20 Fun Things to Do on the Islands

St. croix

1. Visit a historic rum distillery
Tour Cruzan Rum Distillery, located on the site of an 18th-century sugar plantation. Learn about the distilling and barreling process. End your visit with generous samples of flavored rums!

2. Zipline through the rainforest
Get your pulse racing and marvel at the amazing views with Carambola Zip Line. This eco-friendly canopy tour through the St. Croix rainforest includes three distinct zip lines, reaching speeds of up to 40 mph.

3. Play at Rainbow Beach
At Rainbow Beach, sit back and sun in a rented chair from West End Water Sports or hit the water with kayaks and jet skis. Next door, the lively Rhythms at Rainbow Beach dishes up island eats, boozy Painkillers and live music.  

4. Kayak in a bioluminescent bay
Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve boasts archeological ruins and lush mangrove forests. Take a nighttime paddle in a clear kayak with Sea Thru Kayaks VI as billions of bioluminescent organisms illuminate the bay from below.

5. Try a local lager
Uniquely USVI brewery Leatherback Brewing Co. specializes in IPAs and
lagers made with Caribbean-grown ingredients and purified rainwater. Sit
indoors or out, and enjoy frequent events like trivia, bingo and live music.

6. Parasail over the cays
Soar up to 500 feet above the water with Parasail Virgin Islands. A specialty parasailing boat will keep you tethered as you take flight. Also available on St. Thomas and St. John!

7. Feast across Christiansted
Savor the flavor of downtown Christiansted with Virgin Islands Food Tours. Sample local bush tea, traditional Crucian dishes and cooling ice cream at six popular stops. Schedule this experience early in your stay so you can revisit your favorites!

8. Explore the Christiansted Boardwalk
Boutique shopping, local restaurants, waterfront views and the vibrant diversity of USVI are on offer at the Christiansted Boardwalk. Locals mingle with tourists and music spills onto the walkway day and night at this lively community hub.

St. John

9. Discover Virgin Islands National Park
Hike hilly terrain, explore sugar plantation ruins and uncover ancient petroglyphs inside Virgin Islands National Park. Then, swim the Trunk Bay Underwater Snorkel Trail and relax by the clear, blue water on the white sands of Cinnamon Bay Beach.

10. Paddle the day away
Get the gear you need for long days in the surf at SUP St. John. They’ll deliver stand-up paddleboards right to your hotel for the week, so you can paddle at your leisure. First timer? They offer lessons, too!

11. Sip at sunset
Perched on a hillside in the shadow of an 18th-century plantation ruin, The Windmill Bar overlooks sparkling Hawksnest Bay. Sip island drinks and catch stunning sunset views, accompanied by frequent steel pan and Caribbean music.

12. Tour St. John’s top spots
Star Fish Tours & Taxi curates a guided excursion just for you. Marvel at sensational views from Bordeaux Mountain, or get a local’s perspective on historic sites like the Annaberg Sugar Plantation.

13. Take a catamaran tour
Explore the water around St. John with a catamaran or speed boat tour from Cruz Bay Watersports. Snorkel a secluded coral reef and feast at a floating taco bar. Or sail at sunset with handcrafted cocktails and chef-made hors d’oeuvres.

St. Thomas

14. Swim with dolphins
Get a shark’s-eye view at Coral World Ocean Park. Swim with dolphins or sea lions, walk along the sea floor to spot colorful parrotfish, and watch reef life at the Undersea Observatory.

15. Try the original banana daiquiri
Order a world-famous banana daiquiri and bring it over to the observation deck at Mountain Top for views of 15+ islands and Magens Bay. Shop for clothes, jewelry and souvenirs in the enormous gift shop before you leave.

16. Ride a tram to paradise
The Skyride to Paradise Point tram will carry you 700 feet up to Paradise Point, boasting epic views of St. Thomas Harbor and historic downtown Charlotte Amalie. Sip a Baileys Bushwacker and browse for mementos at the summit.

17. Lounge on an idyllic beach
The white sands, blue waters and green hills surrounding Magens Bay Beach make it one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Relax on a rented lounge chair and cool off in the surf of this protected bay.

18. Enjoy the views from Drake’s Seat
Legend has it that Drake’s Seat was the place where privateer-turned-pirate Sir Francis Drake kept his eyes peeled for signs of the Spanish Armada. Drive to this hilltop for a panoramic view of Magens Bay and surrounding islands.

19. Take a personalized Jeep tour
See everything on your wish list with a customized tour by Island Life Jeep Tours. Your driver will chauffeur you to historic sites, scenic outlooks and pristine beaches based on your preferences. Complimentary drinks are included!

20. Experience life on the high seas
Explore shipwrecks and the rough seafaring life at the Pirates Treasure Museum. Tour exhibits of artifacts rescued from deep-ocean and USVI shipwrecks, such as pirate weapons, gold doubloons and ships’ bells.

Find even more things to do in USVI.