The Segmental Info System

Welcome to the Virgin Islands

This guide to the Virgin Islands is a great place to start planning the perfect getaway. Regardless of whether your tastes run to the traditional tranquility of the British Virgin Islands or the excitement of their U.S. counterparts, you'll find your dream vacation brought to life in these beautiful islands.

 

Hotels and resorts in The Virgin Islands aim to satisfy vacationers of all tastes and lifestyles. Whether you want to be pampered at an All-Inclusive resort or enjoy the independence of a rental property, you'll find accommodations perfectly suited to your travel plans. Dive resorts and national parks even offer plenty opportunities for visitors interested in Eco-Tourism...

 

The weather on the Virgin Islands is typified by bright sunshine and sultry heat. Even locals are shocked when rain falls. The average temperature is around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, while the climate remains consistent due to constant, cooling trade winds. Our comprehensive weather guide will teach you what to expect on your vacation to the Virgin Islands, including a month-to-month breakdown of normal weather patterns...

January May   September
February     June October
March July November
April August    
December
   

 

Credit and Currency

The United States Dollar is the accepted form of currency in both the British and U.S. Virgin Islands.  Many larger facilities also accept major credit cards such as Visa and Mastercard...

Customs

Shopping can be done duty free on the U.S. Virgin Islands, however there are some restrictions when you visit the British Virgin Islands...

 

Driving Passports
Electricity Postal Services
Embassies Telephones
Health and Medical Time Zones
Hours of Operation Tipping
Languages Tourist Offices

 

When you venture out of your rental property or hotel, you'll be sure to find a plethora of activities for everyone to enjoy. Nature lovers and those who stand in awe of local wildlife will find natural parks and zoos provide a perfect day trip. If you consider yourself a history buff or appreciate cultural attractions, the islands are home to several colonial-era forts that have been converted into museums for visitors to tour. Casinos provide visitors with exciting games of chance, while beaches often top vacation lists perfect for a dip in the ocean or a nap on the sand...

Casinos

The only casino in the Virgin Islands is at the Divi Carina Bay Resort on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands...

Beaches

All of the beaches in the Virgin Islands are free, except for Magens Bay Beach in St. Thomas.  Keep in mind that beaches in the U.S. Virgin Islands tend to be more crowded than their British counterparts...

 

Your dream vacation is closer than you think. From finding the most reliable information to tips on booking your trip to the Virgin Islands, we have everything you need to make this dream a reality...

When to go

The crowds that appear in the Virgin Islands during the high season are the most noticeable difference between seasons.  Prices of lodgings and restaurants also tend to go up during this time...

Clothing and Attire

More formal attire is expected in both the U.S. and British Virgin Islands than some of the other care-free Caribbean islands.  Comfortable and light-weight fabrics are key, but so is keeping covered up...

 

Making the most of all that the Virgin Islands have to offer means experimenting with different forms of island transportation. Traveling around the Virgin Islands can be an independent affair with the lease of a rental car, or a culturally-enriching experience by taking the bus. From taxis to bicycles to sailing and ferries, learn more about the options you'll encounter while traveling in both the U.S. and the British Virgin Islands...

Ferries and Boats

There are numerous ferry services available to transport vacationers between the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, as well as to some of the other nearby Caribbean islands...

Buses

Some of the smaller Virgin Islands lack in public transportation, but buses make for an affordable option of many of the most populated islands...

Taxis

For many American visitors, taxis will be unrecognizable to them.  Instead of yellow compact cars, cabs on the island are open air vans capable of holding up to a half a dozen passengers...

 

Regardless of whether you prefer the quick arrival of air travel, the languid luxury of a cruise ship, or the adventure of sailing your own yacht, you'll find a multitude of options for transportation that will take you just where you want to go, however you choose to get there...

 

 

Find the perfect hotel using our powerful advanced search tool.


 

The Virgin Islands is a place rich in history and cultural tradition. The area's earliest inhabitants date back to the Stone Age. Culture in the Virgin Islands today is influenced mainly by the heritage of Europeans and African slaves brought to the islands to fuel the sugarcane industry...

History

During the Stone Age, the Ciboney were the first group of people to occupy the islands.  Though little is known about this group of settlers beyond their use of stone for tools, we do know a little bit more about the next group of people who would inhabit the Virgin Islands...

Economy

The Virgin Islands relied on slave labor to keep the harvest of sugar cane a profitable one, but when slavery was abolished in 1792, islanders had to learn how to keep the economy afloat...

Crime

St. Thomas has the highest crime rate in the Virgin Islands, but there are things you can do to protect yourself and stay safe.  Don't walk the streets alone at night, utilize the safe at your hotel, and avoid driving in isolated areas...

 

It is hard to avoid water sports when vacationing in the Virgin Islands. The availability of thrilling activities in the Virgin Islands seems endless.  From diving and snorkeling to golf, these islands know to keep the excitement flowing...

Diving and Snorkeling

The Caribbean is one of the most popular diving and snorkeling regions in the world – and the Virgin Islands are no exception.  More than 60 islands make up the Virgin Islands chain, meaning that no matter where you dive in, you’ll experience something unique...

Fishing and Chartering

When you are on an island surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, it is only natural to want to spend time out on the water.  Plan a charter tour or a day of fishing during your Virgin Islands vacation.  Learn how here...

Events and Fesitivals

There is no better way to experience local culture and learn what is important to Virgin Islanders than by attending an annual event or festival.  Find out which events will be going on during your island vacation here...

 

Culinary Styles

There was a time when locals believed the culinary treats native to the Virgin Islands would be lost forever to the Americanized restaurants that began to overtake the area. Luckily, chefs from around the world came together to revive native dishes. Today vacationers can delight in traditional favorites, such as Souse, Tannia soup, and accra. An abundant amount of local seafood, like Anegada lobster, porgies, grunts, whelks, and conchs, enhance coastline dining. Drinks such as locally-produced Cruzan Rum and desserts flavored with delectable home-grown fruits top off every meal...

Restaurants

Visitors with an appetite will love the Virgin Islands. Every taste can be satisfied with roadside vendors, upscale dining establishments, and casual eateries. Finding that a 10 percent gratuity fee has been added to your bill is common, and if you want to get a seat at a restaurant on Virgin Gorda you'll want to be sure to make a reservation. Check out our restaurant guide for everything you need to know about dining on the islands...