Planning a Caribbean fete trip: island hopping from St. Thomas

One of the best things about coming to St. Thomas for Midnight Riot is how much is close by. In a week you can fete until sunrise, recover on a white sand beach on St. John, sail to the British Virgin Islands and still be home in time for work.

Here is how to build a fete trip with St. Thomas as your base.

Why St. Thomas works as a base

• Easy to reach. Nonstop flights from several U.S. East Coast cities, and no passport needed for U.S. citizens.
• Central. Ferries to St. John and the BVI leave from Charlotte Amalie and Red Hook, and short flights and seaplanes connect to St. Croix and Puerto Rico.
• Carnival week. St. Thomas Carnival usually runs from late April into early May, and Soka Elements has become one of the signature fetes of the season. This year's edition, Midnight Riot, is on April 29, 2027.

Option 1: St. Thomas and St. John

Best for: beaches and a slower pace after the fete.

St. John is a short ferry ride from St. Thomas, and much of the island is a national park with some of the most famous beaches in the Caribbean.

Sample plan:

1. Fly into St. Thomas and stay near downtown for the fete.
2. Fete at Midnight Riot, sleep it off, then take the ferry to St. John the next day.
3. Spend two or three days on beaches and trails.
4. Ferry back to St. Thomas and fly home.

Tip: ferries do not run through the night, so stay on St. Thomas on fete night. More in getting to Midnight Riot.

Option 2: St. Thomas and the British Virgin Islands

Best for: sailing, beach bars and island hopping.

The BVI are a short ferry ride away, with Tortola, Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda all in reach. Many visitors spend a day or two on a boat between the islands.

Sample plan:

1. Fete in St. Thomas.
2. Recover for a day, then take the ferry to Tortola or Jost Van Dyke.
3. Spend a few days island hopping by ferry or by boat.
4. Ferry back to St. Thomas for your flight home.

Know before you go:

• You need a passport to travel between the USVI and the BVI.
• You clear immigration and customs on arrival in each direction.
• Check ferry schedules and entry requirements with the operator before you travel.

Option 3: St. Thomas and St. Croix

Best for: a second Virgin Islands experience.

St. Croix is the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, with historic towns in Christiansted and Frederiksted, a strong food scene and a rhythm all its own. It is a short flight or seaplane ride from St. Thomas.

Sample plan:

1. Fete in St. Thomas.
2. Fly or take a seaplane to St. Croix.
3. Spend a few days exploring, then fly home from St. Croix or back through St. Thomas.

Option 4: Puerto Rico and St. Thomas

Best for: adding a big city to the trip.

San Juan is a common connection for flights to St. Thomas, so many travelers add a few days in Puerto Rico on the way in or out.

Sample plan:

1. Fly into San Juan and spend two nights in the city.
2. Take a short flight to St. Thomas for Midnight Riot.
3. Fly home from St. Thomas, or connect back through San Juan.

Stacking carnivals

If you want more than one carnival in a trip, look at the calendar. St. Thomas Carnival and Midnight Riot happen in spring, while summer brings St. John Festival, the BVI Emancipation Festival, Antigua, Barbados Crop Over and Grenada Spicemas close together. Our Caribbean carnival calendar 2027 lays it all out.

Money, phones and packing

• Currency: the U.S. dollar is used in the USVI and the BVI.
• Phones: many U.S. plans work in the USVI, but roaming rules in the BVI and other islands vary. Check with your carrier.
• Packing: one fete outfit you are willing to ruin, swimwear, reef safe sunscreen, a waterproof phone pouch and comfortable shoes.

Timing tips

1. Do the fete first. Fete at the start of your trip, then recover on the beach. Your body will thank you.
2. Leave buffer days. Ferries and small planes can be affected by weather.
3. Book carnival week early. Rooms and flights on St. Thomas fill up fast.
4. Lock in fete tickets early. Prices rise with every tier.

Questions people ask

Can I visit the BVI without a passport?
No. A passport is required to travel between the U.S. Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.

How long is the ferry from St. Thomas to St. John?
Short. The Red Hook to Cruz Bay crossing is about 20 minutes, with longer routes from Charlotte Amalie. Check current schedules before you go.

How many days do I need?
Four or five days covers the fete and one neighboring island comfortably. A week lets you add a second island.

Start planning

Read flying to St. Thomas for the fete and where to stay in St. Thomas for fete weekend, then reserve your Midnight Riot tickets. The islands will be waiting.