The U.S. Virgin Islands have enticed sailors, traders, and sunseekers for centuries. Once a Danish colony, their legacy lingers in pastel facades and hilltop lookouts, while the rhythm today is thoroughly Caribbean—steel pan music, salt on the breeze, and meals that celebrate the sea.

Across St. Thomas and St. John, you’ll find some of the Caribbean’s most beloved beaches: Magens Bay’s perfect crescent, Trunk Bay’s underwater snorkel trail, and Maho Bay’s gentle waters where sea turtles graze. Inland, the Virgin Islands National Park protects petroglyphs, old sugar estates, and shady trails bursting with frangipani and birdsong.

Practical notes: U.S. dollars are used, and U.S. citizens don’t need passports for USVI. Driving is on the left. Reef-safe sunscreen is required by law (leave oxybenzone, octinoxate, and octocrylene at home). Taxis are plentiful but priced per person; a rental car (Jeep on St. John) offers freedom to explore.

St. Thomas

St. Thomas is your lively gateway—home to the harbor city of Charlotte Amalie, duty-free shopping, historic forts, and sweeping viewpoints that seem painted at sunset. It’s also ringed with pocket beaches: sapphire shallows at Secret Harbour, bright reefs off Coki, and the island icon, Magens Bay.

Top things to do include strolling the 99 Steps to hilltop vistas, snorkeling with technicolor fish at Coki Beach, ziplining the ridge line, and savoring sunset cocktails above the harbor. Food-wise, the island is deliciously varied: curried roti and pates at local cafés, fresh-caught snapper, and fine dining with sea breezes.

• Getting there (fly into STT): Search flights to Cyril E. King Airport (STT) on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. From the airport, it’s ~15 minutes to Charlotte Amalie or 35–40 minutes to Red Hook by taxi.
• Where to stay (St. Thomas): Browse island stays on VRBO St. Thomas and Hotels.com St. Thomas. Consider Secret Harbour (condo-style on a calm bay), Emerald Beach (near the airport for convenience), Bolongo Bay (laid-back with a beachy bar), or a hillside boutique like Mafolie for knockout views.
• Food + drink favorites: Gladys’ Café (pepper sauces and roti), The Easterly in Red Hook (wood-fired coastal fare), Oceana in Frenchtown (dockside seafood), Caribbean Fish Market at Secret Harbour (grilled local catch), Duffy’s Love Shack (tiki drinks), Barefoot Buddha (espresso and healthy bowls), and MBW Café & Bakery (bakeshop with a social mission).

Day 1: Arrival, Charlotte Amalie Stroll, Harbor Sunset

Afternoon: Arrive at STT and check in. If you’re staying east, grab coffee at Barefoot Buddha in Havensight for a pick-me-up (try the iced latte with local beans). Wander Charlotte Amalie’s historic district: Fort Christian museum (Danish-era fort, modest exhibits), Emancipation Garden, and the 99 Steps—hand-laid coral stone stairs to lovely harbor views.

Evening: Toast the first night with a sunset view. Drive or taxi to Paradise Point (you can ride the Skyride when operating, or drive) for a classic Bushwacker. Dinner in Frenchtown at Oceana—reserve a waterside table for lionfish ceviche and pan-seared wahoo. Nightcap at The Saint speakeasy bar or tap into local rum tastings at a nearby lounge.

Day 2: Northside Views, Magens Bay, Caribbean Classics

Morning: Breakfast at MBW Café & Bakery (guava pastries, egg sandwiches). Drive to Drake’s Seat for a postcard view of Magens Bay and the outer cays. Drop to Magens Bay Beach; rent chairs and a SUP. Entry is about $5 per person for non-residents; the water is calm and ideal for swimming.

Afternoon: Grab fish tacos or a mahi sandwich at the Magens concession, or head to Mafolie for a hillside lunch with breezes. Continue to Hull Bay for a quieter local scene, or explore the botanical pocket around Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden if you like orchids and shade.

Evening: Head to Red Hook. Start with a craft cocktail at The Easterly—order the wood-fired octopus or conch fritters. For dinner, choose between Caribbean Fish Market (polished coastal dining) or Island Time Pub (casual pizza and harbor views). End at Duffy’s Love Shack for kitschy tiki fun.

Day 3: Snorkel Day—Coki Beach, Coral World, Zipline Option

Morning: Coffee and a light bite at Cup & Cork in Red Hook. Snorkel Coki Beach—entry is free; rent gear on-site (~$10–20) and expect friendly fish near the rocky points. If traveling with kids or marine-life lovers, visit adjacent Coral World Ocean Park for touch pools and sea turtle encounters (adult tickets typically ~$39).

Afternoon: Lunch at nearby Lanai (if open) or cruise back toward Secret Harbour for beachfront salads and fish tacos at Sunset Grille. Adventure option: Tree Limin’ Extreme Zipline on the northside (reserve; around $139), soaring above the canopy with views across Pillsbury Sound.

Evening: Casual dinner at Gladys’ Café (ask for a sample of the house pepper sauces; the curry goat and roti are favorites). Dessert stroll at Gelato & Co. on the waterfront.

Day 4: Mangrove Kayak, Market Finds, Cocktails Above the Sea

Morning: Join a guided kayak and snorkel in the Mangrove Lagoon & Cas Cay (Virgin Islands Ecotours runs popular 2.5–3 hr trips, often ~$89–109). Expect shallow seagrass beds, baby sharks and rays, and a short hike to a blowhole on Cas Cay.

Afternoon: Lunch at The Tap & Still (burgers and fries done right). Shop Mongoose Junction’s St. John Brewers merch on a later day; for now, browse Charlotte Amalie’s local artisans and spice shops—great for hot sauces and nutmeg. Rest and swim at your hotel beach.

