Travel to the Virgin Islands in the blue of the Caribbean- INTI Tours

In the paradise of the Lesser Antilles

When traveling to the Virgin Islands you will experience turquoise blue water with a dreamlike underwater world - a paradise for beach dreamers and nature lovers. The mainly volcanic islands with uniquely beautiful scenery for water sports enthusiasts, sailors, divers and sun worshippers. Gentle breezes keep temperatures at a stable 26 to 30 degrees. Miles of pristine white sand beaches and sheltered, palm-lined beach bays make the Caribbean dream come true. 

Welcome to Virgin Islands!

Country information Absolutely worth seeing Facts and figures Travel in the Virgin Islands Addresses

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Our types of travel in the Virgin Islands

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Country information about the Virgin Islands: "American, British or Spanish?"

The so-called Virgin Islands include the British Virgin Islands in the east, the American Virgin Islands and the Spanish Virgin Islands in the far west. The latter are administratively affiliated with the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico and are therefore sometimes referred to as the Puerto Rican Virgin Islands. They are located only about 21 kilometers east of Puerto Rico. Together, the archipelago belongs to the Lesser Antilles, they are located between the Atlantic and the Caribbean west of the Virgin Passage and are therefore also called the Passage Islands. They are considered a tropical paradise with white palm beaches, green mountain slopes and turquoise blue sea. Christopher Columbus is considered their discoverer in 1493 and gave the archipelago its name Virgin Islands or Virgin Islands because of its virgin beauty.

The Spanish Virgin Islands - Puerto Rican Virgin Islands - include the two main islands of Culebra and Vieques, as well as some small side islands: Icacos Island, Cayo Lobo, Cayo Diablo, Palomino Island, Palominito Island, Isla de Ramos, Isla Pineiro, Cayo Lobo and Cayo de Luis Pena. All the islands of the Spanish Virgin Islands have a total area of a good 165 square kilometers. The Spanish Virgin Islands belong to the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico and are therefore part of the United States of America.

The United States Virgin Islands include the three main islands Saint Croix, Saint John and Saint Thomas as well as many small and very small islands and islets. Their total area measures just under 350 square kilometers. They are also part of the US territory.

The British Virgin Islands include 60 islands and reefs, 16 of which are inhabited. The four main islands are Anegada, Jost Van Dyke, Tortola and Virgin Gorda. The total area measures about 150 sq. km. They are British overseas territory, supreme executive authority of the British Virgin Islands has Queen Elizabeth II.

Absolutely worth seeing:

Spanish Virgin Islands:

• Isla de Vieques - translated from Spanish as "crab island" - is the largest of the Spanish Virgin Islands. The long island has a land area of about 135 square kilometers. It lies a good twelve kilometers east of the main island of Puerto Rico and has a good 9,500 inhabitants. The island is easy to reach by plane and by ferry from Puerto Rico. The ten side islands of Vieques are all within one to two kilometers of the main island. Vieques is famous for tours that take kayaks out to sea in the evening (e.g. Mosquito Bay) to experience the dreamlike phenomenon of bioluminescence. Caracas Beach and Sun Bay Beach are considered wonderful beaches for swimming. Kayak and canoe trips are offered through mangrove groves to beautiful secluded beaches.
• The second main island, Culebra - translated from Spanish as "snake" - is easily reached from Puerto Rico by plane or ferry. About 1,860 inhabitants live on the island. A dream beach for sunbathing and walking is the beautiful Flamenco Beach, Tamarindo Beach as well as Toni Beach are wonderful for snorkeling - sea turtles are easy to spot. Other beautiful beaches with good snorkeling opportunities are Carlos Rosario Beach, Playa Punta Soldado Beach, Melones Beach as well as Brava Beach. Most of the smaller neighboring islands, including Culebrita and parts of the island itself are protected as the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge.

