The US Islands you don't know about - Part 1
- xtravelinggingerx
- Feb 1, 2022
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 11, 2022
The US Virgin Islands are the Caribbean hideaway you have to visit! Consider these islands the East coasts version of Hawaii. Away from all the glam of Puerto Rico, but with the charm & private beaches of the tropics, these islands are an enchanting get away for everyone.
THE THREE MAIN ISLANDS
So, you've decided to take my advice & plan a trip to the Virgin Islands of America. Fun Fact: as a US Citizen, all you need to travel to the islands is your driver's license! Thats right, no passport required. Although, there are some things that are most important when it comes to this US Territory...here is a little checklist to help you better understand where you are going & how to prepare properly!
While the breathing taking views & island vibes will sweep you away, there is a whole list of things your group needs to be aware of before takeoff.
1 Start with the basics...
There are three main islands: St. Thomas (has the major airport, ports, & tourist destinations), St. John (National Park & private beaches), & St. Croix (a combination of everything). Aside from the main three, there's also a chain of cays to visit. Water Island is the only island accessible by ferry (from St. Thomas). Buck Island Reef via St. Croix (more of a protected sanctuary than a vacation spot),Green Cay (also St. Croix) is only accessible by private boat or charter. Thatch, Norman, & Peter Island are some others sprinkled around St. Thomas & St. John. Be aware that some of these islands also rest on the line of the British Virgin Islands, so you might need to bring your passport!
2 COVID-19 protocols are in place for everyone, not just the Unvaccinated!
If traveling in a group, there can be those who for religious or medical reasons cannot get the vaccine...During the 2021 season it was hard to travel with those who were not vaccinated. Today in 2022, it has become almost irrelevant for many destinations, as to vaccination status.
We travelled in a group with two unvaccinated friends & a couple who had been fully vaccinated. When it came time to pack, we all had to be tested & registered with the islands before we could get our boarding passes.
Below is the link to register & submit your COVID19 test results.
This portal will provide all the information you need! Each group member needs to register separately, so...sorry couples but this information flies' solo! Once you have submitted your test, within no more than 5 hours you should receive your GREEN code (pictured below)! This code symbolizes to the airport & local municipalities of St Thomas that you are safe to travel across their boarder.
Please bring this email and your test results with you when traveling, as you will need to present them upon arrival in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Below is how your email will look...QR Code normally visible, I have hidden mine for protection purposes. It will also give you your 'status' whether you have been approved.
*Important to note*: When you step off the plane you will be herded into a line going to the main terminal entrance. US Coast Guard and Army will be there to help guide you. They will check ID's & the Green QR Code, so have them ready! The line moves fast so be prepared and please don't be a typical tourist, remember you're representing mainland USA people!
3 Transport on the island is tough so book your rental car ahead of time!
When I say transport is hard, I mean literally the roads are ROUGH here, so many drivers will be unwilling to drop you off close to your Airbnb. If you're staying somewhere away from the main areas, here is an ESSENTIAL list of things to keep in mind when it comes to transport:
> If you aren't staying near Magens bay, Charlotte Amalie, or Red Hook...you might get stranded a good half a mile from your accommodations, as we did.
> It is going to cost you more to get dropped off by a taxi. Taxis here usually charge a cover fee of $5 per person, & only accept cash. This means that a 10-minute drive is for 4 people could cost you upwards of $80. With luck you get a friendly taxi driver who will be gracious, or just try haggling?
> Jeeps are the most expensive car to rent on the island, so make sure you book one months in advance if that's the groups go-to. These are the best car to have on the island with the rocky terrain & cracking cement everywhere. Other SUVs are available, I highly recommend a Honda Tuscon, as ours got us down a pretty steep & cracked drive every day on St. Peters Mountain.
> DO NOT rent a golf cart on the main islands. (Water Island is of the only exception to this) A golf cart won't be able to make it anywhere scenic, trust me.
> GET INSURED...Many tourists think they will be fine on these island roads but what many travel sites won't tell you is this: 1. Cars drive on the LEFT side of the road, but drivers still on the left side of the car. 2. There is basically no speed limit anywhere. 3. The roads are terrible!! 4. Somehow, the drivers are worse. Just pay the extra bill for insurance so you don't get screwed over for a fender bender.
> You will need a separate car if you are flying to St. Croix, it is only accessible via plane or private charter.
> There is a ferry system for car travel to St. John but be aware of which ferry you book! The ferry schedule (St. John – St. Thomas Car Barge – Virgin Islands (vinow.com)) can be a bit confusing so pay attention: There are TWO ferries that run back & forth. The 'Red Barge' leaves opposite every hour that the other Island Ferry does.
So, say a group is trying to catch the 11:00 AM Red Barge, they pay for that time slot but miss the ferry itself...the next ship doesn't leave till 2:30 PM (although that payment is still good). While it is cheaper to book a round trip, consider how long everyone in the group wants to stay on the island.
> If Water Island is your destination, here is the ferry schedule ahead of time! The Ferry is punctual and only takes cash! $15 Per Person.
As mentioned above, a golf cart is one of your only options here as the island is small. There are some great things to see here though, so it is worth the money!
We used Rachels Rentals and it was a great experience!
4. Okay now moving on to Accommodations...
Congratulations, that great deal you just scored on Expedia for 4 nights, 5 days at the all-inclusive resort is a real winner! EH, not so much. Here are 4 reasons why:
A. You will be paying upwards of $500 a night just to sit on the beach & drink over-priced Pina Collada's. You could end up racking up a $2000 bill without having ever left the resort property. Lame? I think YES!
B. There are some properties more secluded that have 360 views of the island without the hefty price tag of resorts like Margaritaville or Emeralds. Yes, you might have to actually cook your own food, but once again you'll save upwards of $150 a night doing this.
C. Local restaurants and scenic destinations are not anywhere near the resorts themselves so you might end up cutting 30 minutes of drive time off your itinerary but staying further up or out on the islands. - We stayed on St. Peters Mountain, & it was only a 15-minute drive every direction to anything. -
D. The highly populated areas are actually semi-dangerous for tourists! With heavy traffic, crazy drivers, & crime problems, the dense tourist areas are riddled with harassment, petty theft, & assaults...especially late at night.
Moral of this story is discus what landmarks & sights everyone wants to see & pick an accommodation in the middle. If a beach or views are what everyone wants, consider all the islands together & narrow it down from there. Our group had gorgeous views of Magens Bay & Water Island, with a small kitchen & gorgeous deck. (Link Below, Chloe & Mike were fantastic hosts!)
Northside Retreat came to $1200 for 5 nights & 6 days, & we split between 5 people! Chloe & Mike were communicative the whole way, providing some bumps in the road here & there (literally). This Villa was worth every penny in the end, not just for the views but for the location & space.
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