Before we begin: the place sometimes referred to online as “Jeffrey Epstein’s island” is Little Saint James in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is private property and not open to the public. For legal and ethical reasons, travel there is not possible or appropriate. Instead, this itinerary focuses on the best of its accessible neighbors—St. Thomas and St. John—delivering the Caribbean scenery you’re craving, with world-class beaches, hiking, and snorkeling.

The U.S. Virgin Islands blend Danish colonial history, Afro-Caribbean heritage, and postcard-blue bays. You’ll stroll centuries-old streets in Charlotte Amalie, swim the underwater trail at Trunk Bay, and spot green sea turtles feeding in Maho’s seagrass. Two-thirds of St. John is national parkland, so trails and beaches feel wild and pristine.

Practical notes: U.S. dollars are used, and U.S. citizens don’t need a passport. People drive on the left, taxis are priced per person by zone, and mineral-only, reef-safe sunscreen is required by law (leave oxybenzone and octinoxate at home). Hurricane season runs June–November; winter and spring bring calmer seas and excellent visibility.

Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas)

St. Thomas is your lively gateway to the USVI, with colorful Danish warehouses, hilltop viewpoints, and easy access to east-end beaches. Downtown Charlotte Amalie mixes history and shopping, while the East End (Red Hook, Sapphire, Secret Harbour) is your springboard to ferries, snorkeling coves, and sailing trips.

• Top sights: Fort Christian museum (17th-century fortress), the 99 Steps and historic alleys, Drake’s Seat and Mountain Top for sweeping harbor views, Magens Bay’s famous crescent beach, and Coral World Ocean Park with marine encounters.
• Why base here first: Short airport transfer, lots of dining choice, and smooth morning ferries to St. John later in the week.
• Where to stay: Browse hotels and resorts near town and the East End on Hotels.com (Charlotte Amalie) or villas/condos on VRBO (Charlotte Amalie). Popular areas: Frenchtown for dining, Secret Harbour for calm water, Sapphire for views and easy snorkeling.
• Getting to STT: Fly into Cyril E. King Airport (STT). Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Taxis from the airport run by zone: to Charlotte Amalie ~$10–15 per person; to Red Hook ~$18–23 per person, plus ~$2 per bag.

Day 1: Arrival and Historic Charlotte Amalie

Morning: Fly into STT. If you arrive early, grab an espresso and a guava pastry at Virgin Islands Coffee Roasters in Yacht Haven Grande—local beans, breezy marina vibe.

Afternoon: Check in, then wander Charlotte Amalie’s historic core. Climb the 99 Steps (really 103) built with Danish ballast bricks, tour Fort Christian’s small museum for a primer on island history, and browse arcaded courtyards like Royal Dane Mall for local art and spices.

Evening: Watch golden hour from Paradise Point (drive up for sweeping views of the harbor). For dinner, Oceana Restaurant & Bistro in nearby Frenchtown serves Caribbean-caught fish in a centuries-old stone house by the water; or choose Amalia Café for Andalusian tapas in a cozy courtyard. Nightcap at Mafolie’s hilltop bar with twinkling harbor lights.

Day 2: East-End Beaches and Coral World

Morning: Coffee and a quick breakfast sandwich at Bumpa’s on the waterfront, then head to Coki Beach for easy-access snorkeling with bright reef fish. If you prefer fewer crowds, Lindquist/Smith Bay Park offers pale sand, sea grape shade, and gentle shallows.

Afternoon: Walk over to Coral World Ocean Park to see rescued sea turtles and stingrays, then decamp to Sapphire or Secret Harbour for calm, clear water. Lunch ideas: Fish Tails Bar & Grill in Red Hook (fresh mahi sandwiches) or tacos on the beach at Sapphire’s casual spot.

Evening: Sunset dinner at Sunset Grille (Secret Harbour)—great for candlelit tables steps from the surf. After, head to Red Hook for a lively drink at Duffy’s Love Shack (tiki concoctions in souvenir cups) or a quieter pour at a wine bar near the marina.

Day 3: Views, Magens Bay, and Downtown Flavors

Morning: Scenic loop: stop at Drake’s Seat overlook, then settle in at Magens Bay. Rent a paddleboard or float; the bay’s calm waters are beginner-friendly. Banana daiquiri stop at Mountain Top if you like kitschy fun with a panorama.

Afternoon: Return to town to see the historic Lutheran Church and small galleries. Lunch at Petite Pump Room (local favorites like kallaloo and saltfish) with harbor views before a little souvenir hunting along the alleys.

Evening: Splurge night: Prime at Paradise Point for steaks and sunset, or Oceana if you didn’t try it earlier. If you’re a rum fan, ask bartenders about local blends and bush tea traditions—this is a great place to learn the island’s flavors.

