Virgin Islands

Overview

Virgin Islands National Park covers roughly 60% of the island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, protecting a Caribbean paradise of white sand beaches, coral reefs, tropical dry forest, and sugar plantation ruins. The park was made possible by Laurance Rockefeller, who purchased much of the island in the 1950s and donated it to the nation. The result is one of the most pristine Caribbean islands remaining, where verdant hillsides drop to turquoise bays rimmed with powder-white sand. Trunk Bay is consistently rated one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, with an underwater snorkeling trail marked by interpretive plaques along a coral reef just offshore. But the park's other bays — Cinnamon, Maho, Hawksnest, and Salt Pond — are equally stunning and often less crowded. The snorkeling throughout the park is exceptional, with sea turtles, spotted eagle rays, colorful reef fish, and nurse sharks all commonly seen in the clear, warm water. Beyond the beaches, the Reef Bay Trail descends 2 miles through tropical forest past Taino petroglyphs and sugar mill ruins to a secluded beach, with a park boat shuttle back (reservations required). The park's 20 miles of hiking trails pass through dry forest thick with century plants and turpentine trees, over ridgelines with views of neighboring British Virgin Islands, and past the atmospheric remains of 18th-century sugar plantations that once dominated the island.

Things to Do

• Snorkel the underwater trail at Trunk Bay
• Hike the Reef Bay Trail to petroglyphs and ruins
• Swim and snorkel at Cinnamon Bay
• Kayak to Henley Cay for offshore snorkeling
• Explore Annaberg Sugar Plantation ruins
• Hike the Lind Point Trail to Honeymoon Beach
• Watch sea turtles at Maho Bay
• Paddleboard across calm Caribbean bays

Wildlife

Keep an eye out for these animals during your visit:

Weather & Best Time to Visit

Tropical climate with year-round temperatures of 80-90°F. Dry season (December-April) has the best weather. Hurricane season (June-November) brings risk of storms. Water temperature stays 78-84°F year-round.