The gay community on the U.S. Virgin Islands isn’t as big and pumping as it is in San Juan, Puerto Rico, but these lovely sun bathed beaches are still a perfect destination for gay couples looking for a laid back vacation environment. It’s definitely not the most ideal destination for singles, considering that there is no huge gay tourist community, and that the native gay community on the islands is so small that most know each other by name–in fact, on St. Thomas, there are only nine gay couples.

Stepping onto the Virgin Islands is like stepping into another century. On a quiet day, as in the picture above, you wonder if you’ve become stranded on a desert island in the far past, when water was still a shimmering blue–as you progress, you move forward in time, walking past butcher shops in 15th century buildings and boutiques in 19th century edifices.

If you’re a U.S. citizen, you might enjoy the shopping in the gay friendly Virgin Islands, as well. On St. Thomas, there is a market in a set of 300 year old warehouses, where you can buy all of your wares tax free up to $1,200.