The Virgin Islands are a collection of 112 islands forming the border between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Of those 112 islands, 82 belong to the United States and 30 belong to Britain. The majority of these islands remain uninhabited, with only four inhabited islands in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI): St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, and Water Island, and four inhabited islands in the British Virgin Islands (BVI): Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, and Anegada.
With such a wide variety of paradise destinations so close to one another, why pass up the opportunity to explore both the U.S. and the British Virgin Islands in one sweep!? This is hardly just another Caribbean vacation. We’re giving you the inside scoop on our four favorite properties in the Virgin Islands! Each has its own unique personality and is well worth the visit.
Whether you’re a seasoned visitor or if it’s your first time in the Virgin Islands and you’re not sure where to start; this beginner’s guide to island hopping in the Virgin Islands is for you!
The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
An easily accessible destination and a great place to begin, as direct flights to St. Thomas arrive daily from Miami, Atlanta, Orlando, Charlotte, Philadelphia, New York, Washington Dulles, and Boston. In addition, the property is located very close to Red Hook; home to the main ferry port.
Upon arrival, you will immediately feel the luxury and relaxation of the property. Set on 30 acres, the Ritz Carlton St. Thomas reopened in December 2019 after the devastations of Hurricane Maria and Irma in 2017. The property has undergone an extensive renovation, bringing forward top of the line luxury and experiences.
Overlooking the turquoise waters of Great Bay, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas is a secluded hideaway set amid stunning white-sand beaches and lush tropical gardens. This hotel’s reputation as one of the best in the USVI is well deserved, and its new makeover puts it on par with some of the best upscale resorts in all of the Caribbean. In true to old-school Ritz form, this property takes your breath away with an elegant yet chic and contemporary flavor. It is evident that not a corner of this property went unnoticed when designing with the guest in mind, always.
Necker Island
Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
When traveling by ferry from St. John to Virgin Gorda, it is about an hour and a half, including one-stop on St. John to pick up passengers. Because you will be leaving the United States you will have to clear Customs and Immigration when you arrive. This typically only takes 15-20 minutes. Please note, these ferry rides do not run every day and we at Ourisman Travel are happy to help you coordinate scheduling in this journey through the Virgin Islands to be as seamless as possible!
Necker, Sir Richard Branson’s private island paradise, is a stunning and extremely private area of the Caribbean. At 74 acres, Necker sits in turquoise waters surrounded by coral reefs and decorated with beautiful white sandy beaches. The island can be rented exclusively or you can enjoy the Necker experience by taking a room as a couple, individual or family for a 7-night stay during selected weeks throughout the year, known as ‘Celebration Weeks’.
Accommodation on Necker Island includes 11 bedrooms in the Great House, the Bali Lo complex composed of Bali Lo, Bali Buah, and Bali Kukila and a new Bali House, named, Leha Lo. There are a total of 17 bedrooms plus the bunk room on the island with space for additional guests available upon request. Beginning in December 2019, two additional rooms in the Temple House have been added, bringing the total number of rooms to 17.
The island is particularly known for The Baths, a beach area with scenic caves and “baths” – small pools of pristine water hidden between the caves. Although the caves do require a bit of climbing up and down, young kids successfully are able to experience, deeming it an appropriate excursion for most ages. Necker Island is just about as exclusive as it gets! Be sure not to miss out on Necker’s famous floating sushi bar in the beach pool!
As a Virtuoso property, booking this property with Ourisman Travel will grant you the following additional amenities for your stay at Necker Island:
- Daily full breakfast
- Two complimentary one-hour massages (applies to lead couple only). Valid for adults 16 years or older
- Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Rosewood Little Dix Bay
Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
Now that you’ve made your way to Virgin Gorda, we highly recommend spending time at one of our favorites, Rosewood Little Dix Bay! This is the final stop on our Virgin Islands island-hopping adventure. An eco-friendly resort, Rosewood Little Dix Bay was one of the first Caribbean resorts to promote sustainable luxury. This beachside retreat is situated on one of the Caribbean’s finest shorelines. The luxury resort is in harmony with its surrounding nature of Virgin Gorda, an island of volcanic origin featuring rugged hills, quiet coves, and unspoiled beaches.
A haven of tranquility, Rosewood Little Dix Bay is home to only 80 rooms, offering an escape from the ordinary. To this day, the island remains largely undeveloped and it is for this reason why we love it so much! This legendary property recently reopened after undergoing a multi-million-dollar, four-year renovation. Local cultural motifs and indigenous materials have been incorporated into the resort’s architecture. A unique offering of this resort is their complimentary Beach Drops; water taxis to seven local beaches with a prepared gourmet picnic lunch for you to enjoy in luxurious seclusion!
As a Rosewood Elite property and partner of Ourisman Travel, you have the opportunity to take advantage of these additional amenities during your stay:
- Complimentary one-category upgrade upon arrival, based on availability
- Daily Full American breakfast for up to two people per bedroom
- $125 USD food and beverage credit
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
As for your return home, the easiest route is to take a ferry back to St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, flying home from there. You can get from Virgin Gorda to St. Thomas by ferry in about an hour and a half. The ferry dock in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas is only a 10-minute drive from the St. Thomas airport.
We are happy to assist you in coordinating all the aspects of your island-hopping adventure! Send us an email at [email protected] or submit a Travel Request Form and we’ll take care of the rest!
