The best areas to stay on each island — with ferry terminal proximity in mind so you spend less time in transit and more time in paradise.
Compare hotels, resorts, and villas across St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix, and the BVI. Book with confidence through Booking.com.
Search Hotels on Booking.com →St. Thomas has the widest range of accommodation in the USVI — from beachfront resorts to boutique guesthouses. Where you stay matters for ferry access, so choose your area based on your itinerary.
Staying in the Red Hook area puts you steps from the passenger ferry to St. John and the BVI West End routes. Skip the taxi to the terminal — walk or take a 5-minute ride. Great for those doing day trips to St. John or island hopping.
Downtown Charlotte Amalie is closest to the Blyden Terminal for Road Town, Tortola and Virgin Gorda ferries. The STT airport is also just 10 minutes away. Havensight has the main cruise ship pier and duty-free shopping.
The east end resorts along Frenchman's Bay offer beautiful beach settings with easy access to Red Hook. Popular with luxury travelers who want both beach and ferry convenience. Home to the Marriott and other large resorts.
The north shore puts you near Magens Bay — one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Further from ferry terminals so you'll need a taxi to either Red Hook or Charlotte Amalie, but worth it if beaches are your priority.
St. John has limited accommodation compared to St. Thomas — which is exactly why it feels so special. Most of the island is protected National Park. Book well in advance, especially for high season. All ferry traffic runs through Cruz Bay on the west end.
Staying in or near Cruz Bay means you can walk to the ferry dock, restaurants, and shops. The Westin St. John is the largest resort close to Cruz Bay. Gallows Point Resort sits right on the water near the dock.
The east end of St. John — Coral Bay and beyond — offers a quieter, more remote experience. Villas and small guesthouses dominate this area. Budget time for the winding drive to Cruz Bay for ferries — about 20–25 minutes.
St. John has very limited hotel inventory — villas and vacation rentals make up a large portion of accommodation. Platforms like VRBO and Airbnb often have the best selection of private homes and villas, especially for groups. Book as early as possible. High season (December–April) books out months in advance.
St. Croix is the largest USVI island and the most spread out. The main choice is between staying in historic Christiansted on the north shore or near Frederiksted on the west coast. The QE IV Ferry docks at Gallows Bay near Christiansted.
Christiansted is the most popular base on St. Croix — a beautifully preserved Danish colonial town with restaurants, shops, and nightlife. The QE IV Ferry docks at Gallows Bay, right next to Christiansted. Easy walk or short taxi from the dock to most hotels.
Frederiksted is on the west coast and home to the cruise ship pier. A quieter, more laid-back town than Christiansted. Beautiful west-facing beaches for sunsets. About 30–40 minutes from Gallows Bay — a rental car is helpful if you're arriving by ferry.
Tortola has two main ferry terminals — Road Town on the south shore and West End (Soper's Hole) on the western tip. Where you stay should be guided by which terminal you're arriving at and where your onward plans take you.
Road Town is the BVI capital and the arrival point for ferries from Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. Staying in or near Road Town gives you easy access to the ferry terminal, restaurants, shops, and onward connections to Virgin Gorda and Anegada.
West End is the arrival point for ferries from Red Hook and St. John. Soper's Hole is a picturesque marina with shops and restaurants. Staying on the west side puts you close to Cane Garden Bay — one of Tortola's best beaches — and the Jost Van Dyke ferry.
Cane Garden Bay is arguably Tortola's most beloved beach — a long arc of sand with beach bars, restaurants, and great swimming. Centrally located between Road Town and West End, about 20–25 minutes from either terminal.
Trellis Bay on Beef Island is walking distance from Tortola's EIS Airport and the departure point for Scrub Island Resort ferry and the North Sound Express to Virgin Gorda. A convenient base for those doing multi-island trips.
Virgin Gorda splits naturally into two areas — The Valley in the south (home of The Baths and Spanish Town ferry dock) and North Sound in the north (home of Saba Rock, Bitter End, and Leverick Bay). They're connected by a hilly road or by water taxi.
The south end of Virgin Gorda is home to Spanish Town (the main ferry terminal), The Baths National Park, and most of the island's shops and restaurants. Stay here for easy ferry access and day trips to The Baths.
North Sound is one of the most beautiful protected anchorages in the Caribbean. Home to Saba Rock Resort, Leverick Bay Resort, and the former Bitter End Yacht Club area. Accessible by water from Gun Creek dock or via the North Sound Express from Trellis Bay.
Jost Van Dyke is a small island with limited accommodation — mostly guesthouses, cottages, and a handful of small resorts. Most visitors come as day-trippers, but staying overnight gives you the island almost to yourself after the day boats leave. White Bay is the most sought-after location.
White Bay is the most iconic spot on Jost Van Dyke — a stunning beach with the Soggy Dollar Bar (home of the original Painkiller) and Hendo's Hideout. A handful of small guesthouses and cottages sit right on the beach. Book very early — inventory is tiny.
Great Harbour is where all ferries arrive and where you'll find Foxy's Tamarind Bar — a Caribbean institution. A few guesthouses and cottages are available here. More convenient for ferry logistics than White Bay, though less scenic as a beach destination.