Relaxing in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Are you ready to take a break on the white, sandy beaches and in the turquoise waters of the U.S. Virgin Islands? This year-round destination is the vacation spot whether you are looking to just relax on the beach, enjoy the water, or explore the islands of St. John, St. Croix and St. Thomas. Here are some ideas to get your imagination flowing as you plan your next vacation:

Blackbeard’s Castle. Legend has it that the great pirate Blackbeard used this Danish military watchtower as a lookout to spot potential ships to pillage. While the validity of the story is questionable, Blackbeard’s Castle in Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas is a National Historic Landmark that offers tours of the surrounding Skytsborg Historic Park as well as exhibits telling the story of pirating in the Caribbean.

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Buck Island. Just off of St. Croix on Buck Island sits the only marine national park in the United States. This is one of the better places to snorkel and scuba dive to see tropical fish and elkhorn coral off the barrier reef. After spending time in the water, take a stroll through the subtropical dry forest, or bask in the sun on its beautiful beach. Pack a picnic for lunch and make a day of it!

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Coral World Ocean Park. If you really want to experience the marine life of the Virgin Islands, plan a trip to Coral World Ocean Park on St. Thomas. Get up close and personal with rare sea turtles and sea lions, stingrays and sharks. Swim with the dolphins or just admire the rainbow colors of the live coral plants.

Estate Whim Plantation Museum. The Estate Whim Plantation Museum gives visitors a glimpse into the inner workings of an 18th century sugarcane plantation – an industry that once dominated the entire Caribbean region. Through its exhibits, you’ll see the inner workings of how sugar cane was cultivated and processed, understand the lives of the enslaved workers, and even get a tour of the factory complexes.

Cruzan Rum Distillery. It should come as no surprise that the biggest export of the region is rum, and the best place to learn the history and sample some rum would be the Cruzan Rum Distillery. Tours of the facility teach not only the history but also the distilling and bottling processes, ending with a tasting session of the various varieties of Cruzan Rum.

Fort Frederik.  Originally built to protect the Virgin Islands from piracy, Fort Frederik has historical significance: in 1848, over 8,000 enslaved people marched to the fort to demand their freedom. Tours of the site will shed light on the history surrounding the slave trade, the emancipation march and more.

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Trunk Bay. For a relaxing day on the beach, nothing can beat Trunk Bay – rated one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and part of the Virgin Islands National Park. Bask in the sun, snorkel the 225-yard-long Underwater Trail of reefs, or explore the park’s hiking trails and tour the Annaberg Sugar Plantation.

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Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge. Another beautiful beach in the US Virgin Islands is Sandy Point, where you can relax on the pristine beach and swim in its shallow waters. At night, though, make sure you visit the 400-acre natural habitat for leatherback sea turtles.

There is much more to see and do in the US Virgin Islands! Give Luxury Destinations Concierge a call at (805) 236-4437, and we’ll help you plan your dream vacation!