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Temperature and Time
Average temperatures range from 83°F in the winter and 92°F in the summer.
Atlantic Standard Time zone: Eastern Standard Time +1 hour. Greenwich Mean
Time -4 hours. No daylight savings.
When To Go
The peak period for visiting is January through April. However, some of the
best snorkeling is in early summer, when the winds are calm and the water
flat. The US Virgin Islands has year-round warm temperatures. With average
temperatures ranging from 83°F in winter to 92°F in summer, the US Virgin
Islands is an ideal destination any time of the year.
What To Bring
Island's End Villa is fully furnished, including all linens and kitchen
utensils, as well as beach towels and chairs. You need to bring sunscreen,
hat, camera and film, personal toiletries, prescription medicine, water
bottles, bug repellant, bathing suits, a long sleeved shirt or light jacket
for cool evenings, casual shorts and shirts, a little fancier outfits for
going out to dinner.
What To Wear
Dress is casual. Most folks wear jeans and t-shirts, shorts, sun dresses,
polo shirt and trousers. Although jackets and ties are rare, they may be
required for some of the fancier resorts. Hats and sun protection are
strongly recommended.
What To Do
The secluded white sand beach and year-round tropical climate offer a
variety of popular water sports (with expert instruction available)
including kayaking, windsurfing, sailing, snorkeling and scuba diving.
Massage, yoga, National Park presentations, live music and other activities
are also available.
The immediate area around Maho Bay Camps has beautiful hiking trails
including walks to historic plantation ruins. The town of Cruz Bay offers
active night life via local taxi service.
Weather and Climate
The Virgin Islands, just 18° north of the equator, has a true tropical
climate. Generally, sunrise between 5:30am and 6:30am. and sunset
6:30pm-7:00pm. Summer daytime temperatures range from the high 80s to low
90s, and winter temperatures range from the high 70s to low 80s, , low
humidity. The hottest months are August and September, when the day
temperatures can average in the 90s F/32°-38° C. There is more rain during
the fall than at other times, but most rain is confined to brief, intense
showers. Winter is about 5°F/3°C cooler than the rest of the year, and it's
a good idea to take a sweater for the evenings any time you visit. Trade
winds blow continuously.
Expect rain all year long, with October and November being the wettest
months, and February and March being the driest. Hurricane season centers
around August - September. June - November is officially the hurricane
season, though it's usually still a fine time to visit St John. Purchase
trip-cancellation insurance that covers inclement weather during hurricane
season.
Passports
U.S. citizens are not required to carry a passport when traveling to the
USVI, although carrying photo identification and a copy of a birth
certificate is suggested. American Airlines, Delta and US Airways offer
regularly scheduled flights to the USVI. Nonstop flights from New York,
Philadelphia, Atlanta and Miami travel to the USVI in less than four hours.
Major cruise lines also operate throughout the year.
Flight Insurance
During hurricane season (or blizzard season in the States) you are
encouraged to get Travel Insurance that covers both airfare and lodging.
Various credit card companies offer coverage.
Arrival in St. Thomas
St. John has no airport, so if you fly to the Virgin Islands you will land
at the airport on St.Thomas. A taxi or shuttle takes you to Red Hook where a
20 minute ferry ride takes you to Cruz Bay on St. John. Ferries leave every
hour on the hour from 7:00 AM to midnight 7 days a week, every day of the
year.
Regular taxis are located just outside of the baggage claim area and the
fare is about $10 per person to Red Hook. Some Island taxis are known to
load up to 10 passengers in a large van then drop people off at various
spots along the way. Private taxi services that will meet you at the airport
and deliver you directly to the next boat. These services charge a little
more than the regular taxi rates and require pre-payment. Contact Direct
Taxi Service at (340) 777-7112 or Christopher Taxi Service at (340)
775-9257.
Ferries to St. John
The St. John ferries leave St. Thomas from two locations. Both arrive in St.
John at the ferry dock in Cruz Bay. The Redhook Ferry is a 20-minute ride
that costs about $5 per person and leaves every hour on the hour; the last
boat leaves at midnight. The Downtown Ferry is a 45 minute ride which costs
about $10 per person and leaves the waterfront at Charlotte Amalie at: 9am,
11am, 1pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5:30pm. If you are prone to seasickness do not take
this boat on stormy days.
