U.S. Virgin Islands Attractions

Unique U.S. Virgin Islands attractions include the historic town of Christiansted on St. John and Coral World Ocean Park on St. Thomas.

Noteworthy regular attractions include 44 public beaches, but it has only three golf courses, one on St. Thomas, two on St. Croix and none on St. John.


Any list of attractions starts with the well-known, duty-free shopping in the capital city of Charlotte Amalie. It is the most popular draw of eastern Caribbean cruises that reach the island.


For nature lovers, the Coral World Marine Park & Observatory at Coki Point has a tropical nature trail, marine gardens aquarium, coral reef tank and an underwater observatory. $4


For history lovers, the sites include Fort Christian, the oldest structure in the Virgin Islands and dating from 1762; Blackbeard's Castle at Charlotte Amalie harbor; and Government Hill, with sites including Government House, 99 Steps, Crown House and Seven Arches Museum.


The 704 acres of Buck Island and the surrounding waters were established as a U.S. national park in 1961. It is one of the few fully protected marine parks in the U.S. national park system. Visitors can snorkel the famous underwater trail and view the coral reefs.


The Heritage Trail tour is a 72-mile ride that connects many of the island's historical and natural sites. Shopping, dining and more history can be found in the largest towns, Christiansted and Frederiksted.


Virgin Islands National Park includes more than 9,500 acres of land on St. John and an underwater reserve that makes up 5,650 acres of the total. The park is filled with numerous human and natural history experiences including diving, snorkeling and sailing, an underwater trail at Trunk Bay and hiking at the Reef Bay Trail. Beaches include Hawksnest Bay, Trunk Bay and Cinnamon Bay. Bus and car tours also are available.


St. John historical attractions include the Elaine Lone Sprauve Library and Museum, the Ivan Jadan Museum and the Annaberg Sugar Plantation. Visitors to St. Thomas can take a 20-minute ferry ride to reach St. John.


Popular St. Croix beaches include Cane Baye, Chenay Bay and Coakley Bay. St. John beaches include Cinnamon Bay, Francis Bay, Francis Bay and Hawksnest. St. Thomas beaches include Magens Bay, the island's most popular beach, Coki Beach, Lindquist Beach and Bolongo Bay.


St. Croix is the place for golf with two 18-hole and one nine-hole courses. Buccaneer Golf Club is a par 70, 18-hole course encompassing 5,668 yards. Carambola Golf Club was built by Laurence Rockefeller and designed by Robert Trent Jones. The Reef Golf Course is a nine-hole, par-35 course with a driving range. St. Thomas has Mahogany Run Golf Course, an 18-hole course designed by George and Tom Fazio. $$


The skyride takes 24 passengers every seven minutes 700 feet above Charlotte Amalie to the top of Flag Hill for views of the islands. Shopping and dining are available at the top. $$