The Virgin Islands National Park is an American national park that conserves about 60% of the land area of San Juan in the United States Virgin Islands. It is a paradise of lush tropical forests, white sand beaches, secluded bays, historic sites and colorful coral reefs. The park is famous for its diverse flora and fauna, and offers a variety of activities such as camping, fishing, kayaking, hiking, diving, swimming and bird watching. The Virgin Islands National Park is located on the island of San Juan, United States Virgin Islands.
Nearly 75% of the island is reserved as U. S. territory. It was established in 1956 when Laurance Spelman Rockefeller donated land purchased in St.
John, on the condition that it would be protected from future development. In 1976, the Virgin Islands National Park was designated an International Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).The main must-see sites are Cinnamon Bay, Trunk Bay, the ruins of Cinamon Bay Plantations and Annaberg Plantation. Trunk Bay on the island of St. John is a historic or prehistoric site.
Cinnamon Bay, a world-class beach on the North Coast, is both a public beach and an ongoing archaeological excavation site. The Virgin Islands National Park also protects some of the last remaining native dry rainforests in the Caribbean. The Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument (200) is located next to the northeastern and southern parts of the park. Admission to the park is free, adult charges apply only at Trunk Bay Beach. There are numerous resorts and hotels available in St. John, so it is recommended to stay on the island for a few days.
The tourist information center of the Virgin Islands National Park is located in Cruz Bay, the main settlement in the west of the island. For up-to-date information on boat services to the island, take a look at our interisland boat services page. For more information on things to do, places to stay, eat 26% of drinks, check out our St John travel guide. The 1-mile (1.6 km) long Lind Point Trail starts in Cruz Bay, behind the Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Center. With groups of fully formed coral in many shapes and colors and large undulating sea fans, some of them bright purple, this first reef was spectacular. I followed the fish around the rocks and the big flowers of the coral reefs. At one point, I saw an endangered hawksbill turtle.
Come on, it looked like the turtle was telling me. Follow me. I swear he slowed down so that I could. I drifted behind him as much as I could until I had to go out and get some fresh air. Two days after snorkeling in Trunk Bay, I rented a boat and went to the North Shore.
Before leaving Cruz Bay, the man who rented the boat told me that some recent clients had spent all day on Waterlemon Cay. I noticed that there were people in this place as we were passing by, but we decided to return later after visiting a dense reef further east. El Cayo is a small island that can be accessed by swimming from a moored boat or from a small beach near the ruins of the Annaberg sugar plantation. From our boat, I swam to and around the island.
I saw orange coral and Kelly green coral and crimson coral. I saw corals as red as the flowers of the striking trees that dotted the hillside. I would have been content to go from beach to beach for four days, which I practically did. In this place where land brims with almost unfathomable natural beauty, The National Park Service tries to balance tourism with preservation.
Download the official NPS app before your next visit. The magnificent Virgin Islands National Park offers visitors an unforgettable experience with its vibrant corals and rich marine life. With its lush tropical forests, pristine beaches and several trails it's no wonder why this national park has been under continuous protection since 1956.
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