Top 50 things to do and attractions in the Virgin Islands National Park

Paradise om Earth ? You found it !Trunk Bay is nothing short of majestic beauty. The moment you arrive, you are greeted with crystal-clear turquoise waters that look like they’ve been painted by hand, and the softest, finest white sand that feels like silk under your feet. This is truly one of the most breathtaking beaches in the Caribbean — perfect for swimming, snorkeling, or simply soaking in paradise. We spent hours enjoying the pristine water and the postcard-worthy scenery. The panoramic views, whether from the shore or looking out at the lush green island just offshore, are unforgettable. It’s the kind of place that makes you wish time could stop. A couple of practical notes for future visitors: Transportation: If you’re coming by cruise ship into Cruz Bay, taxis are the main way to reach Trunk Bay. While they’re efficient, the drivers can sometimes be a bit abrupt or even rude. One important thing to remember: they will not wait for you if you are not back at the vehicle at the exact time they say. Plan your beach time carefully to avoid being stranded. Food & drinks: There is only one food shack on the beach. While convenient, the prices are quite high compared to what you’d expect. Definitely bring extra cash (not all places take cards) and, if possible, pack a few snacks and water beforehand. Even with these small inconveniences, Trunk Bay is absolutely worth the trip. It is a slice of paradise that combines natural beauty, tranquility, and the magic of the Caribbean. If you’re visiting St. John, don’t miss it — this is one of those places that stays with you forever.

This has to be one of the most gorgeous beaches in the world. There is an extra fee for this beach. It's $5 a person. Totally worth it. There's also food and drinks available. There's a snorkel tour underwater that you can do by yourself.

Beautiful, blue water, clean sand, and hardly any crowds. It's about 5 bucks a person to enter here - but it's worth the price. The parking lot is small, which cuts down on the crowds here. There is an underwater snorkeling trail marked out by a few buoys you can follow out to Trunk Cay. It's not the best in the world, but it's very accessible an in a calm, easy bay. There are nice bathroom and shower facilities here as well.

The most beautiful place I’ve ever visited so far! We took a cruise from the US and ported in St. Thomas. We wanted to check off a bucket list place by visiting St. John. A U.S. National Park. The timing was perfect on a beautiful day, the first week in September. I would definitely do a destination trip to this island as I would love to explore it more. Must see if you love God’s nature on land and sea.

One if the calmest beaches in St Johns. Get there early and find a good spot. Great for snorkeling and just hanging on the beach. If you are staying in St. Thomas take the ferry over to St. John.

Trunk Bay in Virgin Islands National Park is one of the most famous beaches, and it’s easy to see why—crystal-clear blue water, soft sand, and enough people to feel lively but not overwhelming. Facilities are convenient with showers and restrooms, though they close fairly early, so plan ahead. The sad part is the coral reef, which looks stressed and unhealthy in many areas. Hopefully it will recover, but more awareness is needed. The park could do better by promoting reef-safe sunscreen and encouraging visitors to use coral-friendly products. Still, it’s a beautiful spot to experience and worth visiting, especially if you want to check this iconic beach off your list.

One of the prettiest beaches in St John. Ferry's that reach St John run on the hour from St Thomas. Bring snorkel gear or you can rent them. You will likely see plenty of fish, stingray's and possibly sea turtles. When it's time to go, be sure to allow yourself time to catch a taxi

Nice beach to hang out and catch some sun and ocean waves. Not great for snorkeling and it gets packed with local tourists and those coming over from St. Thomas for the day. Parking can be a challenge as well. Go early to grab a spot.

Everyone talks about Trunk Bay being the most beautiful in the world, but do not skip this one! We packed up early and walked to the very far end near the black rocks. Spent the whole day relaxing feeling like we were the only ones on the beach. Everyone clears out at 4 to catch their cruise’s or their dinner plans so if you want that picturesque sunset walk on the beach, you’ll get it! We snorkeled a lot on St.John so the days we came here we drank the day away :). A short walk back to the entrance and amazing painkillers, strong ones too! Don’t let people on Facebook groups scare you, bring your Neso and just be considerate of others

In our first appriach we were not going to visit this beach thinking in Trunk beach as our first option, however after visiting Cinamon Beach I will say that it's a paradaise. Super good installations food, clear waters and a bay that will make you dream. This is a must, dont forget it!

Without a doubt my favorite beach! Of course I haven’t been to all, but this one was just breathtaking!! No entry fee, we took a taxi but there was parking. Bathrooms are available & little food/drink shack

This beach is hard to describe in words. It IS GORGEOUS. Soft sand, barely a shell or rock in the ocean and crystal clear waters. Great for snorkeling or just floating on your back! We found fresh coconuts and beautiful coral when walking down the beach. I need to go back!!!!

What an absolutely gorgeous beach. I would have loved to have spent the day here, but we had a laundry list of things to see. We were in search of the “window” that I had seen everywhere when researching the area and then learned that it’s right as you walk from the parking lot, down the sidewalk, to the beach. I was thinking we had to do some major hiking to get to it, but not the case. The parking is ample and the beach is pretty big. You may even catch a glimpse of a cute little deer passing through.

By far my favorite beach on St. John. Not at all crowded like Trunk Bay, although the campground there is still closed from Irmaria so it may be more crowded when that opens. Sugar sand beach, clear water, and good snorkeling. Take the time to go across the street and take the trail through the ruins on a self-guided tour.

Beach was a bit busy and parking was tough but we found a spot. And then found a good spot off to the far right in the shade. Beach was amazing and the family was able to snorkeling and got to see turtles, and fish along with crabs tying to exchange shells.

Beautiful and not terribly crowded beach area. The limited parking (pretty much just the side of the road) limits the crowding, and the beach is just feet away from the road. Snorkeling here was not great for us. There's no coral - just turtle grass here. So we saw about 2 fish while out here and nothing else. One guy claimed to have seen a sea turtle - which seem to be common here.

Maho. Just go. Get there early. Smaller than Trunk and Cinnamon, but parking is close and the beach is beautiful. More sheltered than Cinnamon which means less wind and less waves. Saw a four foot string ray and some smaller rays. Plenty of turtles! There have cabanas with picnic tables for free if you get there early. They have a beach bar and souvenir shop too. I recommend a Lime In The Coconut.

I've been to many islands and many beaches, and to me.This is the most beautiful beach in the world. It is stunning the water the surroundings. Perfect day for snorkeling and exploring. you can swim around and see all types of fishies and turtles. Across the street, they have food, trucks and dream trucks, perfect for a day at the beach. I recommend this beach to everyone. It's a once in a lifetime, please to visit

This beach is very awesome, beautiful and secluded. Gifts and eats after located across the street. The sand is white, the water is emerald, very good place to spend the day on a beach.

Great beach the wake is very mellow there are sea turtles an sea rays not much fish but very beautiful area to spend a few hours on St.John

Perfect beach for people with mobility issues due to calm waters to swim in and easy sand to walk on.

Starting near mile marker 5 on Rt. 10, an approximately 4.4 mile round trip trail down a leaf/stone strewn dirt path into the lush growth and trees, leading to Reef Bay. We took the offshoot trail (about another 1/2 mile round trip) to see the waterfall and petroglyphs, then swam in the bay (water shoes recommended) before making our way back up the trail. The return trip is pretty steep once you’re about 3/4 of a mile from the end. Recommend lots of water!

We hiked a few trails on Saint John and this was one of our favorites. The parking is pretty tight as you just pull over into any dirt spot you can find and make sure you're not sticking out into the road. The trail from the road down to the old sugar mill and back, had us at about 6 miles while checking out some of the small outlets. It is all downhill from the road so you'll have a bit of a hike back up but it was a beautiful trail. We spotted lots of hermit crabs and even a few Mongooses. The sugar mill ruins are very cool to see and the beach seems to only be able to be accessed via hiking or boating. Make sure to pack some water it is a good amount in the shade but gets hot quickly.

This is an awesome hike with plenty to see. I will say that it's equally challenging and beautiful. If you're hesitant about the difficulty, I'd pick another trail, but if you're up for a challenge, you can't beat the views. The first half of the hike is all down hill and the return trip is all up hill. The trail is shaded, which a big plus. Bring plenty of water!

Jan 2024 - My wife and I (mid 60s) walked the trail from Centerline to the Petroglyphs and back. It's such a beautiful hike I can see why so many people enjoy it. We are fairly active and had no difficulty with the steeper parts - just a little winded at times. It was a perfect day - Low 80s with a nice breeze. I could see it being more challenging if it were really hot. The trail is in very nice condition. There are a few rocky spots and its likely to be slippery when wet but I would not hesitate to do it again. There are some lovely views, as well as some interesting ruins from the former sugar plantations. It is well shaded, which makes its a pleasant trail on a sunny day. As advised, be sure to bring some water and perhaps a few snacks. Next time we would likely go the rest of the way to the coast (we had plans to swim at Maho Bay so we decided to go as far as the Petroglyphs).

