Virgin Islands Webcam

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.

Hiking

There are over 20 trails to choose from within the park.  There is limited cell service so a map can be useful.  A full list of hikes can be found at the NPS site.  Below are our favorites.

Ram Head Trail provides breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea and rugged coastline. It leads to the southernmost point of Saint John. It is a 2.3 miles (3.7 km) hike with an elevation gain of 177 feet (54 m). The trail begins near Coral Bay on the southeastern side of the island.

Reef Bay Trail takes you through two forests and past the remains of a deserted sugar mill. It ends at a beautiful beach. The trail is 4.4 miles (7.1 km), with a 900 feet (274 m) elevation gain.  The trail starts from the Reef Bay Sugar Factory Ruins area.

Lind Point Trail to Honeymoon Beach is a point-to-point trail connects the National Park Visitor Center to Honeymoon Beach. Enjoy an open and dry forest with cactus scrub. The trail is 2.3 miles (3.7 km), with an elevation gain of 160 feet (49 m). The trail begins at the National Park Visitor Center in Cruz Bay.

Petroglyph Trail explores the ancient Taino petroglyphs. The trail winds through lush vegetation. The trail is 3.3 miles (5.3 km), with an elevation gain of 885 feet (260 m).  Trailhead is located at the Lameshur Bay parking area.

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.

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.