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Banks
Bank opening hours are 9am–2.30pm, Mondays to Thursdays, with extra opening hours on Friday afternoons, 3.30pm-5pm. Banks are closed on weekends but there are ATMs located around the islands. Below is a selection of the major branches:
St Thomas
Banco Popular De Puerto Rico, Church Street, t 773 0077
Banco Popular De Puerto Rico, Veteran's Drive, Charlotte Amalie, t 774 2300
Bank of Nova Scotia, 214 C Altona Box 420, Charlotte Amalie, t 774 0037
First Bank Virgin Islands, 46A Estate Thomas, t 775 7777
St John
First Bank Virgin Islands, 90C Cruz Bay, t 776 6881
St Croix
Bank of Nova Scotia, 1156 King St, Christiansted St Croix, t 773 1013
Bank of St. Croix, 5025 Anchor Way, Gallows Bay, Christiansted, t 773 8500
First Bank Virgin Islands, 6A Strand Street, Frederiksted, t 712 1020 |
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Beaches
The USVI have many excellent beaches. Almost all have bright white sand, crystal clear waters and many are backed by palms and sea grape in classic Caribbean style. They vary from active strips with watersports and a backdrop of beach bars to charming hidden coves with untouched rainforest that descends to the sand and shoreline. Some more remote beaches cannot be reached by car and require a hike (Make sure you take all you need in the way of water and food). Others, the more popular ones, may be overrun for a few hours by cruise ship passengers. Ask around before going.
There are beach bars on many of the beaches, sometimes vendors with a container selling chilled drinks, but others have nothing at all. The more popular beaches have lifeguards, but this is by no means universal and will not be case on the remoter beaches.
St Thomas Beaches
Magens Bay
The best known and most popular beach on the island. A superb mile-long stretch of fine sand and coconut palms in a deep cove on the north side of St Thomas. Snorkelling equipment for hire, changing facilities, beach bars and restaurants along the beach. Gets crowded at weekends.
Hull Bay and Dorothea Bay
Isolated coves west of Magens Bay, used as a base by local fisherman. Nice local feel but the sand is a bit stony. The rougher waters at the western tip of the island attract surfers.
Brewers Beach and Lindbergh Beach
On the south side of St Thomas, either side of the airport, relatively free of crowds. Snack stalls and facilities nearby and a great place to relax in the week.
Morningstar Beach
At the Frenchman’s Reef Hotel, east of Charlotte Amalie, with plenty of activities and facilities. Snorkelling gear is available for rent to explore the reefs at either end of the beach.
Bolongo Beach, Cowpet Bay
Public beaches with hotels on the southern shore of the island. Water sports equipment available for hire and a variety of food on offer.
Sapphire Beach
Good snorkelling beach on the Atlantic-facing east side of the island. Amenities include a marina, restaurants and a beachside dive shop.
Coki Beach
Busy beach on the north east side of the island, adjacent to the entrance of Coral World. Good snorkelling (scuba dive shop), brightly painted stalls, beach bars and food stands.
Mandahl Bay
Quite a secluded beach, to the east of Magens Bay. Good snorkelling but the surf can get up.
Offshore Islands
To get away from it all, you might consider taking a trip to one of the offshore islands. Hans Lollick to the northeast, Great St James to the east and Saba and Buck Island off the south coast are all recommended. Watersports operators can organise transport. Make sure to take all you need in the way of food and water if you are not on an organised excursion. And book return transport!
St John Beaches
St John has some magnificent beaches, often quoted as amongst the best in the Caribbean. The sand is powdery soft and the sea excellent. The beaches are distinctly more secluded than the beaches on St Thomas, though this does not prevent crowds from building up on the more popular ones.
Trunk Bay
The most popular beach on St John, Trunk Bay has crystal clear water and sparkling white sand backed by coconut palms. There are modern and convenient facilities, including changing rooms, hire rooms and snack bars; and the beach has its own lifeguards. A snorkelling trail underwater gives you the chance to enjoy the array of coral and tropical fish that live in the waters.
Cinnamon Bay
Another lovely stretch of light sand with a campground hidden in the trees, so there are plenty of activities and watersports on offer, including kayaking, windsurfing and volleyball. A snack bar and changing room facilities are available.
