Two Weeks US Virgin Islands Itinerary: St. Thomas, St. Croix & St. John
One of the most popular destinations on St. Croix, Buck Island is known for its stunning natural beauty and the lush marine plants that surround it. Buck Island Reef, located about two and a half kilometers northeast of the coast of St. Croix and in the middle of a vast marine sanctuary, was designated as the first United States underwater national monument in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy. It became protected under federal law.
The US Virgin Islands are one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean. This American territory, located between the North Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, consists of around 50 islands and cays, the largest of which are St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John.
Following a stormy history marked by numerous occupations, the islands most conspicuously show their Danish influence, including some magnificent examples of Neoclassical Danish architecture. Another advantage is the natural beauty.
All of the islands have lush mountains, tropical woods, curved beaches, and rocky coves, and the crystal-clear waters and consistent winds entice sailors and boaters to anchor in the sheltered bays.
Each island has its own identity. St. Thomas is the most visited of the islands and serves as the archipelago’s main entry point. Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the United States Virgin Islands and a major cruise ship port, offers a wide range of shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities. The majority of the larger US Virgin Islands resorts are located on St. Thomas.
The largest of the three islands, St. Croix, is less touristy than its sister islands. The ancient area of Christiansted, as well as the sugar plantations, gardens, and seaside vistas along the Heritage Trail, are all must-sees. Buck Island Reef, the nation’s first underwater monument, is also located in St. Croix.
St. John is a haven for eco-tourists, with the Virgin Islands National Park covering two-thirds of the island. Popular activities include hiking, diving, snorkeling, fishing, and kayaking.
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Week 1 in The United States Virgin Islands
Table of Contents
Day 1 - Magens Bay, St. Thomas
Magens Bay, surrounded by lush hills and coconut trees, usually appears on lists of the world’s most beautiful beaches. The tranquil seas that run the length of this horseshoe-shaped bay are ideal for snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, and other water activities.
The Tropical Discovery Hike, also in the Magens Bay watershed, takes hikers through a 75-acre Nature Conservancy area. This unusual location contains a broad range of ecosystems, from dry forest hilltops to mangrove swamps, as well as a diverse range of native and migratory bird species.
The two kilometers of well-kept track run downward through the trees to Magens Bay beach, where you may cool off with a dip.
Day 2 - Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the United States Virgin Islands, is one of the most popular cruise ports in the Caribbean. It is named after a Danish queen and is located in the middle of the island on St. Thomas’ south side, where charming pastel cottages with red roofs sprinkle the steep green hills.
Charlotte Amalie is home to the Caribbean’s highest number of boutique jewelry shops and several beautiful beaches for swimming and snorkeling.
Climbing the historic 99 steps up to Blackbeard’s Castle, a National Historic Landmark that is being restored after hurricane damage; stopping in at the serene St. Thomas Synagogue; and exploring Fort Christian, the island’s oldest structure, are all popular things to do in Charlotte Amalie.
The Emancipation Garden, the magnificent three-story Government House, and the characteristic honey-hued Frederick Lutheran Church with crimson shutters are also noteworthy sights.
Government House, St. Thomas
On a walking tour of Charlotte Amalie, it is highly recommended that you make a stop at the Government House. This three-story white mansion with a hipped roof has two floors of verandas made of cast iron.
Government House was constructed between 1865 and 1867, and after undergoing restoration in 1994, it is now used to house the offices of the territorial governor. Inside are several stunning paintings created by local painters, one of them being Camille Pissarro, a native of St. Thomas.
The first and second floors of Government House are generally accessible to public members for sightseeing purposes; however, the building is now undergoing repairs following damage caused by a hurricane.
Day 3 - 99 Steps, St. Thomas
The 99 steps, which are actually 103 steps, are a remnant dating back to the middle of the 1700s and were constructed out of ship-ballast brick during the time of Danish colonial rule.Â
Several staircases are built on the high hills of Charlotte Amalie, and the 99 steps are just one example. They will lead you to the top of Blackbeard’s Castle, where you can take in breathtaking city vistas.