Pretty aggressive trail on the way back, switchbacks with steep inclines make sure you bring lots of water! The trail is covered mostly during the day and leads down to a secluded beach as well as the petroglyph trail and an abandoned sugar factory

This is a great trail that is mostly covered from the sun. The trail is definitely moderate coming back up from the beach. Going out is fine and the beach provides a nice relief point. Definitely remember to bring enough water and take your time going back up as there is a lot of walking uphill. Parking was on the side of the road near mile marker 5, just remember to go early as the spots on the roadside can fill up quick. There’s a couple offshoots on the trail bringing you to the petroglyphs which is interesting to check out!

Fairly eaay hike down, much tougher coming back up but definitely worth doing! Cool rain forest hike with petroglyphs and various interesting trees, ruins and a beach along the way.

BVI was a stop on a recent cruise. We did a day trip to St. John, then a tour of the island. Honestly, when you've seen one Virgin Island (whether US or British), you've seen them all. The terrain is basically identical. Unfortunately, a lot of the houses and businesses are still in disrepair after the hurricanes of a few years ago. I can certainly understand this as getting anything to these islands is a difficult, expensive task, not counting how expensive basic building materials are in the first place. The nicest thing about any of these islands is the water, which is why the majority of people go there. It is stunningly beautiful. The white sand beaches contrast with the multi-hued water, ranging from a gorgeous green, to aqua to light blue to dark blue. And, the water is crystal clear. No wonder these islands are a divers (and snorkelers) paradise. Don't waste your time on island tours, there's just not a lot to see.

Beautiful island. Breathe taking views and amazing beaches. Perfect spot for snorkeling. Island is really quiet and full with nature surprises. We saw so many different animals leaving free and together. Was wild life experience for me ! Great spot if you looking for this quiet beach getaway. Transportation is easy. Taxis are cheap and they go to every beach. Food and shopping is expensive. No airport so reaching till here is time taking but is worth the expense

Beautiful beaches. However, driving up the hill is very challenging, especially if it is raining.

Best vacation I’ve ever been on! So beautiful and so much to see. Love it here so much

Absolutely beautiful island. Gorgeous beaches, great hiking. Remember to bring reef safe spf as that is the only kind allowed. Drive on the left and download a map beforehand because of the mountains. Bring bug spray as well. Keep in mind parking is very limited at all beaches and hiking destinations.

Almost island is the national park with beautiful white sand beaches, hiking trails, historical ruins of the past. Cruz Bay is the docking terminal for visitors with passenger ferry and separate car ferry. Best time to visit is in late fall, winter and spring as summer is pretty hot and hurricane time. Foot passengers can utilize taxi service but car is recommend in order to explore the park.

Awe-inspiring beauty. Dale’s Tours out of Cruz Bay provided a five star experience. Dale showed care for us, his people for the duration, as he shared with us his beloved island, his home from childhood. Group members’s interests, such as key beaches, influenced the time we spent at each stop. Dale handled with care the sensitive plantation stop. He kept his eye on time for the cruise people who had a timeline to get back to their ship. Dale gifted us with his joy, knowledge and love for people. Be sure to bring CASH to the Island of St. John.

Amazing free spot to go swimming and snorkeling. Beach club right there if you want to rent chairs or buy food / drinks. Accessible via shuttle or hiking.

Our favorite beach on st john, not crowded,great snorkeling, friendly staff and the best drinks we had at any beach on the island

This is a great spot to start your day or finish your hike! The staff are super friendly and understanding of a hot day on the beach ... the food and service was excellent! They even promote aluminum cups!

One of our favorite beaches that is less populated and stunning. I love the chair and F&B service available! The staff are incredibly kind and the drinks and food were great! We parked at Caneel Bay Resort and paid $24 for the shuttle to the beach and chaise chairs once at the beach.

Gorgeous beach ! Crystal clear water, amazing snorkeling, come to see the sea turtles. Tropical fish swim among your feet when your just waist deep in the water. No rocks, amazing sand. Boats in the bay. Just picture perfect, quiet and amazing. Must see. Crabs walk on the paths behind the beach.

Honeymoon beach is beautiful, quiant, with wonderful blue waters. Unlike the previous reviews their isn't a place to rent chairs or umbrellas. I'm not sure if this was because I went on Wednesday. The beach is very secluded so a 30 minute hike from the ferry was the best option to get there and back.

One of the best beaches I have ever visited!! It was clean and not crowded (may be I was there during off session in May). There is a trail from the road that leads to this spectacular beach, around 15 to 20 minutes of walking downhill. There is a nice little food place with sandwiches and drinks! A store to buy or rent floaters, chairs, paddleboats, etc, with washroom and changing rooms.. They close by 5pm, so please buy your food and drinks before that. Beautiful at sunset too! People don't stay after 6 or 7pm as it is little isolated. I LOVED THIS BEACH!!!

Loved this beach! Beautiful.

Beautiful and quite beach

Nice bay

Best beach

The parking lot is down by the beach. An uphill hike to the plantation. If you are not good on stairs, you can walk the road to get there. Those views are jaw dropping! Great panorama of the British VI, plenty of history of the plantation. Beautiful quiet place.

My Bride and I opted for self-guided activities on this trip. Driving is challenging. If you are used to driving to the right, you will be mentally challenged. On top of this, the roads are narrow, steep (almost make San Francisco look flat). Hairpin turns galore. Now combine all of the above. That is your driving experience in the Virgin Islands National Park at St. John's, U.S. Virgin Islands. The park itself is replete with trails of varying difficulty, There are markers enough for guidance. We would have spent more time at the plantation, but it started raining heavily. Walking through, visitors may learn much from the information boards. I did not like the "woke" flavor of their content.

This is a beautifully preserved plantation with an incredibly sad history. It feels like sacred ground and should be treated as such. We are so glad we didn't miss this visit. So much hardship in such a beautiful place. Highly recommend visiting this historic site.

A must see! Not a very big place. You could spend 1 hour tops there. Free parking. The garden keeper was very nice! We were able to try sugar cane, bananas, and were given leaves to make tea or just to smell. Really cool experience. The views were amazing and the buildings out of a movie.

Excellently preserved and cared for piece of American History. Learned a lot and the volunteers that care for the site clearly put a lot of hard work into their role.

Not a bad hike to get there! Totally worth seeing for great water views too.

History was amazing and everything explained on plaques around buildings. Alot I didn't know about the Virgin Islands.

Outstanding staff, to include, among others, Amy and Addisiah, at check in. Very kind and helpful people. The campground is gorgeous, well kept, clean everywhere, restaurants as well as restrooms. The fauna and wildlife are particularly stunning. It's super that campers can recharge phones and refill water at restaurant. Prices are high but not much higher than everywhere in the US, now, especially considering the beautiful location. Camping sites are mostly tucked away in trees, which adds to the secluded atmosphere. It would be wonderful to have a lockable compartment for bare tent sites. Also, transportation to and from can be hit and miss. I had the staff schedule an early ride for my departure - which went very well, but going to the campground from Cruz Bay in the late afternoon can be problematic. Plan ferries wisely.

Absolutely Fabulous, once in a lifetime incredible experience. Loved being able to tent camp just feet off the beach, falling asleep to tree frogs and waves. All the staff around the campground, cafe, gift shop, and front desk were very helpful. The coffee at the cafe was excellent and having filtered water available, was an unexpected treat. The location and ease of access to both sides of the island, or that crazy road up to Center Ridge Rd, made starting a days a breeze (island breeze). We visited most the beaches you could get to by car and found Cinnamon Bay to possibly be the nicest. After the day's crowd thins at 3pm for dinner, you have large swathes of the beach and ocean to yourself, with incredible views of Mary's Point. The servings at the cafe were incredibly generous for one, so we just split one of those at the end of the day. The bird talk hosted by friends of the USVI at the cafe was excellent. The campground bathrooms were always clean and hardly used except in the morning and evening, with showers (be sure to use these babies every night!). One of the best NPS camping experiences I've ever had, and couldn't recommend it enough. If you've managed to camp anywhere you might get an unexpected rain shower or bug bite, you'll have no problem and consider this lux. Swam with a sea turtle and five foot nurse shark, in view of our tent!

We took our car from St Thomas over to St John to visit Cinnamon Beach. It was one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen. They have a great little shop and beach grill with food and great drinks.

Nice beach for an individual, couples and families. 10 dollar entry fee. Couple places to eat once you are in. Bring your own beach chairs or you can rent one for 10 dollars. Nice bath rooms and ladies or men shower to wash off the sand. Clean and well kept place. Parking in the parking lot is hit and miss. Lots of shuttles transporting people to and from the beach there. Would visit again.

Best vacation spot ever. We camped on a bare site. We are regular campers so we're not too upset by bugs, heat or rain, all of which we had plenty of but they were nothing compared to being so close to such a gorgeous beach. Before and after the day trip visitors, you have nearly a whole beach to yourself. Never seen bathrooms so clean and well stocked in a campground. Appreciated the water refill station, carts for getting your stuff to your site, on-site restaurant. Loved seeing the wildlife (iguanas, deer, mongoose, crabs, various birds). My advice: put on the bug repellent early and often, as the no see um bites start to itch a day or two after you are bitten.

