Mariette Williams
I'm so conditioned to pulling out my passport whenever I land in the Caribbean that on my recent arrival in St. Thomas, I had a brief moment where I double checked to ensure I hadn't inadvertently bypassed an immigration officer.
Even though I've visited the U.S. Virgin Islands countless times over the years, it's always a great feeling to just stroll out of the airport, watch your cell phone immediately pick up a signal and realize you're free to start your vacation.
Other U.S. travelers are also taking advantage of the Virgin Islands' convenience and proximity.
In April, the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism announced record-breaking visitor arrival numbers for the first quarter of 2026, reinforcing the territory's continued momentum as a leading Caribbean destination. St. Thomas, which also serves as a gateway to St. John, accounted for the majority of growth in the first quarter with 98,284 arrivals, up 24% from 2025 and 17% from 2024.
"St. Thomas is attractive to U.S. travelers because of the accessibility," says AJ Gordon, destination sales executive at the Buoy Haus Beach Resort St. Thomas, Autograph Collection. "We've seen an uptick in U.S. guests, in part because U.S. passports are not required, and getting here is easy."
Though St. Thomas continues to see record traffic, at boutique resorts like Bouy Haus, it's possible to have a low-key getaway. The resort's location on Morningstar Beach felt tucked away, which is by design. The hotel restricts day passes once occupancy reaches 80%, and Gordon explained that cruise ship passengers and resort guests occupy different spending categories.
"Cruise ship passengers have several excursions to choose from," he told me. "Most guests want to do island tours with the time they have on the island, and since we're not necessarily a tourist attraction, you're not likely to see cruise ship crowds at the resort."
The appeal of St. Thomas
It's not hard to see why St. Thomas is skyrocketing in popularity. In addition to its proximity, the island's appeal lies in the variety of experiences offered to travelers. I enjoyed a quiet two-night stay in a beachfront suite, dining across the resort's five restaurants and bars and taking the resort shuttle to the Buoy Haus' sister property, the Westin St. Thomas Beach Resort & Spa, for a relaxing 50-minute massage at the Heavenly Spa.
St. Thomas also doubles as a premier launchpad for island-hopping. The shores of St. John and Water Island are just a quick ferry ride away, while Puerto Rico, St. Croix and the British Virgin Islands are easily accessible for day trips.
But staying local pays off, too. Travelers can wander through Charlotte Amalie's historic downtown, catch a gondola up to Paradise Point or do what I did: embark on a "glow-in-the-dark" kayak excursion and a sunset sail, both launching right from the Westin's dock. But the best part of my itinerary? It didn't require a passport.