St. John and St. Croix Make Travel + Leisure’s Top 25 Islands List
Travelers are big fans of the U.S. Virgin Islands and they know how to show it. Votes from visitors around the world earned both St. John and St. Croix coveted spots on the 2025 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards list of the top 25 islands in the Caribbean, Bermuda and the Bahamas.
- World’s Best Awards
- Explore St. John
- Discover St. Croix
- More things to do on St. John
- More things to do on St. Croix
WOrld’s Best Awards
For the 2025 Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards, the magazine’s global audience cast votes in the category of favorite island destinations in the Caribbean, Bermuda and the Bahamas. Proudly representing the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. John ranked No. 6 and St. Croix came in at No. 13 on the list of the top 25 islands. The accolades are featured in the August 2025 issue online and in the magazine edition.
St. John’s pristine Virgin Islands National Park was a main factor in snagging the island’s honor — about 60% of its land is dedicated to the park. And St. Croix’s blend of beaches, culture and history proved to be the the island’s winning trifecta.
“Our readers are seeking depth, character and a strong sense of place,” Travel + Leisure editor in chief Jacqui Gifford noted. “We’re thrilled to honor the hotels, destinations and travel companies that are delivering those transformative experiences.”
Travelers to USVI will discover a dizzying array of things to see and do on both St. John and St. Croix.
Explore St. John
With no airport or cruise port — you’ll fly in to St. Thomas and take a ferry to St. John — the island offers a peaceful, laid-back escape that’s ideal for eco-tourism, beach exploration and stunning Caribbean scenery.
St. John is a nature lover’s paradise thanks to Virgin Islands National Park. Its unspoiled beauty includes white-sand beaches like Trunk Bay (recognized as one of the best beaches in the world), crystal-clear waters for snorkeling at Maho Bay Beach and over 20 scenic hiking trails, including the picturesque Reef Bay Trail. Hike past ancient petroglyphs, tropical forests and historic sugar mill ruins. Spend time shopping, dining and exploring around the seaside town of Cruz Bay. Plan to stay on St. John for at least a long weekend to pack in all of the adventures that await.
Discover St. Croix
With stunning beaches, world-class scuba diving and a relaxed vibe, St. Croix is perfect for both adventure and relaxation.
Explore the sights in colonial towns like Christiansted and Frederiksted, snorkel the vibrant Buck Island Reef National Monument teeming with marine life and tour the historic Estate Whim Museum. Don’t miss kayaking the bioluminescent bay of the Salt River, taking a tasting tour of the Cruzan Rum Distillery and hiking through a lush rainforest.
Stay at a beachfront hotel or cozy bed and breakfast, dine on local cuisine at some of St. Croix’s top restaurants and take a scenic boat tour. Learn about the island’s fascinating history and heritage, even following in the footsteps of Alexander Hamilton.
More things to do on St. John
Explore Trunk Bay Beach: A St. John gem
Ultimate St. John honeymoon guide
