Best 21 Places To Visit In The U.S. Virgin Islands - Updated 2024

best places to visit in virgin islands
James
James 
Updated
| 8 min read

Located in the beautiful space between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, the U.S. Virgin Islands are some of the most visited destinations in the Caribbean. These islands, now under the territory of the United States, have fascinating histories and a lot of beautiful Neoclassical architecture. One thing these regions are blessed with is untouched beauty. The U.S. Virgin Islands are among the top-visited locations because of their stunning natural assets. Pristine beaches with crystal-clear waters, lush forests, tropical landscapes, rocky plains, and bright sunny days—these islands have all the attributes of a tropical paradise. Each has a unique character. While some are large and filled with modern amenities like galleries, malls, restaurants, etc., others are wholly uninhabited and unspoiled by the actions of humans. Planning to visit this place for your next vacation? Check out these best places to visit in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

1. Water Island

Honeymoon Beach
Source: Photo by user Dave Herholz used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Enjoy the feeling of a relaxing vacation on the beautiful Water Island. This laid-back residential island gives you a perfect chance to get away from all the stress of your everyday life and enjoy relaxing on the beach, kayaking, fishing, and many more pleasurable activities. With a population of just about 200 people, Water Island is not usually crowded, so your privacy is ensured. Spend your days off unwinding with friends, watching a movie on the beach, exploring the former military installations, or just savoring a delicious lunch.

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2. Charlotte Amalie (from USD 13.99)

best places to visit in virgin islands | charlotte amalie

Charlotte Amalie is the capital city of the U.S Virgin Islands. One of the famous cruise ports in the Caribbean, this amazing town is named after a Danish queen, and it is one of the best places to visit in the area. The city is blessed with beautiful landscapes, as well as a large number of things to do. Apart from trendy boutiques, restaurants, bars, jewelry shops, and several other entertainment options, Charlotte Amalie also offers a lot of pretty beaches to relax, swim, and go snorkeling. You can take a full-day guided tour of the island and see all its main attractions.

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Charlotte Amalie: Self-Guided Audio City Tour

Duration: 3.0 hour

3. Hassel Island

Hassel Island USVI
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Smallbones used under CC0

Home to many historic structures and military fortresses from the Napoleonic era, Hassel Island is an exciting place to explore. The region offers you the opportunity to discover historic sites like the world’s largest steam-engine-powered marine railway, Danish military houses, barracks, British garrison houses, and several exhibitions of how the island was under the control of the Danish and British governments. Aside from these, Hassel is also blessed with numerous pristine beaches and exciting hiking trails for all outdoor lovers to enjoy.

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4. Waterlemon Cay

LeinsterBayWaterlemon
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Gruepig used under CC BY-SA 3.0

If you love snorkeling, then Watermelon Cay should be your number one destination. Not usually on the top of the list of places to visit in the U.S Virgin Islands, Watermelon Cay is a hidden gem. This beautiful place is blessed with diverse marine life, a scenic landscape, and crystal-clear aqua-blue waters. The shoreline of Watermelon Cay is protected from heavy winds and high waves, making it perfect for snorkeling. See a diverse animal population like rays, green sea turtles, yellow starfish, an incredible coral reef, and more.

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5. Inner Brass

Inner Brass and Outer Brass Island
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Turn685 used under CC BY-SA 3.0

One of the Virgin Islands undisturbed by man’s activities, Inner Brass is a place to see. This 130-acre (52.6-hectare) tropical island is undeveloped and still has its natural beauty. Sitting to the north of Saint Thomas, the region offers you a place to relax away from all the disturbing actions of civilization. It is blessed with white-sand beaches, tropical reefs, and lush greenery and has a resort site with a helipad. You can access the island only by boat or kayak from Saint Thomas.

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6. Savana Island

Savana Island, USVI, 2005
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Gruepig used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Sitting toward the west end of Saint Thomas, Savana Island is one of the lesser-known islands in the region. This small islet is uninhabited, but it has all the characteristics of a unique tropical paradise. When you think of sunny beaches, green forests, tropical vibes, crystal-clear waters, and total privacy, then you should think of this gorgeous place. It is easily accessible by boat from the nearby islands and provides you with all the facilities of a private island.

