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AARP’s Guide to Virgin Islands National Park

No passport needed for Americans visiting this gorgeous Caribbean haven on St. John 

spinner image St. John, US Virgin Islands at Trunk Bay
Sean Pavone/Alamy Stock Photo

 

With idyllic, undeveloped white-sand beaches and sea turtles, eagle rays and schools of multicolored fish parading just a short swim from shore, Virgin Islands National Park (VINP) is a paradise on Earth — specifically on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), territories that also include the larger, more developed islands of St. Thomas and St. Croix. Billionaire Laurance Rockefeller thought this small, 20-square-mile Caribbean isle so beautiful, he bought nearly 60 percent of St. John in 1952, then donated the land to the federal government in 1956 with the stipulation it become a national park for all to enjoy for generations to come.

Another big name mesmerized by the island, country music star Kenny Chesney, has owned a home here for years that was destroyed when Hurricane Irma swept across the isle in September 2017. The widespread devastation caused by Irma prompted Chesney to start a foundation that raised funds to help rebuild the isle and park. He has often sung of the joys of St. John beach life: “From this chair I’ve caught a few fish and some rays, and I’ve watched boats sail in and out of Cinnamon Bay ... Been here about a month, not doing much at all, man it’s hard to get bored when you’re having a ball.”

spinner image  u s virgin islands national park on the island of saint john in the caribbean
Getty/AARP

Ways to Save on Expedition Cruises

While these cruises are high on excitement, they can be high on the price meter, too. Make them more budget-friendly with these seven cost-trimming tips.

1. Skip the balcony. You’ll spend very little time in your cabin on this type of cruise, so don’t pay for one with a balcony if you want to economize. “Someone might save 20 percent if they opt for an oceanview cabin instead,” says Linda Speer, master cruise counselor with Cruises by Linda in Harrison, Arkansas.

2. Book very early or book late. You’ll typically find the best pricing for these cruises by either booking far in advance or very close to the cruise date. “So once you identify the cruise lines of interest to you, sign up for their promotions, just in case there are last-minute deals,” Speer says.

3. Take advantage of loyalty programs. If you’re a loyalty member of one of the regular cruise lines now launching expedition ships, Rob Clabbers with Q Cruise + Travel recommends inquiring whether the line will extend your past-guest discounts to its expedition sailings. “Booking your expedition cruise while you’re on one of the line’s regular cruises may result in savings and/or benefits as well,” Clabbers says.

4. Choose your cruise line carefully. “Although Lindblad, Atlas and Viking may be the first lines that come to mind, expand your search to lesser-known companies if budget is a concern — Aurora, Hurtigruten and Quark [for example],” Speer says.

Case in point: Speer compared a Viking sailing to Antarctica in January to a similar one offered by Hurtigruten and found the latter was priced at 40 percent less. “But Hurtigruten sails with many more passengers, and regulations limit the number of passengers on the ice to 100, so there will not be as much time on land,” she notes.

5. Time your trip carefully. Fares vary during the year, so research pricing trends and book when they’re lowest. “Looking ahead to 2023, you can save thousands per person on an Antarctica cruise by booking a March sailing, the month with the lowest fares this year,” advises Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic, a cruise news and review site. “But do be aware that lower fares generally mean it’s a less popular time to cruise that region, and that could mean it’s not the ideal time to experience it.”

6. Book a non-expedition location. In addition to cruising to such exotic locales as the Arctic and Antarctica, many expedition cruise lines also offer less expensive voyages to destinations that are not as heavy on adventure, such as the Caribbean and New England. “If the ship is your destination, this can be especially appealing,” McDaniel says.

7. Pick an older ship. While the newest ships will have the latest design and shiniest interiors, you can sometimes save $1,000 or more by booking on a vessel that’s a few years older.

St John and VINP aren’t just for sun, sand and rum cocktails, though. “People come here for the beaches and the water, but the island has such a rich history, you’d be missing out if you didn’t tour at least one historical site,” says Jenn Manes, owner of Explore STJ tours, a local company taking visitors on combination beach and culture tours. A surprising number of historic sites are hidden in the park’s jungled, mountainous terrain: from ancient petroglyphs Tainu peoples carved in rocks to ruins of once-mighty sugar plantations, including the recently commemorated “Road to Freedom” trail memorializing the slaves who toiled there.

While the national park and St. John have bounced back well from Hurricane Irma and then Hurricane Maria just two weeks later, recovery efforts are ongoing. The heavily damaged, Rockefeller-founded Caneel Bay Resort within the park still awaits redevelopment, and many trails remain denuded, their large shade trees felled by the hurricanes. But that shouldn’t stop you from visiting: Green once again blankets park hillsides, the waters still shimmer in shades of vivid blue, and the park’s beautiful Cinnamon Bay Beach and Campground has reopened.

VINP can be visited as a day trip from St. Thomas (where plentiful lodging options come cheaper), but to best experience the park plan on spending a few days on St. John to walk the park’s hiking trails, visit its historic sites and, of course, relax on its beaches.

