“Fun”-damentals of the U.S. Virgin Islands

Ahoy! Welcome aboard and settle in to learn some “fun”-damentals about these islands we call home. Back when we first started doing blogs we gave you a quick run down of interesting facts about the Virgin Islands, but we thought it was time to share a little more about what makes these islands so darn interesting and unique. There truly is “no place like home,” as Dorothy declared in The Wizard of Oz. 

Ten Fun Facts Worth Knowing – aka “the good stuff”

1. St. John, only 19 sq. miles, is home to more than 30 beaches and the 36-square-miles of St. Thomas features over 40 beaches.
2. The Bushwacker, a creamy, chocolatey rum drink also known as an “adult milkshake”, originates from Sudi’s Caribbean Bar & Grille on St. Thomas.
3. Literally eating on the water is a real thing in the Virgins. In Coral Bay off of St. John there’s a one-of-a-kind floating taco bar named LIME OUT that’s  accessible only by boat. (Besides amazing tacos, they also serve ceviche, guacamole, chips and homemade salsa and sauces.) And, there’s also Pizza Pi, located in Christmas Cove off of St. Thomas, where you can indulge in slices of your favorite Italian pie with a multitude of toppings. Best of all – eating in your bathing suit is totally acceptable!
4. Yes, it’s true! St. Thomas was once a popular trade stop for some of the most notorious pirates, including Blackbeard, Captain Kidd, and Tempest Rogers. 
5. Agave Americana, also known as the Century Plant, grows on many hillsides in the Virgins. While it can grow anywhere from 20 to 40 feet tall, it only blooms once in its lifetime.
6. While the three main U.S. islands are affectionately referred to “The Virgins,” each individual island is named after a man!
7. Beer aficionados will be happy to know that although rum reigns supreme in the Caribbean, breweries exist on St. Thomas and St. John. (Indulge your taste for home brews at Frenchtown Brewery and St. John Brewers.) We proudly serve Leatherback products on all of our charters!!
8. Getting an aerial view of St. Thomas without boarding a plane is entirely possible thanks to Skyride to Paradise, an attraction that carries you 700 feet above the island.
9. While there are 7 species of sea turtles in the world, three of them inhabit the waters off of St. John. The two most common are the green and the hawksbill, but the third – the leatherback – is the largest and most difficult to locate. The largest leatherback ever recorded was 10 ft long and weighed 2019 pounds!
10. Although Carnival celebrations often occur around Easter in other countries, the schedule for celebrations in the USVI happens throughout the year. Plan your trips accordingly and you can catch St. Croix’s Carnival in late December into January, St. Thomas’s festivities in April, and St. John’s celebrations in July. 

Basic Stats – Or, interesting facts to know before you go!

Located in the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands sit roughly 50 miles east of Puerto Rico and 1100 miles southeast of Miami. Covering 346 sq. miles, the islands are mostly hilly to mountainous (except for St. Croix, which has a large, flat southern plain) with the highest point being Crown Mountain on St. Thomas, which reaches 1555 feet. 

Although the citizens of the U.S. Virgin Islands are considered Americans, they do not have voting power when it comes to electing the President. Because the islands are considered an unincorporated organized territory of the United States, residents can serve in the U.S. military, must pay taxes, and can elect local officials, but they have no authority when it comes to national elections. Taxation without representation is a frequent complaint and not a fun fact about the Virgin Islands.

English is the primary language but Spanish runs a close second. French and Creole are also spoken by many. Throw in a bit of West Indies’ dialect as well and communication can sometimes be as spicy and delicious as the food selections. Lest you think that education isn’t important, you might be surprised to learn that 90 to 95% of the population is literate, higher than some areas of the mainland.

An interesting fact that makes the islands so desirable is that temperatures don’t vary much with 80 degrees Fahrenheit being the norm and visiting the island is PERFECT year round!! The driest part of the year runs December to April, while autumn is usually the wettest season, but it’s really just quick passing showers. Many say that the best time to visit is between February and April, but then the island is really quite busy then. November is my favorite month, because it’s the end of the rainy season and everything is green and lush, crowds are still low and since it’s the beginning of the “Tourist Season” everything is open, and staff are excited for the coming season! If you don’t mind watching the weather and a few closures, August through October are amazing months to visit, as well. The normal trade winds die so the seas are flat calm and crystal clear which makes it perfect for boat days and snorkeling. 

It’s always the perfect time to visit because the water is always warm, the sun is always bright, and the Rum Drinks are always cold!!

One quirky reality is that driving is done on the left side of the road, even though the steering is also located on the left. (It’s some kind of American-European blend of traditions!) And don’t even try to use cruise control as the hazards of switchbacks, mountainous drop-offs, and wild donkeys or goats scurrying across the road will have you braking more often than you thought possible. But hey, the views are amazing, so S-L-O-W down and enjoy the scenery.

Island Etiquette – In other words: How to be a good tourist  

“Good morning,” “Good afternoon,” and “Good evening” are the preferred greetings which are a bit more formal than the mainland where “Hey,” “What’s up?” or “Hi” might be exchanged. Politeness goes a long way, so smile and address islanders with the courtesy they deserve. Besides, making friends with the locals puts a lot more fun into your vacation.

