Creed Virgin Island Water Review – Tropical Fragrance or Sunscreen Scent?

We place Creed Virgin Island Water on our best perfumes for women list, although, technically, it’s a unisex perfume. This means it can work for men, also. I’m pretty sure you understood that already, but hey, I felt better translating.

Our Creed Virgin Island Water review gears towards women; that’s my point. But fear not, guys, the review is good enough for your purposes as well. 

Creed Virgin Island Water Review – The Basics

creed virgin island water perfume review

Creed launched Virgin Island Water in 2007. With over a decade on the market, we have a pretty good idea that this fragrance stands up to the test of time. 

Erwin and Olivier Creed created the now popular fragrance. 

Supposedly, the inspiration for Virgin Island Water came from a Caribbean sailing adventure. Given the name of the scent, that makes a lot of sense. It is said that this perfume “celebrates the tropical splendor and exotic scents carried by the Trade Winds of Sir Francis Drake Channel.”

That’s pretty heavy. But hey, Creed perfumers are an ambitious, adventurous type who want to pass the joy unto the rest of us through an aroma. 

You can buy Creed Virgin Island water samples and test this fragrance out with less financial risk. That’s what we tend to recommend, but you do you, friends. 

What Does Virgin Island Water Smell Like?

White Bergamot, lime, and coconut are your top notes. Given this is an island, tropical fragrance, we must expect the coconut portion of the notes. If you want to achieve a fragrance that represents an island breeze, the coconut is a must.

Hibiscus, Indian Jasmine, and ginger flank the middle notes while white rum, sugar cane and must top off the base.

Just reading Virgin Island Water’s notes makes me feel like my heels are wedged in the sand and I’m sipping a pina colada. It just feels as though I’m reading a resort’s menu.

There’s a heavy citrus and coconut scent at first spritz. Eventually, that fades, leaving a ginger appeal. This fragrance tends to wipe out pretty early, so if you enjoy the coconut, fruity aspects, you’ll need to reapply.

Virgin Island Water is a refreshing, uplifting unisex perfume experience. I wouldn’t call it exceptional, but the use of coconut certainly is fun. That said, some folks may feel they give off a bit of a sunscreen scent. I’m not sure anyone’s looking to smell like Coppertone.

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At best, Virgin Island Water is a safe, tropical perfume. Depending on your affinity towards smelling like a resort island, you may or may not enjoy it. Again, I’d run with a sample before buying the whole bottle. 

Creed doesn’t have any notable commercials promoting Virgin Island Water. But it remains a popular fragrance all over the web, including with YouTube reviewers.

Final Notes

Virgin Island Water is on our top perfumes for women list, but it’s hanging by a thread. From a sales and longevity perspective, the fragrance certainly earns its spot. But it is a weaker scent and can sometimes come off as if you’re wearing sunscreen.