COVID-19-related requirements

Visitors must submit documentation of COVID-19 vaccination through the USVI travel screening portal. If not fully vaccinated or unvaccinated for COVID-19, you will need to to submit proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than five days before arrival. Check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and USVI travel websites for updates.

When to go

The best time of year to visit VINP is from March through June, with less rainfall and slightly cooler temperatures (with highs in the mid 80s instead of the 90s) and fewer visitors. The island’s wet season from July to October comes with high humidity and the threat of hurricanes, but barring extreme events, daily rains pass quickly. High season covers November through February, with larger crowds and less availability for lodging and transport.

Getting there and upon arrival

Most visitors to the USVI fly into St. Thomas, about a two-and-a-half-hour flight southeast from Miami. U.S. citizens don’t need a passport for entry, just a driver’s license or other government ID, but having one can help with the entry process. To get from St. Thomas to St. John, take a 20-minute ferry ride from Red Hook Harbor, on the island’s eastern edge, to Cruz Bay on St. John’s western side. Both passenger and car ferries depart frequently.

When you arrive on St. John, look for the harborside VINP Visitor Center at Cruz Bay. You can grab free maps or purchase guidebooks there, check out history and nature displays, and get advice from the information officer. On the trailhead behind the center, you can begin exploring the park with a hike to beautiful Honeymoon Beach just over a mile away on an often hot but fairly easy trail.  

Getting around

Jeep rental is the best way to get around St. John if you’re staying for multiple days, as the local taxis can be slow to respond for ride requests and are expensive. They charge a flat fee, usually $10-$14 per person, so a family of four can pay $80 or more (plus bag fees or other surcharges) for a short round trip, and the driver may stop for other passengers. Be sure to get a price quote before entering any taxi. Jeeps are useful for navigating St. John’s steep winding roads (and home driveways), but parking is at a premium, so arrive early at beaches, trailheads, historic sites and in town for dinner. And always remember, traffic drives on the left side of the road in the USVI. If you opt for a day trip, consider touring the park and isle with a company such as STJ Tours. You’ll maximize your time, as you’ll get a personalized overview of the island, learn some history and not have to bother with the driving.

What to pack

Take along plenty of sunscreen, and be sure to use it while sailing or beachside, where cooling offshore breezes can fool you into thinking the sun isn’t that strong — but it is. The USVI officially has a ban on nonreef-safe sunscreens, so bring a brand that’s zinc oxide-based (usually with a “reef safe” label on it). You’ll need bug repellent, too. The notorious native no-see-ums will leave unprotected flesh with itchy bites. Also, wear lightweight long pants and shirts in early morning and evening when insects are most active.

Note that regular U.S. cellphone service works well on the island, without added surcharges. The only quirk: On St. John’s eastern edge, close to the British Virgin Islands, phones may connect to a European carrier, possibly incurring added charges. 

Where to stay and eat

There’s no lodging on official National Park lands except the Cinnamon Bay campgrounds — recently reopened after renovations with four new shared bathhouses, 31 tent sites (with wood tent platforms and picnic benches), 50 “eco-tents” (pre-fab canvas cabins with beds and electricity) that accommodate from two to four people, and 40 cottage units in seven buildings. The Rain Tree Café serves breakfast and dinner, and a food truck by the beach brings in lunches. Buy basic grocery items and to-go foods at the camp store.

Beyond the campgrounds, the park’s 1956 formation left many “in-holdings” of private property remaining within park boundaries. Many now function as vacation rentals — some beachside or mountaintop luxury homes with pools, others more modest retreats. Even more rental options sit just outside park boundaries, so scan Airbnb, VRBO and local sites to find a location and pricing that’s right for you.

Typical hotels and resort options are limited, the main one being the Westin St. John, a sprawling 252-room time-share property near Cruz Bay that’s available for nightly rentals. After settling into studios or villas with up to three bedrooms, guests enjoy myriad resort amenities, including a pool and small beach with equipment rentals, along with a beachside grill and a deli.

The town of Cruz Bay is St. John’s main hub, with a few square blocks of restaurants, bars and shops. For a relaxed, family-friendly dining spot, start your day at Cruz Bay Landing, sinking your teeth into its excellent Crab Cake Bennie — crispy local crab topped with a poached egg slathered with savory hollandaise sauce. Come dinnertime, it pairs live music with a menu starring Caribbean lobster. Across the island in quiet Coral Bay, rub elbows with visiting yachters and local beach bums at Skinny Legs, a legendary bar and grill where you can grab fish and chips and trade pirate stories while watching sports on TV.

spinner image Annaberg Sugar Mill ruins in the Virgin Islands National Park
James Schwabel/Alamy Stock Photo

Things to do

Beaches: VINP is rightfully famous for its white-sand beaches stretching along calm, protected bays filled with sea life. Visit the north part of the park to see the best of them and dip your toes in the waters at Hawksnest, Trunk, Cinnamon and Maho bays, going west to east on the North Shore Road from Cruz Bay. Arrive early to grab a parking spot and a semi-shady spot in the sand, then spend the day soaking in the sun and snorkeling in the Caribbean Sea.

