Introduction
The Virgin Islands National Park preserves approximately 60% of the land area, an area of approximately 14,737 acres (59.64 square kilometers) of Saint John in the United States Virgin Islands. It also includes more than 5,500 acres (2,226 hectares) of adjacent ocean and nearly all of Hassel Island, located just off the Charlotte Amalie harbor in Saint Thomas. Depending on the year, the park will receive hundreds of thousands of visitors.
In 1956, Laurance Rockefeller's Jackson Hole Preserve donated extensive lands on Saint John to the National Park Service (NPS). The condition was that these lands had to be protected from future development. The remaining portion, the Caneel Bay Resort, operates on a lease arrangement with the NPS, which owns the underlying land. The boundaries of the Virgin Islands National Park include 75% of the island, but various in-holdings within the park boundary (such as Peter Bay and Maho Bay) reduce the park lands to 60% of the island acreage. Much of the island's waters, coral reefs, and shoreline are also protected within the national park. In 2001, the Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument was created to further enhance protection. The park was impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017 but reopened in December 2017 with accessible roads, trails, and beaches.
The Virgin Islands National Park covers Additionally, it includes over 5,500 acres of adjacent ocean and nearly all of Hassel Island.
The park is home to diverse marine and terrestrial ecosystems. It protects fish, corals, marine life, and tropical and migrating birds. The island's reef is also safeguarded, with public access available at Mangrove Bay of Hurricane Hole, east of Coral Bay. The Virgin Islands National Park is renowned for scuba diving and snorkeling. It boasts miles of hiking trails through the lush tropical rainforest.
More information is available at the park's wikipedia page.
Top Hikes
These three hikes are good starting points for planning, with at least one more difficult option. Distances and elevation gain are rounded; check the official park trail page for current closures, permits, weather, and trail conditions.
Lind Point Trail (moderate) - 2.3 miles (3.7 km); elevation gain 164 feet (50 m). A popular Cruz Bay-area route to overlooks and beach access.
Ram Head Trail (moderate) - 2.3 miles (3.7 km); elevation gain 230 feet (70 m). A dry, exposed hike to dramatic coastal views at the island's southeast end.
Reef Bay Trail (difficult) - 4.4 miles (7.1 km); elevation gain 900 feet (274 m). A longer descent through forest and historic sites that requires a hard climb back or shuttle planning.
Snorkeling Beaches
It would be hard to go to the park without snorkeling. It has some of the best coral reefs in the United States. You'll encounter Parrotfish, Angelfish, French Striped Grunts and if you are lucky a sea turtle. The coral is amazing, with brain coral, lettuce leaf, elkhorn and pillar coral. We listed our top spots below. However, remember to use Reef Safe Sunscreen. Also, depending on the weather, especially wind direction may dictate the best beach to go to. The NPS has provided a map with beaches. They also provide a list of beaches on their snorkeling site. Checking in with a ranger can also provide the best beaches to snorkel.
Honeymoon Beach is nestled at Caneel Bay, Honeymoon Beach boasts a colorful coral reef perfect for snorkeling. Crystal-clear waters and a pristine shoreline make it an ideal spot to explore underwater wonders.
Waterlemon Cay is accessed by the Leinster Bay trail. Roughly a 10 minute walk from Annaberg Parking lot. The Cay has deep water where you may see turtles. The cay is 10 minutes from Leinster Bay, which also has excellent snorkeling.
Salomon/Honeymoon Bay is accessed by a short hike from the Virgin Islands National Park sign off North Shore Road or by boat.
Hawksnest Bay has a large coral reef that comes out from the shoreline. The water can be shallow, we recommend not swimming above the reef.
Boating
Boating is a popular way to reach Virgin Islands National Park beaches, snorkeling areas, and offshore waters. The NPS boating page asks boaters to use designated moorings, protect coral and seagrass beds, and follow park rules for anchoring, vessel operation, and protected marine areas. Boaters should review the NPS interactive marine map before heading out because it shows mooring locations, boat exclusion zones, speed zones, anchoring limits, and other marine closures.
The park has moorings in several bays and around Hurricane Hole. Mooring fees and reservations are handled through Recreation.gov. Dinghies, kayaks, and paddlecraft should also follow NPS guidance for safe landings and avoiding sensitive reefs, beaches, and seagrass.
Camping
There is only one campground within the park. It is operated by Cinnamon Bay. The accommodations include cottages to a wooden platform for a sleeping bag or tent. For reservations, please visit them at their website.