Blackbeard's Castle, St. Thomas
The only other structure of its kind in the Caribbean, Blackbeard’s Castle, is a five-story brick tower that may be found at the top of the famous 99 steps.
The Danish constructed the watchtower in 1678, known as Skytsborg, throughout the time of the colonial era. According to legends, the tower was a lookout point for the 18th-century pirate Blackbeard (Edward Teach).
The site, which is currently home to a well-known hotel and restaurant as well as breathtaking views of St. Thomas Harbor and Charlotte Amalie, is currently inaccessible for the time being so that it may be repaired following the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma.
Day 4 - Frederik Lutheran Church, St. Thomas
The Frederick Lutheran Church in Charlotte Amalie is home to centuries of history. This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the Georgian style between 1789 and 1793.Â
The church underwent two separate restorations in the 19th century, and as a result, it currently contains aspects that are characteristic of the Gothic Revival style, such as a gable tower.
The church’s entry is characterized by the “welcoming arms” stairway, which has a flared base and is typical of West Indian architectural design. During the 19th century, the church’s congregations were divided into West Indian and Danish divisions according to their ethnicity. The church continues to hold services, and visitors are welcome.
Day 5 - Coral World Ocean Park, St. Thomas
Looking for a place where the whole family can have a good time? Everyone will enjoy Coral World Ocean Park’s immersive marine adventure. The park has an underwater observatory, a tropical nature trail, the Marine Gardens Aquarium, and a huge coral reef tank with glass all around it.
Turtles, sea lions, dolphins, and sharks can be seen up close. You may hand-feed stingrays, swim with dolphins and sea lions, and see rainbow lorikeets face to face.
Scuba diving, parasailing, and a Sea Trek helmet dive, where you can stroll along the Caribbean Sea’s floor, are all popular activities here. A Nautilus semi-sub is also available at the park. Keep an eye out for the park’s wild iguanas while you’re there.
Day 6 - Mountain Tops
Keep going up Hull Bay Road until you reach Mountain Top. You will get the opportunity to visit the Phantasea Botanical Garden throughout the drive. You will observe turtles and tropical flora while taking a stroll through a native forest while visiting this small garden. It takes 30 to 60 minutes.
The summit known as Mountain Top is St. Thomas’s highest point. A big duty-free gift shop may be found in this location. You may get what they say to be the best banana daiquiris in all of the Virgin Islands by walking to the end of the gift shop where a bar offers them. A terrace that offers one of the most breathtaking views of St. Thomas can be found immediately outside the gift shop.
Week 2 in The United States Virgin Islands
Day 7 - Emancipation Garden, St. Thomas
The slaves of St. Thomas were finally set free on July 3, 1848, when the Emancipation Proclamation was read in public for the first time at the Emancipation Garden.
After receiving word that Governor Peter von Scholten had emancipated the enslaved people on St. Croix, the officials decided to carry out the ceremony they had planned. A gazebo, benches, and plenty of shade have been added to the park in recent years, making it an ideal location for relaxation as well as the occasional staging of musical performances.
During the festival that takes place in April, the garden is also transformed into a Carnival Village. A Philadelphia Liberty Bell replica is located in the park’s corner.
Day 8 - Virgin Islands National Park, St. John
Virgin Islands National Park, a Caribbean gem, attracts over one million people yearly, making it the archipelago’s single most popular tourist destination. Make this one of your top destinations on your US Virgin Islands itinerary if possible.
In 1956, Laurence Rockefeller gave 5,000 acres to the National Park Service. Hiking trails, protected bays, gorgeous beaches, underwater sea gardens, petroglyphs, and the remnants of medieval sugar mills make up two-thirds of the emerald island of St. John today.
One of St. John’s most popular walking trails, the Reef Bay Guided Hike, is a fantastic way to see some of these sights. The park’s natural diversity appeals to nature lovers. More than 800 plant species and 30 tropical bird species can be discovered within its confines.
