Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Perfect Trip to Virgin Islands National Park

The U.S. Virgin Islands continually top lists highlighting the best islands and beaches in the Caribbean. The island group — which includes the three main islands of St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John, as well as around 50 small islets and cays — is renowned for its white-sand beaches and healthy reefs, the best of which are protected by Virgin Islands National Park on St. John.

The park spans across most of St. John, preserving unspoiled beaches bordered by coral reefs, sea turtle breeding grounds, and hiking trails that wind through tropical forests. Additionally, the park safeguards plantation sites and the ancient petroglyphs of the Indigenous Taino, providing guests with a glimpse into the island’s history of colonialism and enslavement.

A journey through Virgin Islands National Park is both breathtakingly beautiful and culturally enlightening. Both aspects make the park a must-visit, especially for those looking to get out of their lounge chairs and explore off the beaten path.

Margie Hand, a iBestTravel Travel Advisor focused on the Caribbean, emphasizes, “There are so many great things to do,” noting that besides hiking and snorkeling, “you can also enjoy kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, and bird watching” on St. John. Her recommendation is to “visit the Overlooks along North Shore Road for great photos.”

Best Hotels and Resorts Near Virgin Islands National Park

Cinnamon Bay Beach and Campground

Cinnamon Bay Beach and Campground is the only lodging option within Virgin Islands National Park. You can rent a tent and rough it or reserve a cottage or glamping tent for a more comfortable stay. Regardless of your choice, you’ll have direct access to the park’s Cinnamon Bay Beach, where there are snorkels, kayaks, and paddleboards available for rent. There’s also an onsite restaurant that serves breakfast and dinner daily.

St. John Villa Rentals

Most travelers to St. John prefer to have a full kitchen and a private living space. St. John Villa Rentals, akin to an Airbnb for the island, connects travelers with homeowners and local property managers.

Lovango Resort & Beach Club

Lovango Resort & Beach Club is situated on Lovango Cay, a private island just a 10-minute boat ride from both St. John and St. Thomas. The resort is well-known for its expansive beach club (welcoming day visitors) and waterfront dining. Furthermore, it was recognized as one of the best new hotels of 2022 by iBestTravel editors, making it the U.S. Virgin Islands’ first new-build hotel in over 30 years.

Best Things to Do in Virgin Islands National Park

Annaberg Plantation

The interpretation staff at Virgin Islands National Park frequently recommend Annaberg Plantation as a must-see site. This plantation was the largest sugar-producing estate on St. John, and many enslaved people attempted to escape via swimming from the plantation’s waterfront, Leinster Bay, to Tortola. Today, visitors can explore the ruins of the estate, including the homes of enslaved people, and learn how juice was extracted from harvested sugar cane.

Reef Bay Trail

Reef Bay Trail is a strenuous yet rewarding route for those interested in St. John’s history. The trail winds past ancient rock carvings of the pre-Colombian Taino people and leads to the ruins of Danish sugar plantations where many were enslaved. Along the Reef Bay Trail, hikers may encounter some of the oldest and tallest trees on the island, and during the rainy season, the path showcases a spectacular waterfall.

This hike — traversing uneven, rocky terrain — takes approximately three hours to complete and should only be undertaken by prepared hikers with ample water. If that’s not suitable for you, Hand mentions there are 20 trails available, ranging from “leisurely trails up to strenuous hikes,” allowing you to find another option easily.

Trunk Bay

Trunk Bay is exceptionally picturesque, featuring a quarter-mile stretch of white sand against impossibly clear water. Unsurprisingly, it is popular, making it the only St. John beach that charges an entrance fee ($5 per adult). Hand highlights Trunk Bay as a top spot for snorkeling: “Some prime locations for snorkeling include Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay, Maho Bay, and Francis Bay.”

Hawksnest Bay

If you’re seeking additional snorkeling opportunities, add Hawksnest Bay to your list. Known for its federally-protected Elkhorn coral reefs and a population of hawksbill and green turtles, this bay is lined with a long white-sand beach, which may disappear with the tides. Snorkelers are encouraged to explore the Elkhorn corals but should avoid swimming directly over the fragile reef.

