The Virgin Islands

Mountainous and luminously green, the Virgin Islands number about 100, some governed by the United States and others by Great Britain. No matter where you’re traveling from, St. Thomas is for many people the gateway to the Virgins with duty-free shopping and global dining. The lush beauty known as St. John, at 9 miles long and 5 miles wide has two-thirds of its acreage taken up by one of America’s most beautiful national parks with stunning beaches and moorings.

 

With steady tradewinds and scores of protected deep-water harbors, the BVI offer some of the best sailing grounds in the Caribbean. Tortola, the largest island in the B.V.I. and its capital—it’s a relaxed spot with something for everyone while beautiful and sparsely populated Virgin Gorda is the place to go for luxury stays in secluded resorts. Dotted about the main islands are private island retreats and uninhabited islands perfect for overnighting.