Swimsuits are great for the beach, but cover up when shopping or buying groceries. And contrary to some other Caribbean locales, nudity is not acceptable in the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

Be mindful that the coral and sea grasses surrounding the islands are already in a fragile state, so when snorkeling or swimming, never stand on anything but pure sand. If you aren’t a great swimmer, wear a flotation device when in the water to ensure that you don’t need to leave unnecessary footprints in your wake.

Along these same lines, please don’t touch the fish or turtles or starfish that you encounter. Human interactions with wildlife spread diseases and harm the very creatures we all find so fascinating. (Note: Starfish can’t live outside of water for even a minute so don’t ever pick them up.) And, please don’t feed the wild donkeys on St. John from your car! Feeding them sends the message that cars will deliver food which simply encourages them to dart towards traffic and risk getting hit. There’s nothing sadder than seeing an injured donkey lying on the side of the road. 

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While maybe not exactly a “fun fact,” tipping is more than common courtesy when on vacation in the Virgin Islands. The money garnered from tips is crucial to help locals pay their bills as the cost of living is very high. Remember, everyone is working very hard to make your vacation more fun and enjoyable, so acknowledge their efforts. 

Water conservation is a priority as there are no fresh water sources on St. John, St. Thomas or Water Island and only a limited supply on St. Croix (which comes from the Kingshill Aquifer). The water supply is rainwater collected from rooftops and stored in cisterns. Therefore, it’s a precious commodity and should not be wasted. During dry seasons, water is actually brought in on barges and delivered to fill the cisterns. 

Natural Wonders – A few reasons why you’ll never get bored while visiting the islands

There’s a reason the Virgin Islands are nicknamed “America’s Paradise.” Those white-sand beaches and turquoise waters are some of the most exquisite eye candy in the world. In fact, Trunk Bay on St. John is consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. 

Here’s another interesting fact: While the underwater trail at Trunk Bay is often cited as a unique adventure (think of it as a hiking trail underwater that requires snorkeling gear!), Buck Island Reef on St. Croix was actually the first underwater trail. Both are worth a visit and the assortment of fish and colors will amaze you.

Underwater treasures consist of more than just fish and coral. There are a few sunken ships to explore as well. Check out this old blog for more specifics: Shipwrecks of the Virgin Islands. 

Did you know that Virgin Island National Park on St. John covers 23 square miles? That’s about 75% of the island. Another fun fact is that some 323,999 people visited the park in 2021. Even more surprising? There’s no entrance fee for most of it and more than enough hiking trails to keep you in shape.

Ever wonder how many species of fish inhabit the waters surrounding the Virgin Islands? Not 100 or even 200, but 500 species of fish! There also are 40 different types of coral and hundreds of invertebrates. 

Want to experience watching the sun rise before anyone else on the mainland? Head to Point Udall, which sits at the far eastern point on ST. Croix. It’s affectionately called “America’s First Sunrise.”

The Dirty Dozen – Just a few more fun, interesting facts in case you ever play Jeopardy and there’s a category on the USVI

#1. Water Island officially became part of the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1944 and was purchased from the East Asiatic Company for $10,000 for military purposes. (Look up Fort Segarra for more information.)

#2. Twenty-eight athletes from the U.S. Virgin Islands, many of them women, have participated in the Winter Olympics since 1988, representing various sports such as bobsled, luge, alpine skiing, and skeleton.

#3. The only native land mammal found in the U.S. Virgin Islands is the bat.

#4. Tim Duncan, from St. Croix, was the number one NBA draft pick in 1997 and he played for the San Antonio Spurs for his entire career. Interestingly, he only took up basketball at age 14 because Hurricane Hugo destroyed the local pool where he was training to become a competitive swimmer.

#5. Seven different flags have flown over the U.S. Virgin Islands during its history.

#6. St. John is nicknamed “the quiet island,” St. Thomas is known as “the party island,” and St. Croix is considered to be a mix of both.

#7. There are some 50 smaller islands, cays and islets that are part of this Caribbean Archipelago.

#8. Unique to the west side of St. Croix, a thatch-roofed bar by the name of Mt. Pellier Hut Domino Club features beer drinking pigs.

#9. The Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas has the oldest synagogue building in continuous use under the American flag and the second oldest in the Western Hemisphere. It’s known for its one-of-a-kind sand-covered floor. 

#10. Lawrence Rockefeller bought a large portion of the island of St. John, and he later donated over 5000 acres to establish the Virgin Islands National Park.

#11. The oldest tree on St. Thomas, believed to be 250 years old, is a baobab tree located in Grove Place and was planted by an African individual from seeds brought from Africa during the time of the transatlantic slave trade.

#12. The Virgin Islands has its own classification of music known as Quelbe, which is indigenous folk music.

End Notes: Hopefully you’ve learned something new and interesting about our islands that will spur you to book your next trip. Nothing excites us more at Stormy Pirates than helping visitors discover all the fun and unique aspects of the Virgin Islands, so reach out and book a boat day with us. Our lineup of offerings has expanded and we also do custom trips. As always, we promise to put the gang plank down and escort you in style!