What to do and see in U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands: The Best Things to do Good for Big Groups

May 17, 2022 Janette Largent

Made up of St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas, the laidback USVI offer sophisticated dining, turquoise waters and quaint towns. On St. Croix, Christiansted's colorful Danish Colonial buildings provide a lovely backdrop for dining or sailing. Underwater coral gardens are heaven for divers. On St. Thomas, shopping mecca Charlotte Amalie has hopping nightlife. Tranquil St. John offers quiet trails, secluded coves and lively Cruz Bay's shops and bars. Ferries and local air services link the islands.
Restaurants in U.S. Virgin Islands

1. Maho Bay Beach

Cruz Bay St. John
Excellent
80%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,679 reviews

Maho Bay Beach

Reviewed By LR417 - Barnegat, United States

This beach is absolutely beautiful. However, snorkeling is only average as there is virtually no coral. No schools of brightly colored tropical fish. However, turtles, sting rays and some large fish were sighted. The beach offers a bar, refreshments and rudimentary bathroom facilities. The taxi ride from the ferry in St John also offered glimpses of other pretty west side beaches.

2. Trunk Bay Beach

N Shore Rd, Virgin Islands National Park 00830 St. John https://www.nps.gov/viis/planyourvisit/placestogo.htm
Excellent
75%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,000 reviews

Trunk Bay Beach

The good news: this world-class stretch of white sand and turquoise water is St. John's most photographed beach, which features a marked underwater trail for beginning snorkelers. The bad news: because of its popularity, it can get very crowded with cruise ship passengers and members of sightseeing tours.

Reviewed By Sinceshea - New Jersey, United States

We go to trunk bay from St Thomas quite often for the beautiful clear water, terrific snorkeling path and amenities such as bar, showers and lunch if desired. The snorkeling trail is comprised of monuments affixed to the ocean floor explaining what sights are in immediate view, i.e. coral, fish species etc. The monuments are some 20 feet deep however can be clearly seen in the crystal clear waters. Sargassum (sea weed) has plagued a number of beaches in the VI but not Trunk. After your visit to the beach, you can shower up and hit the great happy hour spots on St John. It’s a great day! Returning in 6 weeks again for the 5th time.

3. Water Island

St. Thomas +1 340-774-1340 [email protected] http://www.usvi.net/water/index.html
Excellent
73%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 499 reviews

Water Island

The fourth largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, this quiet 492-acre island, located in Charlotte Amalie harbor, beckons those who want to stroll its beaches, bike amid its green hills, and view birds, iguana, turtles and other wildlife that make this lovely paradise their home.

Reviewed By cwD7581YP - Bear Creek, United States

We have been coming to St Thomas for years, but this was the first year visiting Water Island. It is a short ferry ride from Crown Point harbor (ferry fills up fast so get in line early)......the island itself is nice, with a free shuttle to the beach and convenient golf cart rentals right at the pier. The golf cart is worth it if you want explore the island - there are great spots for panoramic pics from the higher parts of the island, as well as an old unfinished fort at the very top. The beach is great, with chairs/umbrellas and 2 different spots to to purchase food/drink. We will definitely be adding this as one of our regular spots for future visits.

4. Skyline Drive

Skyline Dr St Thomas, Usvi, 00802 St. Thomas +1 866-999-6590 http://www.ridetheview.com
Excellent
68%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 69 reviews

Skyline Drive

Affords a breathtaking view of the Charlotte Amalie coast.

Reviewed By Zephani_D - New York City, United States

Skyline drive was one of the highlights of our city tour. The views while driving up are amazing and the same for when you arrive at the lookout. It was part of a St Thomas driving tour that we did on our last day. We went in an open (safari style) taxi with Skeno Jean- Baptiste (+13406900148) who was the best taxi and tour driver we could have asked for. A lot of the Taxi drivers we came across were very impatient and in some cases rude so he was a breath of fresh air, always pleasant and went above and beyond for us every time we were able to use his service. Including taking us to Magen’s bay beach (which wasn’t part of our tour route and waiting for us while we took a walk on the beach) If you’re doing Skyline drive, you’ll wanna include drake’s seat and mountain top which are nearby. I highly recommend an open air vehicle for this so the views during the drive aren’t diminished.

5. Sapphire Beach

St. Thomas
Excellent
55%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,970 reviews

Sapphire Beach

A favorite of windsurfers, the beach has fine white sand and beautiful views of St. John and offshore cays, and offers excellent snorkeling at the reef to the east, near Pettyklip Point.

