St ThomasSt Thomas is the second largest and most sophisticated of the
Virgin Islands with a strong Danish influence especially evident in
Charlotte Amalie, the main town and capital. Being the most accessible of the islands also means it is the most heavily developed and visited, with visitors from around the world attracted by the town's reputation as an international shopping
Mecca.
It is also scenically beautiful, with numerous headlands and coves, forested hills providing stunning vistas over the
Caribbean, and some of the best white-sand beaches in the Caribbean. Magens
Bay beach on the north coast is acclaimed as one of the finest in the world and the sparkling waters and coral reef of Coki Bay are superb for snorkeling. Fabulous panoramas can be viewed from Drake's Seat, a high point in the center of the island from where
Sir Francis Drake used to watch for enemy ships.
Sports and activities are abundant on St Thomas. There are snorkeling and dive sites, excellent greens for golf enthusiasts, sport fishing and yachting opportunities. The educational Coral World
Marine Park and Observatory provides a unique look at the goings-on of Caribbean marine life, and the nearby resort town of
Red Hook is a smaller version of Charlotte Amalie, with dining and shopping. It is the jumping off point to other Caribbean islands and the upmarket beach resorts nearby.
Combining natural beauty with first-rate amenities, St Thomas offers numerous activities on and off the water, fine hotels and international cuisine.
Getting Around: Taxis are common throughout St. Thomas. Air-conditioned city and country buses run regularly, but renting a car is one of the best ways to see the island.
Climate: Perfect holiday weather is the order of the day every day in St Thomas, where the tropical sun shines all year and warm breezes caress the shore. The tropical climate shows little variation in temperature between seasons, though there is slightly less humidity in the summer months (August and September). Inland temperatures drop slightly because of the altitude. There is no particular rainy season, and when it does rain showers are brief. Water is therefore scarce on the island.
St JohnThe smallest of the islands, two thirds of St John consists of a national park, a peaceful and largely unspoilt paradise for nature lovers that offers pristine forests, secluded white beaches, hidden coves, reefs and miles of hiking trails.
Danish immigrants were the first settlers and became extensive producers of sugarcane. Today the abandoned 18th century plantations scattered about the island provide a reminder of a once-thriving agricultural community. A walk around the ruins of the Annaberg Sugar Plantation, for example, offers a historical glimpse of St John with magnificent views of the
British Virgin Islands.
In 1956 the beauty of the island grabbed the attention of the wealthy
Laurence Rockefeller who bought a large piece of land to preserve its pristine loveliness and donated it to the government as a national park. Today the Virgin Island National Park offers numerous guided or independent hiking trails into the interior with stunning views from the ridges and a variety of flora and fauna, including wild cats, hummingbirds and iguanas. Of the dozens of beaches the most popular is
Trunk Bay, one of the world's most photographed spots, that offers swimming and excellent marine life in the protected reefs. There is also an underwater snorkeling trail with signs identifying the types of coral and its inhabitants.
The center of activity on St John is
Cruz Bay, a small town offering specialty shopping, lively bars and delicious cuisine, as well as jeep rental services and dive centers. There is limited accommodation on the island.
Climate: Most days the weather in St John is perfect. The sun shines all year round and even during the summer months the temperatures are lower in humidity, but the rain is scarce and fleeting. This subtropical climate is a travelers dream.
St CroixLess developed than St Thomas, St Croix is the largest and most remote of the three inhabited Virgin Islands, covered in forested hills, fertile lowlands and surrounded by coral reefs with excellent diving, particularly along the north coast.
Located 40 miles (64km) south of St Thomas, the island has two main towns, Christiansted on the north east coast and Frederiksted to the west. Both prospered as commercial ports during the 18th and 19th centuries. Christiansted is a lively town offering trips to the tiny
Buck Island as a popular excursion. Frederiksted is smaller and a sleepy place until the occasional cruise ship arrives for a spree of duty-free shopping. Both towns contain numerous examples of fine Danish colonial architecture. The surrounding landscape is scattered with remnants of sugar plantations, stone windmill towers and ruined houses from the island's commercial heyday in the sugarcane industry. Whim Greathouse is an impressive planter's mansion, restored to reflect its glory days in the 1700s, and is one of the main historical sights on St Croix. Rum production was another of the island's primary industries and visitors can visit the Cruzan Rum Distillery for guided tours and free tastings. The Heritage Trail is a self-guided trip that links the main sights of interest on the island.
Along with its picturesque beaches and superb diving, St Croix has a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, including hiking, historic sights and attractions, golf and horse riding. There are fine hotels, excellent dining and casinos.
Climate: St Croix enjoys a year round sunny climate with little variation in temperature. Average daily temperatures range from 77°F (25°C) in the winter to 82°F (28°C) in the summer. Overnight lows average around 72°F (22°C) and 78°F (26°C) in the summer.
