Water Island, U.S. Virgin Islands Island

Water Island is a small island in the United States Virgin Islands archipelago, located just south of Saint Thomas. It is the smallest of the main inhabited U.S. Virgin Islands and is primarily used for residential, recreational and day-visitor activities.

The island’s principal attractions are coastal beaches and shallow-water snorkeling spots, with a single main public beach that receives most visitor traffic. Low-density development and short distances across the island make it suitable for day trips and short stays.

Historically the island has been used for a mix of military, private and public purposes; today it is managed as part of the U.S. Virgin Islands and accessed by short ferry or water-taxi from Saint Thomas.

Water Island lies immediately off the southern shore of Saint Thomas in the Caribbean and is reached by brief boat crossings from the larger island’s ports.

• Access: Short ferry and water-taxi connections link the island to nearby Saint Thomas; the trip is a common route for day trips and beach visits.
• Scale and services: The island is small and primarily residential and recreational, with limited services compared with the larger U.S. Virgin Islands.

What to See#

• Honeymoon Beach: A sheltered crescent beach on the island known locally for calm water and snorkeling opportunities; it is the island’s main public beach and landing area for day visitors.

Water Island is served by short passenger ferries from St. Thomas (Crown Bay or Red Hook). Ferries run several times daily but schedules are seasonal; taxis on St. Thomas connect passengers to the ferry terminals.

• Catch the passenger ferry from Red Hook or Crown Bay on St. Thomas-schedules vary by season and operator.
• Bring snorkeling gear for short reefs near the island, but check local regulations and currents before swimming.
• Visit early in the day to avoid afternoon winds that make the short ferry crossing choppier.