What to pack for your upcoming trip to Da’ Islands
You have your housing booked with Virgin View Villas, a resort or hotel. Your tickets have been purchased, dog sitter arranged and the time off request at work has been submitted….now what? PACKING! Don’t let the stress of packing for your trip to the US Virgin Islands get you down and don’t OVER PACK. There is nothing worse than lugging around a giant bag, or 2 or 3, on and off your vehicle or Taxi, in through the airport, on and off the plane, to the airbnb in humid hot weather! I can already see and smell the sweat rings! We know how stressful it can be packing for an adventure to either a place you’ve never been, in a different time zone or climate, on a different continent (or island) or far off place! Please consider our tips and tricks from Virgin View Villas when packing to help you relax and save space in your luggage for souvenirs on your return flight home! No need to lug around items that wont be used, borrowed or can be purchased, EASILY, when here in Da’Islands.
MUST PACK LIST
CLOTHING: It’s usually 85 degrees everyday and night with little variation, maybe a little rain. So think hot, humid weather and thin & breathable clothing to enjoy your stay and climate better. Pack quick dry thin fabrics when choosing shorts, shirts or sarongs. Maybe 1 pair of long pants if you want to eat at a fine dining establishment…but for the most part the dining scene is VERY CASUAL! Try selecting clothing that can be worn multiple ways like a sarong. It can be a scarf, shawl, blanket, skirt, dress, hat, purse/bag etc…Many clothing products now have multiple functions like pants that can turn into shorts or vice versa. Or dressy shorts that are also swim trunks. Be mindful and pack clothing that you knoW you can wear or use multiple times and ways.
SWIMWEAR- Stay away from “fashionable” swimwear, especially if you plan on doing a lot of excursions like jet skiing, paddle boarding, snorkeling, diving, parasailing to name just a few. The salt water is very corrosive on metal parts and bright dyes. Choose durable swim wear that is designed for ocean/sea/salt water. No one wants to see your inks from shorts or bikinis bled through beach towels or seating. ALso that being said, leave your expensive jewelry at home! The salt can rust or tarnish metal, especially in jewelry or sunglasses. If you must wear them, RINSE off as soon as you get out of the salt water with tap water.
SUNSCREEN & BUG REPELLENT- If you have sensitive skin and the bugs eat you up where you reside, then bugs here are likely to devour you to! We have lots of mosquitos, sand fleas, gnats, roaches, ants and spiders that are prevalent here. Plan accordingly and bring your favorite products in the sunscreen & bug repellent category! Remember to ONLY BRING Coral Safe Sunscreen, it’s the LAW in the USVI! Products are marked up in the Caribbean (everything has to be shipped here and taxed accordingly) and these products are easily accessible and abundant where you live. These are one of those things if you forget, you will pay a MUCH higher price here for the same product or spend a whole day out of your trip looking for it! Why waste the funds or your precious time doing that???
SHOES- We highly recommend only bringing a good pair of walking shoes, both open toed and closed toed. Sandals and Walking shoes are essential and can be hard to find here if you forget them at home! Sandals will be great for everyday wear, touring, travel or sightseeing. Closed Toed shoes are great for airport travel days, hiking, everyday walking and sightseeing if you want your feet more protected from the elements. If you like water sports a pair of water shoes might be helpful too! Especially if you are avid snorkeling, beachcombers or want to spend time exploring the National Parks and its terrain/beaches on ST John! Islanders usually go barefoot on most excursions, but we have built up a tolerance to earth, stone, sand and rough surfaces….Leave the heels and fancy shoes at home. No need here for those…at all! AND if you must–GOOD LUCK!
BACKPACK- We highly recommend a lightweight water resistant day pack to haul your everyday things around on your adventures. A medium size pack will do! Something big enough for your gear, hat, sunglasses and beach towel.
REUSABLE CUP- This is not only essential but a duty we have to our planet. Bring your favorite tervis, reusable refillable cup here! ALL bars and restaurants will pour you drinks in your cup and some will even give you a discount for being mindful of the environment!
