Are you trying to decide between the U. S. Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands for your next vacation? Both offer a unique Caribbean experience, but they have their own distinct personalities. The U.
Virgin Islands are generally considered to be more family-friendly, while the British Virgin Islands are known for being relaxed and laid-back. This guide will help you decide which island is best for your travel group, budget, and other preferences. Virgin Islands consist of three larger islands: St. Thomas, St.
John, and St. Croix. St. Thomas is the most visited and cosmopolitan of the three, and it's home to the territory's capital, Charlotte Amalie.
Here you'll find family-friendly restaurants and haute cuisine establishments, lively nightlife, pristine white-sand beaches, and well-maintained golf courses surrounded by unspoiled natural beauty. Plus, you can take advantage of the island's many tax-free stores if you're looking for a bargain. John is even smaller than St. Thomas, but it's packed with things to do and places to see.
It's known as Rock City because of its rugged terrain, and it's home to an impressive national park that covers most of its 19 square miles. Here you can explore nature trails to see incredible plants and wildlife, ancient rock carvings and abandoned sugar mills, and even an underwater trail for a total island experience. Plus, St. John is just a short ferry ride away from the entertainment and nightlife of St.
Thomas. St. Croix is the largest of the U. Virgin Islands at 32 square miles, and it's located about 42 miles south of St. Thomas.
It has been influenced by the French, Dutch, British, Spanish, and even the Knights of Malta, which could explain its rich cultural diversity. Throughout the city of Christiansted you can see rum distilleries, sugar mills, and majestic plantations from days gone by. Croix offers plenty of entertainment options including a casino, amazing restaurants, several golf courses, and stunning beaches. The British Virgin Islands consist of four larger islands: Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke. Tortola is the largest island in the BVI at 21 square miles and it's home to the territory's capital Road Town.
Here you'll find plenty of restaurants and bars as well as luxury resorts and yacht clubs for those looking for a more upscale experience. Anegada is to the British Virgin Islands what St. John is to the U. S.: a quiet island surrounded by nature that's perfect for those looking for a more relaxed vacation experience. Anegada is much flatter than its American counterpart since it was formed by coral and limestone instead of volcanic activity like the other Virgin Islands were.
It's also home to a dizzying variety of wildlife including flamingos and rare rock iguanas. Virgin Gorda is known for its luxury and sophistication while Jost Van Dyke has a reputation for being a party paradise. If you decide to visit the British Virgin Islands you might want to stay in Virgin Gorda and take day trips to Jost Van Dyke for some fun in the sun.