My family loved staying in an eco-tent near the beach! Separate bunkroom for children and just steps from the beautiful beach. Lots of wildlife within the campground including deer, mongoose, crabs, and birds. The on-siite restaurant has great food in an amazing open-air experience! Tents include a cooler, deck box, charcoal grill and propane cook top. Bathrooms are close by and super clean. We'd definitely return!

The campground is amazing! It is the perfect place to stay to experience the national park. The facilities were clean and staff were friendly. The cafe also has great food!

This island is beyond gorgeous!

So many homeless Americans who wanted to disappear are here lol.

Excellent food . Nice view. Good food . It's a pitty Sir Branson Snores.

Loved snorkeling on the live coral reefs!

I think I found my island guys

Great!

Waste of time and money. I am from Florida, so I know people move slow; but they move at a truly glacial pace. The only respite of the whole trip in St. John and Trunk Bay…..so beautiful. Overpriced, people aren’t very friendly, and slow as molasses.

This is a very nice snorkeling spot - mainly because it's away from people. We were the only ones here at the time. Beware of a few things: There are a ton of jellyfish. They are mostly moon jellyfish, which have a sting that doesn't hurt too bad (so I'm told), but I'd rather stay on the safe side. Around the Cay gets shallow and it's filled with sharp coral. Stay away from the shallow areas to avoid touching it. The same shallows are full of sea urchins. Be very careful - these things hurt a lot. I just spent the last hour digging spines out of my partner's hand. Just stay away. The waves are larger around here. It's not a great spot for children. Otherwise, we saw a HUGE green sea turtle and a lot of fish around here.

One of our favorite snorkeling spots on St John. Nice hike in. The coral took a little abuse but seems to be coming back nice. Saw some sea turtles and a large barracuda as well. Will definitely return.

Great snorkeling, have to be willing walk. Only carry what you need and be comfortable to carry it. Swim counter clockwise around the cay to catch the current back. Sharks, rays, barracudas, and plenty of fish. Not a tourist spot yet so very low key. Walk all the way to the point for the easiest access to the cay. Enjoy!

Great snorkeling. Saw see turtles, nurse sharks and thousands of fish. Takes a good hike to get there but it was worth it.

First let’s be honest, it’s a hike, a hot hike. I had to carry all of our gear, took 30 minutes. On the way in prior to the cay there were sea turtles in the grass. I left my wife on the stones, no sand beach near the cay. The swim out to the cay was nice, saw a nurse shark under some coral. We swam counterclockwise around the cay as everyone says to. There were large coral and all the fish on the backside. Not saying it’s not worth it yet there’s better beaches on the island.

The hike (its flat the whole way but about 20-25 minutes) is completely worth it for the incredible snorkeling! We saw an array of gorgeous fish including rainbow parrotfish, and also encountered a nurse shark. Just keep in mind the current when snorkeling here and be cautious. I recommend not doing this trip alone.

Probably best spot to snorkel on the island. In my opinion, Hawaii has much better spots, but def. worth the visit. Make sure you go for a dive at the beach prior the cat. There are sea turtles, sting rays there.

Pretty decent snorkeling it’s a bit of a hike from the parking lot but the cool thing is that once you are on the beach their is a lot to do. You have the option to hop in and snorkel, be sure to bring a pool noodle as their are boats in the water and you want them to be able to spot you! You can also walk to the southern most point of the island along the rams head trail as well as collect natural sea salt from the salt pond! Be sure to bring flip flops to wear on the beach as their are some sticks and twigs, wear shoes when bringing your gear up and back from the parking lot as the walk is rocky and flip flops are guaranteed to be a bad time

Not crowded and a great beach! Short easy hike to get there

Best snorkeling I experienced in St John. Very calm waters, beautiful coral and fish all along east side of bay (left side facing water). Walk from parking to beach is not that bad at all. Maybe 1/3 mile.

Great beach. Calm waters. Limited shade, so if you need it get there early to save your spot. picnic tables available. Decent hike down to beach. Small snack stand on main road near entrance.

Best beach at this end of the island. Easy hike to wide sandy beach. It faces south and always seems calm. Luxury yachts anchor here for the day now and then.

St. John USVI's Salt Pond Bay is accessible by land or sea. Not to be missed.

The hike to Rams Head is fantastic. The snorkeling is great, and we even got to see some turtles.

Fascinating structure, not much info about its history at the site; there should also be more focus on preservation.

A recent trip to St John brought my family and I to this location. What a great find! The roads getting to it are a little narrow but that’s most of the island and all of the fun. Great piece of history and I’m glad we stopped. There was a local musician setting up while we were there. Great acoustics inside.

A ruin that has been kept up just right off the road. No hiking required, you drive right to it. It’s rich in history and makes for a great photo op. We arrived around 8:30 am and had the whole place to ourselves for almost an hour. You don’t need that long, but we were taking a ton of photos. It’s very interesting.

There was more to these ruins than I thought and I’m happy I was able to stop and walk through all of it. It’s interesting and so beautiful! Plus, there was someone playing the saxophone when we were there and the sound echoing through the empty space was amazing.

If you are driving through the National Park, this is only just off of the main road, though I would not suggest doing this is a Porsche. Its worth a visit. Very interesting place. Took some reseach to work out how it worked. Its great to be able to walk around ruins in such good condition.

One of the best preserved mill, we saw during our stay on all 3 main-Islands. Glad we stopped and saw it.. PS. Remember to look up, inside the mill (see pics👍)

Just purely a place of beauty. Ruins are ruins… but sometimes you come across architecture that was definitely thoughtful and a sight to see. We happen to come across a local playing his saxophone inside one of the structures and it was absolutely beautiful. Definitely stop in the national park and walk through these ruins. It’s worth it.

Great place. Nice paths and the bird sanctuary was nice. We were able to catch a few shows even though we arrived in the afternoon. Just this had everything you could ask for. Exotic plants and plenty of lizards ! Wonderful aquatic life. Staff was courteous and knowledgeable. The large aquarium was great and the staff knew a lot about the fish. Plus the beach is right around the corner. Don’t want a plus !

Helmet diving! You’ve got to try it. I have not a scuba diver. I am not really a person who likes the water but airline supply from the shore helmet diving is amazing. Me and my wife did this on our honeymoon at coral world. Beautiful park and beautiful underwater scenery. The staff are so helpful and courteous and professional. They made an uneasy situation fun! My wife cannot swim and was a little afraid but she enjoyed herself thoroughly. We had a great time. You’ve got to try this. Take your kids take your wife take your husband whatever just go do it!

We had a WONDERFUL time at the dolphin swim! It's a bit pricey but you can get a discount if you stay at Margaritaville and sit through their sales pitch 😁 still, it was a ton of fun. We're very happy to support the dolphin team! Jasmine was an absolute delight and so much fun! My daughter got to dance with a dolphin - her dream!!! My only thought/recommendation was that the aquarium itself was kinda meh. You can only see a sea lion if you attend one of their presentations so we completely missed it. It's next door to Coki beach and you can park in coral worlds lot if you attend the aquarium. Pretty sure you get a free ticket into the park if you book an excursion -so don't pay twice!!!

Awesome experience doing the Sea Trek - walking on the ocean floor in a helmet!!! We held a sea egg, star fish, and invertebrate and got to see so many beautiful creatures and coral! Our guides made it the best. In addition, we caught the sea lion talk, walked the nature trail to see tortoises and iguanas, caught the sea turtle talk, saw the dolphin that another family was enjoying swimming with, and several small exhibits. We ate at the Shark Bar onsite; they had a decent menu. We got the burgers and a “Shark Bite” rum drink. My family of four with two teen boys enjoyed this place. Highly recommend.

Don’t come here…the underwater observation is under construction (3 month from now). Of course it’s not written anywhere in the website. When we realize that , we go to the ticket office and the manager try to apologize but she insists that the lady at the counter told us that the observation is closed and also give us 10% off. We try to get refund (even partially)for this scam but the manager told us there is nothing she can do. My main problem was that it’s not written in the website The staff in the park was very kind , but it’s 30 min taxi from cruise pier(that cost 90$ for 3 of us and 75 $ admission ) for park that the kid get board in 1.5 hour.

We did the Snuba experience. Soooo cool. Advice: if you take meds for blood pressure, bring a doctor's note of clearance with you. It was perfectly fine and we had a blast!! The video and plenty I cures taken by the instructor were great

We went mainly for the dolphin encounter. Our grandson loved that, and we appreciated the enthusiasm of the staff. Then we made our way through the exhibits which were done very well, considering this isn't an enormous park. The underwater observatory was unique. The park wasn't overcrowded. Enjoyed the gift shop and food stand.

Amazing views! Hike isn’t too tough, but the heat in summer is brutal. Luckily you can cool off in the bay at the bottom of the hike back.

Ram Head Trail was one of my favorite hikes on St. John. The panoramic views from the top are so worth the 2 hour hike up. When in St. John, DO this hike!

Awesome hike. Beautiful beaches. Not too hard. Do it in the morning so you don’t get beaten by the sun.

Its a moderately strenuous 2 mile out and back. Definitely a challenge with high humidity and heat. After the beach there is rocky up and down with intermittent shade. The cobblestone beach can be a challenge, then its uphill to the peak.

