Most flights serving these islands land at Cyril E. King Airport (STT) on St Thomas. Transfer by road to Red Hook for the regular passenger ferry to Cruz Bay on St John, or inspect the less frequent Charlotte Amalie/Crown Bay alternatives before routing your arrival. A cruise ship stop at Charlotte Amalie is not proof of a scuba liveaboard trip. The VIPA 2026 Red Hook to Cruz Bay passenger schedule contains a temporary off-season timetable through October 31, 2026; verify the actual sailing and last return directly before buying a dive package or arranging a late flight.

Main airport for the St Thomas and St John visitor region, on St Thomas. St John has no commercial airport; continue to Cruz Bay by road plus ferry. VIPA has published night-runway restriction notices for parts of 2026; confirm operating hours and flight status with your airline.

Traffic drives on the left on both USVI islands. St Thomas has taxis and rental cars; use Red Hook for ferries and nearby scuba. On St John, Cruz Bay is the principal ferry/taxi hub; Coral Bay is more road-dependent, and beach parking on the North Shore fills early. Confirm a return taxi from trailheads and remote beaches. NPS advises that Great/Little Lameshur access is rocky, recommends 4WD and warns some rental agreements prohibit that road. Vehicle ferries require permission from a rental provider, separate tickets and extra allowance for port loading. Transport times are deliberately not estimated because route, weather, construction and traffic change them.

St Thomas and St John are in the United States Virgin Islands, a US territory. US citizens traveling directly from the US mainland normally do not need a passport as a foreign-entry document, but should carry acceptable identity and proof of citizenship for return and inspections; a passport is the simplest travel document. Non-US travelers must meet applicable US immigration and CBP requirements, including status and any ESTA or visa rules where applicable. Do not treat a flight or ferry to the British Virgin Islands as domestic USVI travel. BVI border, passport, arrival card, marine permits and boat clearance are separate; BVI excursions are outside this destination guide.

Red Hook Dive Center, Low Key Watersports and Aqua Action advertise some combination of scuba equipment rental, air supply, instruction and guided trips, but verify cylinders, Nitrox, sizing, included gear, replacement pieces and actual stock before travel. Bring certification, dive computer where appropriate, mask, fin fit information and essential prescription aids. St John trail beaches may have limited rentals, freshwater, shade or mobile signal. Pack any freedive-specific safety and training gear only under a verified instructor/operator plan. Check airline baggage policies for large fins and prohibited cylinder/pressure equipment.

USD is the legal tender on both islands. Debit and credit cards are widely useful at established resorts, shops, ferry terminals and dive operators; bring small cash for taxis, markets and possible low-connectivity vendors, while remembering Trunk Bay is cashless from October 2026. Published dive and lodging prices are date-sensitive, and hotel room tax may be extra.

ATMs are easiest to locate around Charlotte Amalie, Red Hook and Cruz Bay. In Coral Bay or at remote St John trailheads, do not assume an ATM, bank or reliable cellular payment connection; obtain needed cash before the outing. Bank fees and cash availability vary.

US-style electrical sockets are normal. Bring a suitable plug adapter or voltage converter if traveling with incompatible equipment; many modern chargers accept a range of voltages.

Communications

English is widely spoken and US mobile networks serve principal towns, but coverage can weaken in some St John bays, trails and remote roads. Check your carrier plan: USVI inclusion and roaming are not identical across carriers, and phones may connect to BVI networks across narrow waterways with unexpected charges. Download offline maps and provide a meeting point before remote beach trips. Marine VHF communication is separate from mobile coverage.

Language

English is the official and main visitor language. Local Virgin Islands English and other Caribbean languages and accents are part of the islands; do not assume every resident or business follows mainland US communication conventions.

Insurance

Consider travel medical coverage, dive accident coverage with hyperbaric and evacuation provisions, travel disruption cover for storm season and vehicle-rental liability as applicable. Confirm insurer definitions for introductory dives, depths, guided wreck exteriors, specialized freediving, and any excluded overhead or technical activity. Medical referrals and evacuation may cross island or territorial boundaries; do not assume a local chamber is available.

Packing list

Bring high-SPF permitted mineral sunscreen and sun cover, rash guard, refillable water bottle, light rain layer, sturdy trail footwear, swim gear that fits, insect repellent and an offline map. For scuba pack certification details, any necessary prescriptions and suitable personal kit; verify what tanks/weights and safety equipment the operator supplies. A small dry bag is useful for ferries and beach landings. Plan around airlines and local boat policies for any large fins or special dive equipment.

St Thomas and St John

Logistics

Quick Facts

Getting There

Airports

Logistics

Quick Facts

Getting There

Airports

Getting Around

Entry Requirements

Gear Logistics Checklist

Practicalities

Currency

Electricity