The Virgin Islands are not a single destination but an island group in the northeastern Caribbean. Choosing the right island (or combination of islands) depends on what you want most from your trip: easy access and lively coastal towns, quiet nature and protected beaches, or a sailing-focused itinerary built around short hops between islands.
This guide focuses on practical differences rather than ranking islands from best to worst. The goal is to help you choose destinations that match your travel style, timeline, and preferred pace.
This page highlights the most popular and most practical destinations across the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) and the British Virgin Islands (BVI). For activities and day-by-day ideas, continue to Things to Do in the Virgin Islands. If your planning depends on ferries, flights, and getting between islands, the Transportation Guide for the Virgin Islands is the next step.
Which Virgin Island Is Right for You?
If you want a simple first visit with plenty of services, the USVI is often the easiest starting point. If your priority is sailing, island-hopping, and smaller island atmospheres, the BVI tends to fit better. Many travelers combine both groups, but it helps to decide what your “base” will be before you book accommodation.
- Best for first-time visitors: St. Thomas (USVI) as a convenient base with transport links and a wide range of places to stay.
- Best for nature-focused trips: St. John (USVI) for protected landscapes and a slower pace.
- Best for a quieter, local feel: St. Croix (USVI) with more space and a distinct island identity.
- Best for sailing and island-hopping: Tortola (BVI) as the main hub for moving around the British Virgin Islands.
- Best for iconic scenery: Virgin Gorda (BVI) for dramatic coastal landscapes and memorable day trips.
- Best for laid-back beach days: Jost Van Dyke (BVI) for a relaxed, small-island vibe.
- Best for remote, uncrowded shorelines: Anegada (BVI) for an off-the-beaten-path atmosphere.
Top Destinations in the United States Virgin Islands (USVI)
The United States Virgin Islands include St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. This group is known for convenience, established visitor infrastructure, and a wide range of accommodation styles. It is a practical choice for travelers who want a Caribbean setting with straightforward logistics.
Before you choose, it helps to check the wider travel picture: see About the Virgin Islands for an overview of how the USVI and BVI differ, and use Visa & Entry Requirements for the Virgin Islands if your itinerary crosses between jurisdictions.
St. Thomas
St. Thomas is often the most convenient gateway to the Virgin Islands and a practical base for travelers who want variety. The island combines busy coastal areas, scenic hillside viewpoints, and quick access to nearby beaches and boat excursions. It’s a strong match if you prefer having many dining, shopping, and nightlife options within easy reach.
Compared to St. John, St. Thomas offers more nightlife and shopping, while St. John focuses more on nature and protected areas. This makes St. Thomas a practical choice for travelers who want a mix of daytime beach time and evenings with more options close by.
St. Thomas also works well for travelers who want to keep planning simple: it offers multiple accommodation styles and is a common starting point for day trips to smaller cays and nearby islands. If your trip involves moving around frequently, confirm transport options early using the Transportation Guide for the Virgin Islands.
To plan beach time and coastal spots, continue to Beaches in the Virgin Islands. For evening plans, see Nightlife in the Virgin Islands.
St. John
St. John is the best-known choice in the USVI for travelers who prioritize nature, coastal hiking, and a quieter island rhythm. Large areas of the island are protected, which helps preserve the landscape and keeps the overall feel more low-key than St. Thomas. It’s ideal if you want days built around beaches, short trails, and time on the water rather than a busy town scene.
St. John is also a strong fit for travelers who prefer simple, experience-led itineraries—think early mornings, long beach afternoons, and unhurried evenings. For practical suggestions on how to structure your days, use Things to Do in the Virgin Islands.
If you are choosing St. John primarily for shoreline time, the beaches section is the most useful next read: Beaches in the Virgin Islands.
St. Croix
St. Croix tends to appeal to travelers who want a more spacious island experience and a distinct local identity. As the largest of the USVI main islands, it offers a different rhythm—often quieter, less cruise-oriented, and more varied in landscape. It can be a good choice if you want to mix natural areas, cultural stops, and a slower travel pace without constantly changing locations.
If you enjoy exploring beyond beaches, St. Croix is a practical place to focus on land-based sights and local food culture. To support planning, review Food & Drink in the Virgin Islands and the Is the Virgin Islands Safe for Tourists? page for practical considerations.
Top Destinations in the British Virgin Islands (BVI)
The British Virgin Islands are often associated with sailing, island-hopping, and smaller island atmospheres. Many visitors choose the BVI when they want to spend time on the water, move between islands by short transfers, and experience a quieter feel compared with larger, more developed Caribbean hubs.
Because the BVI itinerary can involve more moving parts—ferries, short flights, water taxis, and marina connections—the Transportation Guide for the Virgin Islands is especially helpful if the BVI is your primary focus.
Tortola
Tortola is the main hub of the British Virgin Islands and typically the most practical base for first-time BVI travelers. It has the widest range of services in the BVI, strong transport connections, and easy access to nearby islands. Tortola suits travelers who want flexibility—day trips, sailing routes, and short hops to other destinations—without changing accommodation too often.
If you’re building an itinerary around Tortola as a base, pair this page with Hotels in the Virgin Islands and Travel Tips for the Virgin Islands.
Virgin Gorda
Virgin Gorda is a standout destination for travelers who want iconic scenery and memorable day trips. The island is well known for dramatic coastal landscapes and calm bays that make it easy to create a relaxed, photogenic itinerary. It’s a good match if you want a quieter base than Tortola but still prefer reliable access to key experiences.
For trip ideas and planning sequences, use Things to Do in the Virgin Islands. If your priority is shoreline variety, the best supporting page is Beaches in the Virgin Islands.
Jost Van Dyke
Jost Van Dyke is small, casual, and built around an easygoing beach culture. It’s best for travelers who want simple days—short swims, beach stops, and unhurried evenings—rather than a packed itinerary. Many visitors experience Jost Van Dyke as a day trip or a short stay as part of a larger island-hopping route.
If your plans include evenings and social spots, the most relevant supporting section is Nightlife in the Virgin Islands. For practical movement between islands, use the Transportation Guide for the Virgin Islands.
Anegada
Anegada feels different from the rest of the BVI because it is flatter, more remote, and generally less visited. It suits travelers who prefer quieter shorelines, a slower pace, and an “escape” feeling. Because services can be more limited than Tortola or Virgin Gorda, planning is more important if Anegada is a key stop on your route.
To plan comfortably, check Travel Tips for the Virgin Islands and consider reading the safety guidance in Is the Virgin Islands Safe for Tourists?.
How to Combine Islands in One Trip
Many travelers get the best experience by combining destinations with complementary strengths. A common approach is to choose one island as a base for a few nights and then add a second destination for contrast—for example, a more convenient island paired with a quieter, nature-oriented one, or a land-based base paired with a short island-hopping section.
If you want your itinerary to stay simple, build your plan around one jurisdiction (USVI or BVI). If you plan to cross between groups, confirm entry details on Visa & Entry Requirements for the Virgin Islands and check transport options using the Transportation Guide for the Virgin Islands.
Next Steps
Now that you know which islands match your travel style, continue to Things to Do in the Virgin Islands for activity-based planning and day-by-day ideas. For beach-focused trips, use Beaches in the Virgin Islands. If you are choosing a base, compare options in Hotels in the Virgin Islands.
If you prefer activity-based planning, continue with Things to Do in the Virgin Islands to build a practical itinerary around your travel style.