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7. Lovango Cay

Grass MIngo, and Lovango Cays, 2011
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Gruepig used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Lovango Cay is a beautiful remote self-sustaining tropical paradise to the south of Congo Cay. This quiet and private location is in the district of Saint John and offers its visitors a lot of fun experiences. From its calm, clear waters to sandy beaches and sun-filled days, the island is blessed with unrivaled natural beauty, among other things. Here, you get to engage in activities like kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, and so much more. And on top of all that, the island produces its energy from natural sources.

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8. Thatch Cay

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Featuring over 5 miles (8 kilometers) of stunning coastline, this elegant island is spread over an area of 230 acres (93 hectares) in the middle of the Caribbean Sea. This island sits high up, at an elevation of up to 500 feet (152.4 meters), offering you beautiful views of the surrounding coastlines and landscape. The region sits off the southeastern coast of Saint Thomas and is divided into different sections—the residential subdivision, the middle section, and the parts that are being developed for broader tourism purposes.

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9. Cas Cay

Cas Cay, 2014
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Gruepig used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Also known as Happy Island, Cas Cay is a small remote islet. This island can be reached only by boat or a kayak tour through a lagoon. There are several things to experience in this incredible region. Aside from its lovely beaches and snorkeling spots, the place also has some exciting inland experiences to enjoy. One of the main attractions in Cas Cay is the volcanic blowhole at Red Joint that takes small waves and blasts them over tidal pools. It is a fantastic sight and makes for perfect photos too.

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10. Capella Island

Buck Island (British Virgin Islands) 01 retouched
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Buck_Island__01.jpg used under CC BY 2.0

Capella Island is a beautiful unoccupied island owned by the U.S. Virgin Islands. The massive island is spread over 230 acres (93 hectares) of pristine Caribbean land sitting south of the famous Saint Thomas island. Capella is part of a three-island archipelago also named Capella Islands. It is a great place to explore and offers many exciting activities to indulge in. The island is easily accessible from Saint Thomas by boat or kayak, and here you can enjoy many watersports and beach activities too.

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11. Protestant Cay

Protestantcaystcroix
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Connie Ma used under CC BY-SA 2.0

An oasis of beauty with sandy beaches, Protestant Cay is a lovely place to indulge in some recreations. An all-around location, this small oval cay is home to a beautiful family resort with a private beach and bar. There is also a watersports center where you can rent all the necessary gear for your outdoor and water-fun activities. Protestant Cay is the perfect place for snorkeling, kayaking, and leisure sailing on boats.

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12. Little Saint James

Little St James Island
Source: Photo by user Navin75 used under CC BY-SA 2.0

A small private island found in between St. John and St. Thomas, Little Saint James is an exciting place to see. Although the modern island has been steeped in controversy in recent years, Little Saint James still is blessed with more than just natural beauty. The classy region has been redecorated by its owner and now boasts a flamingo-stocked lagoon, palm trees, and several other beautiful features. The Little Saint James island staff number more than 70, and this haven is visited mostly by invitation.

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13. Whistling Cay

Cinnamon and Whistling Cays from Cinnamon, 2011
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Gruepig used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Whistling Cay is a quiet islet located west of Mary Point on St. John. This U.S. Virgin Island sits on 19 acres (7.7 hectares) of land, and it’s filled with green vegetation, high cliffs, and rocky outcropping plains. The highest point on this island is 130 feet (40 meters), giving you a chance to enjoy spectacular views of the surroundings. The location has a gravel beach on its southeast side, and only a small passage of water separates it from St. John.

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14. Turtledove Cay

St. Thomas, USVI
Source: Photo by user Breezy Baldwin used under CC BY 2.0

Turtledove Cay, a rock-strewn islet located north of Saba Island, is one of the most incredible places to visit in the area. This U.S. Virgin Island sits on 3.78 acres (1.54 hectares) of land covered with tall green grass and has an elevation of 50 feet (15.4 meters). Designed as a wildlife reserve, it is home to several native animals and birds. It even provides shelter to unique seabirds, giving its visitors a chance to enjoy spectacular sights of the wildlife.

