Nov. 26 - Dec. 1, 2020 (6D5N): I was eyeing to visit the Virgin Islands during Labor Day weekend, but the island went into another round of lockdown right before Labor Day. Lucky for me, the virus is now under control at the USVI and I was able to score a cheap flight with Delta. If you are into snorkeling, this is the island to explore. Not to mention, a passport is not required.

*Highly Recommended

Day 1

• Afternoon arrival in STT from JFK (via Delta)

• Pick up the rental car from Avis

• Check-in @ Airbnb* (Sapphire Village Condo; beautiful apartment and a balcony with the marina view)

• Coki Beach ($5 parking; good for snorkeling)

• Dinner @ Blue Eleven* in Yacht Haven Grande

Day 2

• Secret Harbor* (good for snorkeling)

• Quick stop @ Drake's seat for the view

• Lunch @ Sib's Mountain Cafe

• Drink banana daiquiri @ Mountain top* (amazing view)

• See both the Caribbean sea and Atlantic ocean @ Mermaids Chair* (30 mins “hike” from the gated entrance)

• Dinner @ French Quarter Bistro* in Frenchtown

Day 3

• Hike Magens Bay Nature Trail* (30 mins to the beach, make a left when you see a ribbon on the tree - see picture below; bring bug spray and hiking shoes)

• Magens Bay Beach* ($5 entrance + $2 parking if not hiking; good for swimming)

• Return the rental car @ the airport

• Ferry to Water Island ($10 RT)

  • Catch the free shuttle or walk to Honeymoon Beach

  • Lunch @ Dinghy’s*

• Ice cream @ Scoop & Brew*

• Charlotte Amalie, follow the self-guided walking tour (about 2.5 hrs) for the following highlights:

  • St. Thomas Synagogue

  • Frederik Lutheran Church (pic only)

  • Hotel 1829 (pic only)

  • Government House (pic only)

  • Climb the 99 steps

  • Blackbeard’s Castle (pic only)

  • Palm Passage Retail Mall/Bar

  • Fort Christian (pic only)

  • Emancipation Park

• Happy Hour/Dinner @ Green House Bar & Restaurant* (good happy hour spot)

Day 4

• 8 am-8:20 am: Ferry to St. John from Red Hook

• Breakfast @ Cruz Bay Landing*

• Rent a speed boat from Low Key Watersports:

  • Annaberg Sugar Plantation

  • Waterlemon Cay

  • Maho Bay Beach* (good for snorkeling)

    • Lunch & drinks @ Maho Crossroad*

  • Cinnamon Bay Beach

  • Trunk Beach (good for snorkeling)

  • Hawksnest Beach

• Mongoose Junction

• Ahi Tuna Tacos & drinks @ Joe's Rum Hut*

• 5 pm: Ferry back to Red Hook

Day 5

• Lindquist Beach* ($5 entrance + $2 parking; good for swimming)

• Check-in @ The Ritz-Carlton*

  • Lunch @ Sails

  • Various water sport/water activities

  • Hot tub & drinks @ Ritz-Carlton Destination Club

• Red Hook:

  • Dinner @ The Easterly*

  • Drinks @ Duffy’s Love Shack*

Day 6

• Breakfast @ The Ritz

• Snorkeling @ the bay

• Afternoon flight to JFK

Other points of interest:

St. Thomas

• Lunch @ Greengos Cantina / Petite Pump Room / Gladys’ Cafe

• Dinner @ Frenchtown Brewing company / Sea La Vie / The Pie Whole

• Happy Hour @ Fat Turtle

St. John

• Lunch @ Woody's Seafood Saloon

• Hike from Cruz Bay to Honeymoon Beach on the Lind Point Trail. It has a great look-out point over Cruz Bay harbor.

Tips:

• Amex Centurion Lounge opened up in October 2020 - take advantage of it and visit the speakeasy (1850) if you fly out of JFK T4.

• I’ve listed the beach entrance fees/parking fees that I researched while planning this trip, but I did not have to pay at all during November 2020.

• Stay near Red Hook, there is more dining options/nightlife in that area versus downtown Charlotte Amalie.

• If possible, rent a Jeep/SUV from Amalie Car Rental. My experience at Avis was alright, but I did have to wait a while for the car.

• While you don’t need a passport to visit USVI, it will help to speed up the process through passport control/immigration when you depart from St. Thomas.