- Community effort of building wells in the village and have provided and electricity connection to the primary school.
- Reading books and getting access to Zanzibar communities for free to promote literacy and learning for all ages.
St. John
St. John is the smallest of the 3 U.S. Virgin Islands, which are located in the Caribbean Sea. Virgin Islands National Park occupies more than half the island. Its forests shelter resident and migratory birds, including cuckoos, warblers and hummingbirds.
St John island is one of the top Caribbean destinations for snorkeling. With arguably the best shallow water snorkeling in all of the Virgin Islands. The Caribbean island of St. John is surrounded by federally protected seas. This tour brings you to some of the best snorkeling spots by large powerboat, including stopping at an uninhabited island. You’ll be treated to a continental breakfast, open bar, picnic lunch, and snacks. Add swimming with the turtles to your tour!
Hurricane Hole is one of St John’s most secluded spots, and its protected waters are fun for kayaking. This area is located within Coral Bay, and is made up of a bunch of tiny bays where boats have historically sought shelter during hurricanes. Kayaking is the best way to explore the little corners of Hurricane Hole up close.
Tour the island’s best-known beaches and historical sites including Trunk Bay Beach, Annaberg Sugar Plantation, and swim and snorkel at the Caneel Bay Overlook on a private tour, which includes all transport and logistics for a relaxing sightseeing and beach day experience.
Garden by the Sea is a classic Caribbean bed and breakfast hotel: Bright, colorful walls adorned with local art, gingerbread trim, lush gardens with coconut and banana trees, plus an abundance of Caribbean wildlife. Its three adults-only bungalows have a laid-back, barefoot vibe, done up in a turquoise, teal, and lime green palette with canopy beds, outdoor showers, and verandas shaded by coconut, almond, and banana trees.
Ethical Choices
- 70 Solar Panels on the roof for power and hot water.
- Rain water is collected from the roof, store it in a cistern below ground, use a three-stage ultra violet purification system, and use it for showering and drinking.
- The property has become a certified wildlife habitat situated within an Autobahn.
- Practices, like managing toilet flushes, taking shorter showers, and turning off the AC while not in the room are also recommended.
St. Croix
St. Croix is the largest of the four U. S. Virgin Islands. St. Croix is sometimes referred to as the “Big Island”. Three National Parks: Salt River which protects a diverse ecosystem in addition to pre-historic ruins; Buck Island with stunning marine gardens; and five historic structures in Christiansted that give visitors a look into Danish colonial way of life. Additional parks and preserves include: Sandy Point notable for its beauty and for its protected sea turtles, and Jack and Isaac Bays.
Christiansted is the rare capital waterfront city with a beach right downtown. A $5 ferry departing from the Christiansted Boardwalk delivers sun-lovers to the beach on Protestant Cay. The island is home to a resort, the Hotel on the Cay, which consists of a protected sand beach, small shop and beach bar.
Buck Island Reef National Monument is a quick tour-boat ride from the Christiansted boardwalk to an island of tranquility. The 176-acre island is fringed by a protecting (and protected) reef with colorful live corals and even more photogenic tropical fish. An underwater trail guides snorkelers. Visiting catamarans practically glide right onshore at Turtle Beach for half- and full-day visits, often including lunch on the beach and plenty of time to catch some rays or swim. Hiking trails lead to Diedrichs Point and West Beach, both of which have picnic areas and more privacy.
In calm weather don’t miss the chance to take a dip in the Annaly Bay tide pools, protected from the crashing waves by a tall wall of volcanic rock. The pools are deep and warm, and there’s even a sliver of beach to relax on, but be sure to wear some water shoes (not flip flops) to protect your feet from the sharp rocks. The tide pools are included on Bush Tribe jeep tours of St. Croix, or you can try driving your own four-wheel drive vehicle; the cheaper option is to park your car near the Carambola Beach Resort and follow the moderately difficult 2.7-mile Trumbull Trail to the pools.
Enjoy St. Croix on a private day sail aboard the Quest. Discover St. Croix from the seaside with its beautiful coastline and beaches. Sip tropical rum punch and dine on a fresh local feast prepared by your private chef. Lounge about in beanbags or a hammock on our extra large bow nets with a cold beverage in hand. Paddle around on one of our kayaks or SUPs then jump in and catch some sun with one of our many floats. Enjoy swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding & exploring the crystal blue Caribbean.
There are only a handful of bioluminescent bays in the world, and two of the best are in St. Croix. Wait for a moonless night to book a kayak tour of the Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve, more popular than the other biobay due to its darker and more remote location. After dark the bay lights up with the movements of tiny, glowing sea creatures known as dinoflagellates and ctenophora, which each use biochemical light as a defense mechanism when disturbed — such as by a kayak paddle passing through the water.
Located in Frederiksted, a sleepy haven on St. Croix’s western edge. It’s the only beach front resort that’s also located in town and the first new hotel to open on St. Croix since 1986. The Fred is a magnificent collection of 6 beautifully renovated and preserved historic structures, each with its own unique personality and story, but all have a cozy feel with island-inspired decor — think mosaic tile, mosquito nets, and outdoor showers. Along with free breakfast, Garden by the Sea offers free beach chairs, towels, coolers, and snorkel equipment for guests to borrow during their stay.
Ethical Choices
- The Fred uses biodegradable food and beverage containers, including straws made of bamboo and vegetable based plastics.
- Their lighting is Turtle Safe.
- The Hotel’s default policy for all linens is centered on water conservation. Guests must indicate if they want linens and/or towels to be cleaned more frequently than every 3 days.
- Guest A/C’s are turned off between check-out/check-in.
- The Fred’s Laundry Service uses water efficient equipment that utilizes water captured via cisterns (no municipal water is used).
- Priscilla, The Fred’s electric 8 person limousine golf cart, is used to transport guests to other nearby destinations and to make routine errand runs to reduce carbon emissions.
- 99.9% of materials for any new construction at The Fred comes from renewable sources.
- All Guest receipts are delivered electronically by default unless a guest specifically requests a hard copy receipt.
- The beautiful grounds of The Fred are xeroscaped, meaning the plants were selected based on their water conservation properties.
- At dawn and dusk a mosquito deterrent system releases a mist of natural oils, such as chrysanthemum, that naturally discourage mosquito activity without the use of pesticides.
- Completely “off-the-grid”, powered by two Capstone Microturbines that are fueled by renewable propane gas.
