When you close your eyes and imagine a vacation to the U.S. Virgin islands- St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix - you probably picture white sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water. The reality is, with a U.S. Virgin Islands private yacht charter, you’ll be getting that and so much more. The unique part about the U.S. Virgin islands is that each of the three main locations has something different to offer its visitors. Depending on the type of experience you’re looking for, you can choose to visit all three islands, or you can pick just one or two. Let’s dig a little deeper into each so that you can discover what suits you best.
Of the three main US Virgin Islands, St. Thomas is known to be the most cosmopolitan, and also houses the capital and main port city of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Charlotte Amalie. For those interested in history, a stroll through downtown Charlotte Amalie will be well worth your time. New Charlotte Amalie is home to government and office buildings, schools, luxury shopping, and residential homes, while old Charlotte Amalie will show you a bit of what life was like when the area was founded by Danish Settlers in 1681. If you’re looking for souvenirs, dining, and perhaps an exciting nightlife experience, you won’t want to miss St. Thomas and its port city of Charlotte Amalie.
While St. Thomas is by far the most developed of the three islands, it’ still a tropical paradise with breathtaking views, crystal-clear waters perfect for divers and snorkelers, beautiful beaches, and magnificent bays, cays, and surrounding islands to give you a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Here are a few specific hot-spots to add to your list.
Once a peninsula, Hassel Island was separated by the Danish government in the 1860's in an effort to bring better water circulation into the harbor. Hassel Island is home to many different historical sites which are all preserved by the National Park Service. A visit to Hassel island will teach you all about how St. Thomas and its surrounding areas were discovered as well as more recent history including the purchase of the Virgin Islands by the United States from Denmark. Head to http://www.hasselisland.org/ to learn more about what to expect from a visit to Hassel Island.
There are a few different Buck Islands in the Caribbean, but the one we’re referring to here is located about two miles south of St. Thomas and is home to one of three Danish built lighthouses. The rocky coastline is surrounded by crystal clear waters full of coral reef habitats – perfect for divers and snorkelers wanting to discover the fascinating marine life.
Magens Bay is without a doubt St. Thomas’s most popular beach. This beach is one mile of public land that is great for swimming and floating. Water sports such as paddle boarding and kayaking and popular here, and beach chairs, umbrellas, and snorkel sets are available to rent.
St. John is the smallest of the U.S. Virgin islands, but it may be the most pristine. The island of St. John is a nature lover’s dream. Beautiful beaches, coral reefs, hiking trails, and a huge national park make it ideal for someone wanting to escape from every-day life. While there is no airport on the island, it is easily accessible by boat or ferry from Charlotte Amalie. Here are some hot-spots to add to your U.S. Virgin Islands yacht charter list:
Cruz Bay is the main town of St. John – the economic and social hub. Cruz Bay is usually a visitor’s first look at St. John because it’s where the ferry drops off tourists who usually arrived through Charlotte Amalie. However, when taking a private yacht charter, it may be worth it to take a day trip to visit the shops and restaurants in this quaint town.
About 60% of St. John is covered by the Virgin Islands National Park. Lush forests, coral reefs, hiking trails with scenic lookout points, beaches, and plantation ruins all make up the park. Some specific hot spots are Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay, and Annaberg Plantation.
A quarter mile of soft white sand, tall palm trees, and clear blue water make Trunk Bay one of the most highly rated beaches in the world. Trunk Bay’s underwater snorkeling trail is perfect for anyone of any age looking to see beautiful and colorful coral and fish.
St. Croix is a long haul sail from St. Thomas and travel is weather permitting. It is the largest of the Virgin Islands known for its beautiful scenery as well as its rich culture and history. Depending on the length of your stay, you’ll discover something new each day. Colonial churches, championship golf courses, spirited festivals, 18th century sugar mills, gorgeous beaches and world renowned dive sites are just the beginning!
Often known just as “The Wall,” Cane Bay Wall is a mecca for divers around the world. A wall and a shelf give divers the opportunity to see shallow and deeper water. If you’re lucky, you may see humpback whales migrate through the Puerto Rico Trench.
Take a guided tour through the rum headquarters where you’ll learn about the distilling and bottling process. The quick and affordable tour will end with some tasty cocktails!
Visit the sugar plantation museum to learn about the lives of the enslaved people who worked on this 18th century plantation as well as how sugar was cultivated and processed.
The best way to discover the U.S. virgin Islands is through a private yacht charter where you customize your own trip. A once in a lifetime, first class experience done your way. There is so much beauty waiting to be discovered!
This destination is perfect for American citizens without a passport and can be explored year-round as the weather is almost always ideal. Spend your vacation relaxing on the white sand beaches and swimming in the turquoise waters, hiking gorgeous trails with breathtaking views, scuba diving or snorkeling around the pristine coral reefs, exploring historical sites, dining in high end restaurants, shopping duty-free, and so much more!
