Maybe the best way to see everything the islands offer. Bring your passport and sail to the British Virgin Islands.

Learn a skill that lasts a lifetime. Bare boat for experienced sailors, or hire a captain and let someone else do the sailing.

Seasonal surf at Hull Bay and Botany Bay on St. Thomas. Best in winter months. St. John has gentler breaks for beginners.

Most anglers come for deep sea fishing, but fly fishing for bonefish in the St. John flats is a true fisherman’s dream.

Fish the North and South Drop for marlin, yellowfin tuna, sailfish, swordfish, mahi mahi, and barracuda.

Crystal clear waters, diving below the surface and swimming side-by-side with sea turtles. Unforgettable.

Join a guided group tour or rent a kayak and explore the bays and lagoons on your own schedule.

Where fishing meets hunting. All gear provided — one of the most primal and exciting water activities on island.

Flat-out cool. Watch them fly through the waves and you’ll inevitably put this on your list too.

Pick up live lobster at Food Center near Red Hook, hunt them on a dive trip, or book a dedicated lobster hunting tour.

Caribbean sunsets are best seen from the deck of a boat floating in the sea. Most cruises include dinner or hors d’oeuvres.

Shore fish at Brewers or Sapphire Beach or along the waterfront in Charlotte Amalie. Grab tackle from Neptune Fishing Supply.

A clear-bottom boat with LED lights illuminates fish, rays, and turtles in the night water. Leisurely and magical.

A powerful underwater flashlight pierces dark waters and all manner of sea life reveals itself. Nothing like it.

Days or weeks cruising the Caribbean on a fully stocked, crewed yacht. More affordable than you’d think — everything included.

Cruise Charlotte Amalie Harbor and around Hassel and Water Islands on a guided jet ski adventure.

Soar high above crystal clear waters with breathtaking views of St. Thomas. Fly solo or in tandem.

Explore bays and harbors on your own. Rentals at Sapphire Beach, Magens Bay, Maho Bay, and Honeymoon Beach.

VI Ecotours offers kayak and snorkeling tours of the lagoon — calm, serene, and teeming with fish, birds, and fauna.

Get up close with monster tarpon right from shore. Great sport fish — these are not table fare, but the encounter is incredible.

A fantastic introduction to underwater activities for newcomers — halfway between snorkeling and scuba diving.

See the interior of St. Thomas or St. John and reach beaches that tourists seldom find on their own.

Adventure

For those who enjoy heights and a rush, this should be high on the list.

Family Friendly

Ride beautiful horses on beautiful trails. Available on both St. Thomas and St. John.

A stunning racetrack in St. Thomas — horses from St. Thomas, St. John, and the BVI go hoof to hoof. A guaranteed good time.

A flight-seeing tour or introductory flying lesson above the islands. Spectacular and unforgettable.

No guide needed. Grab a map from the park ranger and hike dozens of trails to ruins, petroglyphs, and breathtaking views.

The true local experience: an open-air converted truck bed with benches. Just stick your arm out when you see one. ~$2 per person. Bring a small cooler.

Park at the Botany Bay entrance and walk down to an amazing secluded beach. Sandy Bay is also nearby and worth a look.

One of the few flat, safe stretches on island. Beach run ~0.8 miles; the road ~0.65 miles. World-class scenery included at no extra charge.

A bucket-list event for runners held each February. Hilly, tight, and totally worth it.

Adventure

Cruise through treetops at the highest points on island for views above Magens Bay and the British Virgin Islands.

A guided hike and boat ride through ruins, a secluded bay, and petroglyphs from Native Island Indians dating back hundreds of years.

The prettiest trail on St. John. Begins at a perfect beach, ends on top of the world. Relatively easy and rarely crowded.

A 2-minute hike to sugar mill ruins and epic views of Hawksnest and Gibney Beach. Or take a spur trail to the often-deserted Denis Bay.