WATERPROOF PHONE CASE- This is essential to bring along EVERYWHERE you go. Not only will it keep the rain, sand and sea from eating at your phone….but it will protect your charge port from moisture and keep your lens clean so you can take lots of pictures during your trip! If you are in a pinch, a ziplock can work…but we are big fans of the waterproof cases that are specifically designed for phones! Don’t forget to air out your phone once in a while during your stay and always double and triple check to make sure the case is sealed properly before you head to the beach! Sand and salt can do just as much damage
SUNGLASSES & HAT- Easy to pack, small in size and very protective against the sun! Need I say more? We usually carry a few spares just incase the wind or waves snag them when you aren’t paying attention
CASH- Im sure you have heard the term “cash is king” well that certainly is true in the Caribbean, especially during power outages. When the power goes out, all internet, wifi, electrical devices don’t work, including P.O.S. systems or credit card processing machines…… and no one wants to wait around, sometimes for hours, for power to come back to run a credit card while shopping, dining or sightseeing. Just bring cash and you will be able to buy anything whether the power is on or off! Your time is valuable! Some places even give discounts if you pay with cash, not a card though.
TOILETRIES/MEDS- We highly recommend bringing your favorite or must have brand name toiletries, beauty products and medicine. Remember we are a small island in the middle of the ocean. Our shopping scene is minimal and especially for specialty items or brand name things …If you can’t live without your face cream, cologne, special toothpaste or allergy medicine…BRING IT! You may spend a day or several looking for very specific branded items and toiletries here….We know your vacation days are numbered so don’t let them go to waste by hunting down must-have products you can’t live without. NO WALMART HERE! And most things on AMAZON don’t ship here and if they do it will take months…….and very very expensive.
MIGHT PACK LIST
HAMMOCK- If you like the idea of taking long naps under a shady palm tree or sea grape tree on the beach as the Caribbean Blue Surf serenades you to sleep then you MIGHT pack a lightweight compact nylon hammock! These days one of these gems usually run $20 or under, including all the rope and hardware to hang anywhere, and I do mean anywhere! I have been known to travel with them in my carry-on and take naps at an airport terminal in between flights or delayed takeoffs…perfect little nest/cocoon to drown out the crowds and have some privacy “off the dirty chairs and floor”. They are super affordable, small in size, most have a built-in bag that you fold the whole thing inside with ease, including rope and clips, and it’s the size of a big burrito! Water resistant, convenient and easy to carry! I have also used mine as a windbreaker, rain jacket, tarp, towel, jacket and beach blanket to lay on hot sand! VERY VERSATILE, be creative! For the cost, flexibility and durability I don’t leave home without one! NAP and CHILL AWAY!
SARONG- What a diverse piece of fabric! Especially for the ladies, this piece of clothing can be worn or turned into many pieces of clothing. Even men can have fun with the versatility! Long or short skirts (for men and women), dresses, scarves, shawl, headwrap,bandana, hat, can even be tied up in a bag to carry your things! It always surprises me how creative folks get with this one piece of fabric! I’ve seen it used as a towel, a beach blanket and even a hammock! This is another travel item I don’t go anywhere without! Great for warm or cooler weather.
PASSPORT or PASSPORT CARD- You don’t need a passport to visit the United States Virgin Islands…but you will need one to go to other surrounding islands like the British Islands, Dominican Republic, St Martin etc… If you are at all thinking about island hopping then bring your passport! They will not let you through Customs without one!
ELECTROLYTE PACKETS- Usually in the heat the average person doesn’t drink enough water, especially on vacation in the tropics! We highly recommend bringing a few pouches/packs of electrolyte powder like ‘LMTS” to add to your water so every gulp has a bang of extra hydration power!
