Where are the Virgin Islands?
Learn More about
Virgin Islands
Learn More about
Virgin Islands
Learn a bit about Virgin Islands National Park through these fun and interesting facts
Origin
Established in 1956 through a generous land donation by conservationist Laurance Rockefeller, the park was created to preserve the island’s natural beauty and historical significance.
Origin
Established in 1956 through a generous land donation by conservationist Laurance Rockefeller, the park was created to preserve the island’s natural beauty and historical significance.
Topography
The park’s terrain ranges from lush coastal rainforests and steep hillsides to coral reefs and pristine bays, showcasing an incredible variety of tropical ecosystems.
Topography
The park’s terrain ranges from lush coastal rainforests and steep hillsides to coral reefs and pristine bays, showcasing an incredible variety of tropical ecosystems.
Wildlife
Home to over 800 species of plants, 140 bird species, and countless marine animals including sea turtles, parrotfish, and nurse sharks in its coral reefs.
Wildlife
Home to over 800 species of plants, 140 bird species, and countless marine animals including sea turtles, parrotfish, and nurse sharks in its coral reefs.
History
The island’s ruins trace back to the 1700s sugar plantations built by enslaved Africans under Danish rule, a vital part of St. John’s cultural narrative.
History
The island’s ruins trace back to the 1700s sugar plantations built by enslaved Africans under Danish rule, a vital part of St. John’s cultural narrative.
Recreation
Visitors can enjoy hiking, snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, and beachcombing — with the famous underwater snorkeling trail at Trunk Bay being a highlight.
Recreation
Visitors can enjoy hiking, snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, and beachcombing — with the famous underwater snorkeling trail at Trunk Bay being a highlight.
Preservation
Over 5,500 acres of land and 5,600 acres of adjacent ocean are protected, ensuring the park remains one of the Caribbean’s most pristine natural havens.
Preservation
Over 5,500 acres of land and 5,600 acres of adjacent ocean are protected, ensuring the park remains one of the Caribbean’s most pristine natural havens.
Welcome to
Virgin Islands National Park
Virgin Islands National Park, located on the island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, is a dazzling blend of tropical beauty, cultural heritage, and pristine wilderness. With more than 60% of the island protected within the park, it offers a rare glimpse into untouched Caribbean paradise — where white-sand beaches meet lush rainforest trails and centuries-old ruins whisper stories of the past.
The park’s shoreline is world-renowned, from the iconic Trunk Bay — often ranked among the most beautiful beaches in the world — to the secluded coves of Salt Pond Bay and Leinster Bay. Beneath the surface, coral reefs teem with vibrant marine life, creating some of the best snorkeling and diving experiences in the Caribbean.
But beyond its postcard-perfect beaches, the park preserves the island’s complex history — from pre-Columbian Taino culture to Danish colonial sugar plantations. Visitors can hike through tropical forests, explore the ruins of Annaberg Plantation, or kayak through mangrove lagoons, discovering both the beauty and resilience that define this island’s story.
Whether you’re exploring underwater trails, sailing along the coast, or hiking the Reef Bay Trail to see ancient petroglyphs, Virgin Islands National Park embodies the magic of the Caribbean — wild, warm, and endlessly inviting.