Reviewed By reedmangreg - Chicago, United States

With many great beaches to choose from I would say Sapphire and Megans were my favorite in our 7 nights on St Thomas - we stayed at the Sapphire Beach Resort for 4 nights and having this beauty right in front of us was a blessing :) We did try some other beaches but this one packs everything great in one like no other in St Thomas - you have a nice beach bar and a great coffee/breakfast place on the spot, plenty of shade, peaceful water and soft sand, good for sunsets (despite being on the side) and the chickens/iguanas roaming around - it's the real Caribbean deal :) TIP: it's a free beach and appears to be part of the condo/resort area but it welcomes visitors as well so don't be shy, otherwise you will miss out on something great!

6. Cane Bay

St. Croix
Excellent
58%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 379 reviews

Cane Bay

Located on St. Croix's north shore, the waters are not always gentle along this palm-tree-lined beach, but scuba diving and snorkeling are very popular here where less than 200 yards out is the drop-off called Cane Bay Wall.

Reviewed By EmKay823 - Aubrey, United States

We nicknamed this beach, sunburn beach. We did not anticipate the sun to be this ... sunny. It was a great beach. Not too many people - we went on a Monday - so it was easy to find a good stop to lay and play for the afternoon. Snorkeling was great as well. Kids and husband said it was really cool! Bring the sunscreen!

7. Drake's Seat

Route 37, 00802 St. Thomas
Excellent
55%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 443 reviews

Drake's Seat

The vantage point where Sir Francis Drake was supposed to have looked for enemy ships of the Spanish fleet, this lookout includes a panoramic view of the Virgin Islands where the Atlantic Ocean joins the Caribbean Sea

Reviewed By 994linday - Frisco, United States

Located just minutes from the Charlotte Amalie Lookout, this breathtaking scenic point provides panoramic views of Magens Bay and the islands. There are a limited number of parking spots available. The green weathered bench seat is across the street (be careful crossing the road). The local legend is that Sir Francis Drake used this vantage point to watch his fleet and be on the lookout for the enemy. It is a great story, but the truth is that Drake’s Seat was built in 1933 by Arthur Fairchild. Mr. Fairchild was a former wall street genius, philanthropist (he is the one that gifted the land at Magens Bay to the people) and longtime island resident. Back in the 1930s, travelling the hilly terrain of St. Thomas was by horse or foot. The location of Drake’s Seat was the perfect place to rest and gaze down at Megans Bay. And it still is today! You’ll get a more expansive panorama from Mountain Top, but I love this view too. The Charlotte Amalie Lookout, Drake’s Seat, Mountain Top and Megans Bay can all be visited in the same trip.

8. Rhythms at Rainbow Beach

Frederiksted 00840 St. Croix
Excellent
66%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,042 reviews

Rhythms at Rainbow Beach

The Best Bar and Top Beach on the island is situated less than a 10 minute walk or short cab ride from the Cruise Dock in Frederiksted. One-of-a kind sunsets and beautiful views! We are the original home of the Lime In The Coconut. Relax on the beach, catch a live performance on our famous stage by the islands best musicians, dance, eat great fare, jet ski, snorkel, visit our T-Shirt shop for authentic souvenirs, and even plan an ATV tour around the island. Just Limin & Stylin at Rhythms at Rainbow Beach!

Reviewed By LoisR377 - Alpharetta, United States

Great Beach! Lots of fun watersports. The restaurant has good food and great frozen drinks. We had nice time here and visited twice while we were on the island. We would definitely recommend!

9. Brewer's Bay

St. Thomas
Excellent
63%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 131 reviews

Brewer's Bay

Take the West End to Brewer’s Bay, a lovely white-sand beach popular with the locals.

Reviewed By michaeljohncummins - Brook Park, United States

I bought the wife a very nice mask and snorkel so she could try it. She did great once she got comfortable breathing. She held my hand and I pulled her along with me. We saw many turtles and I saw a big ray. She also did some searching for sea glass. If you want to find some this is the beach for it. Make sure you buy a beverage from the wonderful older lady in the grey food truck. She is a real sweetie.

10. Buck Island Reef National Monument

17. 786505, -64. 626944 St. Croix +1 340-773-1460 [email protected] http://www.nps.gov/buis/index.htm
Excellent
78%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 903 reviews

Buck Island Reef National Monument

Lying 1.5 miles off the northeast coast of St. Croix, this 880-acre national monument includes 176 acres of land surrounded by 704 acres of water and coral reef system; it is a paradise for snorkelers, and the deep grottos and labyrinths are perfect for experienced scuba divers to explore.

Reviewed By kkeith37373 - Dallas, United States

Great sailing trip to the reef and beach on the Teroro II. Encountered 4 schooling sharks and thousands of colored fish exploring the reef.

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