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See more pictures - Here
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Tour Operators
Plenty of US wholesalers and a handful of tour operators (UK and Europe) offer the US Virgin Islands in their programmes. On DefinitiveCaribbean we will be picking out the best of the travel organisers for you - operators that are Caribbean specialists and give the best levels of service, in all price ranges. They put the holidays together that may subsequently be sold to the public via travel agents. We are currently researching the best options.
In the UK and Europe, all tour operators should be bonded for your financial protection. They sell flight inclusive holidays under licence from government bodies such as the Civil Aviation Authority (UK). Some travel agents also have the required bonding and licences to put together flight inclusive holidays, and there are a few Caribbean specialists among them.
Message to Tour Operators, Wholesalers and specialist travel agents:
We invite any travel organiser working as a Caribbean specialist with a programme to the US Virgin Islands to contact us if we are not already in communication with you. Initially please email us for further details.
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Tourist Information
The Head Office of the USVI Department of Tourism is located at: PO Box 6400, Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas 00804, t 774 8784. There are information desks strategically placed around the islands at air and sea ports, including the tourist office at Cruz Bay, St John, t 776 6450. You will also find near limitless brochures and tourist magazines.
Information can be obtained in advance of travel from the tourist boards abroad:
UK: Power Road Station, 114 Power Road, Chadwick, London W4 5PY, t 020 8994 0978, donm@destination-marketing.co.uk .
USA: 1270 Av of the Americans, Suite 2108, New York, NY 10020, t 212 332 2222, usviny@aol.com . There is also a US freephone number, t 1 800 372 USVI
Canada: 703 Evans Av, Suite 106, Toronto, Ontario M9C 5E9, t 416 622 7600 |
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Weather
The US Virgin Islands have a subtropical climate and experience hot conditions throughout the year, the humidity tempered by easterly trade winds which whistle in off the Ocean most days.
The seasons are not like the summer and winter of the northern hemisphere. Instead there is a dry season between December and May and wet season from June until November. The wet season will bring a slightly higher incidence of passing showers but it is not that noticeable. Calmer waters prevail between April and August, meaning that underwater visibility is at its best for diving and snorkelling.
The US Virgin Islands do experience hurricanes from time to time. The most likely time for hurricanes is the middle of September but the season effectively runs from July to late October. Be aware that after a particularly bad hurricane hit, many hotels and villas may not necessarily be ready to open until several months afterwards. |
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What to Pack
Consider taking the following when heading out to the Caribbean:
Sun protection including high factor sun cream, sunglasses, hat/cap and a lightweight shirt/blouse/t-shirt for the beach; suitable beach and walking shoes; mosquito repellent containing DEET suitable for use all day; cream for insect bites; beach mat/towel.
Lightweight cotton is generally the best clothing, casual for the daytime, though you may want something a little more elegant for the evenings. Note that most good restaurants and top hotels require men to wear long trousers and shirts with a collar in the evenings. At Christmas and New Year people tend to dress up more and the most exclusive establishments may request a jacket and tie. Women may wish to pack a lightweight wrap or jacket during the winter months, as the evenings sometimes feel cool after the heat of the day.
The United States Virgin Islands are well stocked with batteries, and there shouldn’t be any problem getting camera film or batteries. Bring an electrical adapter if needed. Any prescription medication that needs to be taken on a regular basis should be carried in your hand luggage, and should remain in its original packaging for clear identification by Customs should they need to check contents.
Don’t forget your passport, driving licence and insurance (medical and travel) documents.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Definitive Caribbean is very grateful for the photographic contributions we received for the US Virgin Islands Guide. Contributions came from the US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.
Picture Editors, Alexander Gray & Will Orr |
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