Take a Picturesque Driving Adventure to the National Park

This will be one of the most scenic drives you have ever embarked on, with the 60-acre Virgin Islands National Park waiting to dazzle you with the mountainous landscape, spectacular panoramic views of Trunk Bay, Maho Bay, and Caneel Bay, and the lush forests in between winding roads and lookout roadside points. Accounting for nearly 60% of St. John’s total land, the iconic landmark is an excellent place to hike, cycle, trek, or just relax amidst profound natural scenery!

Bonus activities around the National Park:

• Climbing to 18th-century Annaberg Plantation, a scenic overlook providing mind-blowing views all the way to the British Virgin Islands and Waterlemon Cay, which, by the way, is an exceptional snorkelling spot with shallow, reef-fringed waters that are home to orange Cushion starfish, stingrays, and many more.
• Hiking the 4.8-kilometre (around 3 miles) Ram Head Trail, a rather demanding trek along the massive rock-dotted shoreline that will reward you with stunning vistas of the island’s southern top and even Puerto Rico on a good, clear day!
• Discovering the ancient petroglyphs and 18th-century ruins in Reef Bay, spanning around 3 km (2 miles). Beware of the steep terrain, though. In any case, expect to be mesmerised by idyllic ocean views and amazing flora.

Explore the Sugary Coastline and Find Your Personal Haven

Although all the shores adorning the USVI are absolutely heart-stopping, the popular ones are heaving with cruise ship crowds. On top of that, beaches like Magens Bay and Trunk Bay on St. Thomas and St. John islands, respectively, require an entrance fee to visit. Considering the incredible range of free shores available across the USVI, you can certainly stray away from the tourist maps and explore more secluded and peaceful dots along the coastline, such as Hull Bay (St. Thomas), Maho Bay (St. John), and Grapetree Bay Beach (St. Croix), which are also beloved spots for windsurfing, kitesurfing, and other waters sports.

Scuba Dive the Cane Bay Wall

A particularly popular scuba diving spot, the Cane Bay Wall soars over the north St. Croix shore and pleases diving enthusiasts with both slow-sloping areas and sheer vertical drops. The Wall drops over 4000 metres (13,200 feet), while the lovely coral garden enveloping the site is a fantastic place to check with a snorkel. Of the numerous ways to explore the Wall, two of the most common ones are exploring the shallow reefs to the east or diving along the wall to the west. A great experience for all dive levels, expect to find a rainbow of sponges, eagle rays, nurse sharks, eels, seahorses, green sea turtles, hawksbills, southern stingrays, and plenty of schools of tropical fish, along with 18th-century anchors and even carousel horses (aka Seabiscuit). Clearly an unforgettable endeavour worth taking!

Bonus: Another dive spot worth checking out is Cow and Calf Rocks on the southeast coast of St. Thomas, an imposing rock pinnacle that is well suited to beginner divers. More experienced ones could head to the underwater terrain of Sail Rock or French Cap Pinnacle for a more challenging venture.

Go on a Private Jeep Safari

If you fancy the idea of going off-road to discover more secluded US Virgin Islands treasures, including charming sugar plantation ruins, more peaceful nature trails, and remote shores, then a Jeep tour is right up your alley. There are a couple of tour agencies offering this kind of private experience on St. Thomas and St. John islands, which can also personalise the itinerary so that it fits your needs and desires. The tour could also be combined with other activities, such as snorkelling, swimming, or hiking, and are all led by professional and experienced tour guide drivers for your maximum gratification.

Embark on a Hike to Bordeaux Point

This can be a particularly soul-pleasing adventure if you make it a sunrise trek. Although not as high as Mountain Top in St. Thomas, Bordeaux Point is the highest peak on St. John island that can be reached via the 3.2-kilometre (2 miles) Bordeaux Mountain Trail. Take note, though, because the hike might seem like a short trek, but it is an ascent to almost 390 metres (around 1,277 feet). Once up there, nothing can sufficiently describe how flooded with emotions of gratitude and appreciation you will feel!

Bonus: If hiking is your cup of tea, then signing up for a guided trek with the Nature Conservancy will also allow you to learn more about the Preserve that protects the 301 acres of the natural habitats (both lush forests and sugary beaches) of hawksbill and green turtles around Isaac’s Bay and Jack’s Bay in St. Croix. You will also have the chance to see turtles’ nesting sites and even go for a swim or snorkel (if visiting the site in the off-season, from January through April) - a unique experience for sure.

Other Fantastic Activities to do in the US Virgin Islands

• Set sails for the uninhabited Buck Island off the St. Croix coast and visit the Buck Island Reef National Monument, have a picnic, snorkel, dive into the submerged lands on the site, or hike.
• Taste the Banana Daiquiri, the local rum, or head to the 1700s Cruzan Rum Distillery in St. Croix for a superb rum sampling experience.
• Volunteer on Ridge to Reef organic-certified farm in St. Croix rainforest. The place also enables you to sleep in solar-powered cabins and explore verdant lands, a tilapia pond, and many more, while also cooking in the off-grid kitchen or volunteering in the fields.
• Kayak or paddleboard into St. Croix’s bioluminescent bays in Salt River Bay National Historical Park with the magnificent mangrove forests and the high concentrations of dinoflagellates, the micro-organisms that make the waters light up!