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National Park in the US Virgin Islands
Photo: FloNight (Sydney Poore) and Russell Poore, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Virgin Islands National Park is a national park on Saint John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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Learn about the history of St. John from the arrival of humans (about 840 BC), through plantation and maritime eras to present. Archaeological exhibits recovered from the nearby dig surround the laboratory (a converted sugar factory warehouse) within a preserved 17th century structure. If planning a visit, call first to ascertain that the building is open.
Cinnamon Bay offers a long gently sloping snow white beach to stick your toes in, or go for a leisurely stroll. The crystal clear waters provide many delights for even a novice snorkeler. Turtles and fish of all sizes and colors can be seen here. There is a water sports center that rents snorkel gear and windsurfing equipment. You can also arrange day sailing, snorkeling and scuba diving lessons.
Cinnamon Bay Plantation was established in 1717 and was one of the earliest and most prosperous sugar plantations on the Island. In 1903, the Danish West India Plantation Company bought Cinnamon Bay and began growing bay rum trees to produce bay leaf oil, which was used in popular colognes and lotions known as St. John Bay Rum.
Francis Bay Trail starts at the Francis Bay Sugar Factory. It continues past the Mary's Point Estate house and around a salt pond. The dry tropical forest and salt pond provide an excellent opportunity to view birds. The lower portion of the trail is an accessible boardwalk that continues through the mangroves to the two viewing platforms.
Hawksnest Bay offers three fingers of mostly Elkhorn coral reefs to snorkel. It is not advisable to snorkel directly over the reef. The Elkhorn corals are a federally protected species and extremely fragile. Snorkeling around the fingers you will see many juvenile fish and other reef creatures in and among the branches of the Elkhorn corals. Hawksnest has changing rooms, picnic tables, grills and restrooms. It is the closest beach to Cruz Bay. Restroom facilities are not close, amplified music is not allowed, and there is a 10PM noise curfew.
The Lind Point Trail starts just behind the park visitor center and ends at breathtaking Honeymoon Bay or Solomon Bay. The trail offers several spurs one of which heads to the overlook. Stop and rest on the bench as you watch the boats sail by.
Salomon/Honeymoon Bay, two white-sand beaches, can be accessed by a short hike from the Virgin Islands National Park sign off North Shore Road, Caneel Bay or by boat. A narrow reef follows the shoreline east of Honeymoon to Caneel Bay.
Beautiful beach. 1/4-mile hike from the parking area to beach, with only a slight grade.
The trailhead can be found to the right of Lameshur Road at the first switchback. The 0.7-mile trail begins with a moderately strenuous ascent on the Cabritte Horn Point. Hike through the desert-like terrain to reach scenic views atop coastal cliffs.
Located between Great Lameshur Bay and Little Lameshur Bay, this .3 mile trail is a good choice if looking for an easy hike. Stone ruins of homes from the Danish colonial period can be found alongside the trail. Small rocky beaches can be accessed by side trails for a quiet snorkel entry spot.
Bare tent sites and tent covered platforms with cooking utensils and linens. Store and cafeteria. The campground closes to unregistered guests at 10PM. Two week maximum stay. Reserve well ahead.
Visitors must arrive by ferry to Saint John. The ferry terminal at Cruz Bay has safari bus shuttles and tour operators available.
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