Best Shopping

Bajo el Sol Gallery, Art Bar & Rum Room

The Bajo el Sol Gallery, Art Bar & Rum Room is a great destination for art and local flavor. Featuring regular exhibitions from local artists and authors, this venue also serves coffee drinks, wine, craft cocktails, and delicious selections of locally made pastries. Furthermore, it offers Cruz Bay’s most extensive selection of aged rums for sampling.

Jolly Dog Ltd.

If you’re in need of essentials such as swimsuits, sunscreen or wide-brimmed hats, Jolly Dog can satisfy your needs. This one-stop shop is perfect for a day on the islands and provides plenty of unique souvenir options. You’ll discover items like T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, sunglasses, sandals, and more, all in the heart of Coral Bay.

Bamboo Studio

For locally made souvenirs, visit Bamboo Studio. Here, you’ll find locally themed jewelry crafted by talented U.S. Virgin Islands artists, including pieces inspired by fishing, hurricanes, and petroglyphs.

Portico

Self-identified as an “island boutique,” Portico offers a diverse range of home decor — from outdoor rugs and pillows to wall art and tableware — along with clothing, jewelry, and St. John-specific gifts. If you’re looking to bring home unique gifts that transcend typical souvenir items, Portico is the ideal place to shop.

Best Restaurants

Rain Tree Café

Rain Tree Café is one of the few places to dine within the park (the other being Trunk Bay Café and Bar). It features open-air dining for breakfast and dinner alongside a grab-and-go food truck at Cinnamon Bay Beach and Campground.

Lime Out

It’s hard to find a restaurant that embodies the island vibe more than Lime Out, a floating restaurant accessible only by boat. Guests dine on “lily pads” with their feet in the water and are served via floating trays, with a taco menu complemented by flavorful cocktails.

Pizza Pi

Pizza isn’t the only cuisine available from a floating restaurant in St. John. Pizza Pi offers wood-fired, New York-style pizza from a boat moored in Christmas Cove, featuring everything from classic cheese to inventive toppings. To enjoy this unique dining, hop on a boat from Cruz Bay and arrive hungry.

The Longboard

The signature drink of St. John is the painkiller, a cocktail featuring dark rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut. Selinger claims the finest version is found at The Longboard, known for serving the drink frozen. This restaurant also distinguished for its fresh-catch ceviche and ahi tuna lettuce wraps, while chili-mango-glazed wings are a local favorite. (Note: From 2 to 4 p.m., the island’s happy hour time, the frozen painkiller is offered for $10.)

Best Time To Visit

The optimal time to experience Virgin Islands National Park on St. John is from December to July, post-hurricane season, when heavy rains are less likely. However, be mindful that this pleasant weather attracts tourists, particularly from December to March and during the weeks surrounding the Fourth of July. The St. John Celebration, commencing in late June and extending through the Fourth of July, also draws considerable attention.

If you prefer to avoid crowds, the park’s interpretation staff recommend visiting during the months with the lowest visitation, which are August, September, and October. However, they only suggest traveling in October, as August and September are peak hurricane season.

How to Get There

The U.S. Virgin Islands remain a favored destination among Americans for a reason: no passport is required. There are numerous direct flights available on United, American, and Delta from major cities like Miami, Atlanta, New York, Boston, and Newark.

Most visitors to Virgin Islands National Park arrive at Cyril E. King Airport (STT) on St. Thomas (there is also a smaller airport on St. Croix) before taking a passenger ferry to St. John. There are three ferry docks on St. Thomas, each with daily ferries to Cruz Bay Ferry Dock on St. John. Crown Bay Marina, the nearest ferry dock to Cyril E. King Airport, has a 35-minute ferry ride, whereas the Red Hook Ferry Terminal on the island’s eastern side boasts the most transfers and provides the quickest route (taking just 15 minutes). Chartering a boat is another option.

How to Get Around

Although St. John measures only 20 square miles, its hilly and rugged terrain makes navigating on foot challenging and time-consuming. There are shared taxis available, featuring seating in the back of an open-air, safari-style truck, but as one of many passengers, travel times may vary. Therefore, many visitors opt to rent a car to save time and allow for exploration of the island’s more remote (and frequently the best) beaches. A two or four-wheel-drive vehicle with added clearance is recommended, particularly a Jeep. Both Lionel Jeep Rental and Courtesy Car & Jeep Rental are reliable options, each offering fleets of four-wheel-drive vehicles.