7 US Virgin Island Family Resorts the Whole Family Will Love!

 

Year-round warm temperatures, turquoise clear waters, white sand beaches, diverse cultures, and fun activities await families visiting the U.S. Virgin Islands. And, for American citizens – there’s no passport needed to visit!

There’s never a wrong time to start planning a Caribbean vacation and these US Virgin Island family resorts have something to fit every vacation vibe.

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Which of the Virgin Islands is Best for Families? 

The US Virgin Islands are located in the northeastern Caribbean Sea, about 40 miles to the east of Puerto Rico. There are three main islands with approximately 50 cays and smaller islands. These are: St. John, St. Croix, and St. Thomas. The British Virgin Islands are also nearby, but US visitors do need a passport to lounge under those tropical palm trees.

Enjoy beach vacations on St. Croix or St. Thomas or stay in the hills of St. John. The islands are all great for family travel, but our favorite for families with younger kids is St. Thomas. 

 

St. Thomas

St. Thomas has a large international airport for easy, affordable flights from the United States. The Americanized vibe is great for families with young children, especially since it’s close enough to experience local culture on the nearby islands. It’s also a 20-minute ferry ride from St. John!

 

St. John

St. John is known for its serene landscapes and natural beauty. The island prioritizes ecotourism and is where visitors will find the Virgin Islands National Park, surrounded by beaches with beautiful coral reefs. It is more expensive than the other islands. 

 

St. Croix

St. Croix is a little further than the other islands, being a 90-minute ferry ride. It offers a more romantic setting with a gorgeous botanical garden and beautiful beaches. St. Croix also has a large international airport with direct flights from the United States. 

 

Best Family Resorts in St. Thomas 

Marriott’s Frenchman’s Cove

At Marriott’s Frenchman’s Cove, families can stay in 2- or 3-bedroom villas. Each tropical-themed villa has a full kitchen, dining and sitting areas, private rooms, and ocean views. 

 

 

There are plenty of activities and amenities included at Frenchman’s Cove; however, you have to pay for these, unlike at all-inclusive resorts. Families can dine at nearby eateries, the onsite restaurant, or buy snacks and other foods at the onsite Marketplace. 

 

Secret Harbour Beach Resort

At Secret Harbour Beach Resort, families can stay in roomy condos with private balconies and a full kitchen. While our family did venture out (it’s only a 15-20 minute drive to Redhook to hop a ferry for easy access to St. John), there was tons of fun at the resort. The onsite dive center has watersports rentals for kayaking, sailing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. 

 

 

There is also a hillside outdoor swimming pool and sun deck with gorgeous views of the sea, free Wi-Fi, a fitness center, and beach access. Enjoy meals with Caribbean flair at the Sunset Grille or head outside at The Patio restaurant. While the food was good, there weren’t a ton of options. If you have picky eaters like I do, there’s also a grocery delivery service we found helpful! 

 

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Emerald Beach Resort

For families traveling to St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands on a budget, we love the affordable prices at Emerald Beach Resort in Charlotte Amalie. This is in a prime location sitting on a beautiful beach, surrounded by beautiful gardens and palm trees, and not far from the St. Thomas International Airport. 

 

 

We love the beachfront double bedrooms for families, with two double beds and private balconies or patios. Guests will enjoy the outdoor pool and waterfall, fitness center, complimentary WiFi, taxi service, and a West Indian brunch on Sundays to sample local flavors. Work with the concierge to set up excursions, tours, and fun activities!

 

Bolongo Bay Beach Resort

Located in Charlotte Amalie, Bolongo Bay Beach Resort is one of the very few all-inclusive beach resorts in the Virgin Islands. Their all-inclusive rate includes breakfast, lunch, and a four-course dinner, beer, wine, and bottom shelf cocktails, live music many nights, and complimentary water gea, including Hobie Cats, paddleboards, windsurfers, kayaks, snorkeling gear, hammocks, lounge chairs, and beach toys. 

 

 

From swimming with sea turtles for the whole family to the snorkel booze hunt for mom and dad – ask the complimentary concierge to help you arrange fun tours! Bolongo Bay’s sailboat also adventures to St. John on Saturdays and Water Island on Sundays!

 

Things to Do in St. Thomas with Kids

The island of St. Thomas has plenty to keep kids entertained. Explore Bluebeard and Blackbeard’s castles, stop by the Pirate Museum, or visit sea lions, sea turtles, and dolphins at Coral World Ocean Park. 

