Where to Take Pictures in the U.S. Virgin Islands
Whether you’re a professional photographer, a selfie specialist or an underwater shutterbug with a GoPro in tow, the USVI is home to some of the most picture-perfect places in the world. Check out our guide to top spots in the U.S. Virgin Islands for pictures.
- Drake’s Seat
- Mountain Top
- Magens Bay
- Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden
- Point Udall
- Carambola Tide Pools/Annaly Bay
- Christiansted National Historic Site
- Cruz Bay
- Maho Bay
- Bordeaux Mountain Trail
Drake’s Seat
Legend has it that Sir Francis Drake stood at a lookout point perched on a St. Thomas mountaintop to spy on enemy ships approaching the island. Today, visitors flock to Drake’s Seat for its stunning panoramas. A green bench, added in the 1930s, is a popular prop and can fit up to four people for a sweet family or friends photo. Arrive before dawn to capture the sun as it rises over Magens Bay.
Mountain Top
Spectacular views await at Mountain Top, a scenic overlook 1,500 feet above the harbor on the summit of St. Peter Mountain on St. Thomas. Stop by for the sweeping vistas of the islands and cays, but stay for the world-famous banana daiquiris — made with Cruzan rum, sugar cane extract and ripe bananas plucked from a nearby grove. If you’re looking for photo supplies, Mountain Top is home to the islands’ largest duty-free store.
Magens Bay
Turquoise waters meet powdery white sand at Magens Bay in St. Thomas, considered one of the most breathtaking beaches in the world. Just beyond the protected 3/4-mile-long beach, palm trees and colorful flowers provide brilliant backdrops for photographs.
Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden
If you’re looking for a shot that captures the unique flora of St. Thomas, the two-acre Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden blooms with kaleidoscopic orchids and bromeliads surrounded by lush aroids, succulents and palms. After snapping photos, sip a ginger beer or pink guava juice at the on-site refreshment stand.
Point Udall
Be wowed by Point Udall in St. Croix, a scenic overlook at the easternmost point of the United States that’s known as one of the best places on the islands for capturing the sunset. The Millennium Monument, a giant sundial erected in 2000, commemorates the dawn of the new millennium and makes for an outstanding backdrop. From the summit, captivating waves crash on the shoreline in the distance, and it’s easy to see the magnificent reefs stretching out from the ocean below.
Carambola Tide Pools/Annaly Bay
Looking for an elusive, off-the-beaten path photo op? Grab your gear and set off on the challenging, 2.5-mile hike to reach the Carambola Tide Pools/Annaly Bay, a series of naturally formed pools on St. Croix’s beautiful North Shore. They’re filled with turquoise water and teeming with marine life. And chances are you’ll have the site mostly to yourself, so you can pose to your heart’s content.
Christiansted National Historic Site
Nestled on the photogenic Christiansted Harbor in St. Croix, Christiansted is a quaint town featuring historic Danish architecture. From its harborside Christiansted Boardwalk, it’s easy to capture the town’s colorful pastel blue, yellow and pink-washed buildings, which contrast beautifully with the ocean. Stroll Christiansted National Historic Site for more photos of historic buildings like Fort Christiansvaern, one of the best-preserved colonial-era forts in the Caribbean.
Cruz Bay
On the west coast of St. John, beautiful Cruz Bay is the quintessential Caribbean photo op. The crescent-shaped beach is lined with colorful beach bars, and the harbor is dotted with impressive yachts.
Maho Bay
Watch the sun dip behind the hills from the overlook above Maho Bay, one of St. John’s most peaceful spots. The wide view westward and frequent low clouds near the horizon often combine to create vivid, colorful sunsets — with soft pinks, fiery oranges and deep purples reflecting off the water. It’s an easy, scenic stop to end your day on a high note.
Bordeaux Mountain Trail
Rising nearly 1,300 feet above sea level, the moderately challenging Bordeaux Mountain Trail leads up to the highest summit on the island of St. John, where dazzling views of the island-dotted ocean make for one of the most postcard-perfect photo ops in USVI.
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