Maho Bay and Francis Bay
Coves with excellent sand near to Cinnamon Bay. Both bays have a superb view out over the other islands and are easily accessible.
Salt Pond Bay and Lameshur Bay
Away from the crowds on the south coast of the island, good sand and calm water. There are no facilities nearby, so it is a good idea to take picnic and drinks if you plan to stay for the day.
Solomon Beach
A beautiful stretch of sand that requires a scenic mile-long hike, often deserted. No facilities.
Caneel Bay
Public beaches within Caneel Bay Resort, so access is however restricted over land. Seaside restaurants and facilities.
Gibney or Oppenheimer Bay
Secluded and charming small strip of sand west of Trunk Bay. Nearby are other thin strips of sand where you can usually find quiet spots to enjoy the beaches alone. No facilities.
Offshore cays
It is worth taking to trip out to one of the offshore cays, Henley Cay (out from Caneel Bay) and Lovango Cay (further out) are both recommended. Off Leinster Bay in the north is Waterlemon Cay, a short ride out from Francis Bay.
St Croix Beaches
Most of main beaches in St Croix have some development on them but there are also many isolated coves tucked in between where it is possible to find a secluded spot. The snorkelling is good in places and there are reefs close to shore. There are several beach bars at the western end of the island. Watersports are also available on many of the beaches.
Buck Island
The best beach in the area is actually an offshore island, a couple of miles off the north east coast of St Croix. The island is a National Park and there is an excellent snorkelling trail through the corals where it is possible to see a variety of colourful fish and even turtles.
Protestant Cay
The closest beach to Christiansted is on the small island in the bay. It’s just a couple minutes swim off the waterfront – or you can go by ferry. Watersports equipment is available to hire.
Beauregard Bay
Public beach at the Buccaneer Hotel, five minutes east of Christiansted. Food and drink amenities as well as rafts and beach chairs available to rent. Non guests are charged admission.
Shoy Point
One of St Croix’s most unspoiled spots, located on the south western tip of the island. Superb quiet half moon curve of luscious sand. No facilities.
Chenay Bay
Great beach for children due to its shallow calm waters. On the north coast. Facilities, hammocks and equipment for hire and watersports.
Cramer Park Beach
Popular beach on the north east top of St Croix. Good snorkelling but limited equipment available for hire so take your own gear. Changing rooms available.
Isaac’s Bay
Brilliant snorkelling beach which requires a walk from Jack’s Bay. Isolated and quiet, on the east of the island.
Grapetree Bay
Secluded strip of white sand on the south-eastern side of the island, not far from the Divi Carina Bay resort and Casino.
Sandy Point
A national Wildlife Refuge at the western tip of St Croix. Quite isolated and you will need to take your own food and drinks. Nesting ground for the leatherback and green sea turtles during May to July.
Cane Bay
Great views, snorkelling and diving in this beach on the north west coast of the island. A dive centre and bar and grill is located just off the beach. |
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Casinos
St Croix is the only one of the US Virgin Islands that allows traditional casino style gaming, St Thomas does however offer video gaming.
Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort in St Croix is the only casino on the island and has table games, live and video poker, simulcast race betting area and hundreds of slot machines |
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Check in/Check Out
As a general rule check out times are 12 noon and check in is not usually before 3pm, during which time the accommodation is made ready for new arrivals. The relative lateness of the check in is not usually a problem because the majority of international arrivals into the country are in the early to mid afternoon. Some properties may provide day rooms/shower facilities for departing guests if you are leaving after check out. Similarly, if you know that you will arrive on island before check in, get in touch and they may be able to have a room ready for you ahead of time. |
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Cruises
The Virgin Islands are among the most popular cruise ship destinations in the whole Caribbean, particularly the huge harbour in St Thomas on which Charlotte Amalie is set. It can see half a dozen or more ships a day. It certainly has the shopping and other facilities, if not the roads, to cope with the influx. Things are a little more leisurely on St Croix, where ships put in to both Christiansted and Frederiksted. No ships visit St John. It is possible to join a number of cruise lines in the US Virgin Islands.
The ships that put into the USVI are among the largest that travel around the Caribbean. However a number of smaller, more stylish liners also visit. These companies include SeaDream Yacht Club, Seabourn Cruise Line and Windstar Cruises. |
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