Kola Nut Travel - US Virgin Islands

The three islands and the 60-odd cays that make up the US Virgin Islands include some of the most magnificent coastlines on earth. They are host to nearly two million vacationers each year, and are characterized by swanky resorts, manicured golf courses, booming real estate markets, an armada of cruise ships, and yacht charters. The two largest islands are St. Croix and St. Thomas, and are the most built up. The third smaller island is St. John which is largely undeveloped. All three have great beaches.

The islands are situated 40 miles east of Puerto Rico and are covered with lush tropical vegetation, fringed by iridescent shores. St. Thomas is long and narrow, rising abruptly to a ridge with an excellent deep-water harbour. St. Croix consists of 83 square miles of rolling ex-plantation land and is the largest. St. John is the smallest and most ‘unspoiled’ of the islands. Two thirds of its deep valleys and forests, along with most of the shoreline is a National Park.

For bustling beaches, nightlife and, especially, shopping, look to St. Thomas. Duty-free shops, a North American atmosphere and throngs of cruise-ship visitors make it the least distinctive of the islands, but also the most visited. This is high-volume tourism, among the highest in the Caribbean. Steep green hills run across the middle, but much of the island is crowded with hotels, villas and various other structures.

For unspoiled scenery and quiet surroundings, head to St. John. The coral reefs, hiking trails and small resorts have been a model for other ecotourism efforts in the Caribbean. St. John is a reminder of how things were in the Caribbean of the old days - quiet lazy times, with little crime and none of the frenzy of urban life. The island is wholesome and outdoors; hiking shoes and a snorkeling mask are musts. It's also dramatically beautiful, with coral reefs, volcanic mountains, deep ravines, tropical greenery and a dry east coast dotted with salt ponds and cacti. Once a dusty port, the small town of Cruz Bay has blossomed into a pleasant resort town with classy boutiques, cafes and bars.

Somewhere between the extremes of St. Thomas and St. John is St. Croix, which is perhaps the most typical of other Caribbean islands. It has a fair amount of shopping and other attractions but balances them with a relaxed atmosphere and historic architecture. The Danish influence still lingers there. The two towns of Christiansted and Frederiksted are full of historic gingerbread buildings, and the countryside is dotted with deserted sugarmills and plantation great houses.

Of course, the most beautiful attractions on the islands are the beaches and the diving opportunities. All beaches are open to the public, even those in front of hotels. Island specialities include fresh fish and lobster. Steel bands, folk singing, calypso and limbo dancing are popular. If you've never been to the West Indies and aren't sure what you're after, the US Virgin Islands might be a good place to start. It's the closest thing to a Caribbean sampler, and provides several different island experiences in one territory.

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