Cruz Bay (St. John)

St. John is the wild heart of the USVI. Two-thirds of the island is protected as Virgin Islands National Park: sugar mill ruins tucked in the forest, sea grape-framed beaches, and underwater gardens just offshore. Cruz Bay hums with casual bars and standout kitchens.

• Top sights: Trunk Bay’s underwater snorkel trail, Maho Bay’s sea turtles, Annaberg Sugar Plantation ruins, Reef Bay Trail petroglyphs, and the dramatic Ram Head hike above turquoise bays.
• Why base here next: Quick ferry from St. Thomas, softer pace, and easy beach-hopping along the North Shore road.
• Where to stay: Search Cruz Bay hotels and resorts on Hotels.com (Cruz Bay) or browse island villas on VRBO (Cruz Bay). Many travelers rent a Jeep; otherwise, taxis run beach-to-beach. Remember: drive on the left.
• Getting there from St. Thomas: Morning ferry from Red Hook to Cruz Bay takes ~20 minutes, ~$8–10 per adult one-way, plus small bag fees. Ferries run frequently in daylight hours.

Day 4: Ferry to St. John and Cruz Bay Flavor

Morning: Depart St. Thomas for St. John on the Red Hook–Cruz Bay ferry. If you’re bringing a rental car, use a car barge (allow extra time); otherwise, taxis meet the passenger ferry dock.

Afternoon: Check in, then ease into island time at Hawksnest or Honeymoon Beach—both close to town with clear water and beginner-friendly snorkeling. Lunch picnic from North Shore Deli (big sandwiches, housemade sides) is clutch.

Evening: Dinner at The Longboard—“coastal cantina” plates like tuna poke bowls, Caribbean street corn, and excellent house sodas. For a nightcap, The Beach Bar on the sand often has live music; toes-in-the-sand, easygoing vibe.

Day 5: Trunk Bay and Maho’s Sea Turtles

Morning: Coffee at St. John Coffee Roasting Co. in Mongoose Junction, then head early to Trunk Bay. Rent a mask and follow the underwater snorkel trail—submerged plaques identify coral and fish. There’s a small entrance fee (~$5).

Afternoon: Continue to Maho Bay where green sea turtles graze in the seagrass. Give wildlife space (no touching, keep at least 10 feet). Lunch at Maho Crossroads, a fun, eco-minded beach outpost with cold drinks, burgers, and shade.

Evening: Dinner at Morgan’s Mango—Caribbean-Creole plates like lionfish (when available), conch, and plantain sides; house mojitos are a favorite. Stroll Cruz Bay’s shops for locally made spices, pepper sauces, and woodwork.

Day 6: Ruins, Reefs, and the Coral Bay Side

Morning: Hike the Reef Bay Trail (go early for shade). Look for centuries-old petroglyphs near the falls; if a guided ranger hike is offered during your dates, it adds rich context on flora and history.

Afternoon: Tour the Annaberg Sugar Plantation ruins, then continue to the island’s quieter east for Salt Pond Bay. Snorkel the rocky edges for rays and schooling fish. If you’d like a unique lunch, book a seat to Lime Out (a floating taco bar in Coral Bay); water shuttles run from nearby docks—reserve ahead.

Evening: Back in town, dine at Extra Virgin Bistro—house-made pastas, local greens, and fresh-caught fish with an excellent wine list. Grab gelato on the way home and enjoy the warm night air.

Day 7: Last Dip and Departure

Morning: Breakfast at Cruz Bay Landing (try the coconut French toast or breakfast tacos). Take one last swim at Honeymoon Beach or a quick snorkel at Francis Bay—calm and often less crowded in the morning.

Afternoon: Ferry back to Red Hook and taxi to STT for your flight. If time allows, a quick local lunch at Petite Pump Room near the harbor is convenient before the airport. Check fares or same-day options on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Optional Add-Ons and Tips

• Full-day sail/snorkel: From either island, book a catamaran to Turtle Cove (Buck Island off St. Thomas) and Honeymoon Beach—typically $110–160 per person including gear and drinks. It’s an easy way to reach healthy reefs without a car.
• Car or taxis? On St. John, a Jeep adds freedom for beach-hopping; otherwise, taxis queue at popular beaches. On St. Thomas, taxis work well if you’re basing near town or the East End.
• Sun and sea: Bring a long-sleeve rashguard, polarized sunglasses, and mineral sunscreen (zinc or titanium only). Hydrate—trade winds can mask how strong the sun is.
• Seasonal notes: Sargassum can drift in late spring/summer; if one beach is weedy, simply try another cove nearby.

In one sun-splashed week, you’ll trace the U.S. Virgin Islands from harborfront history to national-park sands. Expect easy island hopping, abundant sea life, and evenings that taste like limes and sea breeze—memories that linger long after the sand shakes from your shoes.