Description: Detailed large map of Virgin Islands showing names of capital city, cities, islands, towns, states, provinces and boundaries with neighbouring countries.
The Virgin Islands sit where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea. On a precise map, you can follow two neighboring territories. To the east and northeast are the British Virgin Islands. To the west and southwest are the U.S. Virgin Islands. The water between them is the Sir Francis Drake Channel and Pillsbury Sound. This write-up points to island names, capital towns, anchorages, and simple travel links so a reader can find places fast.
North coasts face the Atlantic Ocean. The south and west coasts face the Caribbean Sea.
A curved chain runs from Anegada in the far northeast, past Virgin Gorda and Tortola, across small cays, and then toward St Thomas, St John, and down to St Croix.
Look for red squares and dots to spot capital towns and other settlements. Small plane symbols mark main airports.
Tortola is the largest BVI island and sits in the center of the group. Its south shore looks into the protected Sir Francis Drake Channel: the capital, Road Town, curves around a natural harbor on the south coast. From Road Town, you can trace the coastline west to West End and east across the causeway to Beef Island. The island next door hosts Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, which is the main BVI air gateway - north side coves like Cane Garden Bay open to the Atlantic.
Nearby islets and cays around Tortola include Norman Island, Peter Island, Salt Island, Cooper Island, and Ginger Island. These sit like stepping stones along the channel south of Tortola.
Northeast of Tortola is Virgin Gorda. Its main town is Spanish Town on the southwest side. Off the north end are the Dog Islands. Off the northeast side are Mosquito Island, Prickly Pear, and Necker Island. These small islands surround the North Sound, a calm-water area dotted with moorings and docks.
Farther northeast, apart from the rest of the chain, lies Anegada. It is flat and low compared to the other volcanic islands. The village called The Settlement sits on the south side. Anegada faces the open Atlantic, so ocean swells are stronger here than in the inner channel.
West of the north end of Tortola is Jost Van Dyke. The main anchorage and village is Great Harbour on the south coast. A smaller islet named Little Jost Van Dyke lies off the northeast tip. These spots look south toward the U.S. Virgin Islands across short passages.
West of Tortola is St Thomas. The capital town for the USVI is Charlotte Amalie on the south side in a deep, protected harbor. Just west of town sits Water Island at the harbor mouth. The main airport, Cyril E. King Airport, is also on the south side near the coastline road.
On the east end of St Thomas, the sea narrows into Pillsbury Sound, which separates St Thomas from St John. Ferries cross here many times each day.
East of St Thomas is St John. The main village, Cruz Bay, is on the west coast, right where the ferry lands. Much of the island forms Virgin Islands National Park, so map symbols show broad green areas and named bays around the north shore.
Farther south, with open water all around, is St Croix. Two towns stand out. Christiansted sits on the north shore. Frederiksted is on the west coast. The island is longer than St Thomas and St John and lies apart from the inner channels, so crossings to St Croix take more time by boat or are done by air.
Sir Francis Drake Channel runs east to west along the south side of Tortola and between the BVI cays. It is a protected water route for ferries and small craft.
Pillsbury Sound separates St Thomas and St John. Short ferries cross here frequently.
Small ferries also link Road Town to Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, and sometimes Anegada.
In the USVI, ferries link Charlotte Amalie or the east end of St Thomas to Cruz Bay on St John, with longer options to St Croix.
British Virgin Islands: Tortola with Road Town as the capital. Other large islands are Virgin Gorda, Anegada, and Jost Van Dyke.
U.S. Virgin Islands: St Thomas with Charlotte Amalie as the capital. Other main islands are St John, St Croix, and Water Island.
Tortola: Road Town, West End, Cane Garden Bay, Beef Island airport area.
Virgin Gorda: Spanish Town and the North Sound area near Prickly Pear and Necker.
Anegada: The Settlement on the south side.
Jost Van Dyke: Great Harbour, plus Little Jost Van Dyke to the northeast.
St Thomas: Charlotte Amalie, Cyril E. King Airport, Water Island near the harbor.
St John: Cruz Bay on the west coast.
St Croix: Christiansted on the north shore and Frederiksted on the west coast.
The islands do not share land borders with other countries. Their boundaries are maritime. To the north and northeast, you see the Atlantic Ocean. To the south and west, you see the Caribbean Sea. The British Virgin Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands meet across channels that are regularly crossed by ferries and small boats. Nearby neighbors include Puerto Rico to the west and Anguilla and St Martin farther east across open water.
Start at Road Town on Tortola and trace the Sir Francis Drake Channel past Norman, Peter, Salt, Cooper, and Ginger Islands.
Turn northeast to Virgin Gorda and note Spanish Town, the Dog Islands, Mosquito, Prickly Pear, and Necker.
Look far northeast to find Anegada and The Settlement.
Shift west to St Thomas and the harbor at Charlotte Amalie. Find Water Island at the harbor mouth.
Cross Pillsbury Sound to Cruz Bay on St John and follow the coast around the national park bays.
Finish with St Croix, marking Christiansted and Frederiksted on opposite shores.
This path allows students, travelers, and island residents to see how the two territories align and how their towns are connected by water.
Regional Directory of Caribbean
Information and guide about Caribbean and website listing.
Regional Directory of Canada
Information and guide about Canada and website listing.
Regional Directory of United States of America
Information and guide about United States of America and websites with American topics.
Regional Directory of Europe
Information and guide about Europe and websites with European topics.
Regional Directory of Australia
Information and guide about Australia and websites with Australian topics.
