Top Island Tours
Discover USVI’s fascinating culture, history and foods during exciting tours led by friendly locals that delve deep into island life. Get unique insights into St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas during scenic hikes, kayaking trips, horseback rides, jeep journeys and even a soaring helicopter tour. We’ve got suggestions for some of the top tours on each island you won’t want to miss.
ST. CROIX
Hop into totally translucent kayaks and view the nighttime glow of the bioluminescent Salt River Bio Bay during Sea Thru Kayaks VI’s signature Bioluminescence Kayak Tour. St. Croix boasts one of only seven fully bioluminescent bays in the world, and the tour uncovers the magical world of these beaming microorganisms. Another standout tour is the National Park Kayak Tour, which glides through Salt River Bay National Park and Ecological Preserve, highlighting mangrove forests, snowy egrets and close-up views of quivering jellyfish.
Learn about St. Croix’s centuries-old culture and history during engaging walking tours hosted by Crucian Heritage & Nature Tourism (CHANT). Stroll along the palm tree-lined Frederiksted waterfront and soak in the architectural beauty of Danish colonial buildings, Victorian townhouses and landmark churches during the Frederiksted Walking Tour. Wind along the cobblestone streets and hear about the Fireburn rebellion that pushed for emancipation. Or follow in the footsteps of Alexander Hamilton through the stone warehouse where he worked, and the Danish Customs House where he apprenticed as a clerk, in Christiansted during the Alexander Hamilton Walking Tour.
Life on St. Croix is an exhilarating combination of strong community ties, a close connection to nature, and joyful cultural traditions like colorful moko jumbie stilt walkers and upbeat quelbe music. Visitors can experience the essence of Crucian life during Hanging With The Locals tours. Designed to showcase what it’s really like to live in paradise, the tour includes lessons in the Crucian dialect and customs. The Limin St. Croix tour takes visitors to scenic Altona Lagoon, where fishermen haul in their catches and iguanas and crabs scamper along the sand. Play dominoes, eat sea grapes and learn how to blow a conch shell before enjoying a lunch of local delicacies like salt fish pate and fried johnny cakes. Afterwards, explore the courtyards of 18th-century buildings, along with boutiques and art galleries, in downtown Christiansted. Or, travel to the easternmost point in the U.S. and view the sunrise over the Caribbean Sea during the Mahnin at Point Udall tour. It includes a traditional breakfast of titi bread and cheese served with freshly brewed bush tea.
Hop on a friendly steed and see St. Croix from a different perspective with Equus Rides horseback tours. Led by Cowboy Steve, your horse will march along the lush emerald hills and seaside bluffs of the island’s North Shore. A stop by the Danish Rust Op Twist estate provides a look into St. Croix’s sugar plantation legacy. Erected in the 1700s, the estate is one of the best-preserved plantations on the island. Three sugar mills stand beside the sea, and a watermill used for hydropower (which is unique to St. Croix) is buried in a mangrove thicket close to the shoreline. The highlight of the tour is when the horses splash into the sea and guests can cool down while riding their swimming horses.
ST. JOHN
Hike through a leafy canopy of some of St. John’s oldest and tallest trees during a ranger-guided tour of Reef Bay Trail in Virgin Islands National Park. The 2.3-mile trail offers a diverse journey that features Taino petroglyphs, sugar mill ruins, dense forest and a roaring waterfall (during the rainy season). Another option is a tour of the night sky. The Astronomy in the Park tour unfolds on Cinnamon Bay Beach at 8:15 p.m. on Wednesdays, from November through August. Witness twinkling constellations and celestial bodies through the park’s powerful 10-inch reflecting telescope.
Whether you want to commune with sea turtles, kayak through coral reefs or hike the cactus-lined paths of Salt Pond, Virgin Islands Ecotours organizes adventures that showcase St. John’s natural beauty. The company offers both kayaking and snorkeling tours along St. John’s scenic North Shore, where sea turtles swim in the turquoise waters of Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument. Paddling out to Henley Cay — a tranquil, 11-acre uninhabited island cradled by a spectacular coral reef — is a highlight. Landlubbers can opt for a three-hour hiking excursion through the hills of Salt Bay Pond Trail and rock formations of Drunk Bay Trail.
Hop into a shiny, four-door jeep and travel the roads of St. John on a private tour with Explore STJ. Guided by long-time St. John resident Jenn, all tours are completely personalized for either a full-day or half-day experience. Stroll along the ruins of the historic Annaberg Sugar Plantation, hike through the lush trails of Virgin Islands National Park, swim with sea turtles at pristine Maho Bay, and watch wild donkeys, peacocks, and iguanas meander down narrow roads. A stop by Skinny Legs – the Coral Harbor bar housed in a wooden shack that’s a beloved St. John institution — is often included. A jug of creamy Painkiller cocktails can also be added to your tour.
Experience Love City with the insider knowledge of native St. Johnians during a private tour with Star Fish Tours & Taxi. Roll along in a bright red bus emblazoned with starfish and hibiscus flowers, and take in the island’s signature sights like Trunk Bay and Bordeaux Mountain, the highest peak on St. John. Of course, there’s the added bonus of local stories and your guide’s own personal memories. Select a 2.5- or 4-hour customized tour and enjoy learning about the island’s picturesque landscape and interesting history.
ST. THOMAS
Soar over the dreamy blue shoreline of St. Thomas while viewing unforgettable aerial vistas with Caribbean Buzz Helicopters. Sightseeing Tours swoop over the east end of St. Thomas, the North Shore of St. John and the small cays in between. Or book one of the Heli-Adventures that can incorporate everything from fishing to snorkeling and kiteboarding.
The sights and sounds of St. Thomas thrill the senses, from the striking red Fort Christian (a 300-year-old historic landmark) to the clucks of chickens strutting along the cobblestone streets. But Rock City also satisfies your sense of taste, with a bevy of flavorful dishes that can be sampled during the Flavors of St. Thomas Food Tours. Scoop up fungi, savor curried chicken and snack on sweet fried plantains during a three-hour walking tour through foodie spots in downtown Charlotte Amalie. The experience is topped off with a demonstration on how to mix your own rum cocktail.
Jump into a custom Jeep 4×4 and traverse St. Thomas’ terrain over mountains, through rainforests and along pristine beaches on a Jeep Surfari. Discover the island’s hidden gems with a friendly guide during a customized half-day or full-day tour. Passengers can hike to historic ruins and rock formations, snorkel in secluded coves, pick coconuts and fruits from trees, and get the chance to capture photo ops at several scenic outlooks.
Take an immersive trip through St. Thomas with a variety of private, pirate-themed treasure hunts hosted by The Tropical Treasure Hunt Co. Gather your friends or family and form teams to see who can find the treasure first. The company’s signature Golden Age of Piracy hunt highlights St. Thomas pirate history and includes puzzles to solve, a trip to a beach to hunt for buried treasure, and admission to the Pirates Treasure Museum. The Magic Portal hunt involves a magic tablet and lots of gadgets that transform your surroundings, providing both physical and virtual clues.