Adventures for thrill seekers

ST. CROIX

With excellent visibility, you’re guaranteed to spy fascinating marine creatures — sea turtles, pufferfish, dolphins, barracudas and even sharks — as you scuba dive or snorkel St. Croix’s shallow coral reefs during an excursion with Adventures in Diving STX. For an extra dose of adventure, add a guided hike to explore the off-the-beaten-path hiking spots on the west end of St. Croix.

Kiteboarding harnesses the power of the wind to hoist riders above the water for an exhilarating experience that will have you flying over the sea. Learn the ins and outs of this incredible thrill sport that combines the excitement of paragliding, windsurfing and wakeboarding with private, one-on-one lessons from The Leading Edge Kite School.

Get behind the wheel of a rugged, off-road ATV and head deep into the rainforest on a guided tour hosted by Gecko’s Island Adventures. The two-hour-long Gecko’s Original ATV Tour whisks you 14 miles through tropical terrain to the top of Mt. Stewart. Drivers must be at least 18 years old and present a driver’s license upon registration. Or opt for Gecko’s brand-new, 90-minute Xpedition STX tour, which will guide you through the islands’ only sub-tropical rainforest. Each tour can accommodate up to five guests in the same vehicle. Young explorers must be at least five years old and accompanied by a parent.

ST. JOHN

Cruz Bay Watersports will take you on a thrilling adventure to remember aboard its fleet of five state-of-the-art vessels, including catamarans and speed boats. Offering the widest variety of activities on both St. John and St. Thomas, Cruz Bay Watersports offers a heart-pumping experience for every type of thrill seeker. Check out the St. John Excursions that include guided jet ski tours, snorkeling and sunset sails.

Dive into an underwater adventure that doesn’t require diving certification! Set off on a SNUBA adventure with VI SNUBA Excursions. SNUBA allows you to breathe underwater using a hose and air pumped in from above the water’s surface. Following a lesson on how to use the equipment at the on-site dive shop, you’ll dive in and explore the turquoise waters of Trunk Bay. SNUBA tours start in shallow water and only go out to depths of 20 feet, so vacationers of all ability levels can feel comfortable. Even kids as young as eight years old can join in the underwater fun.

Hop on a paddleboard and navigate the calm waters of St. John, where you might spot dolphins playing in the waves or sea turtles popping up to the surface for a breath of air. Rent your paddleboard at SUP St. John, where you can also sign up for a lesson if you’ve never tried the sport before. Surfboards, skimboards and LED Paddles for night paddling are also available for rent by the week, so you have seven days to play.

ST. THOMAS

Swim with sea turtles, snorkel a colorful coral reef or kayak coastal waters. St. Thomas Adventure Tours offers it all, specializing in small-group and private excursions guided by local experts. No experience is necessary. Bonus: St. Thomas Adventure Tours is the only company on St. Thomas that guarantees you’ll see sea turtles on your underwater adventure.

Soar high above Pilsbury Sound — up to 400 vertical feet in the air — with Parasail Virgin Islands. Get a bird’s-eye view of the islands and see if you can spot dolphins swimming in the sea below you. You’ll gently take off and land on the deck of a 35-foot Ocean Pro boat. Choose to parasail solo or seated next to your partner. And be sure to let the captain know if you want to stay dry or would like to dip your feet in the waters as you fly.

Feel the rush of zooming among the trees at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour on a Tree Limin’ Extreme Zipline Tour. Six adrenaline-pumping ziplines are connected to eight treetop platforms atop St. Peter Mountain, overlooking breathtaking Magens Bay. The adventure begins with an exhilarating truck ride through the rainforest to the mountaintop in an authentic, six-wheel-drive Pinzgauer. Kids can also experience the thrill of ziplining, either tandem or solo, if they weigh a minimum of 70 pounds.

Calling all pirates! Whether you’re a couple looking to join a scheduled tour or a large group of family and friends, walk the plank to Stormy Pirates Charters. Take your pick from a plethora of boating adventures and a variety of sea-worthy vessels, including sailboats, catamarans and powerboats. The Turtles, Pizza & Shipwreck Tour includes a serene sail on a luxury catamaran along the beautiful northern shore of St. John, with a stop in Maho Bay to swim with the resident sea turtles before heading to St. Thomas’ Christmas Cove to snorkel a shipwreck and enjoy pizza delivered via boat from Pizza Pi VI. Crew members, who are longtime island residents, entertain guests with local folklore and pirate tales.

Explore more outdoor adventures.