Beyond Beautiful: Visit The Virgin Islands National Park

A refreshing Caribbean escape awaits guests in the United States Virgin Islands – a location where paradise is within reach. It’s a favorite stop of luxury cruise ships, and rightly so because it’s home to pristine beaches.

USVI is definitely an inspiring destination, about 50 islands offering tourists their needed relaxation matched through the warm breeze and majestic Atlantic views. Within this Caribbean destination, the experience is always premium – from the hospitality from the locals towards the inviting tourist spots.

One attraction that should 't be missed is the Virgin Islands National Park, a known diving spot. Tropical rainforest isn't to become overlooked, too, because it’s lush and brimming with wildlife. Additionally, it offers its historic sites for those who wish to go on a trip down memory lane. From the shore towards the heart of Saint John Island (in which the park is located), this area is nothing short of amazing. USVI might as well mean the United States’ Vacation Island.

Plan The Visit

Unlike other Caribbean destinations, USVI’s tourism wasn't badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic — a true refuge. It’s always a perfect time for you to visit this talented tropical spot, and listed here are some reminders.

Before entering USVI, travelers ought to be cleared via the Travel Screening Portal.

Travelers vaccinated against COVID-19 should provide proof. Unvaccinated tourists should submit a negative coronavirus test result.

The park is open daily from 9 a.m. to three p.m. (except on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and Independence Day). There is no entrance fee to the park, but you will find amenity fees for overnight stays.

Activities To Try

Sun-tanned memories thrive in this Caribbean spot – because of a variety of activities tourists can try. USVI welcomes visitors who want to possess a slow day or perhaps be active outdoors. Whatever floats a tourist’s boat, the hawaiian islands ask them to covered.

Snorkeling

Since a lot more than 40 % of USVI is underwater, where else can there be to visit but down the waves? Listed here are popular snorkeling spots for a splashing good time.

The bay between the white-sand beaches of Salomon and Honeymoon is home to several coral species just like a lettuce leaf, mustard hill, and brain corals. Finger corals can also be found around the reefs west of Salomon. The Hawksnest Bay is happy with its elkhorn coral reefs, home to baby fish along with other marine creatures. Beginning snorkelers can have a fun day exploring Trunk Bay's underwater trail, where they can learn about marine life.

Cinnamon Bay is perfect for those who want to spot some snappers, crabs, and lobsters, while Maho Bay is usually recommended for those who wish to meet sea turtles.

Francis Bay isn't just for snorkelers but in addition for birders who wish to observe pelicans chasing fish.

Leinster Bay, Waterlemon Cay, and Brown Bay will also be ideal snorkeling spots because of their rich underwater ecosystem composed of turtles, blue Chromis, gorgonians, sea stars, and seagrass, conches, and rare staghorn corals, among others. RELATED: Trip Advisor Reviews Confirm: These All-Inclusive Resorts In The Virgin Islands Count The Price

Boating And Fishing

Boaters can anchor either in Francis Bay or Lind Point. After that, they spend their days enjoying tropical surprises. If they be interested in the beach, the anchorages are near white-sand beaches. If they intend to snorkel, the mooring guides will help them have a worthwhile experience.

Fishing is allowed but there are restrictions put on where to fish and just what to trap (with respect to the season). Fishers might have the opportunity to score groupers, mackerels, blue runners, whelks, conches, snappers, and spiny lobsters, amongst others.

Hiking

It’s not every concerning the beach and underwater adventures in the park because there are also 11 trails where hikers can roam around and become in the middle of the area. Here are some from the trails that delivers trekkers to tropical bliss.

Reef Trail Bay is not for the faint-hearted since it will take two to four hours to finish. Though tiring, it rewards guests having a satisfying experience along with sugar plantation ruins and ancient rock carvings. And when they appear up, they'll see a number of St. John's tallest and oldest trees.

The Cinnamon Bay Nature Loop provides an easy hike and will take trekkers to sugar plantation ruins. It's one historic hike.

L'Esperance Trail will lead guests to the island's only baobab, a tree species delivered to the region by enslaved Africans.

The Francis Bay Trail is ideal for birders, because of its dry tropical forest and salt pond.

The Cinnamon Bay Trails will let guests smell the fragrance from the leaves of bay rum trees, that have been used before to make a cologne.

The Yawzi Point Trail is yet another historic path to the Danish colonial period where hikers can click on stone ruins of homes.

Camping

The Cinnamon Bay Beach and Campground is the best spot to sign off and just be around the Caribbean’s magnificence. Located on the island’s North Shore, this campground comes complete with amenities and services for an entire tropical escape.

  • Campers can choose to remain on eco-tents, group tents, cottages, and bare sites.
  • There's an onsite restaurant, and the campground also provides watersport rentals (snorkeling gear, beach chairs, paddleboards, and kayaks).
  • There's also guided hikes, watersport lessons, yoga, and art classes.
  • The campground is located around the white-sand bay and it is near a loop trail. Underwater, snorkelers can check out a fish pen, a sunken plane, and a submerged village.

The Virgin Islands National Park is really a relaxing place to explore. Its shore is really a satisfying mixture of white and blue, while its rainforest is an inspiring sea of green. Through the beach, underwater, or perhaps in the center from the jungle, a day within this park is a vacation that’s worth an encore.