When you're staying in one of the St. Thomas villa rentals, you can explore the different islands nearby. There are numerous beautiful islands near St. Thomas that you can go to, each with its own unique features.
St. John
St. John is one of the two main islands near St. Thomas. The island of St. John is a great place to go diving, snorkeling and explore the different fauna and flora native to the area. To get to the island, you need to catch a ferry from St. Thomas, which is four miles away. Since more than 50% of the island is protected and part of the Virgin Islands National Park, expect to find some of the most preserved and rich marine and plant life. St. John is a famous honeymoon destination as well as a private retreat. On the north side of the island you will find most of the beach areas, but the rest are undeveloped and protected. However, you will find a variety of top-notch restaurants.
St. Croix
Another island that you should check out while staying in one of the St. Thomas beach rentals is St. Croix. As the largest island in the US Virgins Islands, St. Croix has the highest number of protected areas. Unlike St. John, St. Croix has more developed areas, offering a lot of restaurants, shops and attractions to choose from. One of the most popular activities in this island is scuba diving; most of of the dive sites are near sunken ships. Snorkeling is also a popular activity, together with sailing. You can also check out Buck Island which is an underwater national monument in the United States.
Water Island
Water Island is one of the two smaller islands close to St. Thomas. To reach it from one of the St. Thomas rentals, you can catch a ferry that travels regularly to the island. Although mostly a residential area, there are several notable attractions on Water Island including an underground fort from World War II, Fort Segarra. Fishing and boating are some of the popular activities on this island. If you want to spend the day swimming, then Honeymoon Beach is a great option, with its shores lined with palm trees.
Island of Cas Cay
The Island of Cas Cay is a small deserted island near St. Thomas where a wildlife sanctuary is located. Volcanic cliffs dominate the north side of the island, while 15 acres of mangrove forest resides on the south. This tropical island is a favorite spot for kayakers. Because of the rich mangrove ecosystem in the Island of Cas Cay, it is also a great snorkeling and scuba diving site. The beach has calm and crystal clear waters. The Island of Cas Cay is also home to Red Point Blow Hole.
Aside from the main islands, there are several smaller ones that surround St. Thomas. You can check out the listings at Vamoose.com to find a rental accommodation that will bring you close to these wonderful islands. Search for a rental based on size, price, location and more at Vamoose.