Explore the Virgin Islands from St. Thomas | USVI & BVI Guides
Few places in the world let you visit two countries, a national park, and some of the most beautiful beaches on Earth in a single week. From St. Thomas, the entire Virgin Islands are within easy reach. Take a 20-minute ferry to the national park beaches and hiking trails of St. John, sip a Painkiller where it was invented at the Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke, climb through the giant granite boulders of The Baths on Virgin Gorda, and snorkel the sea caves of Norman Island, the real-life Treasure Island. Our Virgin Islands guides cover everything you need to plan your island-hopping adventures, from ferry routes, passports, and boat charters to the best beaches, snorkel spots, and beach bars in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. Explore by day, then come home every night to your own island retreat at The Berg on St. Thomas.
Your Home Base for Island Hopping
St. Thomas puts the entire Virgin Islands within reach, with ferries to St. John and the BVI, marinas full of charter boats, and the widest choice of dining and nightlife in the islands. At The Berg, you'll spend your days exploring beaches, reefs, and islands, and come home every night to your own private retreat.
Book Direct & Save: Get our best rates, plus personal recommendations for ferry times, trusted charter captains, and the best day trips across the Virgin Islands.
Two countries, dozens of islands, one perfect location.
The U.S. and British Virgin Islands sit side by side, but they're two different countries with different entry rules, governments, and personalities. The USVI offers easy travel with no passport needed for U.S. citizens, plus the widest range of dining and nightlife. The BVI is quieter, famous for sailing and legendary beach bars, and requires a passport. Staying on St. Thomas lets you enjoy the best of both.
USVI vs. BVI: What's the Difference and Which Should You Visit? →
Island Hopping: Ferries, Boats & Routes
Getting between the islands is easier than you might think. Ferries run from Red Hook and Charlotte Amalie to St. John, Tortola, and Jost Van Dyke, and private charters can visit several islands in one day. Our guide covers every route, what to expect at customs, and when a ferry or a private boat makes the most sense.
Island Hopping the Virgin Islands: Ferries & Routes from St. Thomas →
Passports & BVI Entry Requirements
A BVI day trip crosses an international border, so every traveler needs a valid passport, even for a few hours. Learn what documents you need, how to complete the BVI's online embarkation card, what customs fees to expect by ferry or charter, and the common mistakes that keep travelers stuck on the dock.
St. John: Love City
Just 20 minutes from St. Thomas by ferry, St. John is one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. Snorkel the underwater trail at Trunk Bay, swim with sea turtles at Maho Bay, explore the shops and bars of Cruz Bay, and discover the laid-back, off-the-grid charm of Coral Bay. No passport needed.
Virgin Islands National Park
More than half of St. John is protected as Virgin Islands National Park, with world-class beaches, coral reefs, more than 20 hiking trails, ancient petroglyphs, and the ruins of 18th-century sugar plantations. There's no general entrance fee, and it's one of the most unique national parks in the United States.
Jost Van Dyke: The Beach Bar Capital
Tiny Jost Van Dyke has a giant reputation. Wade ashore at White Bay for a Painkiller at the Soggy Dollar Bar, where the drink was born, visit the legendary Foxy's in Great Harbour, soak in the natural jacuzzi of the Bubbly Pool, and swim at postcard-perfect Sandy Spit.
The Baths, Virgin Gorda
The Baths is one of the Caribbean's most famous natural wonders. Giant granite boulders create a maze of grottoes, tide pools, and sunlit caves, and a trail with ladders and rope handholds leads through the rocks to beautiful Devil's Bay. Learn how to get there, when to go, and what the park's warning flags mean.
Tortola: Beaches, Rum & Mountain Views
The largest of the British Virgin Islands is an easy ferry ride from St. Thomas. Relax on Cane Garden Bay, find seclusion at Smuggler's Cove, tour the historic Callwood Rum Distillery, hike Sage Mountain, the highest point in the Virgin Islands, and explore the marinas of Soper's Hole and Road Town.