Culture

Go back 300 years to the times of pirates, privateers and explorers in historic Charlotte Amalie. Rum distillery tours, drinking tours, and walking tours available.

Family Friendly

Browse maritime artifacts and genuine sunken treasure in this captivating shipwreck museum in Charlotte Amalie.

Culture

A self-guided tour of the historic sugar mill ruins. Insight into St. John’s history from the plantation and post-emancipation eras.

On Crown Mountain in St. Thomas. Not open regularly but holds events year-round — reach out to arrange a tour. The views are otherworldly.

Culture

Everything in this building is original, dating to 1833. One of the oldest Jewish synagogues in America — an architectural gem in the Caribbean.

Lush tropical gardens worth a peaceful afternoon stroll.

Culture

Grab a historical reference guide and walk the streets where pirates, dignitaries, slaves, and saucy ladies once roamed.

Head to Yacht Haven Grande for lunch or dinner and be within spitting distance of yachts worth more than the economies of small countries.

Fresh produce, juices, sugar cane, honey, handmade crafts, and hot food on early Saturday mornings at Charlotte Amalie’s Main Street. Get there early.

A lookout point with panoramic views of the ocean and BVI. Pack drinks, head to the top of Mafolie Hill and turn left ~1,000 feet. Great at sunrise or late afternoon.

While hiking in St. John or sitting on a beach, bring a guidebook and keep track of all the unique Caribbean birds you spot.

Culture

Pirate hideouts, historic manor houses, botanical gardens, archaeological sites, pools, waterfalls, museums, and bars. The Caribbean’s premier historical landmark.

Beyond Drake’s Seat and Trunk Bay, countless unofficial overlooks offer stunning views as you tour the islands. Keep your eyes open on every road.

A ski lift but thankfully no snow. Ride up to Paradise Point for the best vantage of the harbor and cruise ship docks, plus a bar and live music.

Well-preserved ruins dating back hundreds of years with incredible views of the British Virgin Islands from the site.

Culture

The oldest building on the island — a massive fort right on the waterfront in downtown Charlotte Amalie. Call ahead ($10 admission).

More exercise than sightseeing — there are actually over 100 steps. Pair with a visit to Fort Christian just 2–3 minutes away.

Family Friendly

Conveniently near the Pirates Museum. A fun stop for young kids with a great cruise ship/water/dam activity.

A short walk from Cruz Bay — beautiful stone paths and stairs winding through eclectic shops with jewelry, art, clothes, and crafts.

Moravians, Lutherans, 7th-Day Adventists, and nearly every denomination is represented. No need to skip Sunday worship on vacation.

Island music, dancing, and performers. Several resorts host a Carnival Night on rotating evenings — try Bolongo, The Westin, and The Ritz.

The real deal. Parades, live concerts, food, and rides. Festivities begin in early April and culminate in late April/early May.

No less fun. St. John holds its Carnival in June, ending around July 4th. A full celebration of island culture.

About 90% of stores sell jewelry and watches. Browse, negotiate, and then find a bar to decompress afterward.

Food & Drink

Forget Bordeaux. Tropical fruits make incredible wines. Get a proper buzz at this amazing winery.

Food & Drink

Authentic island rum balls invented right here — the only place in the world you can get them. Plus a fun café and bar tucked behind Main Street.

The island is full of mango trees. If one is hanging into the street, help yourself. Place in a brown bag to ripen, then peel and grab a paper towel — they’re extremely juicy.

Food & Drink

A true local dish — potatoes, curry, with your choice of shrimp, conch, chicken, or vegetables. Don’t leave without trying one.

Food & Drink

Try all the flavors — mango, pineapple, strawberry, banana, coconut. Order a Cruzan Confusion to get them all. Born in the VI; ordering anything else is a crime.

Food & Drink

Conch and rice with fried plantains is about as good as it gets. Get away from the resorts and ask a taxi driver for their favorite food truck.

Food & Drink

St. John’s own brewery captures the flavors of the islands. Tour the massive canning facility or grab a 12-pack and find a shady spot.