The park is home to the natural night-blooming cereus, which attracts bats and moths with its vanilla aroma and several coconut palms, sea grape, and bay rum trees. Green iguanas, geckos, hawksbill turtles, and various marine creatures make up the rest of the biodiversity.
Swimming, diving, and snorkeling are all popular activities in the park’s waters. Waterlemon Cay, Maho Bay, Caneel Bay, and Cinnamon Bay are among the island’s highlights. Exploring the Virgin Islands’ natural beauty is one of the most popular things to do, and it’s an experience that nature lovers will remember for a lifetime.
Maho Bay, St. John
Maho Bay, known for its pure white sand and swaying coconut palms, can be found along the north side of the National Park. The beach is the most popular one on St. John, and is known for having the best conditions for snorkeling with sea turtles in all of the US Virgin Islands.
It is not difficult to pass a whole afternoon looking for everyone’s favorite marine reptile among the seagrass beds where they are found. After you’ve finished snorkeling, make a point of stopping at one of the many food trucks that line the water’s edge for a bite to eat before hopping on one of the many taxis that will take you back to Cruz Bay in time for happy hour.
Day 9 - Cruz Bay, St. John
Cruz Bay is considered to be the “downtown” of St. John. It is located in a port that is crowded with yachts and is backed by rugged hills. Up until the 1970s, Cruz Bay served mainly as a quiet customs facility with very little activity.
The once sleepy community of approximately 3,000 people has transformed into a trendy hub in recent years, earning it the nickname “Love City.” The town serves as a departure point for day trips to the Virgin Islands National Park. Among the pastel-coloured buildings that dot the hills on the edges of the hamlet are several alternatives for shopping and dining.
The Elaine Ione Sprauve Library & Museum is located in a beautifully renovated plantation grand house and is a must-see destination for anybody visiting the city. The history of St. John is presented in the museum in the form of exhibitions that include photographs, newspaper articles, and relics from local Indians and colonial settlers. The artwork of local artists is often exhibited in galleries.
 Beautiful Maho Bay and Hawksnest Beach, a favorite location for snorkeling, can be found nearby.
Reef Bay Sugar Mill Ruins, St. John
If you are only going to trek one trail while you are on St. John, the Reef Bay Trail should be a strong contender for your selection.
The old forest road winds from peak to valley, passing by the biggest trees on the island and ancient stone remnants of houses, fencing, and sugar fields, with the Reef Bay Sugar Factory at the trail’s end being the most remarkable of these ruins.
The business continued producing sugar using cutting-edge machinery and time-tested methods well into the 1900s. Consequently, the ruins are the most well-kept structure on the island, making them also the most fascinating.
Day 10 - Trunk Bay Beach & Underwater Snorkel Trail, St. John
The most photographed beach on St. John is Trunk Bay, which can be found tucked away in the Virgin Islands National Park. This beach is characterized by a long, arching curve of ivory sand and blue sea.
This is also considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, with sea grapes and coconut trees lining the shore. A portion of the Trunk Bay Underwater Snorkeling Trail can be found right offshore from the land spit that juts out into the bay. You can see up to 30 different types of fish in the crystal-clear waters here.
Throughout the coral reef, there are important landmarks that are marked with underwater signposts.
Day 11 - Buck Island Reef National Monument, St. Croix
One of the most popular destinations on St. Croix, Buck Island is known for its stunning natural beauty and the lush marine plants that surround it.
Buck Island Reef, located about two and a half kilometers northeast of the coast of St. Croix and in the middle of a vast marine sanctuary, was designated as the first United States underwater national monument in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy. It became protected under federal law.
Elkhorn coral grottoes may be found here on the reef, which is one of the top diving destinations in the United States Virgin Islands. Numerous tropical species, such as blue tangs and barracudas, can be spotted by snorkelers and divers along the track that has been marked. Off the north shore, divers can explore sunken ships and other wrecks.