Wonderful hike. We did our hike at the hottest part of the day (which I don't necessarily recommend) and there was little shade and little breeze. You pass through two beaches, one for swimming before the trailhead, and a cobblestone beach on the trail. You'll see lots of ram head cacti dotting the hillside. Beautiful views. Hike wasn't necessarily difficult - some stairs, ups and downs. Biggest difficulty was the heat, the lack of shade and breeze. You'll catch a breeze in the saddle and a little at the summit. You'll park in a parking area and have about a half mile trek down to the swimming beach and then to the trailhead. Views were worth it.

Best trail on St. John, by far, and the only one we found with unobstructed views the whole way—and such stunning views! There’s also an interesting historical market at the top about an early slave rebellion that is both tragic and interesting.

It's a 1.25 hour hike to reach the peak and similar to return. Would say it's a moderate difficulty hike. Carry lots of water. You will have to first first cross salt pond trail to reach ram head trail. You will have to cross two beaches and a hill to reach the peak. Better have good footwear so that you dont slip.

Beautiful, secluded beach. About a 1.5 mile hike to the beach, however, the trail there is rough and thus no one takes it, but trust me. IT IS WORTH IT! absolutely amazing coral reefs and clear blue waters.

Salomon Beach in the Virgin Islands National Park is beautiful. Some of the beach is rockier than other beaches, but the views are breathtaking. There were only six people on the entire beach the day that we were there, so it is a hidden gem. If hiking from the national park's visitor center, it is over rough terrain, but very doable for even novice hikers.

Gorgeous beach but a real hike to get too. Beach is rocky for a few feet out but is quiet and perfect for snorkeling. The trail to it was a little difficult without sturdy shoes, not meant for flip flops but we saw some amazing crabs along the route !

Beautiful beach. It does require a little bit of a hike to access the beach. I would estimate it as a moderate 15 minute hike in each direction. The hike is on somewhat slick rocks if it has recently rained.

Nice beach, less crowded. I snorkeled and saw some fish at the reef :)

This was one of my favorite hikes when I lived in St. John, the overlook hike from town is great, easy, most flat until its not. Once you start getting to the hillside and in the trees, you can hear the hermit crabs dropping into their shells and rolling down the hill to avoid you, which I always thought was amazing. Once you are on the beach, the sweat and rocky terrain is totally worth it. Be careful, there are some sting ray mating grounds in that bay, I mean you will be right on top of them, so use caution. Also, lots of rich nudists drop in from their yachts which is great when you're 20 years old and looking to mingle with attractive wealthy rich ladies.

We hiked the easy 1 mile to Solomon beach today and thankfully took our snorkel gear. We saw a 4 foot spotted eagle ray and lots of parrot fish! Beautiful snorkeling, maybe because no one was here and it had just rained. It is rocky getting in, not a beach to hang out at.

It’s not the most beautiful beach I’ve ever seen… but it’s trying its best. Kinda like me before coffee. 🤣 Cinnamon bay is not as beautiful as Trunks Bay, the road leading to it is dangerous at times. Narrow roads and sharp turns are not made for a beginner driver. But here are some of the bright points. Here you don't have to pay for entry unlike Trunks bay and it looks more organized. The water are the same color of jade and turquoise mix and the sand is white. What else can you ask for? Maybe a cold local 🍻

This is one of the most well-equipped beaches on this side of the island. They have nice bathrooms, open air showers, foot shower stations, places to change, a place to buy drinks, a campground, etc. It does tend to be more crowded than some of the other beaches. Even though the parking lot is small, the taxis drop a lot of people off here.

Beautiful beach, gift shop, food truck, restrooms lots of parking 200 yard walk to the beach but it's worth it. Water is incredible...

So much yes! If its windy sit on the left side of the beach. The closer you sit to the water the less wind-sand you get to the face. There were even little sand-devil (whirwinds) on the beach, which was cool to watch from the water. The sand is white. The water is so clear. Not a lot of vegetation or coral in close at this beach, which makes it perfect for swimming. They have a beach bar, and I highly recommend the frozen painkillers. You can also rent chairs and snorkel gear.

Great beach! Easy to get to, loved to trail to the ruins!

It is a lovely beach with perfect snorkeling opportunity.

Celebrated as "one of Top 10 beaches in the world" i concur that this is a true spot of paradise on Earth - crystal clear blue water, white fine-grain sand, low tides and simply excellent conditions for bathing and snorkling. Just a tad too windy for my taste and you have to get a car to get here as the drive to this secluded spot through bamboo forrests(!) and palm trees is quite long.

Easy hike, totally worth visiting! The ruins are very cool, and the beach is perfect!

As I ventured through the lush trails of Cinnamon Bay Ruins in St. John, USVI, I discovered a treasure trove of history, nature, and wonder. The experience was elevated by the thoughtful displays scattered throughout the site, offering insights into the lives of the past. One particular display caught my attention, explaining the mysterious black soil beneath our feet. It was fascinating to learn that this area was once used to produce charcoal, a vital resource for cooking before the advent of modern conveniences like gas and electricity. As I wandered through the ruins, I was delighted by the unexpected sightings of wild deer, exotic birds, mongoose a gut with a gentle stream of water. The sounds of nature and the scent of tropical vegetation immersed me in the serene atmosphere of this historical gem. The displays and interpretive signs masterfully wove together the stories of the past, revealing the significance of Cinnamon Bay Ruins as a former sugar plantation and industrial site. I gained a deeper appreciation for the island's rich history, the resilience of its people, and the importance of preserving our cultural heritage. Visiting Cinnamon Bay Ruins was an enriching experience that combined history, nature, and adventure. If you're interested in exploring the secrets of St. John's past, this site is a must-visit destination. Recommendation: Wear comfortable shoes, bring water, and take your time to absorb the history and natural beauty surrounding you.

Parking is better than Trunk Bay and need to pay to get in. Still a great beach

It is an interesting site; mostly ruins with seemingly little preservation focus.

Interesting ruins and surrounds. A gravesite, houses and more. You can also loop a trail up the hill and back. Nice break from the beach.

Great ruins close to the road. There's a nice marked trail to walk around the area with info boards too. Also deer hanging out amongst the ruins.

What a gorgeous stretch of beach, with some of the most picturesque views you will ever come across. The nice breeze, with a constant crashing of waves—helps to make this one of the most relaxing beaches on the island.

Nice quite beach

Calm bay with large mooring field. Controlled access to beach by dinghy. Less people than at neighboring Maho Beach.

One of my favorites on St John. Kind of secluded and has a walking trail through the mangroves. Toilets are available.

Great location to relax and spend the evening

One bay more beautiful than the next!

A must anchor if you're in the USVIs and BVIs

A little rocky, but quiet.

Very nice beach Crystal clear Emerald water at the beach.

Excellent beach with crystal clear water. You can swim over to gibney/oppenheimer beach from there and back.

Beautiful beach. There is a large reef area straight out about 50 feet from the shore. The water here has some stronger waves but there were lots of fish and the beach was nice.

Went on a cloudier day but it was still SO GORGEOUS! Spacious but not too wide or large. There are bbq grills that work with coal, and easy parking in front . Loved it here!

Hawksnest Beach is a great beach if you want calm waves, snorkeling and crystal clear water. The difference between Maho Bay and Hawksnest Beach is that Hawksnest beach is much wider and has more beach so there are more places to find both sun and shade, it also has good snorkeling (but not great), it’s more convenient due to its close distance to Cruz Bay. It has restroom facilities and picnic tables and good parking. There is no hike to the beach. However, on some days the waves can actually get quite rough. Definitely one of my favorite beaches on St John!

Beautiful Sandy Beaches smaller once you are actually on the beach than you may expect but this beach is not too crowded, maybe because you need too take a boat from Saint Thomas to Saint John, then à taxi/bus to beach. The water is nice and warm. A great place to relax the day away. FYI I actually did see Hawks... thus the name of the beach. I really loved this beach.

Gorgeous beach, with slightly less crowds than most—this little gem has some of the neatest waves crashing throughout. With a nice little sheltered picnic area and working facilities that weren’t damaged by the hurricanes like most of the others.

Beach is really nice and water is very calm. A little bit of a hike to get out here with very steep narrow roads, so not for the squeamish. Good amount of sea life, we saw small fish, a shark and a star fish. Turtles are pretty far out all the way to the far end of the bay so a bit of a hike in somewhat cloudy water. Lots of shade available, sun won’t creep out over the mountains until 1-2pm.

By far my most favourite spot on the US Virgin island . The bay area accommodates 30 plus mornings for boats and very protected from the easterly winds. Great spots to park you dingy and enjoy all the amenities of the beach . Plenty of parking for cars coming from Cruz Bay, be aware of the park ranger they cruise the area handing out tickets, or at time she comes on the loud speaker asking people to move first lol. Great girl The beach area offers a cool little area for shopping, cocktail bar mixing the infamous painkillers , small taco place and bathrooms are available ..need to rent paddle boards ? They have clear ones along with kayaks, chairs, snorkel sets,and many other cool beach gear . Closes at 5 so get your full day in Did I mention the mass amounts of turtle you will see..amazing 😎 Luv it will be back , make sure you check it out 🤙☘️

Good beach, sea grass for snorkeling to see Turtles. The only problem is if you go to see Turtles and then the water is cloudy from rain, rough water or northern swelling, well you won't see anything. We had a great time. Rentals are pricey but there are chairs, water couches and any other gear. Limited food and bar for drinks. Easy access from road, limited parking. We arrived at 8am. That was maybe too early. Didn't seem to really fill up until closer to 9/10. Worth visiting once and try your luck to see the Turtles. Unfortunately we weren't lucky this time. Have to come back and try again. 🐢

Great visit but was super crowded.. honeymoon beach was more relaxed, but…. If you want to snorkel and see fish, Maho is a good spot Also always ask the waitress at the bar “ do you have a juicy booty?”

