Diving off the coast of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Past, Present and Future of the U.S. Virgin Islands Transcript

Chef Digby Stridiron: Time. It has a different meaning in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It goes backwards, forwards, stops. St. Croix is rooted in history; so much of it still remains untouched.
Nellie O’Reilly: I remember running on these streets as a kid. This shop was right down there and opened the same year I was born. This is where the original Croixian hook was born. It’s the symbol of these islands, and I wanted to have my hands in that very same history. I want to be able to pass it down to my family, while still putting a new spin on it.
Chef Digby Stridiron: The U.S. Virgin Islands, they have an amazing culture that developed over time from all over the world.
Lisa Homsy: St. John feels so untouched. Being underwater is like another world. There’s no worries, there’s no stress; I can just escape. This is my happy place. My passion for scuba diving came at just being fascinated with the water and wanting to be a mermaid, and this is the closest thing I can get to achieving mermaid status.
(laughter)
Canadians just love being outdoorsy. We live for adventure, so we love anything hiking, being on the water, diving, snorkeling – and St. John has it all.
Chef Digby Stridiron: It’s like some spirit is protecting the islands and keeping them raw. The Moko Jumbie watches over the island. From up there, they keep the evil spirits away.
The nightlife in St. Thomas is absolutely amazing. There’s always something going on and everyone comes together to dance and catch a vibe. We’re always celebrating. We celebrate freedom, culture, food, smell, music – it’s always a celebration.
The people here are probably the most priceless thing because they keep the culture going. There’s so many different influences on these islands. Food from all kind of countries coming together in new dishes. All of us came from somewhere, but all of we call this home. The V.I. is a new melting pot. This is where the past and the future comes together.

Dive into the Culture, Nature and Beauty of the US Virgin Islands

The Carribean is home to some of the most culturally diverse and visually stunning islands in the world, and the US Virgin Islands is no exception. Boasting its very own brand of beauty, these historically rich islands are overflowing with offerings.

Buoyed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Carribean Sea lays a cluster of islands known as the US Virgin Islands. Like the rest of the Carribean, the US Virgin Islands have a diverse fingerprint owed to their colonial past. But, their history and culture are all their own, comprised of the varied travelers, inhabitants and visitors to the islands. Today, the main islands– St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix– welcome two million visitors per year, and with their rich history and stunning natural environment, it’s not hard to see why.

St. Croix

Start on the largest of the main islands, St. Croix, where you can experience the area’s historic Danish influence in Christiansted and wander through 18th-century buildings in the urban national park.

You’ll find plenty of natural beauty to explore, like the Carribean gem, Buck Island Reef, coastal hiking spots at Jack Beach and sea turtle spotting at Sandy Point. St. Croix is also home to the easternmost point of the United States, Point Udall. Hop in a car and drive there for bucket list bragging rights and stunning panoramic sea views.

Where to Stay:

Renaissance St. Croix Carambola Beach Resort & Spa

What to Eat:

For some of the best seafood in St. Croix, go to Duggan’s Reef. The ocean-front favorite has been serving islanders and visitors alike for 30 years.
Old World ambiance meets New World decor at Savant.

What to See:

Snorkel the reef at Buck Island.
Visit the Christiansted National Historic Site.
Get your hands dirty by volunteering at Ridge to Reef Farm.

St. Thomas

It’s not just the cultural roots that run deep in the US Virgin Islands, it’s also the water.

With hundreds of unique dive sites throughout the area, St. Thomas boasts some of the best diving opportunities in the world. From spectacular reefs to shocking shipwrecks, there’s almost as much to see below the water as on the land. When you’re done diving, explore the territorial capital, Charlotte Amalie, where you can visit Blackbeard’s Castle, climb the 99 steps or take the Skyride aerial tram to Paradise Point. If you’ve got a car, be sure to take a drive through St. Thomas for unmissable landscapes and a panoramic harbor view.

Where to Stay:

What to Eat:

Carribean flavors meet fine dining at Old Stone Farmhouse.
For Carribean food with a more classic feel, go to Sugarcane Grille.

What to Do:

Try your hand at paddleboarding at St.Thomas’ most popular beach, Magens Bay.
If you’re down to dive, contact an expert in the area like Admiralty Dive Center.
For incomparable views, hike Paradise Point in St. Thomas, or better yet, take a skyride via Paradise Point tram.

Aerial view of a beach in the U.S. Virgin Islands

St. John

The smallest and most untouched of the main islands, St. John offers natural beauty aplenty, and myriad ways to experience it.

St. John is where you’ll find the USVI’s most famous beach, Trunk Bay, named for the leatherback turtles of the region, known locally as “trunks.” While you’re there, follow the self-guided snorkeling trail, or choose to charter a boat for a luxurious day on the water.

Where to Stay:

The Westin St. John Resort Villas

What to Eat:

If you’ve got a boat, raft, paddleboard or kayak, venture over to Lime Out, a floating cottage/restaurant offering craft cocktails and crunchy tacos.
For light and healthy fares with an unbeatable view, visit The Longboard.

What to Do:

Take to the seas with a boat charter from Big Blue Excursions.
Visit the Virgin Islands National Forest for hikes, wildlife and thousands of acres of untouched nature.

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Dive into the Culture, Nature and Beauty of the US Virgin Islands

St. Croix

St. Thomas

St. John

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