Food & Drink

Plan a beach BBQ at Magens or Lindquist Beach on St. Thomas. Bring your own food and grill, or have Smoking Rooster bring the spread.

Food & Drink

You’re floating in the Caribbean when a dinghy pulls up and serves you hot, fresh, good pizza. And shots. An experience to remember forever.

Food & Drink

Sitting in the water at a floating restaurant eating tacos. Your taco fantasies have officially come true.

Food & Drink

Located in downtown Charlotte Amalie — the only place in the world you can get authentic island rum balls, where they were invented.

Food & Drink

A phenomenal coffee shop and bakery right in Havensight. The almond croissant is a must. Perfect the morning after a rum-drenched night.

Food & Drink

Serious craft brewing in St. Thomas. Tour the facility and drink the beer. Located in Frenchtown near downtown Charlotte Amalie.

Food & Drink

Learn to cook some local cuisine while on the island — reportedly a ton of fun and a great way to bring the islands home with you.

A 30–40 minute ferry ride (~$60 roundtrip). Incredible beaches, swimming with dolphins, big waves, hiking, museums, and a British twist.

Possibly one of the most beautiful sites in the Caribbean — giant boulders forming caves and grottos on a perfect beach.

White Bay: perfect sand, perfect water. The Soggy Dollar serves the infamous Pain Killer cocktail and great local fried food.

Jump on a sea plane from the harbor and spend the day on this underappreciated sister island. Unique activities: golfing and a rum distillery tour.

The least-known inhabited Virgin Island, floating just off St. Thomas. Honeymoon Beach has a bar right on shore. $10 roundtrip ferry.

Rent a kayak, pack a picnic, depart from Frenchtown. Old ruins, beautiful hiking, incredible views. No facilities on island — come fully prepared.

Family Friendly

A genuine encounter with dolphins at Coral World’s lagoon — unforgettable for kids and adults alike.

Head west on Veteran’s Drive and explore. Sparsely populated with views of Puerto Rico, Culebra and Vieques. With 4WD, find secret beaches and hidden vistas.

Beyond Magens, Lindquist, and Secret Harbor — there are a dozen more pristine beaches where you might not see another soul. Ask a local or start exploring.

Something nautical and escapist. Leave with a permanent reminder of your time in paradise. (The hangover will eventually go away.)

Medical marijuana is recognized in the USVI. Find a dispensary and enjoy legally — check current local status before your visit.

Family Friendly

Coral World Ocean Park: an aquarium and nature park with an underwater observatory. Don’t miss the shark or turtle swim encounters.

A beach morning wedding, a sunset cruise, or a picturesque luxury villa — every option is impossibly romantic in the Virgin Islands.

Park at Yacht Haven Grande and walk the waterfront in downtown Charlotte Amalie. Turn around at the sea plane. Water and lights are beautiful. Stop for a drink at Greenhouse.

While snorkeling or diving, bring a guide so you can identify all the tropical fish and coral heads you encounter.

Technically prohibited on all public beaches. But if you find yourself entirely alone on a perfect empty beach — we’ll say no more. Be discreet.

Treat yourself to a professional massage or full spa day after all that adventuring. You’ve earned it.

High above Magens Bay — a large souvenir shop and bar serving famous Banana Daiquiris with never-ending views of St. Thomas, St. John, and the BVI.

Probably the coolest photo shoot you’ll ever be part of. Surprise your partner — this is a once-in-a-lifetime excursion.

A hidden garden in downtown Charlotte Amalie that almost no one knows about. Ask for directions and the password. A quiet, lush escape from the crowds — with drinks.

St. Thomas: Lost Mango Campgrounds at ~1,000ft elevation. St. John: Cinnamon Bay — pitch your tent steps from one of the best beaches in the Caribbean.

Family Friendly

Real-life mermaids appearing at Magens Bay — an unforgettable experience for little ones. Check current availability before visiting.