Took a day sail and asked our captain to take us snorkeling with turtles. First place we went was maho, where we saw many turtles of all sizes, along with rays and several pretty large starfish. Very cool, highly recommend this beach if turtles are your thing

Such a beautiful beach. Snorkeled and saw multiple sea turtles and a sting ray. Bring a good book and get ready to relax. Food trucks offer up some good eats...and did I mention the Painkillers? Life doesn't get much better than this. AMAZING!

Maho Bay is AMAZING. We snorkeled with multiple sea turtles, the water was super clear and calm. Couldn't really imagine a better place to snorkel. Definitely go here if you get a chance, it's amazing.

One of our top 3 beaches on St John! We got there at 8:30 so parking wasn’t a problem. It has great views, wasn’t crowded and has pretty good snorkeling on the east end.

Great beach to get away from some of the more crowded spots. Sheltered in the winter more, from the wind, than the North facing beaches. There are no food trucks or stands, so pack a cooler. You can drop off your stuff very close to the beach and then go find parking. It also made it nice for someone in our party who had a bum ankle. Restroom is a porta-jon type building, and there is only one. Rough road to get back to parking, bu it seemed like enough spots for the number of people that come there.

Love the beach but not the sulfur smell.

This beach is a little further from the main areas. However, it was some great snorkeling. we saw a few Stingrays, Spotted Eagle Rays, a nurse shark and a lemon shark and a few parrot fish. You can easily see depths of 20 to 30 feet if you're venturing out that far. Parking is a little challenging but people leave often so you might have to circle the driveway a couple times. It is a little Rocky and pebbley to the left of the main entrance. However the further right you go, You will encounter softer sand as you enter the sea.

Wonderful! Right next to Maho Beach and quieter/less people. A new concrete road leads to a parking lot right on the beach. A bathroom is here and walking trail to the further parking if you arrive after 9am-ish. The lot here at the ocean fits about 12 jeeps. Out of the many beaches we've visited on St John this beach has the MOST shade with trees you can sit under with picnic tables. Again get here by 9am or they're taken.

Hidden Gem. we took a walking trail to reach the beach, it's like .25 miles of walk. Nice trail. You can also drive to get to the beach. But most probably you will not find nearby parking and might end up taking 5 min walk. Plenty of trees offers natural shades. Not much crowded either since most of visitors don't go beyond Maho Bay Beach. Snorkeling should be easy as well since water is petty much calm. You can spot coupl of fishes or Turtles may be.

Arrived a little after 9 am and there was only one other person there- by noon it was packed/parking unavailable. Lots of shaded spots and plenty of room to spread out. Didn’t feel crowded for the amount of people there. Water was a little hazy when snorkeling (windy today so may have impacted water?) saw a giant sea turtle and sting ray. We felt like we saw more coral/ tropical fish to the left vs. right of beach. Also saw jellyfish.

Great vibe in a great part of town. This whole area has a great vibe. Usually there is live music going and there is a tap room. Greengos has a fun vibe, great food too! They have a great happy hour!

One of my favorite restaurants on the island. The food and drinks are amazing and the staff treats you like family. Kanequa gave us better customer service than all the “high end” restaurants I visited. I can’t recommend enough.

Ive been trying the various places around the island for the past 7 days, and Greengos has officially become my favorite. I tried to visit again the next day but they don’t open until the afternoon. I will be back, and I will get the shrimp burrito again! Worth every penny!

We enjoyed an early dinner outside overlooking the road and shopping area. We started off with chips and salsa, which came with 2 kinds of salsa, both of them very tasty. My husband ordered the pork enchiladas and raved about them the whole time he was eating. I enjoyed the chicken cantina bowl. Waitress kept our drinks refilled and was very friendly. The restrooms were very clean. The restaurant is in the Mongoose Junction shopping center, which has parking and many shops. We highly recommend it!

Tacos!! Need i say more? Amy our server was amazing and the food was excellent. Great people and a great place.

Holy Guacamole🥑!!! I love this place!!! The restaurant is beautiful😍 and the food 🌮is perfect! That’s all! ⛵️🏝️🍹

Amazing atmosphere. Sky high bar. Small plates were enough for lunch. Prices were reasonable for a tourist area. Balcony or inside seating. Service was great, and food was fast. Great, Caribbean-style Mexican food. Restroom located inside the restaurant. Parking is a bit difficult.

Limited parking, if you stay longer and hike the trail, don't forget to get a permit at the gift shop. They have great merchandise including rash guards, postcards and license plates. Informative little museum.

I’m currently on a journey to explore all the U.S. National Parks, and that’s what brought me to the beautiful island of St. John for a weekend getaway! Virgin Islands National Park is number 57 out of 63 for me, and honestly, it’s one of the best I’ve visited so far. We flew into STT (St. Thomas) on May 19, 2025, and took the ferry from Red Hook. It cost a $3 port fee, but we weren’t told about the additional $65 round-trip cash fee until we were already on the ferry to St. John. Once on the island, we drove all around and hiked five different trails—some moderately challenging. I highly recommend: • Lind Point Trail to Honeymoon Beach – very quiet and peaceful in the early morning, with stunning water colors. • Salomon Beach – great for snorkeling. • Ram Head Trail – incredible ocean views from up high and rich historical significance; you can go from white sandy beaches to coral reefs in just a few minutes’ walk. • Trunk Bay Underwater Snorkel Trail – hands down the most beautiful ocean water I’ve ever seen; the sand feels like butter, and the color of the ocean shifts from vibrant turquoise to deep blue. Entry is $5 per person. • Reef Bay Trail & Petroglyph Trail – fun and a bit challenging. About 13,000 steps round trip, including stops at the Petroglyphs and Sugar Mill ruins. Well-marked and easy to follow. Be sure to stop by the Visitor Center—the rangers and volunteers are friendly and incredibly knowledgeable. We learned a lot about the park’s history and got up-to-date weather info. We lucked out with sunny skies, but the mosquitoes and sand fleas definitely treated us like an all-you-can-eat buffet! We stocked up on food, drinks, and supplies in Cruz Bay—there’s not much available between there and the trailheads. It made for a perfect day trip in the park. St. John is incredibly charming, especially downtown, with its colorful shops, bars, jewelry stores, and gift shops. My favorite part? The ice cream! We ended our day with a late dinner at The Morgan’s Mango—pricey as hell, but totally worth it. We’re so happy to have explored this stunning national park. It truly is picturesque. I was so sad to leave. Saying goodbye was tough—but I’m excited to see where my next adventure takes me!

Not one of the best national park visitor centers I have been to, but it is still four stars. Basically anything national park related is great. Okay not great displays and gift shop. Despite size of the building, visitor center not that big. Also I was there right after shutdown ended, and they didn't have a ranger there to answer questions/provide advice. I get it, bt still. Cool location, and we actually found some parking right behind the VC. Now Virgin Islands NP is quite epic. Lots of different and amazing sites of all types: beaches, hiking, history, and snorkeling.

We visited on a weekday at end of March 2024 as a excursion from a cruise ship that docked over in St. Thomas. It was with Carnival and we did the "St. John on your own". The ferry drops you off in Cruz Bay just right out front of the Visitor Center. Like 1 block away. I think the Red Hook Ferry might drop people off further south in the Bay. The visitor center is currently under renovations on the outside so lots of construction vehicles and scrim up. We took picture with NPS sign and walked on in. There are also a number of picnic tables outside which is under a shelter and shaded from the sun. We got the junior ranger books and got our National Park Passport Stamps and merch. They do close early (1:30PM when we visited) but they gave us the badges ahead of time incase we couldn't finish before they closed or we had to leave. The bathrooms are located outside the visitor center in 2 structures and we didn't run into any bathrooms while we were on the trails. We spent maybe 15 mins in the visitor center (not very big at least the public area) and rushed out back and crossed the tiny parking lot to the Lind Point Trailhead. This is the cheapest way to go to some of the beaches. There are some stairs going up which takes you to an access road and then continues up again some more rustic steps. We were ready with Keens and other closed toe hiking/water sandals and had no problems with the trail. I would not recommend flipflops at all. We took the lower trail on the way to the beach. Elevation wasn't terrible (you can check on alltrails). While the trail was maintained it was pretty rocky. Also multiple splits in the trail which aren't all posted on google or the park maps. Because St. John is US territory, you can turn on your phone and get GPS location. This worked great for us. We stopped by solomons beach first. It has multiple entrances and multiple trails from Lind Point to the beach. We got a little confused but they all get you there. We then hiked over to Honeymoon beach. In total we got about 45 mins of beach time between the two beaches because we had to pack up and head back (12:45 and our cruise excursion ferry leaves at 1:30). On the way back we hiked the upper Lind Point trail and stopped by the overlook for a couple mins. Great view. We made it back with about 5-10 mins to spare. Time for a quick bathroom trip if you needed it. We were concerned we couldn't do it in time but we did it. We had a 8, 11 and 14 yr old with us but we're also very outdoorsy and do lots of hiking. We went in with 3 backpacks with our towels, water, beach blankets and snorkel gear. Both beaches were amazing and even through we reached them around noon time, it wasn't SUPER crowded at the beach. We found spot to set up in the shade of some trees. Next time we would probably consider paying the extra to try and get to trunk bay to do the underwater trail but super happy we got to do what we did for the price we paid. We would definitely visit the park again but could probably pass on the visitor center unless you wanted trail info etc.

