Get Back to Nature With An Eco Experience on the Islands

The Department of Tourism looks forward to welcoming you to the U.S. Virgin Islands! Our recovery from last year’s storms has been very strong. Power has been restored, beaches and attractions have reopened, restaurants are serving up extraordinary dishes, and the USVI spirit is as warm and inviting as ever. Airlines and cruise lines have returned to our shores, and many hotels, bed and breakfasts and condominiums are available to overnight visitors even as our rebuilding work continues. The USVI yachting industry is unrivaled, and we have wonderful villas to accommodate groups large and small. More hotels will open near the end of 2018, and we are confident we will have an even better tourism product. Please contact your airline, accommodations provider and/or travel advisor for specific updates before you travel. The best way to continue help the Territory is to visit us!

Dozens of national parks, preserves and refuges. Eco accommodations offering a perfect sustainable hideaway. Local cuisine in one of the many restaurants that support farm-to-fork initiatives. No matter what sustainable activity you choose to do in the U.S. Virgin Islands, you’ll feel like part of the environment and the local culture that we help preserve.

There are six national parks throughout the three islands. Some inland and some featuring amazingly bio-diverse reefs, like the Buck Island Reef National Monument located in St. Croix. But if you’re more into hiking, St. John alone has over 11,500 acres of protected land for you to feel in harmony with nature. Or take a trip to the past with the preserved 19th-century fortifications of Hassel Island in St. Thomas.

The Virgin Islands offer several options in terms of eco-friendly properties and businesses, including dozens of eco resorts and villas, as well as restaurants and bars that grow their own ingredients and pick them right before serving to you.

The hardcore geo-tourist will also enjoy volunteerism projects such as beach cleanups, learning to grow your own food at a Green Globe certified farm and several other hands-on educational activities.

The U.S. Virgin Islands are proud of all they have to offer in terms of culture and nature. And preserving all through environmentally sustainable tourism and practices makes it not only more special, but long lasting, for generations to come.

Please visit usviupdate.com for more details.

National Parks

St. Croix – Buck Island Reef National Monument
http://www.nps.gov/buis

St. Croix – Christiansted National Historic Site
http://www.nps.gov/chri

St. Croix – Salt River Bay National Historic Park and Ecological Preserve
http://www.nps.gov/sari

St. John – Virgin Islands National Park
http://www.nps.gov/viis

St. Thomas – Hassel Island {Under Virgin Islands National Park}
https://www.nps.gov/viis/learn/historyculture/hassel.htm

St. John – Virgin Islands Coral Reef Monument
http://www.nps.gov/vicr

US Fish and Wildlife National Refuge

St. Croix – Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge
http://www.fws.gov/caribbean/Refuges/Greencay

St. Croix – Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge
http://www.fws.gov/caribbean/Refuges/Sandypoint

St. Thomas – Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge
http://www.fws.gov/caribbean/Refuges/Buckisland

Nature Preserves

St. Croix – Estate Little Princess
http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/caribbean/virginislands/placesweprotect/us-virgin-islands-estate-little-princess.xml

St. Croix – Jack and Isaacs Bay
http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/caribbean/virginislands/placesweprotect/us-virgin-islands-jack-and-isaac-bays.xml

St. Croix – East End Marine Park
http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/caribbean/virginislands/placesweprotect/us-virgin-islands-east-end-marine-park.xml

St. Thomas – Magens Bay
http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/caribbean/virginislands/placesweprotect/us-virgin-islands-magens-bay.xml

Territorial Parks

St. Croix – East End Marine Park
http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/caribbean/virginislands/placesweprotect/us-virgin-islands-east-end-marine-park.xml

Bioluminescence Bay Tours

Sea Thru Kayak VI
http://www.seathrukayaksvi.com

Virgin Kayak
http://www.virginkayaktours.com

Blue Flag Beaches

St. Croix – Pelican Cove

St. John – Trunk Bay

St. Thomas – Great Bay
http://www.blueflagusvi.org

Botanical Gardens

St. Croix – St. George Village Botanical Garden
http://www.sgvbg.org

St. Thomas – St. Peter Greathouse and Botanical Gardens
http://www.greathousevi.com

St. Thomas – Phantasea Botanical Garden
http://www.stthomasbotanicalgarden.com

Agro tourism

St. Croix – Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute {Ridge to Reef Farm}
http://www.ridge2reef.org

Eco Accommodations

St. Croix – Mount Victory Camp
http://www.mtvictorycamp.com

St. Croix – Northside Valley Eco Villas
http://www.northsidevalley.org

St. John – Cinnamon Bay
http://www.cinnamonbay.com

St. John – Concordia Eco-Resort
http://www.concordiaeco-resort.com

St. John – Eco Serendib Villa
http://www.ecoserendib.com

On Island Tips

Driving

Motorists drive on the left side of the street. All U.S. drivers can drive for up to 90 days with a current driver’s license. Driver and front seat passengers must wear seat belts at all times.

Cell Phones & Driving

Virgin Islands law prohibits the use of cell phones without an earpiece while driving. Please use an earpiece or you will be ticketed.