Virgin Islands Nationwide Park is a lush tropical paradise positioned on the small island of St. John within the Caribbean Sea. Though part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. John shouldn’t be your common seashore vacation spot, and simply units itself aside from different Caribbean islands thanks to the protected land of the Nationwide Park, which covers about 60% of the island.
Whereas St. John is small at solely 19 sq. miles, it’s stuffed to the brim with sweeping views, dreamy seashores, and unforgettable hikes. That mentioned, don’t come to St. John anticipating a resort tradition and the comfort of all-inclusives. As a substitute, admire the distinctive adventures and tranquility that this island’s uncooked magnificence and ease delivers.
Beneath is a whole information to experiencing the most effective of Virgin Islands Nationwide Park in a single unimaginable journey.
The Finest Adventures to Have in Virgin Islands Nationwide Park:
Kayak in Hurricane Gap
The little bays on the north facet of Coral Bay are identified for having tremendous protected, calm waters. Hurricane Gap’s identify comes from the truth that boats have been identified to anchor and tie into the mangroves there to wait out passing hurricanes. That is excellent for a fairly day of kayaking, and an area firm known as Reef 2 Peak will even drop off kayaks for you at your place to begin.
Take a Land and Sea Tour
Need to get to know Virgin Islands Nationwide Park much more intimately? The Land and Sea Tour is run by locals who will drive you to discover the most effective of the park, adopted by a ship tour that can present you laborious to attain spots. You may see extra of St. John in a single journey than most individuals might see over years of visits.
Discover Annaberg Plantation Ruins
St. John was colonized by Danish settlers within the early 1700’s, and at one level was lined by over 100 plantations. Of the various ruins scattered all through the island, the Annaberg Planation is essentially the most intact, and gives a glimpse into what life would have been like right here throughout St. John’s early colonial days.
The place to Eat Close to Virgin Islands Nationwide Park
When you might discover some snack stands within the Nationwide Park, the most effective eating places shall be discovered on the town. I like to recommend venturing to Cruz Bay or Coral Bay to eat at one in every of these island favorites:
- Skinny Legs: (Coral Bay) Recognized for deliciously juicy burgers served with their signature blender-free drinks. Most individuals select to order the “painkiller”, which is the signature drink of the Virgin Islands. I extremely recommend solely getting it with Pusser’s Navy Rum, made within the British Virgin Islands. If that isn’t out there, Myers Darkish Rum is an effective substitute.
- Aqua Bistro: (Coral Bay) This beautiful open-air restaurant actually shines throughout lunch. They characteristic an incredible out of doors bar with views of Coral Bay, which make their frozen bushwackers and conch fritters style even higher. Many locals have commented that they consider the conch fritters at Aqua Bistro to be the most effective on the island.
- Lime Out: (Coral Bay) Floating taco bar in Coral Bay Marina that requires a shuttle to entry. Each the tacos and cocktails are scrumptious and enjoyable to eat on this distinctive setting.
- The Lengthy Board: (Cruz Bay) Superb sushi bowls and tacos. With a few of the freshest meals and greatest cocktails on St. John, you may’t go fallacious with something on their menu.
- Excessive Tide: (Cruz Bay) Often called being the primary cease off the ferry for a lot of vacationers, as its mere footsteps away. Get pleasure from a sandwich and conch fritters simply off the seashore.
- The Lime Inn: (Cruz Bay) Serves meals that could be a tier above the bar meals served at different eating places, and has an superior cocktail choice. The right place to come for a festive environment while you need to eat one thing moreover a burger.
Prime Hikes to Do in Virgin Islands Nationwide Park
Just a few of the preferred hikes to do in Virgin Islands Nationwide Park are listed under. They vary in size and issue, making it straightforward to add a hike into your journey relying in your schedule and health degree.
- Peace Hill: (.2 miles up a rocky path, straightforward) Ruins of a windmill on the high, with lovely views of North Shore bays on both facet.
- Ram Head: (2.Three miles, average) This principally uncovered path gives lovely 180-degree views of the Caribbean and St. John’s rocky south shore.
- Reef Bay Path: (6-ish miles, average) That is St. John’s most well-known path, however is about six miles out and again and takes a full day to do. You’re rewarded with plantation ruins, historical rock carvings, and a seashore on the backside.
