General
Information
St. Thomas combines the natural beauty of the
islands with a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Charlotte
Amalie, the capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands,
is one of  the
most beautiful harbors in the world and the most
visited port in the Caribbean. Elegant dining, exciting
nightlife, and world-class duty-free shopping are
abundant in Charlotte Amalie. The city's reputation
as the shopping mecca of the Caribbean draws visitors
from all over the region and around the world.
A mountainous island, St. Thomas offers stunning
vistas in almost every direction. While Charlotte
Amalie is full of energy, St. Thomas also provides
natural wonders such as the indescribably beautiful
Magens Bay and stunning views of the Caribbean from
1,500 feet above sea level. Drake's Seat is particularly
famous for its vistas.
 St. John, the
smallest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands, retains
a tranquil, unspoiled beauty uncommon in the Caribbean
or anywhere else in the world. Settled in the early
1700s by Danish immigrants attracted to the island's
potential as a sugar cane-producing colony, St.
John soon blossomed into a thriving society. The
ruins of the Annaberg Sugar Plantation and other
smaller plantations on the island attest to the
island's agricultural history.
Today, two-thirds of St. John is part of the Virgin
Islands National Park, featuring fascinating trails,
secluded coves, and dazzling white beaches. The
Reef Bay Trail takes hikers through dense forests,
plantation ruins, and rock outcroppings marked by
well-preserved petroglyphs. Trunk Bay, Hawksnest
Bay, Cinnamon Bay, and Maho Bay are just four of
the dozens of beaches. Cruz Bay, the center of activity
on St. John, contains colorful shops, lively bars,
and fabulous restaurants.
St. Croix's rich culture and history, along
with its beautiful beaches and world-class recreational
activities, create an experience unlike any other
in the Caribbean. Since the day Christopher Columbus
first arrived at Salt River on St.Croix more than
500 years ago, sugar and rum have shaped the island's
life and land. Fifty-four sugar mills, each with
imposing windmill towers and factory chimneys, still
rest in the shadows of stately eighteenth-century
and nineteenth-century homes. Located on the west
end of the island, Estate Whim Plantation is just
one example of these "greathouses." With
acres of rolling green hills, St.Croix's plantation
estates also bore crops of okra, cabbage, corn,
and other vegetables still prominent in Caribbean
cuisine. As the sugar industry declined after the
1960s, tourism became the most important industry
on the island.
 Christiansted and Frederiksted,
the two main towns of St. Croix, flourished as commercial
ports during the eighteenth century and nineteenth
century. Distinct architecture reflects the seven
flags--Spanish, Dutch, British, French, Knights
of Malta, Danish, and American -- that have flown
over the island. Today, visitors to St. Croix can
enjoy a number of indoor and outdoor activities,
from fine dining, shopping, and a casino, to golf,
scuba diving, and horsback riding.
St. Thomas offers plenty of shallow reef sites teeming
with colorful tropicals and tons of soft corals.
Sites such as Cow and Calf Rocks provide caves,
caverns and swimthroughs, while Sail Rock has fast
current thrills and the chance to see large critters.
Diving St. John is quite similar to St. Thomas.
Lots of dives with extended bottom times. Check
out the Major General Rogers, a Coast Guard tender
ship, intentionally sunk in just 65' of water as
an artificial reef. You will be amazed at the swarms
of schooling fish and large barracuda patrol the
wreck on a regular basis.
What so different about diving St. Croix? Walls!
Sites such as Cane Bay Drop-Off provide walls starting
in as little as 40'. Along the crest of the walls,
hard and soft corals are found in abundance. St.
Croix also offers a great selection of wreck and
shallow reef dives.
Dive
Centers & Accommodations
New
Travel Regulations
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
The proposed implementation timeline has two
phases:
Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including
U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the
United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and
South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will
be required to present a valid passport, Air
NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner
Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form
I-551, if applicable.
As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including
U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and
Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the
Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including
ferries), may be required to present a valid
passport or other documents as determined by
the Department of Homeland Security. While recent
legislative changes permit a later deadline,
the Departments of State and Homeland Security
are working to meet all requirements as soon
as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided
to enable the public to obtain passports or
passport cards for land/sea entries.
The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S.
citizens traveling to or returning directly
from a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens returning
directly from a U.S. territory are not considered
to have left the United States and do not need
to present a passport. U.S. territories include
the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin
Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
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Getting
There
The U.S. Virgin Islands have daily, non-stop flights
from New York, Newark, Baltimore, Atlanta, and Miami.
Connecting  flights
are availabe to and from Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas,
New York, Miami, and Atlanta via the San Juan hub.
