ISLANDS SURROUNDING ST THOMAS

St Thomas is part of the US Virgin Islands.  Three other islands make up the Virgin Islands, USVI.

St Croix

St John 

Water Island

ST CROIX

St. Croix, at 82 square miles, is the largest of the US Virgin Islands. The two main cities, Christiansted and Frederiksted, are picturesque and historical. Rolling hills, rain forest and the beautiful sea are some of the natural treasures. The only casino resort in the U.S. Virgin Islands is located on St. Croix. Also located near St. Croix is the only underwater National Monument, Buck Island.

ST JOHN
St. John is home to the Virgin Islands National Park = quiet beaches, sugar plantation ruins, hiking trails and shopping. St. Johnians are laid back and the island is unspoiled by development.

Caneel Bay in St John

WATER ISLAND

Water Island is the most recent addition to the USVI. There are no hotels or restaurants on Water Island, just quiet roads and beautiful scenery.
One of the most beautiful beaches in the U.S.V.I. - Honeymoon Beach.

We will also surely travel to the British Virgin Islands.  The main islands are:

Tortola

Virgin Gorda

Jost Van Dyke 

Anegada

The British Virgin Islands are made up of about 50 islands and islets. Tortola is the largest island with an area of 21 square miles. The other larger islands are Anegada -15 square miles, Virgin Gorda - 8 square miles and Jost Van Dyke - 3 square miles. Smaller islands include Great Tobago, Peter, Cooper, Norman, Guana, Beef, Great Thatch and Marina Cay. The beaches are lovely and the water inviting. The British Virgin Islands are among the world's most beautiful cruising grounds and include NEKKER ISLAND -  a 74 acre island in the just north of Virgin Gorda. All of the land on the island is owned by Richard Branson, famous for his Virgin brand. The entire island is a resort and can accommodate up to 28 guests.
Nekker Island

Port at Tortolla

Fun in the BVI
Two of the BVI's well known landing spots (bars) are located on Jost Van Dyke.
One is Soggy Dollar Bar, on White Bay, where people pretty much have to swim to the place. There are no moorings and anchorages can be challenging. While dingys can pull up to the super-white beach, most BVI'ers prefer to jump off and swim to shore. A clothesline sits behind the bar to dry out the soggy dollars. The Soggy Dollar bar created the painkiller, the rum-heavy drink made of cream of coconut, pineapple and orange junice, topped by freshly ground nutmeg (which, locals say, is an aphrodisiac, but only when freshly ground). 

Down the beach, Gertrude's is said to have created another island specialty, the bushwacker. This one is comprised of dark run, Kahlua, cream of coconut, dark creme de cacao and milk, blended together as a dark and frozen concoction.

Many feel that the most beautiful place in the BVO is The Baths. There's a gorgeous beach with huge boulders at the sea. Climb through them and wade through the ankle-deep water and it's a Caribbean version of the Turkish baths. This up-and-down and around trail emerges at the incredibly gorgeous Devil's Bay, where the water is so clear seeing the angelfish does not require a mask. Cold beverages are a few steps away at the Poor Man's Bar, which is just a covered deck and plywood counter.

Photo Credit: Pub Club
Cane Garden Bay is said to be a favorite among the sailing crowd.

Made famous by one of Jimmy Buffett sailing tunes, Manana, it is a gorgeous harbor best approached just before sunset. Myett's Beach Bar and Restaurant is the destination. Right off the heart of the beach, it's a large bar with a stage to the right and drinks to the left. It's large enough to explore and a has so much vegetation it almost looks like a Disneyland jungle cruise.There's no dingy dock so pull up on the sand. And from Cane Garden Bay the lights of St. Thomas can be seen 20 miles to the West.

Here's a great blog by a guy that sailed the BVI (loaded with tips!):
http://blog.unsinkable2.com/2010/04/planning-tips-for-bvi-sailing-vacation.html
Here's another great one with BVI sailing itinerary suggestions:
http://www.bvibound.com/2010/02/28/plan-bvi-sailing-itinerary/