- Lind Level Path: (2.Three miles, straightforward) Nice path beginning close to property Lindholm that leads down to two seashores: Solomon Bay and Honeymoon Bay. You possibly can e book a 3-hour eco hike and snorkel tour right here.
- Drunk Bay: (1.1 miles, straightforward) Positioned close to the Ram Head Path, the tip of this path leads to a rocky, unprotected seashore with wild waves that distinction from the calm, light waters of the opposite seashores.
The Finest Seashores in Virgin Islands Nationwide Park
You can not come to Virgin Islands Nationwide Park with out exploring its gorgeous seashores. The truth is, some of the “troublesome” selections you’ll make throughout your journey is which seashore to go to, as there are such a lot of equally lovely selections. Fortunately, this may be narrowed down relying in your style and desired sort of seashore day.
One of the best seashores within the park are primarily concentrated alongside North Shore Highway, which is the place yow will discover the choice listed under.
Maho Bay
Maho Bay options a few of the calmest water in Virgin Islands Nationwide Park, and is ideal for stand-up paddle boarding. The truth is, there are SUP and Kayak leases supplied proper on web site, together with newly constructed meals stalls at Maho Crossings. Though this isn’t a really shady seashore, it’s nicely beloved for its sea turtles who dwell only a quick distance off shore.
Trunk Bay
Trunk Bay is Virgin Islands Nationwide Park’s most well-known seashore, and it’s not laborious to see why. This seashore is gorgeous, and its overlook from North Shore Highway is one in every of St. John’s most iconic views.
One can have a full seashore day at Trunk Bay. Whereas there aren’t any kayak or SUP leases onsite, there are snorkel leases out there, that are very fashionable for exploring Trunk’s underwater snorkel path. If snorkeling isn’t your factor, this extensive seashore could be very conducive to lengthy walks or a leisurely recreation of catch. In fact, the clear turquoise water can be a sensible choice for a swim or lounging on a pool floaty. It’s also possible to e book a day tour to discover the mountain vistas and historic websites right here.
Oppenheimer/Gibney Seashore
When you’d like a seashore principally to your self, rise early to seize one in every of three parking spots in entrance of the doorway to Oppenheimer/Gibney Seashore. It is a lovely spot for pure rest, because the lack of parking means it might by no means be very crowded.
Denis Bay
Secluded Denis Bay is a bit hidden, and requires a brief, slender hike on a bumpy filth path to attain it. This may be difficult in case you’re carrying plenty of stuff with you. Nonetheless, it would all be value it when you attain this huge, near-empty seashore.
Jumbie Bay
Jumbie Bay is one other seashore that can possible by no means be very crowded. There is simply room for a number of vehicles to park, and since this seashore additionally requires a small hike, it’s a little bit bit hidden from the highway.
Jumbie might not be as large as a few of the others, however it by no means feels very crowded. It’s the proper place to spend the day taking within the attractive views of the British Virgin Islands within the distance, whereas getting misplaced in a superb e book.
Hawksnest Bay
Hawksnest is without doubt one of the hottest seashores, due to its magnificence and ease of entry. This is without doubt one of the solely seashores the place you may park and arrange your seashore chair simply steps away. It’s excellent for these days the place rain threatens, and also you need to have the ability to pack up and run to your automobile in a short time.
Whereas Hawksnest is gorgeous, it’s barely much less protected than the others, that means it will get the occasional small wave or two.
Different Suggestions for Visiting Virgin Islands Nationwide Park
- You don’t want a passport to journey to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Nonetheless, in case you seize a constitution to the British Virgin Islands, a passport is required.
- Water conservation is essential on St. John, as water is pricey to buy and most residents gather rainwater in cisterns for his or her freshwater supply.
- Among the most beloved residents of the island are the donkeys and goats that inhabit it. Take care when driving, as they have an inclination to hang around close to the highway.
- St. John normally can get very buggy at night time. Bear in mind to apply bug spray earlier than heading out to dinner for the night.
- One of the vital fascinating options of Virgin Islands Nationwide Park is its Coral Reef, which is an enormous purpose why folks love to snorkel right here. To guard the reef from harm brought on by sunscreen, make sure to put on reef-safe varieties.
