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Virgin Islands
Descriptive:
Located in the northeastern Caribbean, about 40 miles east of Puerto Rico, lie the United States' Virgin Islands. Composed of three major islands and some 50 islets, this tropical paradise features white, sandy beaches and exotic coral reefs. Virgin Islands National Park is on the island of St. John, covering about two-thirds of the island, and is only about 13,000 acres, about half of which is offshore.
Of the 50 or so small islets dotting the blue-green waters of the Caribbean, some are only large enough to moor a small craft. The National Park itself is located on the isle of St. John, which is about nineteen square miles.
Many of the trees on St. John are not native, as most were cleared by the slave trade under the rule of Danish plantation owners prior to 1917. Still, tropical kapok, with its gnarled bent branches, is one of the interesting trees to be found here. Bougainvillea grow wild here and color the landscape with its blossoms.
In the water, the rich life offshore flourishes in the abundant ecosystem of coral reefs, and these tropical waters teem with brightly-colored fish. The snorkeling is excellent here in the abundant growth of the coral reefs. It is very easy to pass an entire day, or two even, snorkeling. The equipment can be rented within the Park. Cinnamon Bay Beach and Hawksnest Beach both schedule regular snorkeling trips. Good snorkeling can also be found at Trunk Bay.
Vegetation:
Kapok
Mangrove
Breadfruit
Seagrape
Mango
Bougainvillea
Hibiscus
Cactus
Wildlife:
Bats
Mongoose
Lizards
Sea turtle
Gull
Pelican
Heron
Frigate
Hummingbird
mockingbird
Butterfly fish
Trumpet fish
Parrot fish
Blue tang
Marlin
Sailfish
Tuna
Key locations:
Bordeaux Mountain rises approximately 1300 feet above sea level, and magnificent views can be had from its summit, including views of the isle of St. Croix, the largest of the islands, to the south, the isle of St. Thomas to the west, and the British Virgin Islands to the north.
Reef Bay Trail is a guided tour led by a Park Ranger down a carriage road through a small forest. A waterfall tumbles next to some Arawak Indian petroglyphs, and a Danish plantation estate can be seen along the way. A boat is waiting at a sandy beach to return hikers to Cruz Bay.
Trunk Bay Beach features an self-guiding trail that's underwater! Unique to the National Parks, signs are located at various points underwater in this sub-marine habitat. This underwater trail is only about ten feet deep, so snorkeling and duck-diving make it a true interactive learning experience.
Annaberg Ruins is an old sugar cane plantation from the time of the Danes, replete with a windmill from the old estate.
Activities:
Snorkeling
Boating
Deep sea fishing
Trails:
Annaberg Ruins Trail
Reef Bay Trail
Trunk Bay Trail