At Maho Bay, the most developed, you’ll find an array of food trucks, souvenir stands and small bars across the street from the beach. At Trunk Bay, the $5 admission fee gives you access to the beach and facilities, including an equipment rental operation, bathrooms and a snack bar. Just offshore, snorkel along the “Underwater Trail,” with submerged plaques describing area sea life. Closer to Cruz Bay, VINP’s sometimes crowded Honeymoon Beach has its own set of beachside vendors and food trucks, while nearby Salomon Beach provides a more serene escape.

VINP extends out into the sea to protect the coral reefs around the island, spectacular spots for snorkelers and scuba divers to spot some of the 400 species of fish who make these waters their home. Sea turtles abound, especially in Maho Bay, and placid eagle rays often flap close to shore. “It’s like someone dropped you into an aquarium, it’s so spectacular,” says Laurel Brannick, the park’s supervisor of interpretation. “If you come to the park and don’t look underwater, it’s like going to the Grand Canyon and not looking down.”

Hike: Walk some of the park’s more than 20 trails to access spectacular viewpoints, explore historical sites and see wildlife, including fluttering yellow bananaquits (the official bird of the USVI), scurrying lizards, creeping hermit crabs and even wandering wild donkeys. Given the hot and humid climate, be sure to bring plenty of water, use insect repellent and sunscreen, and wear a hat to protect against the sun on sometimes exposed trails. The Friends of Virgin Islands National Park nonprofit group may be leading hikes, conditions permitting (its website offers lots of useful information for visitors, too).

VINP features some flat hiking paths accessible to most anyone. The Lind Point Trail, which begins directly behind the park’s Cruz Bay Visitor Center, leads you on a fairly easy path a mile to the popular Honeymoon Beach. If you’re motivated, continue uphill to Lind Point Overlook for sweeping views of Cruz Bay. The Cinnamon Bay Trail on the island’s northern side begins with a flat half-mile signed, interpretive path through the ruins of the Cinnamon Bay Plantation — the first 500 feet paved and wheelchair-accessible. A few hundred feet uphill from North Shore Road, hop out of your Jeep for an easy roadside trail to Peace Hill; you’ll see the ruins of a stone windmill and admire sweeping views of the Caribbean and VINP’s best beaches.   

For the adventurous, the park’s signature Reef Bay-Petroglyph Trail follows a strenuous path into history and beauty. Take the 2.2-mile Reef Bay Trail covering 900 feet of elevation through both thick jungle and sun-exposed segments to discover sugar-estate ruins and the scenic beach at Reef Bay. Midway on the trail, take a half-mile-long spur on Petroglyph Trail to see the mysterious symbols the Taino peoples carved into rocks hundreds of years ago.

spinner image Sailing boats in Cruz Bay, St. John, Virgin Islands National Park
robertharding/Alamy Stock Photo

Sail: Whether by small sailboat, sturdy catamaran or luxury power yacht, do experience VINP by sea — the only way to reach the park’s many small cays, islets and reefs, and remote beaches. Go on snorkeling expeditions, a sunset cruise, or just hop from peaceful beach to peaceful beach by chartering a boat or joining a group tour with company such as Cruz Bay Watersports. You can also do multiday charters with Moorings, which bases a fleet of powerboats and sailboats in St. Thomas. The national park rents limited spots for boats to moor near the popular beaches.

Explore history: Don’t neglect the rich history preserved within VINP. See the indigenous Taino tribes’ rock carvings on Petroglyph Trail and archaeological finds at the visitor center. Explore the remnants of the Danish colonists who left a sprawling set of ruins from their extensive sugar plantations, most notably the stone windmills that can be seen across the park. Tour the remains of the Annaberg Plantation in northern VINP, with signs providing history of the windmill, sugar factory, distillery and homesites. Find the gardens just below the windmill to meet local landscaper Charles Jackson, who gives informal talks on park flora most weekdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. — and even gives out samples of his fresh, sweet sugar cane and mango grown there.

A painful part of St John’s past concerns the generations of slave labor who cleared the land and worked the sugar plantations, and the brutal repression of these Blacks’ freedom and attempted uprisings. See this history in the remains of the humble slave quarters at Annaberg, as well as just down the hill at the nearby Leinster Bay shoreline along the recently certified “Road to Freedom” Trail, part of a national set of Underground Railroad sites. Some slaves seeking escape to the tantalizingly close British Virgin Islands, which abolished slavery 12 years before the then-Danish Virgin Islands, used this trail to launch stolen boats or to start swimming the 1.2 miles to the British shores. Above the trail, visit the remains of a looming hilltop guardhouse for a stark reminder of those troubled times.

Beyond the park

St. John’s East End, just beyond park boundaries, is the place to go to escape crowds and rent jet skis and other powered watercraft not allowed at park beaches. Try the glass-bottomed kayaks and motorized sea scooters to explore the clear waters at Saltwell Beach in Hansen Bay, where a local family hosts parking ($5), a small snack bar and souvenir stand. 

Bill Fink is an award-winning travel writer who has covered cultural travel for Lonely Planet, Frommer's, The San Francisco Chronicle and many other outlets.

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