Parking is easy here, though limited. Super beautiful location for a visitor center. You can strike out from here (although keep in mind the limited parking duration) on several trails, or pick up some souvenirs in the shop. There is also clean drinking water available here, which seems to be in short supply on this island.

It's a beautiful and inviting space with great info highlighting the history or St. John and the National Park. Check out the Jr Ranger program for littles!

Must stop and get your parks stamp! Great selection of gifts as well!

Lind Point Trail is a great hike with two beautiful beaches to see (Honeymoon Beach and Soloman). There is an upper trail and a lower trail. The upper is what would say is moderate, but just barely. We took the upper trail going out to the beaches and the lower coming back. It was a very enjoyable hike.

This is the perfect trail for those who have limited time at Virgin Islands National Park. It is rough and rocky at times, but doable for most novice hikers. My 11 and 14 year olds had no trouble at all. The loop is well maintained, and the views are worth the walk.

Great trail with interesting ruins along the way and a beautiful beach at the end. The trail wasn't near as difficult as some reviews made it out to be but I guess everything is relative to each person's past experiences. Highly recommend!

We knew that we wanted to hike to the beaches and this was the perfect trail. Initially you are in the sun, but there’s a decent amount of shade once you get going. Would recommend at least decent water shoes or sneakers to hike, but it can be done in flipflops too.

We visited on a weekday at end of March 2024. The trailhead is located right behind the visitor center and across the small parking lot. This is the cheapest way to go to some of the beaches. There are some stairs going up which takes you to an access road and then you head up the road for maybe 100 feet and then the trail continues up again some more rustic stone steps. We were ready with Keens and other closed toe hiking/water sandals and had no problems with the trail. I would not recommend flipflops at all. We took the lower trail on the way to the beaches. Elevation wasn't terrible (you can check on alltrails). While the trail was maintained it was pretty rocky with very uneven footing at times. There are also multiple splits in the trail which aren't all posted on google or the park maps and the signage could be better. Because St. John is US territory, you can turn on your phone and get GPS location (we have verizon). This worked great for us. We stopped by Salomons beach first. It has multiple entrances and multiple trails from Lind Point to the beach. We got a little confused but all the trails from the Lower Lind Point will get you there. We then hiked over to Honeymoon beach. On the way back we hiked the upper Lind Point trail and stopped by the overlook for a couple mins. Great view. We had a 8, 11 and 14 yr old with us but we're also very outdoorsy and do lots of hiking. We went in with 3 backpacks with our towels, water, beach blanket and snorkel gear. Both beaches were amazing and even through we reached them around noon time, it wasn't SUPER crowded at the beach. We found spot to set up in the shade of some trees. We didn't look to hard but didn't notice any bathrooms either. Might want to go back at the visitor center before you start. We would definitely do this trail again as it was very interesting as we aren't used to the ecology of the area. There were many lizards, birds and cactus. Surprisingly we didn't encounter many flying insects either. Not a mosquito in sight.

It is a decent trail, not many beautiful viewpoints but it gets you to a nice and uncrowded beach. We saw some deer along the way :)

Nice views and takes you down to some beautiful secluded beaches. There is an incline but the trail winds so it is pretty easy. The ground is pretty uneven with rocks and roots which could make it more moderate for some people, we completed it in about an hour. Also there are lots of amazing plants along the trail.

Amazing views and just a short walk up a wooded trail with easy to moderate rocky terrain. The view was worth it even if it was 10x further.

This was a short little hike that had great views and an Old Stone structure. Highly recommend this quick walking tour.

Great views with short hike to ruins. Then longer hike to a wonderful secluded beach. Definitely a must do on St. John. Tons of wildlife to see such as hermit crabs and geckos.

Best views on all of St. John. A must see and only the shortest of hikes off the road, though sneakers are encouraged over flippity flops.

This is a great place for seeing great views. Hawksnest, Trunk Bay, St Thomas, and islands to the north and west are all visible. Its a short walk from the parking lot to the old windmill. Wear something on your feet cause the rocks are sharp.

One of the most beautiful views on island. It is only a short hike up an easy trail from the parking lot. The windmill ruins are in great shape and it's nice to be able to go inside and examine the structure up close. The grassy area juts out into the water providing gorgeous views of the water in multiple directions.

Great place to visit. Day or night. Wednesday evenings a couple guys haul a telescope up there and have a star gazing that is very informative! Check it out! There is also a path to the right that leads you to a beautiful beach that is somewhat unknown to most. Just don't litter of course, and be respectful!

The beach is nice to visit and see but less attractive to stay and swim on relative to others on the island. I also saw some jelly fish and aborted my snorkeling attempt not knowing if they sting 😅

Best beach for relaxing and swimming on St. John. Came back multiple times during visit. Get here around 8:30 for a sure spot at the gate. It’s great enjoying the same beach as those staying in the 1,000/night house on the beach.

(Translated by Google) Brilliant (Original) Genial

My young son and I did both the sunset cruise and the snorkel and sail. Both were awesome! Great crews from captains to the deckhands. It was a really special trip. The Captain of the Flyer basically gave my kid a free sailing lesson. My seven year old and I were so thankful and happy.

We went on an excursion to the Baths on Virgin Gorda. We had a great experience and would highly recommend! We met the boat at the dock at the Westin. We weren’t staying at the Westin but free parking at the Westin was included. The Baths were busy because of a cruise ship in Virgin Gorda but Matt and the rest of the crew guiding us made sure we had a good time while we waited. I’d recommend trying to go at a time when there isn’t a cruise ship at Virgin Gorda (you can look this up online). We also snorkeled at Treasure Island which was great!

Went on the Maho Bay turtle sail and snorkel! I highly recommend! Captain Heather and her crew, Sam and Phillip ran the excursion like a well oiled machine! The boat, views and experience were top notch. The boat lunch was great and the water was perfect! 10/10

What an amazing excursion! We did the Soggy Dollar excursion and it did not disappoint. It was a rainy day so we saw rainbows and the crew was exceptional. Already booked my next one!!!

What a day we had with our captain and first mate Ryan and Brendan. The music was always bumping and they were making painkillers with a legit fresh ground nutmeg? I recommend wasting your day away at Jost Van Dyke.

The snorkeling trip at St John’s was the highlight of our trip. The crew was very nice and helpful and worked very hard to make it a great day for us. They even helped my wife that never snorkeled before learn to snorkel and she enjoyed it. The beautiful waters, coral and fish were the best I’ve ever experienced.

We had an amazing time on our Lime Out Snorkel with Cruz Bay Watersports. Our crew was awesome, drinks were fantastic, food was great and snorkeling was a lot of fun. Highly Recommend!

The NPS folks are great at preserving the beauty and history of Virgin Islands National Park. They are stretched thin and don’t offer all of the services they once offered. Between two category 5 hurricanes and Covid they have fared very well. The staff all care about the Park and the people of St. John.

The visitors center reopened a few days before we came, woohooooo! Not much parking at the visitors center there were still workers working on stuff around the visitors center though. The visitors center had a nice open air feel to it and the Ranger there was awesome. Junior Ranger books are still being printed out but was able to do other fun activities. We will definitly be back to visit St John again on another trip. 1 day is not enough to beach hop. Car ferry was $65 round trip or $50 one way. Be prepared to pay cash only and be comfortable back in your car onto the ferry/barge. There is also a $4 port fee that you pay for from St Thomas.

This is a desert island of steep hills, rocky trails, little shade. Be prepared and be fit if you plan to hike. The scenery is amazing, beaches picture perfect sand and water. Lots of snorkeling in water even kids can explore safety. Parking is difficult everywhere on the island but taxies are plentiful. Bring lots of sunscreen and water. Vote to fully fund National Parks.

A hidden treasure of the National Park service maintained by the very dedicated staff and residents St John Island. Beaches and water unrivaled around the world. High on the bucket list to experience.

Great center. Nice exhibits with a friendly and helpful staff.

Awesome group of people who helped out after Hurricane Irma. Special shout out to Ms. Golda who is an Interpretor at the park and who helped out when people were evacuating after the storm.

Very helpful guide inside. Bathrooms outside. Picnic area, too. Lind Point trail to lookout is a great view!