In addition to its sheltered beaches, picnic areas, and grilling grills, Buck Island features a hiking track that winds through a forest of enormous tamarind trees to the island’s picturesque ridge.
Day 12 - Christiansted, St. Croix
Christiansted, the largest town on St. Croix, is located on the island’s north shore, sandwiched between steep hills and a narrow port protected by a reef. There was a time when the thriving port of Christiansted served as the province’s capital when Denmark ruled it.
The charming historic district in Christiansted spans six blocks and represents the golden days of Danish wealth. The town was designed using the Christiania city in Norway, now known as Oslo. It boasts beautiful pink and gold Neoclassical architecture and provides a wide variety of lodging, dining, and entertainment options.
 A visit to the Christiansted National Historic Site, which comprises five iconic colonial buildings such as Fort Christiansvaern, the Customs House, and the Steeple Building, is an excellent way to begin a walking tour of the city. Apothecary Hall, Government House, and Protestant Cay’s beaches and water sports are some of the city’s other highlights. Each week, several cruise ships visit the harbor in Christiansted.
 The sole location where Christopher Columbus set foot on United States territory is a marker at the Salt River Bay National Historic Park, located about five miles west of Christiansted. It is currently an ecological reserve and a popular spot for kayak tours through the mangroves; the night bioluminescence cruises offered by Virgin Kayak Tours are particularly sought after.
Day 13 - Heritage Trail, St. Croix
The St. Croix Heritage Trail is a self-guided driving trip that covers a total distance of 72 miles and visits various of the island’s natural and historical landmarks.
Along the path connecting Frederiksted and Christiansted, there are road signs that direct you north to Hamm’s Bay in the west and east to Point Udall, the easternmost point in the United States. The Heritage Trail passes through tropical woods, cattle land, and old coastal cities as it weaves along with the coast’s picturesque scenery.
This is a beautiful way to explore some of the most popular destinations on St. Croix on your own, such as the Estate Whim Plantation Museum, the beautiful St. George Village Botanical Garden, and Fort Frederik.
Annaly Bay Tide Pools, St. Croix
Those with a passion for the outdoors and a thirst for adventure will adore the strenuous descent to the Annaly Bay Tide Pools.Â
At the end of the walk, about 2.5 miles long, hikers will be rewarded with a view of natural pools of saltwater along the rockface that lead into the Caribbean. Following a refreshing swim and some time spent taking in the sights, you will resume your ascent back to the trailhead.
Bear in mind that this is going to be a challenging experience, but one that is also going to be very rewarding.
Day 14 - Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge
The Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge is the place to go if you want to avoid the crowds while enjoying an unspoiled length of beach and sea.
The refuge is approximately 15 kilometers to the southwest of Christiansted and boasts a stretch of beach two miles long and features stunning white sand and turquoise water. In addition to many different kinds of birds, the refuge provides protection for leatherback sea turtles.
Before you go during the turtle nesting season, make sure you check the opening times, as the facility is only open on specific days of the week (usually Saturday and Sunday). As there are no amenities in this area, you will need to bring all your necessities, including food, water, and sun protection.
The Shawshank Redemption fans would likely find it interesting to learn that the film’s closing sequence was shot on this beach.
KEY TAKEAWAYS ...🛪
Following the completion of our itinerary for the United States Virgin Islands, you should now have an idea of what to anticipate during your trip to the beautiful Caribbean Islands.
These islands, which are located between the North Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, are approximately fifty islands and cays, the largest of which are St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John. You’ll have put your talents as an explorer like Indiana Jones to the test and your capacity to appreciate the natural beauty that abounds in this part of the United States of America.
Be sure to note when you want to go, and remember that even though it may be raining outside, you can still do many of the things stated here without too much trouble. It may even make things better!
 Remember to bring a camera with you and shoot as many pictures as possible in one of the most picturesque, naturally gorgeous, and exciting settings found in any place in the world. Try as much as you can, whenever you can, and you’ll have a great time!
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