Introduction
If you are looking for a tropical vacation brimming with nature and culture, consider the Virgin Islands. The British Virgin Islands and US Virgin Islands are not only close to one another, but they also provide a similar experience. Both locations feature beautiful beaches and plenty of activities like sailing, hiking, and snorkeling. And if you need a break from lounging on the beach with your feet in the sand all day, there is plenty more to explore on these islands!
The British Virgin Islands & US Virgin Islands Locations
The British Virgin Islands are located east of the US Virgin Islands, and the US Virgin Islands are located east of Puerto Rico and west of the British Virgin Islands. The British Virgin Islands are part of the United Kingdom, while the US Virgin Islands are part of the United States.
Tortola (BVI)
If you’re looking for a place where you can enjoy the beauty of the Caribbean without being surrounded by tourists, Tortola is your best bet. The largest island in the British Virgin Islands, it’s known for its beautiful beaches and clear waters—ideal for snorkeling and diving. It also has several excellent restaurants with great food that won’t break the bank.
St. Thomas (USVI)
St. Thomas is a popular destination for tourists to enjoy the Caribbean’s best shopping, dining, and nightlife. Often overlooked by cruise ship travelers because of its smaller size, St. Thomas boasts beautiful scenery and an even better selection of goods than nearby St. John or St. Croix.
St. Thomas is home to the capital of the US Virgin Islands, Charlotte Amalie (also referred to as “downtown” or just “town”). You can find everything you need here, including galore banks, grocery stores, pharmacies, and souvenir shops! In addition to being a hub for locals’ everyday life – Charlotte Amalie also serves as a major tourism center where visitors will find great restaurants and bars located around town and plenty of activities like tours that leave from here too!
Virgin Gorda (BVI)
Virgin Gorda is a small island located in the British Virgin Islands. It has a population of about 3,930 and a total area of 8 square miles. The island is one of the larger British Virgin Islands and is known for its beaches.
Anegada (BVI)
Anegada is a smaller British Virgin Islands and one of the most popular places to visit. This small island has everything you would want in a tropical beach destination: white sand beaches, coral reefs full of colorful fish, and sea turtles that swim right up to you! If you’re looking for an off-the-grid vacation spot with few tourists around but plenty of amenities nearby, Anegada is a perfect choice.
Jost Van Dyke (BVI)
Jost Van Dyke is the smallest of the Virgin Islands and is only accessible by boat or plane. This makes it quite expensive to get there, but if you are willing to spend a little more money for a truly unique experience in the islands, Jost Van Dyke is worth it.
This small island has only 3 square miles of landmass, so there isn’t much room for anything other than beach resorts and restaurants. If your goal during your trip is to relax on white-sand beaches and enjoy yourself without worrying about making plans or navigating through busy streets or cities, this would be an ideal place for you!
St. John (USVI)
St. John is the smallest and most remote of the US Virgin Islands, so it’s no surprise that it’s also the least populated. The island is only about 5 miles wide and less than 8 miles long. But what it lacks in size, St. John makes up for in beauty: its beaches are pristine white sand; its hillsides covered with tropical flora; its waters aquamarine blue…the list goes on! If you like secluded islands where you can get away from civilization (aside from a few tourist attractions), then St. John may be your ideal vacation spot!
St. Croix (USVI)
St. Croix is the largest and most populous island in the United States Virgin Islands. It was named after Saint Croix, an island in France’s Brittany region, and has a population of 50,000 people. St. Croix’s capital is Christiansted, which has a population of 2,600 people and hosts some historic buildings from both Danish rule (from 1666 to 1917) and American rule (from 1917 to 1948). One such structure is Fort Frederik, which today houses shops selling local artisans’ wares.
St. Croix also hosts several other attractions:
- The St. Croix Heritage Park preserves several old plantation houses from 18th century colonial times;
- The Cruzan Rum Distillery offers tours that allow visitors to taste rum made on-site;
- In addition to these cultural sites, there are others dedicated to preserving natural resources. You can explore nature trails or snorkel at Buck Island Reef National Monument.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we’re not sure which islands are better overall—but we can tell you this: they offer excellent dining opportunities with beautiful scenery and marine life that will make your jaw drop! So whether it’s St. Thomas or Tortola Island, where your final destination lies – rest assured paradise await those lucky enough to visit them.