Island's End Ferry Pick-up
After retrieving your luggage, call Island's End rental company Great
Caribbean Getaways at our local number, 693-8692 to let them know which
ferry to meet on St. John. If you are not planning on going directly to the
ferry please tell them that in advance. They will be waiting for you on the
dock in Cruz Bay. From there you can secure your car rental.
Rental Cars and Rates
As a free service, the villa rental company will reserve a vehicle for
you when you pay your deposit. There are a limited number of rental cars on
St. John - so limited that during high season there are not enough cars to
go around. To rent a car on St. John drivers must be at leasy 25 years old,
with a valid drivers license and a major credit card. Check to make sure
that your rental car insurance applies to the US Virgin Islands and to
SUV's.
Driving
We drive on the left in St. John. No temporary licenses are required for
those holding a valid US license. Temporary licenses are available for those
holding a non-US license for a small fee. Out of island licenses are valid
for 90 days after arrival during which time you can apply for the USVI
license. In order to rent a car you must be at least 25 years old in most
cases.
Legal Drinking Age
The drinking age in the United States Virgin Islands is 18 years old. Note:
while an 18 year old can buy and consume alcohol legally within the USVI,
you must be 21 to leave the territory and return to the states with alcohol
purchases.
Drinking Water
Most USVI residences use bottled water for drinking. All water for the
houses on St. John is collected rainwater. People buy bottled water to
drink. Please be mindful—water is scarce on the island, so use water
respectfully.
Travelers with Disabilities
The Virgin Islands is a difficult destination for travelers with
disabilities, but not as difficult as several years ago. Many businesses
have made modifications to better serve people with disabilities. When
making travel arrangements it is always a good idea to ask questions about
accessibility to pools, beaches, dining facilities and the lobby. Newer
accommodations have ramps and accessible facilities. Older facilities often
times were built before legal specifications were in place. Discuss your
needs with the receptionist or operator to insure your needs are met.
Duty-Free Shopping
With no customs duties or sales tax on tourism related items, the United
States Virgin Islands is a shopping lover's paradise. US citizens are
allowed a duty-free shopping quota of $1,200.00 - twice that of any other
island in the Caribbean and three times that of European countries. The USVI
offers great bargains on items such as watches, cameras, fine jewelry, china
and leather goods.
Cellular Phone Service
European GSM cellular phones will not work in the USVI. US standard digital
cellular phones will probably work if your carrier offers roaming features
in the Virgin Islands. Sprint PCS and Cingular Wireless phone work as these
two providers have offices in the USVI. Some ATT and Verizon users have
reported that their phones work. Call your provider to inquire as to whether
your plan will allow you to use your phones without roaming while in the
USVI.
Telecommunications
The international dialing code for the US Virgin Islands is +1 340 followed
by seven digits. On the islands, use only the seven digits. To dial the UK
from the US Virgin Islands, the international access code is +44 followed by
the area code, omitting 0, and then the number.
Currency
Currency is US Dollars. Credit cards and traveler's checks are generally
accepted. Credit and charge cards are widely accepted. ATM machines are
often found in front or inside of banks. Bank hours are generally Monday to
Thursday 9:00am-4:00pm. Friday 9:00am-5:00pm. Chase Manhattan Bank and Banco
Popular De Puerto Rico-Saturday 9:00am-12:00n.
Taxes and Service Charges
Resort tax: 8%. Service charge: 10%. No sales tax.
Tipping
As on the U.S. mainland, tipping of 15% to 20% is customary for service well
done. Some hotels and restaurants automatically add a service charge, and
for parties over 6 people the tip is almost always added in, so check your
bill.
Food and Restaurants
Experienced worldwide travelers consider the US Virgin Islands a dining
paradise, where days are spent basking under a golden sun and evenings are
spent dining on sumptuous island delicacies prepared with an international
flair.
"Fusion" cuisine combines the latest cooking trends from around the
world, and has found its place on menus at the more adventurous eateries.
French, Mexican, Chinese, Pacific Rim and Italian add to the mix of foods
available, and American favorites can also be found on most menus.
The islands' year-round warm weather continually draws internationally
trained chefs to their shores, creating a wealth of talent in commercial
kitchens throughout the USVI. Locally grown ingredients, used for centuries
by the local West Indians, Europeans and Africans, are used by chefs to
accent their signature dishes with homegrown flavors. The results are often
exquisite and certainly never dull.
