Virgin Islands National Park, National Park on Saint John Island, United States Virgin Islands.
Description
Virgin Islands National Park is a protected area on Saint John and part of Hassel Island in the United States Virgin Islands, covering tropical forests, sandy beaches, and coral reefs. It spans roughly 7,000 acres on land and another 5,650 acres underwater, preserving habitats for sea turtles, tropical fish, and mangrove forests.
History
The area was established in 1956 after businessman Laurance Rockefeller purchased large portions of Saint John and donated the land to the federal government. This decision preserved the landscape from further development and protected the remains of 18th-century sugar cane plantations.
Culture
The name Reef Bay refers to the cove on the southwestern edge of the island, where visitors can spot rock carvings made by the Taíno people. These images show faces and geometric patterns carved directly into the stone and remain visible today.
Practical
Visitors reach the protected area by passenger ferries from Red Hook or Charlotte Amalie on Saint Thomas to Cruz Bay. Most beaches and trails are accessible without an entrance fee, while some areas can only be reached on foot or by boat.
Did you know?
At Trunk Bay, snorkelers can follow an underwater path with signs that explain coral species and marine life. The path runs parallel to the beach at a depth of roughly 10 to 13 feet (3 to 4 meters) and makes the reef accessible even for beginners.
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Blackbeard's Castle
20.7 km
St. Thomas Synagogue
21.1 km
Fort Christian
20.8 km
Coral World Ocean Park
13.9 km
Coki Beach
14.1 km
Gibney Beach
4.8 km
Reef Bay Trail petroglyphs
1.2 km
Cathedral Church of All Saints
20.9 km
Magens Bay Arboretum
20.3 km
Lionel Roberts Park
20.5 km
Catherineberg Sugar Mill Ruins
3.1 km
Annaberg Historic District
3 kmVenus Hill
20.8 kmBordeaux Mountain
650 m
Charlotte Amalie Historic District
21 km
Reef Bay Sugar Factory Historic District
1.9 km
Mary Point Estate
3.4 km
Fort Willoughby
20.9 km
Estate Carolina Sugar Plantation
2 km
Estate Catherineberg
21.1 km
Emancipation Gardens
20.8 km
Nur Mosque
19.4 km
Lind Point Fort
6.8 km
Hamburg-America Shipping Line Administrative Offices
20.9 kmL'Esperance Historic District
1 km
Dennis Bay Historic District
4.7 kmJossie Gut Historic District
868 m
Coki Point Beach
14.1 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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