Virgin Islands National Park guides
10 in-depth guides to Virgin Islands National Park, in reading order: what to see, how to get around, and what to know before you go. Back to the Virgin Islands National Park overview.
Arriving via Cruz Bay and Driving Left
To get here, fly into Saint Thomas, then take a ferry to Cruz Bay on Saint John. Passenger boats leave from Red Hook or Charlotte Amalie, and vehicles board at Red Hook.
Trade Winds, Swells and Hurricane Season
Trade winds shape the weather here. The Tradewinds, also known as the Easterlies, carry air from east to west over the tropical Atlantic, and in winter they can blow between 11 and 21 knots.
North Shore Road Beaches: Trunk to Maho
North Shore Road runs along the island's north side, linking many of the park's best stops, including beaches and hiking trails.
Ridge to Reef: Corals, Turtles and Fish
Virgin Islands National Park protects 5,650 acres of submerged lands alongside its land area on Saint John.
Reef Bay Trail and the Taino Petroglyphs
The Reef Bay Trail is a strenuous hike that starts on Centerline Road and heads downhill for most of its length.
Kayaking to Whistling Cay's Ruins and Reefs
Kayaks and windsurfers can be rented at Cinnamon Bay, which also has a restaurant, a snack bar, a small commissary, restrooms, and showers.
Annaberg Ruins and St. John's Sugar Past
Annaberg was among the 25 sugar plantations on Saint John during the Danish colonial era. By the early 1800s it was one of the island's biggest producers of sugar, molasses and rum for export.
Bananaquits and 140 Bird Species of St. John
BirdLife International has recognized Virgin Islands National Park as an Important Bird Area, a designation given because the park supports populations of several bird species.
Eco-Tents and Bare Sites at Cinnamon Bay
Camping inside Virgin Islands National Park is permitted only by reservation, and all of it is based at Cinnamon Bay Beach and Campground.
South Shore Quiet Bays: Lameshur and Saltpond
Little Lameshur Bay and Salt Pond Bay are two good snorkeling options on the south shore of Saint John.