This is my fourth trip to Saint John, and I love to come shopping here at Mongoose Junction. Some of the stores don't survive the economy as it changes over time but I love that these shops are unique and present a lot of life local crafts. (Some of the goods they sell here are imported, not made on the island which is a little bit disheartening, but it's a great place to pick up souvenirs home accents, and t shirts swimsuits.) When we were here last year, we visited a dispensary, and we're happy to see that it is still up and running and prospering. This is an island, so of course, parking is a creature all of its own and if you're lucky enough to get a pay for parking slip, it's ten dollars an hour.

This place has a mix of high end ($1k+ jewelery) as well as more affordable unique souvenirs. Not like the general souvenir shops like in Red Hook, though those are alright too. But Mongoose Junction is on another level. Even if all you do is walk around and admire the architecture it wont be time wasted. I was speaking with one of the shop keepers and they said the complex was built in the 1980s and is still owned and maintained by the same man. He still activly maintains the property himself, and you can tell. The whole place is a labor of love; fitting for St. John. If you are looking for unique jewelry, clothing, and more, this is your spot.

So happy we went here, found so many amazing shops. Our best shopping experience in a beautiful location. Stairs and steps and there are plenty of maps on boards of location so know where to go. There are certainly far shops, rum tastings, art, boutiques and restaurants. Recommend 👍🏼

Great shopping. I liked the shaded area the trees provide and wood/stone architecture.

One of the coolest places I’ve ever visited! Super photogenic every where you turn!

Great shopping! So many amazing boutiques! Artisan paintings, wall art, crafts, t shirts, jewelry, and hats. Sun Dog Cafe has great smoothies and pub food.

Here we had ice cream and went to a cafe "Sun Dog" I had a breakfast quesadilla and it was great. I also had bottomless mimosa's for $25 and although they only had 1 flavor any wouldn't make any others, It was good still, I just wish they had more options.

Absolutely the hidden gem of St. John. Ample parking compared to other beaches, staff is friendly and the view is fantastic. Cocktails are great, we had multiple types, and would recommend all of them. (They were the best we've had so far).

Honeymoon Beach is GORGEOUS! The water is crystal clear, and it wasn't very crowded. The hike from the Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Center s also very doable.

Truly paradise! Best beach I've ever been to!!! We hiked on from Cruz bay on the high trail to take in Lind point overlook and stopped by Salomon beach on the way back. Beach was not crowded but your mileage may vary as they do bus in cruise passengers which could quickly change that!

No hiking required if you park at Caneel Bay and take the $12 shuttle to and from Honeymoon beach. The chair rental is $25 for the day. Don't pay the $75 fee for a server and a chair. The same crew takes your orders regardless of how much you pay at the gate. The beach is very peaceful and we found a family of sea turtles feeding off the beach so bring some snorkeling gear.

Just gotta say, if i have to hike 40 minutes to get there, it really should be a nude beach. But very lovely. Clear water, amenities, drinks, quiet.

Great beach. You will have to hike from downtown or from the parking area up the hill from town. The hike from the parking area is 20 minutes down and 15 minutes up. Beach has a bar and rental place that looked like it was opening back up soon. If so, there will be a lot of people at the beach from boats. Snorkeling boats stop here in the mid morning for about an hour.

Beautiful and secluded. We loved Dinghys on the beach!

Hike down was great. Hike back up in the peak of the heat was a challenge. Bring lots of water and be aware that humidity can cause you to overheat more easily.

These were amazing! The hike was wonderful and to end up at the ruins was a special treat. Highly recommend them on your travels to St John

If you are going to do a hike in the park, I would recommend the Reef Bay Trail, which leads down to the Sugar Mill Ruins and a lovely beach (dont forget snorkel gear, there is a reef to the right). The trail is quite hard, more so going back, but well worth doing. If you look carefully there is so much wildlife. The mill itself is interesting but just a basic ruin, though you can get an idea of how it worked.

Fascinating look at a Victorian-era steam powered sugar mill. You can walk around the ruins and explore the different stages of production. Doesn't evade the complex history of the space; hard not to reflect on the lives lived by the workers at this mill and plantation. Very neat to see the steam engine still there in situ. Plaques were informative but could definitely use a reprint; some of the information was hard to read because the plaques were damaged or sunfaded. Got here as part of the Reef Bay hike. Moderately difficult hike but definitely worth it! No cost to visit whatsoever, just a somewhat challenging hike (the way back uphill is the hard part!)

One of the best ruins on island to visit. Take the Reef Bay Trail from Center Line Road and enjoy the sights and sounds of the tropical jungle on your way. Don't forget to visit the petroglyphs. Bring plenty of water and wear sturdy shoes.

Awesome 5 mile hike (round trip) on moderate trail to see ruins. Incredible ruins of last operational sugar mill on St. John and Reef Bay is great snorkel area. Must see.

Very cool to see some of the old machinery still intact! Hike was strenuous, but beautiful and completely worth it. For those that want to skip the hike, you can rent a dingy and beach it on the shore, from there, the mill, petroglyphs and waterfall are all fairly accessible (the falls and petroglyphs have a short but steep climb up tall steps, at least twice the height of regular stair steps.

Great snorkeling. Health plant and coral life. Please keep it this way. Only stand on sand!!!

WATERSHOES A MUST!! My rating is based on our experience. We did not bring water shoes. Don't attempt to go to this beach without them unless you have feet forged in a cauldron of fire. The beach itself is all coral with larger rocks extending into the water for about 15'. A local said you will see many colorful fish if you make it in the water.

This “beach” is great for snorkeling and off shore diving. The beach is extremely rocky, not just pebbles. There is no area of the beach where you can enter without walking on sand covered rocks. We’ve gone to South Haulover Bay twice now. The sea life is amazing and the coral is beautiful. It’s one of the only places where the coral doesn’t seem to be damaged from the hurricane. To the very left and right sides of the bay are amazing places to snorkel and also scuba dive. We went diving there towards the edge of the bay and reached about 45ft. The water is as calm as a lake. No facilities, limited parking, but no hiking to get to the beach. The photos were taken in November close to sunset.

Rocky beach with a little bit of sand. Very quiet & off the beaten path. Great for snorkeling songs sea grass beds & large coral reef. Saw lots of fish, a few green sea turtles & a spotted eagle ray.

The waters are clearer on the north beach, but the south one is typically calmer and offers plenty to see. Keep an eye out for ant nests on the beach, they can ruin your picnic if not careful in how you leave your gear. We enjoyed swimming over a sleeping shark in the middle of the cove.

Nice protected area from an easterly breeze. Nice snorkeling along points. Watch for sea urchins along shoreline but clear access on North aside of area. 3/4 of this bay falls in the National Park. You may have a few donkeys show up for a nap in the shade.

We snorkeled here and it was pretty good despite the storm damage a couple years ago. The reef is making a come back. Pretty fish and a lot of yellow and red colors in the coral.

Jumbie is small which is nice and has beautiful views but the water is definitely on the choppier side and the beach isn’t as pristine as others. It’s great for a half day but I wouldn’t choose this spot for a full day

Limited parking, 5-7 spots so it limits amount of people, however people did seem to be dropped off by taxis- started filling up in the afternoon. Would arrive earlier in the morning. Small beach but was lovely. Ample options for shade. Snorkeling on both sides of the shore was pretty. Would recommended! Felt more private than the bigger beaches!

Awesome beach. Located right next to the super popular Trunk Bay Beach, Jumbie Beach gives you the same experience with none of the crowds. I love this beach for the views and the quiet. And it's always fun to walk through the woods before coming out onto a spectacular strip of white sand.

Great, essentially private, beach. Beautiful view. If you want to avoid crowds this is the perfect beach. A short walk in from the road. We loved it.

Paradise; not too crowded of a beach with crystal clear water.

Best private feel beach I’ve found on the island. Only 5 parking spots so there limited access. Easy 2 minute walk down the path We had the whole corner of the beach to ourselves. Snorkeled and laid around for hours.

Quick tip, hang out here while Trunk Bay Beach is busy. Pretty much had the entire beach to myself aside from one other couple. Extremely clean and perfect for swimming, snorkeling. This is a hidden gem.

I mean… to be in a national park and get food this good, I am impressed. 4 stars on food only because the fish was a little dry and the tortillas were stuck together (we were there for Fajita night). But the flavor was great, especially the rice and beans… and.. at a national park! The atmosphere is very chill and staff were super friendly. Even got to watch Bambi near us! They have a rotating menu each day of the week for dinner but one option of four is always fish and one is always vegan. Highly recommend if you are staying at the campground or on a sailboat in nearby anchorages.

