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Virgin Island Information
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The U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John are America's foothold in the Caribbean. Here you can experience the caribbean lifestyle or have burgers & fries, just like home. These islands are known for their white sand beaches which attract many visitors. St. Thomas is the busiest island with its harbour full of cruise ships and large amount of shops. St. Croix is a bit quieter and although it also has its share of cruise ships and shopping it also has waving fields of sugarcane. St. John is quietest of all as 2/3rds of this beautiful island is national park. The British Virgin Islands...Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, Peter Island, Anegada and all the little islands in between are also popular tourist destinations...their waters attract sailors from all over the world... but maintain a more "laid-back" reputation. Both the U.S. and British Virgin Islands offer a taste of Caribbean paradise within familiar trappings.
Island Inns specializes in luxury hotels and villas throughout the Caribbean and the Bahamas.
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INFORMATION ABOUT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS
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BEACHES: All beaches in the USVIs are public, although access by land may be restricted, and there is a great variety from which to choose...white sand stretches and dead, calm water to lively Altantic waves. Because St. John's is 2/3 national park, it has some of the most unspoiled beaches. BetweenTortola and Virgin Gorda there is a vast selection of white, sandy beaches and they offer excellent snorkeling due to the numerous reefs. They are all public.
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SNORKELING AND DIVING: Because of the many reefs found in the Virgin Islands, snorkeling and diving are popular activities. Snorkeling can be done right off the beach in many places or you can take boat excursions to good snorkeling spots. There are famous dive spots in both the US and BVIs. There are wall dives such as the dramatic drop-off in St. Croix, countless reef dives, wreck dives such as the famous HMS Rhone (sunk in 1867) off Tortola, marine reserves, night dives and dives for beginners as well as experienced divers.
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WATERSPORTS: All watersports can be found in the USVIs from jetskiing, parasailing, kayaking towindsurfing. In the BVIs surfing andwindsurfing are the preferred watersports although you can also find all other watersports...sunfish, waterskiing, parasailing, kayaking.
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BOATING AND SAILING: Great sailing is a draw for visitors to the Virgin Islands. Take an afternoon, daysail or evening sail to explore one of the hundreds of islets. Yachts, catamarans, schooners or power boats are easily found, crewed or uncrewed.
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HIKING: For people who love this activity, St. John's is perfect. Trails abound in the Virgin Islands National Park with guides to show you the way, or you can hike on your own. There is also interesting hiking through a rainforest on St. Croix and some trails on Tortola and Virgin Gorda.
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TENNIS: Tennis is available throughout the Virgin Islands with some courts lit for night play.
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FISHING: Some world records have been set in the USVIs for sportfishing. Blue and white marlin, sailfish, kingfish and wahoo are some of the gamefish found here. Half day and full day deep sea trips are available to test your angling ability. Tournaments are to be found in both the USVIs and BVIs.
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HORSEBACK RIDING: This is a delight in the BVIs. On Tortola you can ride on a deserted beach or through the hills while on Virgin Gorda trails lead through the countryside. St. Croix offers rainforest rides while on St. John you can ride donkeys as well as horses.
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GOLF: St. Croix has several courses, including on designed by Robert Trent Jones. Tournament-level golf is available on St. Thomas.
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EXPLORING: So many places to see...here are just a few: Rent a car to see some spectacular scenery at Bordeaux Mountain and Peace Hill on St. John or visit ruins of 18th century sugar plantations at Annaberg Plantation and Catherinebeerg Ruins, or just explore the many winding roads. Buck Island Reef National Monument is just of the coast of St. Croix and is home to hiking trails as well as beaches and great snorkeling. Estate Whim Plantation Museum on St. Croix is a restored sugar plantation where you can get a feel of life in the 1800s. In the spring a visit to Sandy Point Beach will show you giant leatherback turtles during their egg-laying cycle. On St. Thomas visit the 99 steps which was built in the 1700s. At the top is Blackbeard's Castle whose tower, circa 1679 was used by this famous pirate. At the Pissarro Building, birthplace of Camille Pissarro. you can see sketches from this master impressionist. Coral World Marine Park houses the world's largest reef tank, aquariums and a three-story underwater observatory. It is a very popular tourist attraction. Seven Arches Museum is a restored 18th century Danish house complete with its historic furnishings. Sage Mountain National Park on Tortola is the BVIs highest point and here you'll see rainforest flora and fauna. Fort Recovery and Fort Burt are two of the many ruined 18th century forts you can explore.The Baths, part of a National Parks Trust Protected Area on Virgin Gorda, are an incredible sight. Enormous boulders are balancesd along the shore forming grottos and shallow pools of sea water. At the ruins of The Coppermine, in Virgin Gorda, you can still see remnants of a cistern, boiler house, chimney and mine shafts from the 1800s.
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SHOPPING: The major shopping areas of the USVIs are in St. Thomas and St. Croix with the prize for the most shops going to Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas. Here you'll find duty-free heaven with china, crystal, linens, cameras, watches and especially jewelry. You can also find local handmade crafts such as straw items, spices and jams, paintings and prints. On St. Croix, go to Christiansted to shop. Here you can find gold jewelry creations, caribbean artwork and crystal, watches and china. Gift shops and handicrafts can be found on St. John as well as local art. On Tortola, the Main Street in Road Town is the place to shop where you can find Caribbean arts and crafts, clothing, jewelry, china, spices and perfumes among other interesting items. On Virgin Gorda you can find resort wear, handicrafts, pottery, art and jewelry at the many shops scattered around the island.
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NIGHTLIFE: Most of the nightlife on St. Croix is centered in Christiansted where clubs offer a mix of music styles to party to. Bars and dance clubs on St. Thomas offer jazz, latin, reggae, rock and roll, even karaoke for your listening pleasure. Although it's limited, St. John's has a few bars and clubs to visit. Music, dancing and trading sea stories sets the tone on Tortola and Virgin Gorda with many bars, pubs and clubs offering live bands and potent drinks.
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All contents of this web site are copyright (c)2002 by Island Inns LLC. All rights reserved.
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