Why the Virgin Islands Should Be Your Next Vacation—And How to Do It Right
📍Cinnamon Bay, St. John 📸Photo Credit: Megan Dunn
There’s nothing like waking up in your villa, sipping coffee on the balcony, and looking out at 10–12 lush, green islands rising from the deep Caribbean blue. If you’ve ever seen Disney’s Moana, you might swear you’re staring at the island of Te Fiti—for real. That view, those islands, and the soft white sand beaches are what bring me back year after year.
But here’s the thing—this isn’t your typical all-inclusive resort vacation. This is DIY travel at its finest. No wristbands. No buffets. No crowded pools. Just you, the sea, the freedom to explore, and the adventure you create for yourself. The Virgin Islands are where I go to recharge, reconnect, and embrace both relaxation and exploration.
If that sounds like your kind of trip… keep reading.
The Destination: U.S. & British Virgin Islands—A Caribbean Dream You Can Actually Do
The Virgin Islands are made up of both U.S. and British territories—and honestly, you can’t go wrong with either. Most travelers base themselves in the U.S. Virgin Islands: St. Thomas, St. John, or St. Croix. Each one has its own vibe, and the best part? You don’t need a passport to visit the U.S. side. You're technically on U.S. soil, but it feels like a whole other world.
No matter which island you choose as your home base, you’ll fly into Cyril E. King Airport (STT) on St. Thomas. Period. That’s the entry point for any Virgin Islands trip.
For our first three visits, we stayed right on St. Thomas—and we really soaked it up. But for this trip, we decided to switch gears and make St. John our home base. And let me tell you: wow. After landing in St. Thomas, we grabbed our rental car, headed straight to Red Hook, and caught the car ferry over to Cruz Bay, St. John.
But instead of staying in Cruz Bay, we opted for a villa rental in Coral Bay, the quieter, more local-feeling side of the island. We like to escape the crowds, and Coral Bay gave us space, peace, and unbeatable views.
Here’s the thing: no matter which island you stay on, you’re going to end up on St. John eventually—because you’re going to fall in love with it. With its white sand beaches, turquoise water, and a landscape that’s two-thirds Virgin Islands National Park, it’s just that special. And because you have to take a ferry to get there, it naturally filters out the crowds. More effort = fewer tourists = more peaceful days.
Itinerary Highlights: What We Did, Where We Went, and What You Should Know
Day 1: Maho Bay + Mongoose Junction
We kicked things off at Maho Bay, known for calm waters, sea turtles, and a bohemian vibe. The drive includes steep switchbacks and unexpected animal sightings (we passed goats, donkeys, and even a mongoose). If you are staying on St. John for the duration of your stay- Yes. You need an AWD vehicle. If you are only visiting St. John for the day, you regular car rental will be just fine! Or, ride the people ferry over from St. Thomas and catch a TAXI.
Pro Tip: Arrive early and grab a shady spot. The sun is no joke here. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, cover-ups, and snag a drink from the bar across the street.
Later, we headed to Mongoose Junction in Cruz Bay for lunch at Gringo’s Caribbean Cantina, souvenir shopping, and local beer. Then back to Coral Bay for a poolside sunset.
Day 2: Trunk Bay + Lime Out + Windmill Bar
Trunk Bay is one of the Caribbean’s top beaches and for good reason—white sand, facilities, and an underwater snorkel trail. Arrive before 9 AM to get a good parking spot and a shaded tree.
We packed our hammock floats (a beach essential!) and spent the morning in the water before heading to Lime Out, the floating taco bar, via Salt + Lime Express. It’s a super fun experience—drinks, tacos, laughter—but be warned: you’ll pay island prices for the experience. More information to come in another Blog Post about the Lime-Out experience!
Dinner was at the Windmill Bar, where we enjoyed live music, good food, and an unbeatable sunset view.
Day 3: Cinnamon Bay + Ocean 362
Cinnamon Bay is just as stunning as Trunk, but with fewer people. Again- bring your own snorkel gear! There is plenty to see! Snorkel along the cay or to the far right (facing the ocean) for vibrant reef life.
Dinner was at Ocean 362—the best restaurant of the trip. The food, the service, the views—perfection. We even went back a second night!
Day 4: Day Trip to St. Thomas
We ferried over to St. Thomas to hit some of our favorites:
Breakfast at Lattes in Paradise in Red Hook
Morning at Magen’s Bay (arrive early to beat cruise crowds)
Mountain Top for banana daiquiris and stunning views of Magen’s Bay and the BVIs
Senor Pizza to-go for dinner
Then we did our favorite thing: took our pizza back to Maho Bay, floated in our hammock floats, and watched the sunset. Best. Night. Ever.
Day 5: Diving, Hiking, and Skinny Legs
We spent the morning scuba diving with Low Key Watersports, where we saw coral, reef fish, turtles, and a baby shark.
Later, we explored Haulover Bay (a little sargassum) and Hansen Bay, which had great snorkeling and almost no one around.
Dinner was at Skinny Legs, a Coral Bay staple—burgers, beers, and relaxed island vibes.
Day 6: Jumbie Beach + Friday Night in Cruz Bay
Jumbie Beach is a short walk through shaded forest and offers one of the best views of Trunk Bay. We had the whole beach to ourselves that morning.
After our picnic lunch, we returned to Ocean 362, then wandered Wharfside Village, which was lively and buzzing on a Friday night with music, bars, and shopping.
Day 7: More Cinnamon + Annaberg + Waterlemon
Back to Cinnamon Bay to snorkel toward Little Cinnamon and St. Peter’s Bay. That’s when three wild donkeys casually walked right past my towel. Only in St. John.
We visited the Annaberg Sugar Plantation Ruins (hot but beautiful), then hiked to Waterlemon Cay. The snorkeling was great, but the hike? Long and hot. In hindsight, I’d skip it and stick to more accessible snorkel spots.
DIY vs. All-Inclusive: Why the Virgin Islands Wins for Explorers
You know, sometimes there’s a time and place for an all-inclusive—laying on a beach chair, drink in hand, reading gossip magazines, and soaking up the sun without a care. I love those trips... sometimes.
But when I want more freedom to explore, eat where the locals eat, and get off the beaten path without needing to be escorted everywhere? That’s when I turn to the Virgin Islands.
This is a DIY-style vacation. You’re in charge of your day. You can chase the best beaches, explore ruins, go diving, eat tacos on a floating bar, or float in the sunset with a pizza box on your lap. The freedom is unmatched—and so is the reward.
But DIY doesn’t mean easy. There are a lot of moving parts—ferries, parking, rental cars, closures, cruise ship schedules. That’s why it helps to have someone like me—someone who knows the islands well and can help you build a plan that’s flexible, realistic, and custom to you.
Final Thoughts: Make It Your Own, But Don’t Go It Alone
The Virgin Islands are the kind of place that stays with you. Every beach feels like a secret, every sunset feels like a reward, and every day has the potential to turn into your favorite memory.
It’s not about luxury in the traditional resort sense—it’s about the luxury of freedom. The luxury of waking up and saying, “What do we feel like doing today?” and actually being able to do it.
If this kind of travel speaks to you—the kind where you're off the beaten path, living a little wild, and loving every second of it—let’s talk. I’d love to help you plan a Virgin Islands getaway that fits your pace, your style, and your version of paradise.
📩 Message me or schedule a planning call here: https://calendly.com/megan-travelnta
Let’s start crafting your own island story.
🩷With Love and Safe Travels- Megan Dunn