How to Get to St John
One thing guests each love and hate about Virgin Islands Nationwide Park is the effort it takes to get there. Since there’s not an airport on St. John, one should first fly into neighboring St. Thomas, seize a rental automobile or taxi to the ferry dock, after which boat over to St. John on both a folks or automobile ferry. The entire course of takes about an hour, and may price anyplace from $12/particular person to $50/automobile, though costs fluctuate.
The nice half is that this deters the convenience-seeking lots, so St. John doesn’t get overly crowded. That is particularly helped by the truth that cruise ships can’t dock on St. John. In the end, the hassle it takes to get to Virgin Islands Nationwide Park is completely value it, and there shall be loads of drinks and snacks ready for you close to the ferry dock upon arrival.
How to Get Round
When you keep in Cruz Bay, there are taxis and an rare bus that can take you to in style spots across the park. Nonetheless, by far the preferred and extremely really helpful approach to get round is by renting a automobile.
Most vacationers will want to hire a Jeep, as that’s typically the one approach to entry trip leases perched up steep, unpaved driveways. St. John Automobile Rental is a good firm with high quality Jeeps, and can even let prospects use its parking zone in Cruz Bay after shut. This may be clutch in the course of the in style dinner hours, when parking is scarce.
Yet one more necessary factor to bear in mind – in St. John they drive on the left facet of the highway!
The place to Keep
Many of the greatest lodging choices shall be discovered skirting across the outdoors of the park. There are two sides of the island the place you’ll discover the overwhelming majority of locations to keep:
Cruz Bay
The western going through facet of the island the place you arrived on the ferry dock. That is the most important city on St. John, with many restaurant and procuring choices (although not any main chains).
E book accommodations on Cruz Bay right here.
Coral Bay
The jap going through facet of the island, which generally is a bit extra peaceable, together with having attractive views and its personal well-loved seashore bars for informal dinners and drinks.
E book accommodations on Coral Bay right here.
Accommodations
When you’d like to keep in a lodge, the most effective choices shall be present in Cruz Bay. Listed below are two of the preferred:
- The Westin: Massive resort with varied facilities. This lodge gives perks equivalent to its personal personal seashore, a stupendous pool, onsite automobile rental, and direct ferry entry from St. Thomas. The eating places and nightlife of Cruz Bay are only a quick drive up the highway.
- Property Lindholm: Mattress and breakfast constructed amongst colonial plantation ruins, and overlooking Cruz Bay. It’s also positioned proper subsequent to the doorway to Virgin Islands Nationwide Park, providing nice seashore and mountain climbing entry. Cruz Bay is a straightforward two-minute stroll from this lodge.
Trip Leases
Trip leases are by far the commonest lodging alternative on St. John, and yow will discover them all around the island. You may keep proper close to downtown Cruz Bay for simple nightlife entry, or cross the island to Coral Bay for a low-key environment and darker night time skies.
St. John Villa Leases is an area web site that connects you immediately to property house owners, and avoids a few of the intermediary charges that different web sites have. Different in style web sites, equivalent to VRBO and Airbnb, even have loads of lovely villa and personal room selections.
There are usually not many locations on earth like Virgin Islands Nationwide Park that provide the prospect to unplug, whereas additionally delivering a wow issue. Like different U.S. nationwide parks, Virgin Islands Nationwide Park gives the chance to be nearer to nature. Nonetheless, it does so in a tropical setting that provides a mess of unforgettable experiences.
As you may see, Virgin Islands Nationwide Park gives an amazing collection of superb issues to do in a single go to. Whereas it’s unattainable to do all of it, in case you stick to the ideas laid out above, you’re assured to have an unforgettable journey. Don’t fear if you end up slowing down with the relaxed tempo of island time and seeing lower than you deliberate. Virgin Islands Nationwide Park is the kind of place that can draw you again over and over.
Concerning the writer: Theresa is the creator of Fueled By Wanderlust. Though she didn’t begin touring till her mid-twenties due to some pesky pupil mortgage debt, with cautious budgeting, she was in a position to pay that off and begin planning journeys. Since then, she has traveled increasingly every year to varied locations within the U.S., Europe, and the Caribbean. You possibly can observe together with Theresa’s adventures on Instagram.
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