Plus, for more adventurous families, book activities like feeding Lorikeets, swimming with sea lions, or petting a shark! End the day with a movie under the stars on Water Island or stroll through historic Charlotte Amalie. 

 

 

 

Best Family Resorts in St. John 

Westin Beach Resort & Spa

The newly renovated Westin Beach Resort & Spa reopened in 2023 after a devastating 2017 hurricane. Guests will find this Caribbean oasis surrounded by a beach on one side and palm trees on the other. Beautiful suites are decorated with island hues, many offering private beach access. Spend days lounging on Morningstar Beach, enjoying complimentary non-motorized sports rentals, beachside bars and restaurants, and oceanside pickleball. 

 

 

While the rooms don’t have things like coffee makers or refrigerators, there are six onsite restaurants to choose from, plus three additional restaurants at Westin’s sister resort, Morningstar. Stop by for some pampering at Heavenly Spa while the kids enjoy the kids club! 

 

Grande Bay Resort

Located in Cruz Bay, Grande Bay Resort is less hotel-like and more like a residence. Families can stay in condo-like accommodations. While there is no daily cleaning service, there is complimentary coffee and pastries, plus the suites have full kitchens, balconies, washers, and dryers. 

 

 

The resort offers Jeep rentals at a competitive price, as well as amenities like free Wi-Fi, parking, long-distance phone calls, concierge services, beach gear, and access to a heated pool and hot tub. For families that don’t want to rent a vehicle, Grande Bay Resort is near the ferry dock, restaurants, and a grocery store. And Cruz Bay Beach is right across the street!

 

[ctt template=”3″ link=”UYaih” via=”no” ]From kid’s clubs and excursions for the family to poolside cocktails for adults, these US Virgin family resorts have something for everyone![/ctt]

 

Things to Do in St. John with Kids

St. John is perfect for a nature-filled family vacation. There are many white-sand beaches, but Maho Bay is shallower with little-to-no-waves perfect for families who have younger kids. Visitors can buy food at Maho Bay and there’s also a chance of seeing sea turtles!

 

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For families with older kids, hike the 4.4-mile round trip Reef Bay Trail to a quaint beach surrounded by a lush canopy of trees and a 40-foot waterfall. It is strenuous though, so for families not up for it, consider a guided tour of the area (with transportation to the trailhead). 

Other fun activities include snorkeling and stand-up paddleboarding, perfect in the calmer waves of St. John. The Leinster Bay Trail is a shorter, less intense 1.9-mile round-trip hike that goes to Watermelon Cay, a gorgeous area for snorkeling! 

 

 

 

Best Family Resort in St. Croix

The Buccaneer Beach & Golf Resort

The Buccaneer Beach & Golf Resort sits on 340 acres, with three beaches on the property for snorkeling, kayaking, and beach days. Visit nearby Buck Island National Park or enjoy ping pong, cornhole, tennis courts, or the outdoor pool onsite. 

 

 

Families can stay in family cottage suites with 2 bedrooms or opt for oceanfront suites. The Buccaneer offers complimentary breakfast and has several onsite restaurants that accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences – perfect for my picky eaters! There is also a kid’s club for supervised fun while dad hits the green and mom heads to the spa.

 

Things to Do in St. Croix with Kids

Visit Christiansted for shopping, and plenty of tours including kayak tours, island tours, and horseback riding. Or, take a ghost tour of the historical area! Kids will also enjoy hunting for sea glass on Rainbow Beach, walking through St. George Village Botanical Garden, or snorkeling the spectacular reef at Buck Island Cove. 

 

 

 

When You Go

 

Getting to the US Virgin Islands from Los Angeles

Los Angeles families can get to the best family resorts in the Virgin Islands by flying from LAX into airports on any of the islands, depending on resort accommodations. Keep in mind that St. John is close to St. Thomas, which has a large international airport. It might be most affordable to fly into St. Thomas and take the ferry to St. John. St. Croix is farther away and has its own airport. 

Most flights have at least 1-2 stops and may take 10-20+ hours. American, Delta, United, and Spirit airlines all make this trip. 

WayAway is a flight search engine that looks for the best deals for destinations you’re visiting with the possibility of earning cash back on your purchases. Have you tried them yet? If not, give them a spin and see how much money you’ll save on flights.

 

To get discounts on tours in the area, we recommend Get Your Guide or Viator (which offers 51% off last-minute tours!).

 

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