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15. Leduck Island

USVI - St. John - Coral Bay
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user en:Bonus Onus used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Leduck Island, alternatively spelled as LeDuck, is one of the largest offshore islands around St. John. The islet is situated toward the eastern region of St. John and is blessed with the beautiful Coral Bay. Divers, snorkelers, and aquatic animal lovers will love to stay in this place with its many water-fun opportunities. Leduck is within the Virgin Islands National Park area, so it is home to a large number of diverse flora and fauna. Indeed it is an excellent place for a getaway.

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16. Ruth Island

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

The U.S. Virgin Islands does not only comprise of natural islands; there are some human-made islets within its territory too. Ruth Island is one of the most beautiful artificial islands in the region. It was created in the mid-1960s from dredging the bottom of Krause Lagune, and it’s quite extensive. The place is about 40 acres (16.2 hectares) and is home to the endangered St. Croix ground lizard. Not yet entirely inhabited, the island is an excellent place to enjoy peaceful moments.

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17. Congo Cay

Discover Scuba Diving -- St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Summitandbeach used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Another popular destination for visitors who love snorkeling is Congo Cay. This fantastic islet situated north of Lovango Cay is unoccupied by people, making it a perfect place to enjoy nature’s gifts to the fullest. The shoreline of Congo Cay is filled with vibrant and colorful coral reefs and diverse marine organisms. Swim with the fishes and sea turtles, bask in the sun on the islet’s sandy beaches, or enjoy the views of the lush vegetation. No matter what you do, you’ll always have a great time in this serene environment.

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18. Steven Cay

Steven Cay and St John, 2010
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Gruepig used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Small and covered in rocks and green shrubs, Steven Cay is a stunning Caribbean island. Also called Meeren Cay or Steven May, the islet is about 28 feet (8.6 meters) high. It is one of the most visited places for tourists and offers exciting activities to do, like swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving. The waves here are moderate, and like the rest of the Caribbean, it boasts a favorable weather condition year-round. Whether you are visiting with friends or family, this place has all your needs.

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19. Flanagan Island

Flanagan Island (2)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Legis used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

Flanagan Island, formerly called Witch Island, is an uninhabited region perched to the north of St. John. As part of the Virgin Islands archipelago, this place has a lot to offer its visitors. Although it is not a part of Virgin Islands National Park, this unoccupied piece of land is more like a forest reserve, and it therefore boasts luxuriant forests, green vegetation, and many exotic wildlife and birds. The island is frequently visited by tourists looking to enjoy its serene beauty.

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20. Henley Cay

Virgin Islands National Park
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Unknown author used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

Henley Cay, formerly called Women’s Cay, is a tropical island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The cay, which is about 11 acres (4.45 hectares), is the biggest of all the Durloe Cays in Virgin Islands National Park. The southernmost islet of all the cays, Henley Cay sits northwest of St. John. It is blessed with white-sand beaches and most visited for its impressive snorkeling and kayaking, swimming, and other fun-filled outdoor activities. Even if snorkeling is not your favorite watersports, this island gives you an unforgettable vacation experience.

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21. Mingo Cay

Trunk Bay, St. John USVI
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Navin75 used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Set in the middle of three cays of St. John, Mingo Cay is an attractive place to see. Accessed by a short boat ride from Cruz Bay, this island has a well-developed coral reef, which is excellent for snorkeling and scuba diving. Its clear waters make diving one of the most popular activities to enjoy here. The beaches on this cay are beautiful and offer amazing views of the Caribbean Sea.

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Enjoy the Caribbean lifestyle

Charlotte Amalie harbor, Saint Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user User: OldPine at... used under CC BY-SA 3.0

The U.S. Virgin Islands makes a great place to live—like you are in paradise. This archipelago has several breathtaking islets, numerous long sandy beaches, and crystal-clear waters. Check out these exciting places to visit in the U.S. Virgin Islands—all blessed with stunning scenery and picturesque landscapes.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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James Kure is an ardent writer from a very humble background. He loves writing about the world’s top travel destinations, especially the Scandinavian and Japanese regions. When not writing, James...Read more

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