U.S. Virgin Islands:

• The volcanic island of Saint Croix is the largest island in the American Virgin Islands, covering 213 square kilometers, and the most populous, with a population of over 51,000. North of Saint Croix lies Buck Island Reef - a coral reef declared a National Monument. Many endangered fish species live in this reef. Buck Island itself is where many sea turtles lay their eggs, and is also home to the Least Tern. For snorkeling, there is a marked underwater trail near the eastern tip of the island. The western part consists of white sandy beach from where boat trips to the coral reef are offered. Worth seeing are the historic small towns of Christiansted and Frederiksted, you can visit rum distilleries and excellent diving.
• The island of Saint John is a good 50 square kilometers in size and has over 4,100 inhabitants. Special attractions are ruins from the times of sugar cane cultivation, beautiful beaches, an incredibly beautiful underwater world and associated snorkeling and diving opportunities - in Trunk Bay is the only Underwater Trail of a U.S. National Park - as well as the remaining forestation in the south of the island. Saint John is an insider's tip among surfers at Cinnamon Bay. The narrow Highway 10 - also called Centerline Road - leads from Cruz Bay to the town of Coral Bay on the east side up the densely forested mountains and gives breathtaking views. As part of ecotourism, there are many hiking trails in the mountains and forests with wildlife viewing opportunities.   
• Saint Thomas has a size of just over 80 square kilometers and about 52,000 inhabitants. Numerous historical sights, pirate ambience, idyllic lagoons and tropical beaches as well as wonderful over- and underwater worlds distinguish Saint Thomas as one of the most beautiful Caribbean islands. Honeymoon Beach is considered a beautiful beach, Water Island is known as an excursion for snorkeling with turtles. Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden gives insight into the tropical flora of the island, Drake's Seat offers a fantastic view.      

British Virgin Islands:

• With a population of 8,600, the capital of Road Town on Tortola is also the largest city in the British Virgin Islands; nine kilometers east of Road Town is the airport for travel to the islands. There is a regular ferry connection from the American Virgin Islands. There are regular connections between the islands of Tortola, Virgin Gorda and Anegada by small aircraft. There are also ferry connections between all 16 inhabited islands. Beautiful beaches are Josiah's Bay, Smuggler's Cove, Long Bay Beach, quieter is Brewers Bay and Cane Garden Bay. You can also take boat trips with snorkeling opportunities around Tortola.
• Virgin Gorda is only 15 km long and looks irregular and frayed. Several national parks invite you to explore and hike, such as Gorda Peak National Park, Little Fort National Park, Spring Bay National Park, The Bath National Park, The Coppermine National Park and Fallen Jerusalem National Park, located on an uninhabited island.
• The island of Anegada offers beautiful and deserted beaches, beautiful crystal clear sea and delicious culinary delights. You can go snorkeling.
• The island of Jost Van Dyke can be easily reached by ferry from Tortola. Here these three beaches White Bay, Great Harbour and Little Harbour are considered the dream of the Caribbean. The local beach bars are also famous. A hike to Majohnny Hill at 321 meters can also be done. Excellent dive sites can be found around the nearby islands and cayos, e.g. Green Cay. Other gems are Little Jost can Dyke, Sandy Cay and Sandy Spit.

Facts and figures Virgin Islands:

Land area Spanish Virgin Islands: 165.1 sq km
Land area American Virgin Islands: 346 sq. km
Land area British Virgin Islands: 150 sq.km

Population Spanish Virgin Islands: about 12,000
Population American Virgin Islands: just under 160,000
Population British Virgin Islands: just over 28,000

Largest settlement in the Spanish Virgin Islands: Isabelle Segunda on Vieques
Capital American Virgin Islands: Charlotte Amalie on Saint Thomas
Capital British Virgin Islands: Road Town on Tortola

Highest mountain Spanish Virgin Islands: Monte Pirata with 300 meters on the island Vieques
Highest mountain American Virgin Islands: Crown Mountain with 473 meters on the island Saint Thomas
Highest mountain British Virgin Islands: Mount Sage with 521 meters on the island of Tortola

Form of Government Spanish Virgin Islands: The Spanish Virgin Islands are part of the U.S. foreign territory of Puerto Rico and are thus part of the U.S.
Form of government American Virgin Islands: Unincorporated U.S. foreign territory.
Form of government British Virgin Islands: British overseas territory, supreme executive authority of the British Virgin Islands has Queen Elizabeth II.

