At first glance, St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix may seem pretty similar – they’re all part of USVI, they all have gorgeous beaches, and they’re all great vacation destinations in their own right. That’s partly why choosing which U.S. Virgin Island is best for you can be a challenge, especially since each island also has its own strengths and weaknesses. This post goes over some of the major differences between each of the three U.S. Virgin Islands so you can decide which one is ideal for your stay.
Staying on St. Thomas
For many, St. Thomas is their introduction to USVI. It’s easily the most developed and commercialized of the three islands and is home to both a massive port popular with cruise ships and Cyril E. King Airport, where the majority of flights into USVI land.
And while its services, shopping, and accessibility are a big part of its draw, St. Thomas is also home to some stunning landscapes and beaches – especially if you head north or east from the capital, Charlotte Amelie, to find them.
Things to do on St. Thomas
As a result of its development, St. Thomas has a ton of different things to do, including more touristy activities that you won’t find on other islands. Some of the top things to do on St. Thomas include:
- Swimming with dolphins, sea lions, and sharks at Coral World Ocean Park
- Checking out the booty at the Pirates Treasure Museum
- Hopping to nearby islands for the day, including Tortola, Virgin Gorda, and Jost van Dyke
- Taking the St. Thomas Skyride 700-feet above Charlotte Amelie
- Visiting Bluebeard’s Castle and walking up the historic 99 Steps
St. Thomas Villas
Many of the best villas in St. Thomas are located toward the north of the island by Megan’s Bay, or in the East End. These areas provide beautiful landscapes and a good amount of privacy.
Megan’s Bay is just a 12-minute drive from Charlotte Amelie and is known for being home to some of the island’s best beaches. Here you’ll find some amazing beachfront properties, like the beautiful Sand Dollar Estate which can accommodate up to 30 people split across a main villa, a guest cottage, and two bungalows.
The East End, meanwhile, is about 30-minutes from Charlotte Amelie and is perfect for those who want a little more privacy and seclusion in their stay. For example, Blue Serenity, overlooking Secret Harbour, offers a sublimely peaceful stay spread out over 2 and a half lush acres of prime beachfront real estate.
Pros of Staying on St. Thomas:
- Best nightlife and shopping in USVI
- Easy access to ferries to visit neighboring islands
- Tons of fun activities and services for the whole family
Cons of Staying on St. Thomas
- More westernized and developed than the other islands
- Fewer opportunities for hiking and snorkeling
- Less privacy and less seclusion
Who’s St. Thomas Best For?
- Families with young children
- Travelers who value convenience and want to island hop
- Singles and couples that love nightlife and shopping
Staying on St. John
With 2/3rd of the island designated as national parkland, St. John’s protectiveness stands in stark contrast to the widespread development of St. Thomas. The resulting pristine beauty is a big reason why so many prefer to stay on St. John.
That said, it’s easy to imagine St. John as being more remote than it really is. Cruz Bay, the capital, still has plenty of shops and restaurants – just not nearly as much as Charlotte Amelie.
Things to do on St. John:
As you can imagine, the best things to do on St. John revolve around enjoying the untouched nature all around you, whether that’s by foot, car, boat, or horseback. Some of these options include:
- Going on a guided hike of St. John’s National Park
- Taking a luxury catamaran to Honeymoon Beach
- Exploring Ram Head Trail and taking in the life-affirming views
- Visiting the Annaberg plantation ruins
- Lounging on the beautiful beaches on Trunk Bay or Maho Bay
St. John Villas
Villas in St. John are all about melding with their surroundings and giving you the chance to appreciate the awesome, dynamic landscapes all around you. And because of the development restrictions, villas really are the best way to experience St. John.
A big question when choosing a villa on St. John is how far you want to be from Cruz Bay. Some of the most popular places to stay on St. John, like Great Cruz Bay and Virgin Gran Estates, are just a short drive away, offering a great mix of privacy and accessibility, like the beautiful, beachfront A La Mer.
Others, like the villas along St. John’s renowned north coast, are more secluded and offer that immaculate island getaway vibe. The impeccable Solenborg on Denis Bay (near the famous Trunk Bay) is a great example of the kind of hillside vistas and raw luxury you can expect to find here.
Pros of Staying on St. John
- Untouched beauty and pristine landscapes
- Unbeatable hiking opportunities
- Lots of variety in terms of villa options
Cons of Staying on St. John
- Less nightlife
- Somewhat limited services and shopping
- Less choices to island hop
Who’s St. John Best For?
- Nature and beach lovers of all kinds
- Couples that want a romantic getaway
- Families with active older children and teenagers
Staying on St. Croix
St. Croix is the largest of the three US Virgin Islands, and the least touristy. Unlike St. Thomas and St. John, which are relatively close to each other, St. Croix is further out and requires a two-and-a-half-hour ferry ride to reach from St. Thomas. It’s also flatter than the other two, and as a result it can be harder for guests to find the same dramatic vistas.
What this island really has going for it is its authenticity, though, as St. Croix is known for having a much stronger Caribbean culture compared to the more westernized St. Thomas and St. John.
Things to do on St. Croix
While the atmosphere is a big part of St. Croix’s appeal, there’s still a ton of great nature to enjoy as well. Some of the best activities here include:
- Snorkeling by the Buck Island Reef National Monument
- Jet skiing or kayaking around Rainbow Beach
- Going on a self-guided tour around Fort Christiansvaern
- Hiking up Point Udall
- Visiting the St. George Village Botanical Garden
St. Croix Villas
Because there’s so much more space, luxury villas in St. Croix tend to be more sprawling and spread-out than elsewhere in USVI. The spectacular Miramar is a great example. Celebrated as one of the top ten villas in the Caribbean by Elite Traveler, this stunning estate is a whole world unto itself and features delightful surprises around each of its wings, making it easily one of St. Croix’s best.
Pros of Staying on St. Croix
- Authentic Caribbean culture
- Better prices than other islands
- Less touristy
Cons of Staying on St. Croix
- More difficult to reach
- Less dramatic vistas
- Less activities
St. Croix is Best for:
- Those looking for an authentic cultural experience
- Frequent travelers to USVI who want something new
- Visitors who don’t mind staying on one island
Let’s Find the Best Virgin Island for You
If you’re still not sure which U.S. Virgin Island is best for you, then contact Rental Escapes. Our friendly reservation agents will be happy to go over the available options on each island with you, as well as the different events and attractions going on for your travel dates. And no matter which island you choose, our concierge service will personalize your trip with extras like airport transfers, ferry rides, villa pre-stocking, chef service, and more. Contact us today to start planning your next dream holiday!
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