Many restaurant menus rely on the islands' surrounding waters, serving
Wahoo, grouper, mani-mahi and other fresh fish. Long a local favorite, conch
has found its way onto nearly all restaurant menus.
Local island cuisine derives much of its flavor from the USVI's West
Indian and African cultures. "Fungi," a cornmeal-based side dish, and
"killaloo," a soup made from okra, spinach and fish, guarantee a taste of
local flavor. Sweet-potato pudding, fried "johnnycake" bread, banana-like
plantations and "old wife" fish are also popular with locals and
vacationers.
Visitors Bureau
Department of Tourism’s Visitors Bureau – (800) 372-8784
St John Guidebook and Map – (340) 776-6922 or
http://www.stjohnguidebook.com/
Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park
at
http://www.friendsvinp.org/
Books about St. John
at
http://www.americanparadisepublishing.com/
Island Manners
Greet everyone with a “Good Morning” or Good Evening”. It is against the law
to stroll around town in your bathing suit. Wait patiently while cars stop
in the middle of the road to talk to each other or to drop people off.
Remember to drive on the left , and to pull over to let the car behind you
pass so that he can make the ferry on time and you can continue enjoying the
magnificent scenery.
Emergency Medical Care
Twenty-four hour medical care available at two convenient locations for any
problems that may occur during your holiday. Stateside trained staff in
emergency medicine and family practice. Walk in or call for appointment at
(340) 775-2303 or 776-6789. Emergencies 772-8348.
Doctors and Dentists
Highly qualified doctors and dentists, who carry degrees from US medical
schools, can be found on all three islands. St. Croix and St. Thomas have
hospitals; St. John has a clinic.
Public Transportation
Visitors may choose from a variety of transportation options, from taxi vans
to buses to car rentals. Full-service bus lines operate on St. Croix and St.
Thomas. Taxi and jeep-rental services are available on all three islands.
Taxi vans are the most widely used mode of transportation, and most taxi
drivers are able to provide comprehensive tours of the islands. Taxi rates
are based on destination rather than mileage.
United States Postal Service
We have the same rates and service. Use airmail outside the U.S.
Safety
Just like anywhere else, we have crime here too. So have fun but exercise
caution. When touring on foot, stick to well-lighted streets at night. When
going anywhere by car, leave valuables out of sight and locked inside.
Better yet, leave them in the safe deposit box at your hotel or on board
your ship. Never leave valuables unattended on the beach.
Suntanning
The tropical sun is hot - be careful when tanning especially around
noontime.
Year-Round Festivals and Events
St John's residents and visitors love to take part in and put on festivals.
Listed below is a brief overview; click the link to view a more detailed
listing of St. John's year-round festivals and events.
January: Third Annual St Croix Blues and Heritage Festival
March 23-27: St John Blues Festival
April 10-12: 26th Annual International Rolex Cup Regatta - St. Thomas
April 17-18: Estate Whim Planatation Museum Candlelight Concert - St. Croix
April 24-May 2: Virgin Islands' Carnival - St. Thomas
May 1: Triathlon Jump-Up - St. Croix
May: St. Croix International Triathlon
May 15-May 17: All Caribbean Charter Yacht Show - St. Thomas
June 11-14: Caribbean Optimist Regatta - St. Thomas
June 21-July 4: St. John Fourth of July Celebration
July 4 : Fourth of July Parade - St. John
August 29-30 : St. Thomas Open
August 30: Estate Whim Plantation Museum Starving Artists Day - St. Croix
September 13: Hugo Memorial Yacht Race - St. Croix
October 4: Sir Francis Drake Yacht Race - St. Thomas
October 11: Mumm's Cup Tune Up - St. Croix
November 1: St. Thomas Yacht Club Grand Prix
November 1: Coral Reef Swim (5 mile swim) - St. Croix
November 4-6: All Caribbean Charter Yacht Show - St. Thomas
November 7-9: Mumm's Cup Regatta - St. Croix
November 27-29: Tillett Gardens Arts Alive Festival - St. Thomas
December 8-January 4: Crucian Christmas Festival - St. Croix
An island-wide festival which includes parades, concerts and a food fair.
Festivities are numerous and span the entire holiday season. |