In addition, there's connecting service from Canada,
Europe, South America, and the Far East. Commuter
service between San Juan and St. Croix and St. Thomas
is also available.
These airlines offer service from the U.S. mainland
to the U.S. Virgin Islands.
American
Airlines
Continental
Airlines
Delta
Airlines
United
Airlines
U.S.
Airways
Inter Island Travel
Travel between the U.S. Virgin Islands is simple and
convenient. St. Thomas to St. John is just 20 minutes
from
by ferry (and 75 minutes to St. Croix (seasonal -
November to May). There is also daily direct service
between St. Croix and St. Thomas by small plane. The
trip takes about 25 minutes. Helicopter service also
connects the islands. Don't limit your choices, because
you can easily include all three islands in your visit.
Ferry Service - V.I.
Fast Ferry
The following companies provide service between St.
Thomas and St. Croix, and
San Juan and St. Thomas / St. Croix:
Air
St. Thomas
Air
Sunshine
American
Eagle
Bohlke
International Airways
Cape
Air
Leeward
Island Air Transport (LIAT)
Seaborne
Airlines, Inc.
Entry Requirements
Passports for U.S. Citizens are not required for the
U.S. Virgin Islands, but you must be prepared to show
evidence of citizenship upon leaving (such as a birth
certificate and photo ID). Citizens of countries other
than the U.S. should follow U.S. travel regulations.
Travel outside the U.S. Virgin Islands requires valid
passport. Health certificates are not required if
you're entering from the U.S. or Puerto Rico; citizens
entering from other countries should follow the same
guidelines as for the mainland U.S.
Travel Tips
Getting Around
Driving
Any U.S. driver's license is good for 90 days on the
USVI, and while the minimum age for drivers is 18,
many agencies won't rent to anyone under the age of
25. Driving is on the left-hand side of the road,
even though the steering wheel will be on the left-hand
side of the car. In addition, the law requires everyone
in the car to wear seat belts. Many of the roads are
narrow, and the islands are dotted with hills, so
there's ample reason to put safety first. A variety
of automobiles are for rent, from sporty four-wheel
drives to air-conditioned sedans. Mileage is unlimited,
you pay for gas.
St.
Thomas
Taxis are common throughout St. Thomas. Buses run
regularly between Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook (on
the eastside of the island) and Charlotte Amalie and
Bordeaux (to the west). For more information, call
the VITRAN office at 774-5678. Charlotte Amalie also
offers city buses for local transport and to and from
the airport.
Most major car rental companies and several local
rental companies rent automobiles on St. Thomas, offering
everything from four-wheel-drive jeeps to luxury sedans
and minivans. Most major roads are well-maintained
asphalt.
St. Croix
Buses run regularly between Christiansted and Frederiksted
from 5:30am to 9:30pm except Sunday. Service is also
available from both cities to and from the airport.
Exact change is required. For more information, call
the VITRAN office at 773-1290, ext. 2291.
Taxis are readily available on St. Croix. In Christiansted,
taxi stands are located near the Government House
on King Street, and on Market Square. Frederiksted's
taxi stand is next to Fort Frederik.
Most major rental companies and several local rental
companies rent automobiles on St. Croix, offering
everything from four-wheel drive Jeeps to luxury sedans
and minivans. Parking can be limited in Christiansted.
Most major roads are well-maintained asphalt.
St. John
Taxis are available on St. John. Visitors can take
a two-hour tour of the island by taxi for a set fee.
For more information, call the Taxi Commission at
776-8294.
Buses run from Cruz Bay on the west side of the island
every hour on the half hour to Coral Bay on the east
side of the island. Fares are one dollar each way.
A limited number of auto rentals are available in
Cruz Bay.
Helpful
Information
- The
U.S. Virgin Islands are in the Atlantic standard
time zone, one hour ahead of Eastern standard time
(during daylight savings time only).
- Should
you rent a car, remember to obey traffic laws wear
your seat belt, and dive on the left side of the
road!!
- English
is the official language.
- Currency
is the U.S. dollar. Traveler's checks and all major
credit cards are honored.
- The
U.S. Postal Service provides mail services for USVI.
- You
can direct-dial from the United States Virgin Islands
to the U.S. mainland. The service connects callers
to Europe and South America.
- The
electrical current is the same as in North America
(standard 120 volt/60 cycle).
- Tipping
of 15 percent to 20 percent is customary for good
service. Some hotels automatically add a service
charge.
- Bring
casual clothes for warm weather, as the average
temperature ranges between 77F and 83F. Swimsuits
should not be worn around town. Bring plenty of
sunscreen and use it!!
- Most
visitors drink the local tap water with no harmful
aftereffects. Those with more delicate stomachs
might want to stick to bottled water.
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