Evening: Splurge night at Old Stone Farmhouse (if operating when you visit) for chef-driven Caribbean plates in a historic sugar estate building, or keep it sea-breezy at The Easterly if you missed it earlier. Early night—tomorrow you ferry to St. John.

St. John

Two-thirds national park, St. John is the quiet, emerald heart of the USVI. White-sand beaches scallop the north shore, while ruins of sugar estates and petroglyphs hide among the trees. Cruz Bay hums with intimate restaurants and cocktail patios; Coral Bay is artsy, unhurried, and wonderfully local.

Come for snorkeling over reefs and seagrass, easy-to-moderate hikes with sea views, and beach days that melt into starry nights. The island rewards early risers: calm water, open parking at trailheads, and that magical pastel light on Trunk and Cinnamon Bays.

• Getting there from St. Thomas: Morning taxi to Red Hook (35–40 minutes), then the Red Hook–Cruz Bay passenger ferry (every ~hour; ~15–20 minutes; about $8–9 one-way per adult). There’s also a car barge if you’ve rented a vehicle on St. Thomas.
• Where to stay (St. John): Resorts, inns, and villas abound. Check VRBO St. John for North Shore villas and Coral Bay hideaways and Hotels.com St. John for inns and resorts. Specific favorites: St. John Inn (colorful, walkable Cruz Bay base) and The Westin St. John Resort Villas (family-friendly with a big pool and beachfront).
• Food + drink favorites: Extra Virgin Bistro (farm-to-table, house-infused rums), The Longboard (poke bowls, fresh ceviche, bright cocktails), Morgan’s Mango (Caribbean-Creole seafood), The Terrace (French-Caribbean, romantic), 1864 The Restaurant (contemporary plates), Skinny Legs in Coral Bay (laid-back burgers), Lime Out (floating taco bar—boat access only), Cruz Bay Landing (hearty breakfast), North Shore Deli (sandwiches to-go for beach days), St. John Scoops (homemade ice cream).

Day 5: Ferry to St. John, Trunk Bay, Cruz Bay Eats

Morning: Check out in St. Thomas, taxi to Red Hook, and hop the ferry to Cruz Bay (aim for an early boat to maximize beach time). Drop bags at your lodging.

Afternoon: Start at Trunk Bay, famed for clear water and an underwater snorkel trail. Day-use fee is typically around $5–7 per adult; rent masks and chairs if needed. When you’re ready, stop at nearby Cinnamon Bay for a second swim—long shoreline, gentle surf, and a food truck for snacks.

Evening: Golden hour at Mongoose Junction’s stone arcades, then dinner at Extra Virgin Bistro (reserve; house-made pastas and local fish with garden herbs). End with rum cocktails at The Longboard’s bar or a nightcap stroll along the harbor.

Day 6: Reef Bay Trail, Annaberg Ruins, Maho Bay Turtles

Morning: Coffee and breakfast sandwiches from Cruz Bay Landing. Hike the Reef Bay Trail (start early; 2–3 hours down and back unless you arrange a boat pickup on a guided park tour). Highlights include massive kapok trees, sugar mill ruins, and Taino petroglyphs near a freshwater pool.

Afternoon: Drive to Annaberg Plantation Ruins for breezy views over the British Virgin Islands and informative plaques on sugar-era history. Cool off at Maho Bay: bring a mask and float over seagrass to spot grazing green turtles and rays in shallow water. North Shore Deli sandwiches make perfect beach picnics.

Evening: Dinner at Morgan’s Mango (island paella, grilled lobster in season, or Creole-style snapper). For dessert, try St. John Scoops—soursop or passionfruit if available.

Day 7: Sail + Snorkel, Lime Out Tacos, Departure

Morning: Book a half-day small-group sail or powerboat charter (often ~$150–190 per person) to snorkel hidden coves—Waterlemon Cay is a standout for starfish and healthy coral. Many trips include gear and drinks.

Afternoon: If your charter routes to Lime Out in Coral Bay, float up for mahi or brisket tacos and a lime-forward cocktail. Otherwise, grab a quick lunch in Cruz Bay, ferry back to St. Thomas, and taxi to the airport for your afternoon flight. Search departure options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: If you have a late flight, squeeze in one last dip at Brewers Bay (near the airport; turtles often graze here), then clean up and head out. Leave extra time at STT in high season.

Logistics & Insider Tips

• Car or taxi? Taxis charge per person and per destination; for beach-hopping, a rental (Jeep on St. John) is cost-effective. Drive on the left.
• Ferries: Red Hook–Cruz Bay passenger ferries run frequently (15–20 minutes; roughly $8–9 one-way per adult). Charlotte Amalie–Cruz Bay ferries run less often (45–50 minutes).
• Costs: Snorkel rentals ~$10–20/day; beach chair ~$10–15; zipline ~$139; guided kayak ~$89–109; sailing half-day ~$150–190.
• Be reef-kind: Only reef-safe sunscreen; never touch coral or turtles; use a flotation belt if needed to avoid standing on reef.
• Seasonality: December–April is peak (book early, higher prices). May–July is sweet-spot weather with fewer crowds. Late summer–fall is hot and can be stormy; consider trip insurance.

Where to book stays quickly: Compare beachfront resorts and villas on Hotels.com St. Thomas, VRBO St. Thomas, Hotels.com St. John, and VRBO St. John. For St. John specifics, look at St. John Inn and The Westin St. John Resort Villas.

Seven days in the USVI goes by in a flash, but this itinerary balances the highlights: silky beaches, rich history, easy adventures, and meals worth lingering over. With St. Thomas energy and St. John serenity, you’ll leave sun-kissed and already plotting your return.