WIFI HOTSPOT- If you know you HAVE TO HAVE WIFI or Internet 100% of the time, then you might reconsider coming here! Seriously! Nothing is 100% down here, nothing and that especially is the case for power, cell service and WIFI. We get it, some of us have to work on vacation, it’s what helps fund the fun! So that being said,….if you want to try your hardest to get “mostly” consistent WIFI we highly recommend bringing your very own WIFI HOTSPOT BOX. Many cell companies offer portable service boxes (make sure you ask that they work in the Caribbean) WE DON’T RECOMMEND you only relying on your phone wifi service. As we mentioned you will undoubtedly without a question have spotty service here in the islands….and especially with cell internet/WIFI. None of the big name companies work well/excellent down here 100% of the time….That includes TMobile, A &T, VERIZON, CRICKET, Boost, etc…ALL are spotty. Get a second “device’ and we recommend a different carrier, to give you a plan B for WIFI incase yours or your Host Location goes down (and it will) ALL THAT BEING SAID….The best option is don’t worry about it. Try and NOT use your cell or wifi while here. Look up, out and enjoy the scenery! Stay off all your devices. I mean you are paying to be here…..SO BE HERE< BE PRESENT, and ENJOY! DOnt be a slave to your phone, working or WIFI. Plan accordingly so you can do all the fun things you’ve dreamt about while in the Caribbean!
DON’T PACK LIST
JEANS- Unless you wear them on the plane ride to and from the islands, this is one clothing item we at Virgin View Villas have never worn in the hot humid weather here! Jean fabrics don’t breathe, are super thick, usually bulky, heavy if weight is a concern on luggage, gets mold and mildew easily if left in a drawer or closet for a few days, does not dry easily….I can go on and on….leave this item at home! Make room for bikinis and boardshorts instead.
BEACH TOWELS- Most Beach Towels are made of thick heavy cotton that takes forever to dry, soak up moisture and becomes heavy, take up a lot of room with bulk! Call your Resort, Hotel or Host at your Vacation Rental and ask if they offer complimentary beach towels during your stay to save yourself of packing this big bulky item! Virgin View Villas offer all our guests complimentary Soft Turkish beach Towels during their stay. We are big fans of thier vsatility! Soft, Compact, quick drying and easy to shove in your purse, beach bag or backpack. They can even be used as a head wrap, beach cover, skirt or sarong. So many uses for this one item thats small, compact and very humid friendly! If your Vacation housing does not offer Beach towels, they can EASILY be purchased for an economical price on the island, everywhere! you will find Beach towels for sale in grocery stores, shops, markets, bars and resturaunts etc…an easy to find item in a pinch! This is one item you don’t want to bring.
SNORKEL GEAR-Snorkel gear is a must use in the Caribbean, especially to explore our crystal clear waters. The Caribbean has some of the best “clarity” in the world, boasting over 280 ft under water! The warm blue waters are a divers and snorkeler’s paradise for underwater marine life! But let’s be real about bulky…this gear is hard to pack if space is limited in your bag or luggage. This is another item you want to call ahead of time and ask your Host, hotel or resort if they offer this during your stay. Virgin View Villas does! We offer fins in various sizes, full face or partial masks and snorkels for all our guests to use. If not, there are several local companies on St Thomas that will rent to you by the day or week. They even deliver right to you. Also, many beaches offer little rental shops like AQUA ACTION at Secret Harbor, that rent by the hour or day.
MUST VS. MIGHT VS. MAYBE OR DON’T
Reqaurdless of what you pack in your suitcase, make sure you ask yourself if you “MUST” bring it, “MIGHT” or “MAYBE” need it? Are these items worth the effort and energy of transporting it around the globe? Go back to your “WHY” you are going on this trip and ground yourself in that reason and deside then what goes in that suitcase that will ultimately go on your vacation with you. Maybe this is an opportunity to learn to go “without” all those things that tie us down… At Virgin View Villas, living simply is one of the major benefits of living in the Caribbean. We encourage you to open your heart and mind to this idea. “A SIMPLE LIFE”
MUST have a good laugh
MIGHT have another Rum Punch
MAYBE go skinny dipping
DON’T over pack things, worries or stress!
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO HOSTING YOU AT VIRGIN VIEW VILLAS!
