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Information courtesy of National Park Service

Virgin Islands National Park, renowned throughout the world for its breathtaking beauty, covers approximately 3/5 of St. John, and nearly all of Hassel Island in the Charlotte Amalie harbor on St. Thomas. Within its borders lie protected bays of crystal blue-green waters teeming with coral reef life, white sandy beaches shaded by seagrape trees, coconut palms, and tropical forests providing habitat for over 800 species of plants. To these amazing natural resources, add relics from the Pre-Colombian Amerindian Civilization, remains of the Danish Colonial Sugar Plantations, and reminders of African Slavery and the Subsistence Culture that followed during the 100 years after Emancipation – all part of the rich cultural history of the Park and its island home. Park Map

ACCESSIBILITY:

The Visitor Center in Cruz Bay and picnic areas at Trunk Bay and Hawksnest beaches are wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair accessibility to beaches and trails is extremely limited due to the steep topography of the island. Cinnamon Bay campground has several accessible campsites. Call the Park for more information.

While Annaberg and Trunk Bay are the most frequently-visited park sites, Virgin Islands National Park’s diverse beaches, coral reefs, historic ruins, and hiking trails provide endless hours of exploration and enjoyment, as well as inspiration and opportunities for solitude and reflection. Visitors enjoy a variety of activities on the land and in the water, including swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving; sailing, kayaking and windsurfing; and camping, hiking and bird watching. Visitors can enjoy the crystal blue waters on a charter day-sail or boat snorkeling tour which are offered by private operators and can be booked in Cruz Bay and Coral Bay. Some visitors explore the park on their own, while others prefer a two-hour safari bus island tour with a private tour guide.

To learn more about the island and its diverse plants, animals and people attend a Park program.

For information on the ongoing archeological research at Cinnamon Bay visit the Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park website.

Camping is only allowed in areas specifically designated for those purposes. Within Virgin Islands National Park, there is Cinnamon Bay campground, operated by a park concessionaire. For more information you may visit the Cinnamon Bay Campground website at http://www.cinnamonbay.com/.

In addition, Maho Bay Campground, is a privately operated facility located within the authorized boundaries of Virgin Islands National Park. For further information you may visit their website at http://www.virginislandsparadise.com/.

When visiting either of these locations you may encounter some members of the local wildlife, such as the White-tailed deer, and donkeys. Deer are extremely shy animals; however the donkeys will allow you to get pretty close. Be careful and do not feed them. Feeding marine and terrestrial wildlife is prohibited and may be dangerous to you. Fires are permitted only on grills at designated picnic areas.

Also located at the Cinnamon Bay Campground is the Virgin Islands National Park Archeological Lab. This lab is open to visitors, who may want to take a peak at recently discovered artifacts, learn more about the archeological history of the island, or volunteer in a dig.

Scuba Diving

The Virgin Islands ranks as one of the Caribbean’s premier diving sites. Some major points of interest include Whistling Cay, Haulover Bay, and Reef Bay. Superb reef for both snorkeling and diving are found in and around most of the anchorages, however, for the safety of yourself and others, scuba diving is not permitted off designated swim beaches. When snorkeling, you will be exposed to a new world of fascinating plants and animals. Some corals and sponges are extremely fragile and easily damaged when touched or kicked. Others, such as fire coral and sea urchins may inflict painful wounds and irritation. As the saying goes, “take only pictures and leave only footprints”.

Several dive shops provide complete service from equipment rental and air tank refills, to tours and instruction. Just ask around!

Snorkeling is the best way to become familiar with the Park’s underwater world and all its resources. By visiting anyone of St. John’s bays, you can easily take a glimpse of what each has to offer.

“Located just an hour walk away”

A short walk along the Lind Point trail, takes you to Salmon Bay and Honeymoon Beach. A rocky headland that separates the waters of Honeymoon and Salomon Bay is a great spot to observe the locally rare black and white tunicates. Also popular at this site are scattered populations of Elkhorn and some pillar corals. As you go deeper, there are star corals and rubble that offer protection for the abundant fish population found in these waters.

