Things to do in  US Virgin Islands

Located at the top of St. Peter Mountain is the oldest, highest, and one of the most popular attractions on St. Thomas, the aptly named Mountain Top. Mountain Top features a massive duty free shop, a bar known for its banana daiquiris, and an observation deck that offers sweeping views over Magens Bay from 1,500 feet (457 meters.

The majority of St. John is covered by the Virgin Islands National Park, a stretch of preserved wilderness that offers protection and preservation for fish, corals, marine life, and tropical and migrating birds. The park also protects the island’s reef, with public access at the mangrove bay of Hurricane Hole, east of Coral Bay. Snorkeling is a popular activity all along the coastline.

Located on the eastern end of St. Thomas, Sapphire Beach is one of the most popular beaches on the island. Featuring stellar views and a long stretch of pretty white sand, it’s an ideal beach for relaxing and sunbathing, snorkeling, and a variety of water sports. Numerous amenities and rentals make for an easy and enjoyable day out.

Located on the northwest shore of St. John and part of the Virgin Islands National Park, Honeymoon Beach is an idyllic tropical paradise of white sand, palm trees, and clear shallow waters. A concession offers cabana and chair rentals, amenities, and food and drinks, making for an easy and relaxing day on the beach.

Thanks to its curving arc of white sand and its bright blue water, Magens Bay is St. Thomas’ most popular beach. The area is surrounded by forests and palm trees, and the bay offers calm waves for swimming and kayaking. For stunning views of the bay’s unusual rectangular shape and mile of beach, head to the nearby Mountain Top lookout.

On Water Island, south of St. Thomas, Honeymoon Beach curves around the clear waters of Druiff Bay. Soft white sand and swaying palm trees invite visitors to linger in this peaceful tropical paradise, while a bustling beach bar offers amenities, sustenance, and many different ways to play.

Maho Bay, perched on St John’s northern shore, is named after the Maho tree, which you can identify by its heart-shaped leaves and bright yellow flowers. The coconut palm-lined stretch of sand allures with its calm, shallow waters and a coral reef just offshore popular for snorkeling.

Sitting in the middle of a coral reef encircled by sand and the waters of Leinster Bay, the tiny island of Waterlemon Cay off of St. John is a favorite among snorkelers. It’s home to a wealth of coral and marine life, which is why it ranks so high with travelers. From the Leinster Bay Trail on the north side of St. John, visitors can catch a view of Waterlemon Cay.

Coki Beach is considered St. Thomas’ party beach and is always full of families, revelers, and vendors. Snorkelers and scuba divers love the clear water and sea creatures here, while beach-goers enjoy the white sands, sunshine, and wandering vendors who offer drinks and snacks, souvenirs, sunscreen, and hair braiding.

Named after Sir Francis Drake, who was said to have used the spot to look for enemy ships, Drake’s Seat was built in 1933 by Arthur Fairchild and offers one of the best views of St. Thomas. Located just minutes from Charlotte Amalie, it offers sweeping views of Magens Bay and the British Virgin Islands.

Water Island officially joined the US Virgin Islands in 1996. The fourth and smallest isle of the four, it is by no means boring. At roughly 490 acres (200 hectares) and home to about 175 residents, Water Island is a less touristed destination in the island chain, offering idyllic beaches and lazy-day vibes.

Trunk Bay’s talc-soft sands, turquoise waters, and lush green backdrop make it one of the most photographed and most famous beaches on St. John Island. Just offshore of this earthly paradise, a marked-out underwater trail serves as a popular snorkeling spot, with information about coral formations and sea life. It’s a great activity for beginner snorkelers, kids, and older adults.

One of the top family-friendly attractions in the US Virgin Islands, Coral World Ocean Park combines both indoor and outdoor observation facilities which showcase the region’s diverse and plentiful marine life. Highlights include the hermit crab, starfish, and sea cucumber touch pool and the 50,000-gallon Deep Reef Tank, home to moray eels, tarpon, and plenty of sharks.

Located along the southeastern shore of St. Thomas, Secret Harbour Beach Resort is set in a secluded cove in Nazareth Bay. Featuring a pretty white sand beach and crystalline waters, it’s a popular spot for sunbathing, snorkeling, and other water sports, such as scuba diving, paddleboarding, and kayaking.

High above Charlotte Amalie is Skytsborg (“sky tower”), a round defensive tower built by the Danish in 1679 to watch for enemy ships which might attack Fort Christian and other harbor settlements. While there was a real pirate called Blackbeard (Edward Teach) who prowled nearby waters, his association with the site owes more to tradition than history. And anyway, who needs a history lesson when you have one of the great Caribbean views laid out before you. The visual feast encompasses dramatic green slopes, bobbing yachts, hulking cruise ships and outlying islands. Facilities at the site include a swimming pool and snack bar.