We ate at Rain Tree Café multiple times on our recent 12-day trip to St. John. Years ago, it was known as the Tree Lizard, but it had a name change after the rebuild following the 2017 hurricanes. I would say it has improved notably, along with all the facilities at Cinnamon Bay. We had dinner there twice, and breakfast there every morning when we weren’t in Cruz Bay. At Rain Tree, you stand in line to place your order, and then the food is brought to your table. The lines were never long when we were there, and moved quickly. The seating area is entirely outside, and partially covered, which was great on the morning we had rain. Live music is provided at some dinners, and on holidays, along with programs on various island topics. It’s also a nice spot where families can gather to play cards or games, pretty much any time of the day, and it has free WIFI! Our Rain Tree breakfasts were simple—we fell in love with the HUGE Cinnamon Bay cinnamon rolls, which were so gooey and good. Along with coffee, that was all we needed for our breakfasts, which doubled as informal planning sessions for each day. The dinners are themed. Our first night there (12/27/23) was Caribbean night, and we had curried chicken and curried tofu, served with rice, vegetables, and Johnny cakes, which are like savory donuts, and they are delicious. The second time we went there for dinner (1/2/24) was fajita night. The food was hot, tasty, and just what we needed after a day on the beach. Everything at Rain Tree is casual and comfortable. Lots of families and couples staying at the Cinnamon Bay campground use the restaurant, but it was never overly crowded, and service was always friendly. Prices are not inexpensive, but then again, almost nothing on St. John is! And the quality was good. And don’t forget proximity to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world! Given that things can change quickly on St. John, it would be good to call ahead about the menu for a particular evening, even if you’ve read somewhere what it’s supposed to be. NOTE: I should say something about the Cinnamon Bay Snack Bar, which is open for lunch. It’s a great way to get a hot meal or sandwich, just a few steps from the beach and across from the public bathhouse. We ate there most days, and even got a lunch to go for one of our hikes. All the food we had was excellent. The hot dogs are notably large. Nachos with pulled pork were very tasty, especially with the local hot sauce. There’s a nice assortment of local beers and handmade tropical drinks.

Great food and atmosphere. The meals are delicious and you get a lot! Prime rib was huge and perfect. Caesar salad on point.

Raintree Cafe in Cinnamon Bay is a lodge-style outdoor restaurant. It is open during specific hours for breakfast and dinner. The prime rib was large and delicious. The key lime pie drizzled with cherry sauce was not so good. FYI the best key lime pie I've had on St. John is at Skinny Legs in Coral Bay. Sitting outside in the early evening eating dinner under a massive tree listening to the frogs and other nighttime creatures was lovely. Top off your evening with a walk along the ocean. It is pure bliss.

we were very surprised at how delicious the food was. They have 4 to 5 menu items based around a theme each night. Pasta night choices were yummy. Its a cool open air space with wifi. Also enjoyed the nightly talks at 6. The sea turtle talk and the St John arts and herbs talk were both superb.

Ate here for several days during our stay at the campground. Cannot say I am at all impressed with the food, and if it was based off just that I would give 2 maybe 1 star. However I'll go into my problem with the food later. First, the service was prompt and welcoming and the atmosphere was great. However, watch out for bugs as there are a lot of mosquito and bugs. Now with the actual food: The food was by no means bad, it was just incredibly average, to a degree where the prices they charge (more expensive than most restaurants on the island) were ridiculous. If you have the means I would define recommend going to places in Coral and Cruz Bay to get food. At least the salads were consistently pretty good.

We came for Prime Rib night while visiting Cinnamon Bay on our sailboat. We landed our dinghy on the east end of the beach and walked thriugh a small portiin of the camp area. It was really nice and we saw a deer on the way. It was such a unique setting. The prime rib came our right away. My husband likes his well done and I like mine rare. They came out perfect and were huge! Served with horseraddish, broccoli and mashed garlic mashed potatoes. It was delish! On the way back, we got an evening walk on the beach.

Your average trail with one lookout point into Cinnamon Bay. I did the ascend (bay to hilltop) in approx 45 minutes. Super hot and humid. Bring lots of water!

Hiking the Cinnamon Bay Trail was an unforgettable experience! This moderate 1.1-mile trail winds through lush tropical forests, offering scenic vistas and unique rock formations that showcase St. John's stunning natural beauty. The trail's highlight is the breathtaking Cinnamon Bay Beach, with its turquoise waters and powdery white sand. Perfect for snorkeling, swimming, or simply relaxing, this picturesque beach is a must-see. Along the way, keep an eye out for unique rock formations and tropical vegetation. To make the most of your hike, be sure to bring water, sunscreen, and insect repellent. With its moderate difficulty, the trail is suitable for most hikers. The Cinnamon Bay Trail is an absolute must-do on St. John, offering an immersive experience in the island's stunning coastline and natural beauty. Rating: 5/5. Highly recommended!

It's a great hike with good views of Cinnamon Bay. We hiked downhill from Centerline Road, and it took us about an hour. The hike wasn't difficult, and my wife did it in flip flops.

Very nice trail with an amazing viewpoint of cinnamon bay.

Fun trail with some amazing views! There is parking on the side of the road and the trail is pretty shaded. It’s 0.9 miles to the end of the trail from route 10 and another 0.5 miles if you want to go to the beach. It is pretty steep and rocky, so wear good shoes and bring plenty of water and sunscreen.

Awesome hike! There’s a lot of elevation. You are waking up hill most of the time but the views were pretty. Make sure to bring a couple bottles of water and I recommend just carrying a Fanny pack up and not a heavy back pack. After the hike we went down to the cinnamon bay beach and got some good drinks and snorkeled.

This is a really nice trail with views of Cinnamon Bay, as well as a spur trail to the America Hill Ruins. The trail from N Shore Road to Centerline Rd is about 1.2mi and has a few clearings with nice views of the Cinnamon Bay area. The trail is very steep at the beginning, near N Shore Rd, then is mostly a steady climb up the mountain for a total elevation gain of about 800'.

25 minutes walk. Do it for sunrise. Amazing view and expect to see some deer.

About a mile uphill from the beach. Around Christmas and the new year they have amazing pink flowers and ground cover green vines over the whole area. It’s otherworldly with butterflies and bees and just millions of flowers.

40 mins hike (one way) with mild elevation from cinnamon bay trail starting from centerline road. Good view at the end. Almost all shaded

I was there in 1971 with a marine biology tour. I actually walked across the floor on a plank that was still standing. There were no other tourists, just the few of us. Wonderful memories of my college years.

If you're in decent shape, the hike to get here isn't hard. The view from the ruins is awesome. This seems extremely low traffic as well; while I was there I didn't see a single person on this trail or at the ruins.

Amazing views make for a rewarding hike up the hill in the heat and humidity! The ruins are quite interesting. I highly recommend, especially if you are staying in the Cinnamon Bay Campground.

Great view, easy hike with kids

Short trail with cool ruins. Saw a large crab. Not good for sunset views in early June. Obstructed by trees.

Beautiful view.

Short trail that is pretty. Leads to ruins and another trail leads to the beautiful Oppenheimer beach which has amazing snorkeling. Definitely worth the 15 minute walk. Very secluded beach and beautiful area to take pictures.

Beautiful trail & view

Wear them Texas and take off.

The trail starts by the shore past the Annenberg ruins. It's a rocky shoe and best with hiking shoes. Plan on 45 minutes to walk to the end.

This is your entry route to Waterlemon Bay and Waterlemon Cay. It's an easy walk, right at about a mile to get to the entry to Waterlemon Cay, and just less than that to get to the bay. It's mostly exposed, but there are some small wooded sections. If you go past the bay, you'll likely be walking in water for a bit - so I would wear water shoes if you plan on going on to the Cay or the Johnny Horn Trail. Total distance for us was about 2.4 miles round trip, with almost zero elevation.

Great trail. Fun to jog down. Coming back up was hard. Pretty steep. Single lane trail and rocky in places.

The trail itself is great but very neglected; lots of thorny overgrowth. Someone needs to go through with a machete and clear the way. Besides a workout, the reward is seeing and/or taking a dip at the Lameshur beach which is near one of the trailheads. The hike can be started from Calvert C. Marsh road where there is parking space for 1-2 vehicles only (see photo) or Coral Bay road where there is plenty of parking. Unless you are exploring all of the southeastern part of the island, for this trail alone it is better to start at the CC Marsh road as the other option is longer and requires driving on a bad dirt road (last part of Coral Bay road).

I agree very rigorous the pay off at the end is great the return not so much.

One of the more vigorous hikes on island, walk to little lameshur beach, ruins, and other trails.

Best trail you will ever visit. Truly a bucket list item. If you miss out on the summit of St. John you will regret it for the rest of your days. Start at the bottom if you have a Jeep and can get there by road, otherwise start at the top. After you spend some time at Lameshur Beach you might not feel like hiking back up.

An excellent place to park your car and hike down without seeing anyone. There are a few cool ruins on this path. I hiked back up the Reef Bay Trail and saw all the ruins and petroglyphs on that trail. Hitching a ride took me 5 minutes which is less time than it took to dry a bit from sweating. A kind local took me for a ride back to the other parking lot, but if walked, the road has limited car nightlife, little side area to be safe and many steep ups and downs.

For the time we went, the trail was just too overgrown to really be enjoyable. Most of the ruins on the path are really not much or not visible. The grass and plants got so thick near the end, we eventually had to turn back near the Reef Bay Mill. There are a couple of nice photo spots and the trail variety is decent though.

Be sure to wear pants and long sleeves. Overgrown with prickers. Lots of hermit crabs and butterflies though and some tracks and mud pits from what we believe was a wild boar. Total distance from Centerline down to Reef Bay and back was 7.4 miles 1027 ft elevation gain.

Great trail. NPS needs to do some maintenance.

Beautiful trail!