If your idea of the perfect vacation includes visiting beautiful beaches, having cocktails in waterfront bars, and not having to learn a new language, then the Virgin Islands are an ideal choice. The island of St Thomas has direct flights from the US, and the islands of St John, Tortola and Virgin Gorda can be easily reached with regional airlines and ferries. Each offers plenty of snorkeling, water sports, hiking trails, pristine beaches and relaxed dining options. In short, there's something for every age and interest there.
For those travelers interested in immersing themselves in the destination, renting a vacation home may be a better option than staying in a resort hotel. You will find a good selection of luxury villas for rent and vacation home rentals in the Virgin Islands. Imagine having your morning coffee on a private terrace by your own swimming pool, watching the sun rise over the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.
The US Virgin Islands offers vacation rentals for most any taste. If you're looking for a place where you can walk right out onto the beach, North Shore on St John and Magens Bay on St Thomas offer luxury villas where the beach is your front yard. Or perhaps you’d like to be close to the action, in which case renting a home near Cruz Bay in St John might be the best option. If you'd prefer something more off the beaten track, you might choose a vacation home in secluded Coral Bay in St John
Most Virgin Island rental villas have amenities like large patios, private swimming pools, wifi, and fitness rooms. Some even have tennis courts.
If you long wake-up and walk onto a white sand from your luxury rental villa, then the US Virgin Islands is a perfect destination for you. From Turquoise Bay on St Thomas to Trunk Bay on St John, there are a large selection of vacation homes for rent that are on or are close to beaches
The islands of Virgin Gorda and Tortola lie within a few miles of St John and St Thomas. There is ferry service between all the islands so it's easy to visit them all during a vacation. Virgin Gorda is perhaps the most peaceful and least populated of the Virgin Islands, while Tortola has a major port and the bustling city of Road Town.
Perhaps you've always dreamed of whisking the love of your life off to a romantic, secluded villa in the British Virgin Islands. Maybe you've decided it's time to bring the whole family on an unforgettable vacation and you're envisioning renting a large private villa for rent with enough room for everyone to sprawl out. Whether you fall into either of these categories or somewhere in between, you'll have every want and need covered with a luxury rental villa in the BVI.
The BVI has gone to great lengths to keep its beaches pristine and uncrowded. Private beachfront villas provide breathtaking ocean views, immaculate lush tropical landscaping, and amenities perfectly suited to every type of traveler and lifestyle. Whether you're seeking seclusion or want to be in the heart of the action, you'll find it in a luxury rental home or villa in the BVI.
From Oil Nut Bay, where the beach puts you near the luxury Beach Club and colorful boutiques, to Long Bay, where both sunshine and solitude are plentiful, the islands' beaches offer up everything from sun-worshipping to sand volleyball.
The Virgin Islands are located 145 miles east of San Juan, Puerto Rico. There are four main islands - St. Thomas, St. John, Virgin Gorda, and Tortola - and all are part of the Leeward Island chain. The first two are governed by the laws of the US. The second two are governed by the laws of Great Britain. It is easy to travel between the islands as they are all within sight of each other.
The Virgin Islands combine both American and British culture and Caribbean beauty, food and climate. Here is a quick overview of each one:
The Virgin Islands are lovely year round. The driest season is between November and April, when high temperatures hover in the 80s and lows are in the mid to low 60s. The least crowded time of year is between May and August. Accommodations are also somewhat less expensive during this period. The rainy season spans September and October, so expect daily squalls if you are vacationing in the Virgin islands then.
There are two main entry points - St Thomas and Tortola. If you are traveling to US Virgin Islands, then you will fly into the Cyril E King Airport on the western side of St Thomas. To get to St John from there, you will take a taxi to Red Hook, then board a short ferry to Cruz Bay in St John.
There are many non-stop flights to St Thomas from cities in the United States, including New York City, Miami, Detroit, Toronto, Atlanta and Houston. Travel from Canada requires a change of plane en route. Travel time is approximately 4 hours from New York City, 2.5 hours from Miami and 6.25 hours from Toronto.
If you are traveling to the British Virgin Islands or Virgin Gorda and Tortola, then you will fly into the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport in Tortola (IATA: EIS, ICAO: TUPJ), previously known as Beef Island Airport. There are flights from the US and the UK into this airport. You can also fly into the Virgin Gorda airport, with airline service from Tortola and San Juan. There is ferry service between Tortola and Virgin Gorda.
For those who desire more on-site services and big hotel amenities, St Thomas and St John offer several excellent five-star luxury resorts. Some are beachfront, such as Ritz Carlton on St Thomas. Some are more secluded, such as Bolongo Bay on St Thomas and Caneel Bay on St. John.
Some of the luxury Virgin Island luxury resorts offer villas with five-star hotel amenities, such as the Westin on St John.
We understand that it can be difficult to choose between renting a luxurious vacation home or villa in the Virgin Islands or staying in a four star Virgin Island luxury resort. Both are wonderful options. We think a Virgin Island luxury villa or vacation home is great for larger groups, as well as couples who want a little privacy.
For groups of 3 or more people, renting a villa will give you a little more space, privacy and value vs reserving multiple rooms in a hotel. You will have a full kitchen where you can make at least some of your meals and avoid having to travel to a restaurant three times a day. You will also have a private pool, and lots of common living space to gather in.
On the other hand, a five-star Virgin Islands luxury resort offers nightlife, amenities and restaurants, just steps away from your suite. Unsure which option is best for you, just give our reservations department a call at 800-495-9961 and we’ll answer all your questions.
The good news is that there's a Virgin Island to suit almost any interest. To choose the island that's right for you, consider what you most like to enjoy while on vacation. Do you want a quiet beach where you can read a dozen novels during your stay? Are you looking for access to water sports or nightlife? Maybe you want a place that attracts a lot of families, so your kids and teens have other kids their age to interact with?
It's important also to look at individual vacation rental properties and the amenities they offer. In addition to the number of bedrooms and baths, look at whether the property has a pool, a full kitchen, access to a beach or other amenities that might make your vacation more enjoyable. Our villa rental specialists can listen to your specific needs, and then can advise you on the best available options.
That's a difficult question to answer, since dining is one of the primary attractions of any visit to the Virgin Islands. However, each has its unique array of dining options. St Thomas is the most populated island and, as such, offers many restaurant choices. St Croix, although a smaller island, also offers an array of ethnic and fine dining eateries. On St John, the dining options are more limited and most of the best restaurants are tied to the major restaurants. In the British Virgin Islands, Tortola offers the most restaurant options, followed by Virgin Gorda.
Food in the Virgin Islands combines the tastes and techniques of African, European (mostly Scandinavian and British) and Caribbean cooking. Popular dishes include conch fritters, freshly-caught fish and seafood, johnnycake (fried dough), beans and rice, and callaloo, a spinach-like green that is prepared in a number of ways. Like other Caribbean islands, rum is plentiful and made locally.