As you travel further along the North Shore road, the first beach you encounter is Hawksnest. This bay has a few shallow reefs that extend from the sandy beach. For the not so novice snorkler, these shallow reefs could easily be observed from the shoreline. Fast growing Elkhorn coral, are speedily making a recovery from the disease, hurricanes, and land development that has occurred in this area in the past few years.

“Underwater Trail”

The Trunk Bay underwater trail is great for beginners, children, or anybody that wants to learn about marine life. There are plaques, generally located 5 to 15 feet beneath you that give you a brief introduction about the coral and fish that you may see along your way. Trunk Bay offers the added attraction of lifeguards, toilets, showers, lockers, a gift shop and snack bar. Snorkel gear rental is also available.

“Waterlemon Bay”

A 10-minute walk form Leinster Bay brings you to a narrow stretch of sand where entry is gained to a shallow reef dominated by large star coral boulders. This area provides a great habitat for parrotfish, tangs, and juvenile grunts. Further out seaward; there are blue chromis, gorgonias, and an occasional visiting turtle. As you swim out towards the cay, you come across fish like juvenile barracudas, tarpon, rays, and perhaps a friendly juvenile nurse shark.

“On the South Side”

At Salt Pond Bay, a lengthy swim to the middle of the bay, beyond the boat moorings brings you to two sets of jagged rocks that break the surface. A large assortment of fish and corals cover the rocks to their bases in about 15 feet of water. As you swim along the sides of the bay, there are more fish and coral, each becoming more interesting the further out from the beach you go. Squid and turtles are commonly seen in this area.

Great Lameshur Bay is rocky and the snorkeling sites are on the eastern side of the bay. Large boulders form sea caves that are often abundant with snappers and other fish. Tektite, the remains of an underwater living habitat for astronauts, is located in this area, among the star corals in approximately 50 feet of water.

For more information on snorkeling, the following handout can be downloaded from this site:

Where’s the best snorkeling?

Map & Pictures of All These Locations Mentioned Above

For Kids:

Hey Kids, ever thought about becoming a Ranger? – Junior Ranger Program

There is always something for both kids and adults to do together, while visiting Virgin Islands National Park. To help protect the natural and cultural resources of St. John, you are welcomed to join the Junior Ranger program on St. John. During your sightseeing, stop by the Visitor Center and pick up a Junior Ranger workbook. Workbook exercises include “interviews” with trees, word searches, games and a nature hike. At the end, you return to the Visitor Center and you are awarded with a Junior Ranger program certificate, “Smokey Bear” hat, Junior Ranger badge, and pencil. Come along and Join in the Fun!!!

PLAN YOUR VISIT
Operating Hours & Seasons

Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Center is open daily, 8:00am to 4:30pm. The Station is closed Christmas Day. Park areas are open 24 hours a day year-round.

Local Partners & Information Resources
Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park

Getting There

Public Transportation
Hourly ferry service from Red Hook, St. Thomas (a 20-minute ride) is available to St. John and operates from 6:30 a.m., then on the hour from 7:00 am – midnight. Ferry service from St. John to St. Thomas runs on the hour from 6:00 a.m – 11:00 p.m. Less frequent ferries travel between Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas and St. John (a 45-minute ride).

Getting Around
Most popular Park areas are easily accessed by local taxis, called safari buses. Rental vehicles are available in Cruz Bay and are necessary to travel to some of the more remote areas on St. John. Parking is limited at many Park sites. Reef Bay and Cinnamon Bay Trails and Salt Pond can be accessed by public bus service running from Cruz Bay to the Coral Bay area by way of Centerline Road (Route 10). Check the most current schedule posted near the Cruz Bay ferry dock. Boats are necessary to visit some Park bays lacking road access. Bicycling is not recommended within the Park, due to very steep, narrow and winding roads.

Cruz Bay Visitor Center
Open All Year 8:00AM – 4:30PM

Trunk Bay Kiosk
Open All Year

By Mail
Virgin Islands National Park
1300 Cruz Bay Creek
St. John, VI 00830

By Phone
Visitor Information
340 776 6201
Headquarters
340 776 6201
By Fax
(340) 775-9592

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