The U.S. Virgin Islands are part of the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean and consist of three main islands and many smaller islands. The three main U.S. Virgin Islands are Saint Thomas, Saint Croix and Saint John which all have their own individual personalities and features. A few things they all have in common are warm hospitality, pristine white sand beaches and abundant coral reefs and gardens.
The climate of the U.S. Virgin Islands is glorious for a vacation all year around, though there is slightly more chance of rain from September to November. The season is considered to be from October through to the end of June, avoiding the hotter months. If you are choosing a honeymoon destination, you could not select a more tranquil or romantic place than the U.S. Virgin Islands, particularly the lesser developed island of Saint John.
Trunk Bay Beach on the island of Saint John has been voted in the top ten beaches of the world time and time again. The combination of caster sugar white sand, crystal clear turquoise waters fringed with an abundant coral garden and lack of resort hotels and commercialism is hard to find. Around 60% of Saint John Island plus acres of its coral gardens are owned by the U.S. Virgin Islands National Parks who are protecting and preserving beaches and areas of natural beauty like Trunk Bay.
At Maho Bay on Saint John Island there is a camp that is probably the most praised ecotourism camp in the world, allowing visitors to enjoy a vacation in a beautiful destination they would otherwise never have a chance to experience.
In 1976 they built 8 tent cottages by hand, and raised them on platforms to preserve the natural environment and beaches so protecting the coral. They created a network of walkways using the same method, and with encouragement from the U.S. Virgin Islands National Parks, the tent cottages now number 114. Rather than spending hundreds of dollars per night to stay in a resort hotel, a private twin bedded room at Maho Bay Camps costs around $70 per night.
Each U.S. Virgin Island presents its own Carnival, which lasts for a whole month, and 2012 marks the 60th anniversary of Carnival on the U.S. Virgin islands so expect it to be even more spectacular than usual. Saint Croix have their Carnival through December and early January, Carnival on Saint John is in June, ending with a huge parade on the 4th July and on Saint Thomas this year Carnival begins on March 31st and runs right through to 28th April when it will end with a fireworks extravaganza.
Saint Thomas Island is perhaps more developed than the other U.S. Virgin Islands with more resort hotels and facilities, but they too have managed to preserve that natural element which makes these islands so unique. There is a great little guest house just five minutes from the busy port town of Charlotte Amilie that costs around $78 per room on the Crown Mountain Road, with breathtaking views over the town and bay below. Rooms have television, self-catering facilities, and all the other facilities you would expect to find in any hotel. This makes a family vacation here more than possible, and where better than those glorious uncrowded beaches and clear waters for your children to play.
You can charter a private boat from any island, or join a one day cruise around the islands making various snorkeling stops at scenic locations. Fishing trips run daily from all the islands, and scuba divers are very well catered for. The Coral World Undersea Park and Observatory on Saint Thomas is one of the island's top attractions, featuring close up encounters with coral reef inhabitants including sharks and rays. They have a semi-submarine which is a great idea for non-swimmers and toddlers to see the marine life without struggling with a snorkel, or even getting wet! Coral World also has seal performances and other island wildlife on display.
Saint Croix Island is the biggest of the U.S. Virgin Islands and is perhaps the best choice for scuba divers with the Buck Island Reef. The reef here is even marked with buoys to guide divers who are unfamiliar with the area, and inexperienced divers find this very helpful. Saint Croix also has a lemon shark nursery which is monitored by students.
Cheap island vacations can be found and cheap does not need to mean poor or tacky. Where better than a paradise like the U.S. Virgin Islands to spend a vacation! Ecotourism is now becoming more popular, and for a vacation where you want to spend your time enjoying the natural environment of your chosen destination rather than the artificial surroundings of a resort hotel, the U.S. Virgin Islands are worth every minute of your consideration.
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