Caribbean - Best island to go in USVI?

Thinking of going to USVI 2nd week of Sep. Assume hurricane season over by then.
Where should I go? Should I go to Saint Croix, Saint John, or Saint Thomas? How wasy is it to go between islands?

I like mix of beach and some city as well as enjoy food...

Thx!

Hurricane season goes until the first of December. Between St John and St. Thomas, there are hourly ferries, it's less than 30 minutes away. The St. Thomas-St. Croix ferry... well, it's seasonal and it's a long boat ride- fly between those two.

You can also go to the British Virgin Islands from St. Thomas.

If you want a mix of beach and city, I'd say just bounce between St. Thomas and St. John.

I spent my Honeymoon on St John, and loved every min. There is no city there, and the food choices are somewhat limited but I chose to cook in our villa most nights. St Thomas will have more in the way of city life, though it is not a big town Charlotte Amile that is. If you want to absoutely relax go all the way out to the east end of St John and rent a place. Very slow pace, and not many people. St John has incrediable beaches, and if you hit them early morning, or late evening you can practically have the beach to yourself. If you can rent a dingy you can hit the beaches that require a hike, and there will be even fewer people. The last poster is right, St Croix is about 30 miles away if I remember right so don't plan on convient ferries there. Hopping between St John and St Thomas is easy. I didn't stay on St Thomas, but did spend some time driving around there before we left. My personal preference is St John and I would not hesitate recommending a stay there.

Not even close -- St. John. Nicest beaches, prettiest island.

Agree with Zachary. And make sure that you get to one or more of the BVIs while you are there.

Not even close -- St. John. Nicest beaches, prettiest island.

+1 - We have been to St. John 17 times now and still love it. I have already booked our house for next May 16th - 25th.

+1 - We have been to St. John 17 times now and still love it. I have already booked our house for next May 16th - 25th.

Booked at both Marriott and Westin at St John. Which one is better?

Any recos on what to do while there? Will be there for 5 days. Assume should spend at least 1 day each on St Thomas and St Croix. Whats best way to get there?

Booked at both Marriott and Westin at St John. Which one is better?

Any recos on what to do while there? Will be there for 5 days. Assume should spend at least 1 day each on St Thomas and St Croix. Whats best way to get there?

Just stay on St John. Hopping to St Croix and St Thomas will wates valuable time, and St John is the best Island anyway. Plenty of things to do.

many beautiful beaches
sugar plantation
snorkeling
take a day sail
rent a dingy at Westin and snorkel all the great sites
lots of hiking as 2/3 of the island is a national forest
horseback riding on the east end
go hang out at skinny legs on east in
book a diving trip


plenty to do.

Just stay on St John. Hopping to St Croix and St Thomas will wates valuable time, and St John is the best Island anyway. Plenty of things to do.

many beautiful beaches
sugar plantation
snorkeling
take a day sail
rent a dingy at Westin and snorkel all the great sites
lots of hiking as 2/3 of the island is a national forest
horseback riding on the east end
go hang out at skinny legs on east in
book a diving trip

plenty to do.

Awesome! Any views on whether should rent a jeep? If so, any places better/cheaper than others?

I rented one so that I could get around at my pace and timeframe. It was worth the extra money to me. I rented on St Thomas and drove over on the ferry. I do not remember the agency though. It was several years agi, but if memory serves correct I think I paid around $350 for a 10 day rental.

Agree with Zachary. And make sure that you get to one or more of the BVIs while you are there.

+1 for this - the BVI are completely different to the USVI, in both good and bad ways. The BVIs are much less developed economically, although the tourist industry is one of (if not the) largest contributor to the economy.

Jost Van Dyke is a very easy ferry ride (or sail, if you're inclined) from the USVI, and has a few good options for a fun beach day. White Bay is lined with small guest houses and beach bars, including the Soggy Dollar bar, where the Painkiller* was invented, and my personal favorite, the One Love Bar.

Great Harbor has Corsair's, a fun bar/restaurant with great pizza (and other delicious things), as well as Foxy's, which is fun but about as close to a tourist trap as you can get in the BVIs.

Little Harbor is quieter and has a few homestyle restaurants.

There are many other islands in the BVI, and several useful websites with guides and detailed information. Google is your friend!

*The Painkiller is the drink of the BVIs. It's a delicious warm-day cocktail - but be careful, it goes down VERY easily! You can knock back several before you really know it.

Two (to four, depending on taste) part(s) Pusser's navy rum (you can use any black strap/navy-style dark rum, but Pusser's is the original rum of the British Navy, I believe)
Four parts pineapple juice
One part cream of coconut
One part orange juice
Nutmeg on top to taste
Serve over ice

although the tourist industry is one of (if not the) largest contributor to the economy.

I believe the offshore financial and insurance sector narrowly beats the tourist industry. My friends in Gibraltar and the Caymans refer to the BVI's as the "Wal-Mart of offshore jurisdictions"