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The United States Virgin Islands offers something for everyone. Breathtaking beaches with emerald water. Secluded coves, pristine coral reefs, and untouched rainforests. Friendly people with a unique music, cuisine, and culture. Posh hotels, cozy inns, and unspoiled campgrounds. Wonderful restaurants, world-class shopping, and exciting festivals. Come visit America's Caribbean and see what we have to offer you...
St John
St Thomas
St Croix
The Reef Ranger Project
In an effort to reverse the effects of compounding damage to the
U.S. Virgin Islands' coral reef environment, residents have launched the Reef Ranger Project. This community pilot program involves young islanders in the restoration and protection of the coral reefs, the coastal grasslands, and their indigenous wildlife. The program's founders also instill an appreciation for the reefs' fragility by educating participants in reef ecology, marine biology, and environmental preservation. Since its inception in 1995, the Reef Ranger Project has brought island youth together with scientists from around the world to protect and ultimately save the coral reefs surrounding the territory
The U.S. Virgin Islands are a duty-free port, with no sales or luxury taxes on items such as watches, cameras, fine jewelry, china, and leather goods. Christiansted's King's Alley on St. Croix offers handmade goods and designer fashions. Mongoose Junction on St. John is a shopper's paradise, featuring jewelry, clothing, crafts, and artwork. Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas has been hailed as the best shopping port in the world. In short, you're sure to find unique, inexpensive shopping no matter what island you're on.
Shops in the downtown areas are usually closed on Sundays, unless a cruise ship is in port. Shops at the larger hotels are usually open on Sundays. Look for bargains on perfume, liquor, cameras, china, porcelain, crystal, imported clothing, leather goods, watches, jewelry, and gold, as well as crafts made by local artisans. Many of these items can be bought for 40 percent less than in the United States; liquor and cigarettes are often 60 percent less.
Quotas
U.S. citizens are allowed a duty-free shopping quota of $1,200--twice that of any other island in the Caribbean and three times that of European countries. A flat rate of five percent duty is charged on purchases over your $1,200 allowance, up to a maximum of $1,000 more. Besides your personal exemption, you can mail friends and relatives at home an unlimited number of gifts (other than perfume, liquor, or tobacco) worth $100 or less per gift.
The U.S. Virgin Islands offers an endless array of sports and activities for our visitors. Scuba enthusiasts will find unspoiled coral reefs and historic shipwrecks. Golf lovers can take advantage of world-class courses, including courses designed by Robert Trent Jones and Tom Fazio. Whether you're seeking an adventure filled with snorkeling, hiking, and horseback riding, or a relaxing week of tennis, golf, and fishing, you'll find what you're looking for on our islands.
Shore Excursion 
The U.S. Virgin Islands culture expresses itself in its unique cuisine, which has its origins in Africa, Puerto Rico, other West Indian islands, and Europe. Since many island recipes originate from times when imports were scarce, today's typical island fare includes locally grown and raised spices, tropical fruits, root vegetables, and meats.
Island Specialties
One favorite local beverage is maubi, a slightly fermented drink concocted from ginger root, yeast, herbs, and the bark of the maubi tree. Non-alcoholic ginger beer, bush tea, soursop juice, and the creamy sea-moss cooler are also popular. Although restaurants in the U.S. Virgin Islands feature international cuisine such as French, Japanese, Italian, and Chinese, we encourage you to try island specialties such as conch fritters, fried plantains, sweet potato pudding, and curried chicken. Other Virgin Island specialties include:
Kallaloo a simmering stew of okra, meat, seafood, local greens, and spices
Souse a lime-flavored stock of pig's head, tail, and feet
Fungi a cornmeal and okra side dish that accompanies fried or boiled fish
Johnnycakes a deep-fried delicacy of unleavened bread
Lobster, wahoo, grouper, mahi-mahi, tuna, and other daily catches are staple menu items as well. If you have room for dessert, you might try a coconut or guava tart, locally made soursop ice cream, or rich rum cake and bread pudding.
The unique culture and history reflect the West African, Danish, Spanish, Irish, Polish, and German heritage of those who have made the U.S. Virgin Islands their home since the late 1400s. The rhythms and lyrics of Virgin Island music--including calypso, cariso, soca, reggae, and steel pan melodies--are colorful reminders of our past. Virgin Islanders also express themselves in painting, drawing, sculpture, and photography. The great Impressionist Camille Pissarro is just one of the Virgin Islands' distinguished artists.
Festivals
Island traditions come alive during celebrations throughout the year. The Three Kings' Day festival on St. Croix, St. John's Fourth of July celebration, and St. Thomas' annual Carnival are just three examples of the dozens of special events that take place each year. However, on any given day, visitors can catch a glimpse of the unique culture of the islands.
History
The history of the U.S. Virgin Islands is as rich as its people. Columbus discovered the United States Virgin Islands on his second voyage to the New World in 1493. In the centuries that followed, the islands were ruled by the English, Dutch, French, Spanish, Knights of Malta, and Danes. During World War One, the United States bought the islands from Denmark for $25,000,000 in gold.
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Destination Information & Travel Store
Destination Guide
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