Beaches & Islands · Best Dec–Apr
St. Thomas and St. John packing list for families
The US Virgin Islands are an easy Caribbean trip for American families, but sunscreen rules, ferry days, and rocky trails all shape what you bring. Here is how our family packs for St. Thomas and St. John.
Photo by Karl Callwood on Unsplash
Kristina's notes on St. Thomas & St. John
- US citizens do not need a passport here, but you clear US Customs before flying home. Bring a government ID for adults and a passport or birth certificate for each child to keep things simple.
- The Virgin Islands now restrict sunscreens with oxybenzone, octinoxate, and octocrylene. Mineral sunscreen is the easy answer, and I buy it before we leave so we are not hunting for it at the shop.
- Cars drive on the left, the roads on St. John are steep and winding, and the ferry from Red Hook to Cruz Bay is part of most days. I keep a motion-sickness plan ready for kids who get queasy.
Best timeDec–Apr
PlugsUS plugs, no adapter needed
MoneyUS dollar
PassportNot for US citizens
Your packing edit
St. Thomas & St. John
This time of year
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Every item links to what Kristina would buy. Tap Add to bag on what you're missing, then check out on Amazon in one tap.
Carry-on8
Carry-on suitcase per personKristina's pick
Packing cubes, one color per personKristina's pickEveryone knows exactly which cube is theirs.
Kids' headphones, volume-limited
Tablet with downloaded shows
Snack box with dividers
Reusable water bottles
Change of clothes for each kid
Car seat travel bag
Clothing4
Daytime outfits8 per person
Pajamas2 per person
One nicer outfit for dinners and photos
Underwear and socks9 per person
Shoes2
Sandals
Water shoesSome beaches and national park trails are rocky.
Beach & pool10
Swimsuits2 per person
UPF rash guardsKristina's pick
Mineral sunscreen
Wide-brim sun hats
Swim diapers
Hyperlite life jacket for boat and ocean daysKristina's pickA properly fitted life jacket for boats and open water.
Lightweight beach tote
Goggles
Kids' snorkel mask setKristina's pickTrunk Bay and Maho Bay are easy places to snorkel with turtles.
Roll-top dry bagKeeps phones and towels dry on ferries and boat days.
Little ones4
Diapers and wipesenough for 3 days, buy the rest there
Portable sound machineKristina's pickMakes every hotel room feel like home.
Travel blackout shades
Favorite lovey, plus a backup
Little things15
AirTag in each checked bagKristina's pickYou'll know your bag made the connection before you do.
Stain remover penGelato happens. Photos still look great.
Laundry detergent sheetsOne sink wash halfway through means packing half the clothes.
Gallon zip bags, a handfulWet swimsuits, sandy shoes, and the occasional car-sick emergency.
Pen in your carry-onFor arrival forms, so you're not borrowing one in the immigration line.
Hair ties and a small detangling brush
Hand sanitizer wipes and pocket tissues
Lollipops or gum for takeoff and landingSwallowing helps little ears pop.
A few wrapped surprise toys for the flightUnwrapping buys you twenty minutes. Unwrapping slowly buys thirty.
Tap night lightHotel rooms are pitch dark, and the bathroom is never where they expect.
Kids' nail clippers and tweezersSplinters from boardwalks and docks are a vacation classic.
Kids' sunglasses
Wet bag for swimsuits
Electrolyte packetsHot days and long walks catch up with kids before they say they're thirsty.
Earplugs and an eye mask for the grown-ups
Health & toiletries5
Travel first-aid kit
Kids' fever reducer and allergy medicine
Bug spray
Hanging toiletry bag
Motion-sickness bandsFerry crossings and St. John's hilly roads can unsettle little stomachs.
Documents & tech1
Portable phone chargerKristina's pick
The outfit edit
Island whites
White, sand, sea glass, coral
For photos
- Everyone in white and one pop of coral
- Shoot at golden hour on the sand
Tap any piece to shop the look.
Month by month
St. Thomas & St. John weather and what's happening
Typical daytime highs and what each month feels like with kids.
| Month | Typical high | What it's like | Don't miss |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 83°F 28°C | Dry season with steady trade winds and sunny days | Humpback whales migrating past the islands |
| February | 83°F 28°C | Dry season with steady trade winds and sunny days | Humpback whales migrating past the islands |
| March | 84°F 29°C | Dry season with steady trade winds and sunny days | Humpback whales migrating past the islands |
| April | 85°F 29°C | Dry season with steady trade winds and sunny days | Humpback whales migrating past the islands Virgin Islands Carnival on St. Thomas, with parades and a food fair |
| May | 86°F 30°C | Warm with lighter winds and occasional showers | Virgin Islands Carnival on St. Thomas, with parades and a food fair |
| June | 88°F 31°C | Warm with lighter winds and occasional showers | |
| July | 88°F 31°C | Hot with passing showers; hurricane season underway | St. John Festival, wrapping up with fireworks around July 4 |
| August | 89°F 32°C | Hot with passing showers; hurricane season underway | |
| September | 89°F 32°C | Peak hurricane risk and the rainiest stretch; some businesses slow down | |
| October | 88°F 31°C | Peak hurricane risk and the rainiest stretch; some businesses slow down | |
| November | 86°F 30°C | Peak hurricane risk and the rainiest stretch; some businesses slow down | |
| December | 84°F 29°C | Dry season with steady trade winds and sunny days | Holiday season with festive lights in Charlotte Amalie and Cruz Bay |
Questions families ask
St. Thomas & St. John with kids, answered
When is the best time to visit St. Thomas & St. John with kids?
The best time is Dec–Apr. Dry season with steady trade winds and sunny days
What's the weather like in St. Thomas & St. John?
Typical daytime highs range from about 83°F (28°C) in January to about 89°F (32°C) in August. See the month-by-month table on this page.
Do I need a passport for St. Thomas & St. John?
US citizens don't need a passport, but bring a government ID for adults.
What kind of plug adapter do I need for St. Thomas & St. John?
None. St. Thomas & St. John uses the same plugs as the US.
What's your top tip for St. Thomas & St. John with kids?
US citizens do not need a passport here, but you clear US Customs before flying home. Bring a government ID for adults and a passport or birth certificate for each child to keep things simple.
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I'm Kristina, and planning family trips is what I do.
As a luxury travel advisor with KM Luxe Travel, I plan the hotels, the flow of the days, and the little details, often with perks like breakfast and upgrades when available.