Islands destinationThe U.S. Virgin islandsCaribbean sea

Last updated on 09/23/2025 at 07:31 PM

Acquired by the United States in 1917, the U.S. Virgin islands are located at the border of the Atlantic ocean and the Caribbean sea, east of Puerto Rico and west of the British Virgin islands.

The U.S. Virgin islands with their vast beaches and emerald waters © Alexander Shalamov | Dreamstime.com

Mainly composed of the islands of St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas, this archipelago is part of the Antilles, offering a tropical climate year-round and renowned for its natural beauty, vast beaches with emerald waters and rich cultural heritage.

The U.S. Virgin islands also include around fifty smaller islands, keys and islets scattered around the main islands.

Tropical Atmosphere

Located in the Antilles, the U.S. Virgin islands feature rolling landscapes with lush tropical hills and rugged coastlines that host white sand beaches and turquoise waters.

The island of St. Thomas is the liveliest of the three main islands, home to the territory's capital, Charlotte Amalie and a major cruise port.
The island of St. John, smaller and more secluded, is known for its national parks, which cover about two-thirds of the island.
The island of St. Croix, the largest, is slightly more remote and stands out for its historic sugar plantations and spectacular coral reefs.

Must-see highlights

Magens Bay on the island of St. Thomas, with its world-famous beach
Virgin islands National Park on the island of St. John, offering stunning hiking trails, protected beaches and exceptional diving spots
The town of Christiansted on the island of St. Croix, featuring a historic center with well-preserved colonial buildings

The courtyard of Fort Christiansvaern on the island of St. Croix © Shutterdo | Dreamstime.com

How to Get There

Several options are available for reaching the U.S. Virgin islands. Cyril E. King Airport (STT), located on the island of St. Thomas, is the main gateway to the archipelago and offers direct flights from major U.S. cities such as Miami, Atlanta and New York. From Europe or other continents, a connection through the United States is generally required before continuing on to St. Thomas.

Once there, you can explore the beauty of St. Thomas before easily traveling to the islands of St. John or St. Croix via fast ferries or short inter-island flights, ideal for exploring the entire archipelago.

The U.S. Virgin islands are also included on the itineraries of many cruise lines, allowing you to enjoy the picturesque charm of the islands in the heart of the Caribbean during a memorable port call.

Did you know ?

Each of the main islands that make up the U.S. Virgin islands archipelago has its own nickname: «Twin City» for St. Croix, «Love City» for St. John and «Rock City» for St. Thomas.

The Virgin islands – both British and U.S. – were discovered by Christopher Columbus, who gave them their current name.

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