Our last talk initiated us into the island culture by way of the U.S. Virgin Island of St. Croix.  Now before we head down and discover the rest of the West Indies as I promised, I wanted to glance over the remaining U.S. Virgin Islands for those who want to see a more organic side of the islands still without having to obtain a passport.  About 40 miles north of St. Croix are the remaining U.S. Virgin Island territories of St. Thomas and St. John.  These two islands offer a more laid back attitude than the hectic nightlife of St. Croix.  Being someone who’s traveling experiences began visiting U.S. National Parks, I wanted to give a shotgun tour of the more natural side of the U.S. Caribbean territories.

Before I put a machete in your hand, we’ll venture onto St. Thomas in order to get used to the tropical jungle, but with the hotel or hostile still nearby.  St. Thomas is the larger of the two islands and has more natural beauty than its commercial counterparts.  The island is surrounded by outlying tiny islands that give you a break from some of the harsh waves and deep waters of the larger Caribbean isles.  You will most likely arrive by a charter flight near the port town of Charlotte Amalie.  This former Danish territory was purchased in 1917 by the United States, giving a far different feel and décor from the French culture seen on St. Croix.  Being surrounded by Puerto Rico, St. Croix and St John also blocks the wind that your continental traveler may not be used to in the Caribbean.  After having a bite and looking around, find one of the many capes on the northern or southern parts of the island.  Here you can have a cocktail and enjoy one of my favorite phenomenon; watching the sun rise on your right, and set on your left. (Or vice-versa)  After witnessing this, I promise you will have the curiosity and primal energy to tackle our next stop:

If you’ve already left St. Croix for more esoteric waters, you’ll be able to enjoy the last stop on our tour of the Virgin Islands.  Because you are a savvy and curious traveler you’ll be able to navigate these shallow waters with little stress and even greater rewards.  Head down to St. Thomas Harbor and ask around Charlotte Amalie for a ride to St. John.  There are many ways to attack this.  If you prefer to leave the logistics during a vacation to someone else, go into a local hotel resort and ask the concierge. They will find you a cheap safe charter boat with a bar and all the amenities of the typical local tour boat.  They will also be able to book you a room on St. John for when you arrive.  If you find this too pampering just go down to the docks and pick a private boat that looks safe and tenured.  Make sure you bargain with your captain, and then finalize whether he is taking you to St. John for the day, leaving you there, picking you up in a week, etc.  The boat ride is short and beautiful, pick your captains brain for local knowledge and prepare for bliss.

Now that you’ve made it, here is your reward.  The U.S. Virgin Islands National Park and the famous Coral Bay.  The park takes up almost the entire island of St. John.  This island overlooking the water is stripped of all but a few hotel resorts and gives you peace and quiet almost anywhere you choose to explore.  Local guides are kind and will show you through the jungle if you want to hike to the top.  Here you can see the outlying islands from altitude including the neighboring British Virgin Islands.  If that’s too much effort on a vacation head to Coral Bay.  The beauty of this preserved natural harbor gives you the spoils of the islands without hundreds of boats blocking your view.  If you’ve made it this far, I trust you will enjoy the local music and outdoor shanty bars while you discover how we do national parks West Indies style.  Safe Travels!