Caribbean Family Vacation in US Virgin Islands

Looking for a Caribbean vacation getaway that the whole family can enjoy? You don't have to look any further than the U.S. Virgin Islands. From intimate inns on the beach to luxurious resorts overlooking the sea, St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas, have accommodations to suit every family's needs. All the comforts of home are available in the islands' many private villas for rent. St. John's environmentally friendly ecotourism resorts offer nature lovers the immediacy of the Caribbean outdoors with low-cost comfort and convenience.

Many hotels and resorts offer special children's programs designed to keep even the most active youngsters occupied. With arts and crafts, swimming and other watersports to fill their day, kids will think they're at camp - only on a tropical island. There are even nap times for the little ones. These supervised activities give parents the leisure to shop, sunbathe and dine without worrying about their children.

The wide array of tour options makes it easy to get to know all three islands in even the briefest visit. Bus drivers in open-air safari buses frequently double as historians, botanists and storytellers, and they are eager to share their knowledge of local lore. They love to show off the many island overlooks, offering spectacular views of the Caribbean. Renting a jeep is another popular way to explore the islands. Both children and adults will enjoy the bird's-eye view of the Caribbean available by seaplane.

With 22 trails, the Virgin Islands National Park on St. John offers some of the best hiking in the Caribbean. Families can spend days identifying the park's flora and fauna. The botanical gardens on St. Croix and St. Thomas are unsurpassed in their variety of tropical plant life. Historical treasurers, including several ancient forts built to ward off looting pirates, can also be found throughout the islands. (Note to parents: A USVI visit can be an education in itself, and the kids will have such a good time, they won't suspect a thing.)

Children will thrill at the rainbow-hued coral and underwater creatures that populate the USVI's snorkeling trails. With their calm, warm waters, the islands are ideal for kids just learning to windsurf, snorkel or fish.

Fun and adventure are abundant in the U.S. Virgin Islands because of the islands' seemingly endless activities. The USVI offers a variety of sports including sailing, tennis, golf, horseback riding, beach volleyball, biking, sportfishing and hiking. Numerous watersports are also available in the USVI including scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, windsurfing, parasailing and "snuba", found exclusively in the Caribbean.

Families looking for quality time together might try a charter yacht vacation on the waters surrounding the USVI. Charter yacht crews are always happy to teach the children some of the finer points of sailing.

Children will be thrilled with the sights they see on the Atlantis submarine, as they explore the depths of the ocean bottom, from the safety of a yellow submarine. Families can also discover the beauty of the underwater world aboard glass-bottom boats from which they can view some of nature's most beautiful corals and colorful fish of all shapes and sizes. Climbing 700 feet above sea level in a cable car, families are sure to enjoy the breathtaking view of Charlotte Amalie harbor on the Paradise Point Tramway. If families are looking for even more adventure, they may consider a kayaking tour through the calm waters of St. Thomas' mangrove lagoons in sturdy two-person kayaks. V.I. Ecotours teaches visitors of all ages about the delicate balance of marine life and the environment, while paddling through the sanctuary and snorkeling off the cay.

With its mix of history, shopping, great restaurants, natural wonders and outdoor activities, the USVI offers families non-stop adventure. Be prepared, though - the kids will have so much fun, they might never want to leave!