Virgin Islands
Facts and Figures
Time Zone: GMT -4hrs
Flight Time From UK: 9-11hrs Capital: Road Town Main Airport(s): Cyril E. King Airport Int (STT), Henry E. Rohlsen Int (STX) Climate: Hot Currency: US Dollar Population: 27,800 Native Language: English Beaches: Over 100 Travel Vaccinations Needed: Not Mandatory but recommended - Polio, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Tetanus |
Weather Statistics - Degrees Celcius
Month |
Jan - March |
Apr - June |
July - Sept |
Oct - Dec |
High |
28 |
29 |
31 |
30 |
Low |
21 |
23 |
24 |
23 |
When To Travel
Sunshine is practically an everyday affair in the Virgin Islands. Temperatures climb into the 80s (high 20s Celsius) during the day, and drop into the more comfortable 70s (low 20s Celsius) at night. Winter is generally the dry season in the islands, but rainfall can occur at any time of the year. You don't have to worry too much, though -- tropical showers usually come and go so quickly you won't even really notice. If you're out exploring for the day, you may want to bring rain gear.
High season (or winter season) in the Virgin Islands, when hotel rates are at their peak, runs roughly from mid-December to mid-April. However, package and resort rates are sometimes lower in January, as a tourist slump usually occurs right after the Christmas holidays. February is the busiest month. If you're planning on visiting during the winter months, make reservations as far in advance as possible.
Off season begins when North America starts to warm up, and vacationers, assuming that temperatures in the Virgin Islands are soaring into the 100s (upper 30s Celsius), head for less tropical local beaches. However, it's actually quite balmy year-round in the Virgin Islands -- thanks to the fabled trade winds -- with temperatures varying little more than 5° between winter and summer.
There are many advantages to off-season travel in the Virgin Islands. First, from mid-April to mid-December, hotel rates are slashed a startling 25% to 50%. Second, you're less likely to encounter crowds at swimming pools, beaches, resorts, restaurants, and shops. Especially in St. Thomas and St. Croix, a slower pace prevails in the off season, and you'll have a better chance to appreciate the local culture and cuisine. Of course, there are disadvantages to off-season travel, too: Many hotels use the slower months for construction and/or restoration, fewer facilities are likely to be open, and some hotels and restaurants may close completely when business is really slow.
Additionally, if you're planning a trip during the off season and traveling alone, ask for the hotel's occupancy rate -- you may want crowds. The social scene in both the B.V.I. and the U.S.V.I. is intense from mid-December to mid-April. After that, it slumbers a bit. If you seek escape from the world and its masses, summer is the way to go, especially if you aren't depending on meeting others.
Things To Do
- Snorkel at Buck Island National Monument - Buck Island -- one of only three Underwater National Monuments in the US--is a terrific place to snorkel or scuba in the USVI
- St. Croix: Night Kayaking - The sun's going down, and your kayaks await... Soon, Caribbean Adventure Tours will take you to Salt River National Park, and in a big bay in the moonlight you'll see the site of Columbus' first landing in the New World.
- St. Croix: Explore Christians - Stroll the streets of centuries ago, when Christiansted -- now a National Historic Site-- was the capital of the Danish West Indies.
- St. Thomas: Sea Trekking - Explore the other exhibit areas at this marine park, such as the shark and stingray pools. Then head to the domed observatory that sits in the sea. There, you'll don an astronaut-type helmet, step down a ladder, and follow an undersea trail, breathing easily in your helmet. Kids as young as eight can try.
- St. Thomas: Fort Christian - Overlooking Charlotte Amalie is a Fort named for a Danish King: Fort Christian was built in 1672 to protect the town against pirates and European rivals.
- St. John - Virgin Islands National Park - It's an amazing fact that most of the island of St. John --two-thirds, or three-quarters, depending on your source-- is a National Park
- St. John: Trunk Bay - One of the most-photographed beaches on St. John is Trunk Bay, part of the National Park, and a perfect example of the USVI's white sand and azure seas.
- Get Out and About - It's easy to get around, explore, and soak up some local ambiance. you can rent a jeep for reasonable dollars, and the traffic's light. Meanwhile, rates for colorful open-air "safari" taxis are controlled. Either way, you can sample activities, beaches, local restaurants
Luxury Hotels - Click On The Hotel To See What The Tripadvisor Ratings Are
- The Palms at Pelican Cove, Christiansted
- Gallows Point Resort, Cruz Bay
- Caneel Bay, A Rosewood Resort, Caneel Bay
- The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, St. Thomas
- The Buccaneer -- St Croix, Christiansted
- Marriott's Frenchman's Cove, Charlotte Amalie
- Crystal Cove Beach Resort on Sapphire Bay, St. Thomas
- Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, South Coast
- Renaissance St. Croix Carambola Beach Resort & Spa, St. Croix
- Hibiscus Beach Resort, Christiansted