Nearly all taxis are shared taxis, either enclosed vans or open-air “safaris”, that go to destinations that are most convenient for tourists (e.g., hotels, beaches, docks, airports, sightseeing tours). They are not metered and are required by law to charge a flat fare that varies by destination. Though less common, private taxis to other destinations can also be negotiated.
Car Rentals:
There are many car rental agencies which rent cars and jeeps.
Railways:
The USVI contain no railways although there was formerly a marine railway on Hassel Island.
Air:
Two international airports serve the islands:
- Henry E. Rohlsen International Airport (Saint Croix)
- Cyril E. King International Airport (Saint Thomas)
There are no airports on Saint John or Water Island.
Many flights connect the islands to the U.S. mainland. Flights also operate between Saint Thomas and Saint Croix, and from both of them to other islands in the Caribbean.
Sea:
Seaplane Bases:
There are also two seaplane bases:
Cruise Ships:
About two million people visit the U.S. Virgin Islands by cruise ship each year.
On Saint Thomas, large cruise ships dock at the West Indian Company Dock (WICO), Havensight and the Austin “Babe” Monsanto Marine Facility in Crown Bay (Subbase). Cruise ships can also anchor in the Charlotte Amalie Harbor and tender to Waterfront; mini-cruise ships can dock at the Waterfront.
On Saint Croix, cruise ships arrive at the Ann E. Abramson Marine Facility in Frederiksted. Mini-cruise ships can also dock at Gallows Bay near Christiansted.
On Saint John, mini-cruise ships arrive in Cruz Bay.
Ferries:
The two main ferry terminals on Saint Thomas are The Edward Wilmoth Blyden IV Marine Terminal in Charlotte Amalie and the Urman Victor Fredericks Marine Terminal in Red Hook.
The ferry terminal for Saint Croix is at The Gallows Bay Dock.
On Saint John, passenger ferries enter at The Loredon Lawrence Boynes Sr. Dock.
Water Island has a small dock at Phillips Landing.
There are many and frequent inter-island ferries. Cruz Bay, Saint John can be reached from Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook on Saint Thomas. Car barges also run between Cruz Bay and Red Hook. Water Island can be reached from Crown Bay, Saint Thomas. There is a once daily ferry between Charlotte Amalie and Gallows Bay, Saint Croix. International ferries also run between Saint Thomas, Saint John, and the neighboring British Virgin Islands.
Flag of the United States Virgin Islands:
The design of the United States Virgin Islands flag is a simplified version of the coat of arms of the United States between the letters V and I (for Virgin Islands). The yellow-colored eagle holds a sprig of laurel in one talon, and three arrows in the other. The blue color in the shield on the eagle’s breast is the same color as that of the flag and shield of the United States.