Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/471511
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS It doesn't always take a passport to get to paradise. American territories by name, the water sports, beaches, Carnival season, and festivals prove the USVI to be Caribbean in spirit and distinctively delightful. St. Croix, spanning 84 square miles of cactus- studded hills, tropical forests, and 18th century beach towns, is one of the only places in the Caribbean that divers can explore a wall, reef, wreck and pier in the same day, then dry off to wet their whistles at the Cruzan Rum Distillery and Captain Morgan Visitor Center. Cosmopolitan St. Thomas brings elegance to the table, with gourmet dining and lively nightlife that complement its duty-free shopping, a tradition dating back to the settlers of Jamestown, Virginia. Danish colonial warehouses add character to one of the most visited—and beautiful—cruise ports in the Caribbean. Charlotte Amalie, the USVI capital, has all the yachting and sport fishing you could ever want, but the best views of the boats are from Paradise Peak, Flag Hill, Drake's Seat, Valdemar Hill, and the cliffside golf course, Mahogany Run, of George and Tom Fazio's design. The smallest of the islands, St. John, is a foil to St. Thomas' bustle. So unspoiled that over 800 plant species grow in its hilly tropical forests, and so protected that it is home to the underwater Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument, its underwater snorkeling trail at Trunk Bay is a must by sea and the Taino relic-strewn Reef Bay Trail in Cruz Bay to the Annaberg sugar plantation ruins is a can't miss by land. S T . J O H N S T . T H O M A S Thatch Cay Buck Island S T . C R O I X Long Reef Frederiksted Christiansted East Pt. Alexander Hamilton Airport Cinnamon Bay Buck Island Channel Christiansted Harbour Cruz Bay The Narrows Cyril E. King Airport Charlotte Amalie Red Hook Nadir Fortuna Frenchman Bay A T L A N T I C O C E A N Caribbean Sea B R I T I S H V I R G I N I S L A N D S 0 2 miles 0 2 km 0 2 miles 0 2 km S T . J O H N S T . T H O M A S Great St. James Island Thatch Cay Buck Island S T . C R O I X Long Reef Davis Bay Frederiksted Christiansted East Pt. Grapetree Bay Great Pond Bay Krause Pt. Long Pt. Bay Sandy Pt. Long Pt. Alexander Hamilton Airport Cinnamon Bay Salt Pond Bay Reef Bay Pillsbury Sound Buck Island Channel Christiansted Harbour Flanagan Island Cruz Bay The Narrows Little St. James Island Water Island Botany Bay Maria Bay Bay David Pt. Cyril E. King Airport Charlotte Amalie Bovoni Bay Red Hook Nadir Fortuna Frenchman Bay Caribbean Sea 0 2 miles 0 2 km DIVI CARINA BAY ALL INCLUSIVE BEACH RESORT & CASINO OOO Located on a quiet stretch of beach, this resort combines privacy and relaxation with modern style and amenities. Spacious beachfront guestrooms and deluxe hillside suites offer private balconies with stunning views. Only steps away from the exciting resort casino, with an on-site PADI ® Five Star dive operation and activities center, guests have their choice of diversions. THE BUCCANEER OOOO H This exquisite country club-like setting features three pristine beaches, 18 holes of golf, eight tennis courts, spa and three restaurants. Family owned and operated for generations, The Buccaneer remains St. Croix's flagship resort, ideal for couples, honeymooners and families. Located minutes from Christiansted. Breakfast included. ST. CROIX 84 U.S. Virgin Islands 3 1 13 10 11 14 16 8 7 12 2 5 6 1 3 15 4 RENAISSANCE ST. CROIX CARAMBOLA BEACH RESORT & SPA OOOO Nestled in a lovely and lush landscape, this is an unspoiled retreat in St. Croix, USVI. The resort features 583-square-foot studio suites that offer private screened-in porches, and are outfitted in rich mahogany wood. Also offered are spectacular sunsets, three seasonal restaurants, a spa, poolside bar, necessities shop, fitness center, dive center, and large pool with Jacuzzi ® . 2 9