Facts and Figures  

The Virgin Islands of the United States is a U.S. territory. It is located in the Lesser Antilles at 18 degrees North latitude and 65 degrees West longitude. The 1990 population of the Virgin Islands was 98,000. The capital is Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas. The Department of the Interior administers the Virgin Islands. They have a locally elected governor and senate. Residents do not get to vote in Presidential elections, but they do send an elected representative to Congress. Virgin Islanders pay federal income taxes, but the collected revenues are retained in the local treasury. The U.S. dollar is the official currency. The Virgin Islands operate on Atlantic Standard Time, which is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time or the same as Day Light Savings Time. When traveling to the Virgin Islands, U.S. citizens do not need passports. ( Guidebook contains additional Information.)

In the Virgin Islands, standard 110 volts/60 Hz electrical power is used, so there is no need for stateside visitors to bring adapters for hair dryers, computers and other electrical necessities. Power outages do occur, but they do not last long. Cell phone service is available in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Some cell phones supplied by stateside service providers also work in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Others do not. If you find that your cell phone provider does not service the U.S. Virgin Islands, you can still use your cell phone. (Guidebook contains additional information.)

How to Get Here!  

Unless you are coming by boat, you must first fly to St. Thomas in order to reach St. John . Major airlines fly directly to St. Thomas from New York, Boston and Miami. There are excellent connecting flights through Puerto Rico. From the St. Thomas airport you take a 45-minute taxi ride to Red Hook on the eastern end of St. Thomas, where you catch the ferry to Cruz Bay, St. John. The Red Hook ferry runs on the hour from 6:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. The ferry ride between Red Hook and Cruz Bay, St John takes 20 minutes. Less frequent ferries run between downtown Charlotte Amalie and Cruz Bay, St. John (45-minute ride). For more information call Transportation Services (340-776-6282).

Climate and Clothing 

Temperatures range from the low-70s to the mid-90s year round. Hurricane season runs from June through October. The cooler months are December through April. The rainfall is usually more frequent from July to January. It can get quite dry in the spring and summer. Passing showers are common at any time of the year. As far as clothing is concerned, cottons are best. A light jacket or sweater may be needed during the evenings of the cooler months. (Guidebook contains additional information.)

Conserving water is a way of life on St. John. Islanders rely on infrequent rain showers to collect water in their cisterns. Most hotels, guest houses and villas ask visitors to be frugal with their use of this precious commodity.

These storms have occasionally cause serve damage in the Virgin Islands. Watch weather forecasts and plan accordingly. Most hotels will not allow guests to stay during a hurricane. If you find yourself stranded on the island, you will be required to take shelter at a designated location.

Three Kings Day (January 6)

Transfer Day (March 31). Commemorates sale of the Virgin Islands to the U.S.

St. John Festival (June-July). Thirty-day event encompassing Organic Act Day (third Monday of June), Carnival (1st week of July), 4th of July Celebrations and Emancipation Day (July 3rd).

Hurricane Supplication Day (4th Monday in July)

Local Thanksgiving (3rd Monday in October)

To order your copy of St. John On Foot and By Car click on the credit cards or send us a check at the address below.

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