History Spanish Virgin Islands: Shortly after Columbus took possession of Puerto Rico for Spain in 1493, Spain also claimed the Spanish Virgin Islands. For about 300 years, the islands were a lawless outpost and retreat for smugglers and pirates. Temporarily, other European powers gained control of some of the islands. In the early 19th century, Spain began a permanent settlement. In 1811, the then governor of Puerto Rico sent troops to secure the islands for Spain under administrative administration from Puerto Rico. Since that time, the islands have been commonly known in German as the Spanish Virgin Islands. In 1898, the United States occupied Puerto Rico in the course of the Spanish-American War and claimed the adjacent Spanish Virgin Islands along with it.
History American Virgin Islands: Inhabited by Taíno, the islands were discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493. On November 14, 1493, he first set foot on an island to which he gave the name Santa Cruz (Saint Croix). Then he sailed 70 km north to the islands of Saint Thomas and Saint John. After settlement attempts by the English and Dutch on Saint Croix from 1625, the Spanish and French took possession from 1650. In 1666, the Dannebrog was hoisted on Saint Thomas, which from then on belonged to Denmark-Norway as a Danish colony. Saint Croix, in French possession since 1674, was acquired by Denmark in 1733. Because the United States needed a naval base in the area during World War I, it acquired the islands from Denmark in 1917 for $25 million. Since 1946, the territory has been on the UN list of territories without self-government.
History British Virgin Islands: Until the beginning of the 17th century, the islands were visited several times by Spanish and English ships on their expeditions to South and Central America, but colonization was initially absent. In 1615, a permanent settlement began under the Dutch privateer Joost van Dyk on Tortola Island. After the outbreak of the Third Anglo-Dutch War, the territory was annexed by England in 1672 and incorporated into the British Leeward Islands colony. The British Virgin Islands formed its own crown colony from 1960 and gained greater internal autonomy with the 1967 constitution. Since 1946, the territory has been on the UN list of territories without self-government.

Economy Spanish Virgin Islands: Tourism
Economy American Virgin Islands: Main industry is tourism, also petroleum refineries, manufacturing of textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, final assembly of watches
Economy British Virgin Islands: Main economic activity is tourism, along with agriculture and livestock.

Currency Virgin Islands: US Dollar

Language Virgin Islands: English with Caribbean accent

Festivals Virgin Islands: General Christian holidays are celebrated, and depending on state affiliation, the corresponding national holidays are added. Local festivals, e.g. for hurricane protection, must be inquired about locally. 

Travel in the Virgin Islands:

Spanish Virgin Islands Entry Requirements: U.S. entry requirements apply. Valid passport must be valid for at least the entire duration of stay, including the day of departure. As participants in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, German citizens may enter the U.S. visa-free for tourism or transit purposes, provided they have an electronic passport, a valid electronic entry permit (ESTA), and a valid return or onward airline ticket.
Entry requirements American Virgin Islands: The entry requirements of the USA apply. Valid passport must be valid for at least the entire duration of stay, including the day of departure. As participants in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, German citizens may enter the U.S. visa-free for tourism or transit purposes, provided they have an electronic passport, a valid electronic entry permit (ESTA), and a valid return or onward airline ticket. No mandatory vaccinations are required for direct entry from Germany.
British Virgin Islands Entry Requirements: The British Virgin Islands are part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, thus German nationals currently do not require a visa for tourist entries for stays of up to 90 days. The presentation of an onward or return ticket is required. A passport is sufficient. The travel documents must be valid for 6 months beyond the duration of stay.

Vaccinations Spanish Virgin Islands: No mandatory vaccinations are required for direct entry from Germany.
Vaccinations American Virgin Islands: No mandatory vaccinations are required for direct entry from Germany.
Vaccinations British Virgin Islands: There are no international vaccination requirements for the British Virgin Islands.                                                          
Climate & Travel Time: The climate in the Virgin Islands is tropical with temperatures ranging from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius in winter and 27 to 32 degrees Celsius in summer. Nighttime lows range from 22 to 25 degrees Celsius throughout the year. The northeast trade wind, which blows all year round, provides a constant fresh breeze. Due to the balanced, pleasantly warm climate, the Virgin Islands are recommended as a year-round destination. There is also no classic subtropical rainy season. The hurricane season is from June to November. Best time to travel is from December to May.

Local time: CET -5 hrs. CEST -6 hrs.

Addresses:

Embassy Spanish Virgin Islands:

US Embassy in Berlin
Clayallee 170
14191 Berlin
Tel: 030 8305-0
https://de.usembassy.gov/de/die-botschaft-und-die-konsulate/us-botschaft-berlin/

Embassy American Virgin Islands: 

US Embassy in Berlin
Clayallee 170
14191 Berlin
Tel: 030 8305-0
https://de.usembassy.gov/de/die-botschaft-und-die-konsulate/us-botschaft-berlin/

Embassy British Virgin Islands: 

British Virgin Islands Embassy in Berlin
Wilhelmstraße 70/71
10117 Berlin
Tel: +49-30-204570
ukingermany@fco.gov.uk
https://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-embassy-berlin