Norman Island: The Real Treasure Island
Said to have inspired Treasure Island, Norman Island is only reachable by boat. Snorkel into the sea caves at The Caves, explore the coral-covered pinnacles of The Indians, hike to the pirate lookout at Spyglass Hill, and end the day at the Willy T, a floating bar shaped like a pirate ship.
Best Beaches in the Virgin Islands
From Magens Bay and Trunk Bay to White Bay, Devil's Bay, and the remote shores of Anegada, the Virgin Islands have some of the most beautiful beaches on Earth. Our guide covers the 15 best beaches across the USVI and BVI and exactly how to reach each one from St. Thomas.
Best Snorkeling in the Virgin Islands
Swim with sea turtles at Maho Bay and Brewers Bay, follow the underwater trail at Trunk Bay, snorkel into the sea caves of Norman Island, and see the famous RMS Rhone shipwreck. Discover the 15 best snorkel spots in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.
Best Beach Bars in the BVI
In the BVI, the beach bars are a destination of their own. Sip a Painkiller at the Soggy Dollar, jump off the Willy T, taste rum at Cooper Island Beach Club, watch the tarpon at Saba Rock, and escape to Cow Wreck Beach Bar on Anegada.
BVI Boat Charters from St. Thomas
A private boat charter is the best way to experience the BVI. Visit The Baths, Norman Island, and Jost Van Dyke in a single day while your captain handles the navigation and customs. Learn about charter types, costs, fees, the best itineraries, and the questions to ask before you book.
BVI Boat Charter from St. Thomas: How to Plan the Perfect Day →
Best Time to Visit the Virgin Islands
There's no bad time to visit the Virgin Islands, but the best time depends on what matters most to you. Our month-by-month guide covers weather, crowds, prices, hurricane season, and the festivals worth planning around, from St. Thomas Carnival to Foxy's Old Year's Night.
Best Time to Visit the Virgin Islands: A Month-by-Month Guide →
The Virgin Islands are known for their crystal-clear waters, white-sand beaches, and laid-back island lifestyle, but beyond their natural beauty lies a rich and fascinating history spanning thousands of years.
Long before European explorers arrived, the islands were home to Indigenous peoples, including the Taíno, who lived off the land and sea. In 1493, Christopher Columbus sailed through the region, naming the archipelago the Virgin Islands. Over the centuries, European powers competed for control, transforming the islands into important centers for Caribbean trade, sugar plantations, and maritime activity.
Under Danish rule, St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix became known as the Danish West Indies, while neighboring islands such as Tortola and Virgin Gorda came under British control. The islands' colonial history was deeply shaped by the labor and resistance of enslaved Africans, whose descendants helped create the vibrant Caribbean culture celebrated today. Slavery was abolished in the British Virgin Islands in 1834 and the Danish West Indies in 1848.
In 1917, the United States purchased the Danish West Indies for $25 million in gold, establishing what we now know as the U.S. Virgin Islands. Today, the islands proudly preserve their unique blend of African, Caribbean, Danish, and British heritage through colorful architecture, historic landmarks, local cuisine, music, and lively cultural celebrations.
Explore Island History During Your Stay at The Berg
Staying at The Berg, a luxury vacation villa nestled in the hills of St. Thomas, puts you within easy reach of some of the Virgin Islands' most fascinating historic attractions. Wander through the charming streets of Charlotte Amalie, visit centuries-old Fort Christian, climb the famous 99 Steps, or take a day trip to St. John to explore historic sugar plantation ruins and ancient Taíno petroglyphs.
Whether you're passionate about history or simply curious about the islands you're visiting, discovering the stories of the Virgin Islands adds a memorable dimension to your Caribbean getaway. At The Berg, paradise isn't just a place to relax—it's a destination filled with history, culture, and adventure waiting to be experienced.