Virgin Islands National Park

Contact Information

Address
Virgin Islands National Park
1300 Cruz Bay Creek
St. John, VI 00830

Web site: www.nps.gov/viis/index.htm
E-mail: viis_superintendent@nps.gov

Telephone
Visitor Information: (340) 776-6201

Directions
On St. John, access the Park via North Shore or Centerline Roads.

Transportation

To the park: Hourly ferry service from Red Hook, St. Thomas (a 20-minute ride), is available to St. John and operates from 6:30 a.m., then on the hour from 7 a.m. to midnight. Ferry service from St. John to St. Thomas runs on the hour from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Less frequent ferries travel between Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas and St. John (a 45-minute ride).

Getting There: Major airlines fly from the U.S. mainland to St. Thomas and St. Croix; flights also land in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where connecting flights can be taken. Many cruise lines serve the islands.

Getting Around
There are several ways to get around and enjoy the spectacular beauty of St. John.

Cars and jeeps can be rented in Cruz Bay. On St. John, and throughout the Virgin Islands, all driving is on the left side of the road. The park's mountain roads are narrow and winding. More than half of St. John is national park land; the rest is small towns, shops, homes, and undeveloped territorial or private lands.

Two-hour guided island tours begin and end at the public ferry dock. They stop at overlooks with panoramic views of the beaches and surrounding hillsides and at historic ruins such as Annaberg Sugar Plantation. Departing from the public ferry dock, regular taxi and safari bus transportation is available to north shore beaches.

Island Accommodations & Services
Besides the two campgrounds, St. John has a range of accommodations to fit any budget: guest houses, homes for rent, and exclusive beach resorts such as Caneel Bay, built by Laurance Rockefeller among the ruins of an old Danish sugar plantation. Cruz Bay has grocery stores, restaurants, gasoline stations, marina, post office, bank, laundry. Immigration and Customs, police station, and first aid clinic. It's a good place to stock up on food, drinks, and other supplies before heading out into the park. Several picnic areas are located on beaches around the island. Each has tables, grills, and restrooms.

Campgrounds

Cinnamon Bay Campground is the only place to camp on parkland. Accommodations include bare tent sites, sites with tent-covered platforms already set up, and cottages. Prepared sites and cottages are equipped with cooking supplies and linens. There is also a camp store with food, other supplies, and a cafeteria. Reservations can be made by writing Cinnamon Bay Campground, P.O. Box 720, Cruz Bay, St. John, VI 00831-0720, or by calling (809) 776-6330 or (800) 539-9998.

Maho Bay Campground is a privately run camp with "tent-cabins" containing cooking supplies. Facilities include a camp store and central dining area where meals are served. For more information, write: Maho Bay Campground, 17A East 73rd Street, New York, NY 10021, or call (809) 776-6226 or (800) 392-9004.

Visitor Center
Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Contact Station is temporarily located across from the public ferry dock in Cruz Bay, in the foyer of the Morris de Castro Clinic, while construction of the new visitor center and administrative offices is under way. The Visitor Contact Station is an ideal place to begin your park explorations. Park rangers will provide you with maps, brochures, and the latest activity schedule, as well as answer your questions and help you plan your visit. A sales area operated by Eastern National Cooperating Association offers a broad selection of books about the natural and cultural history of the area.

A short walk from the public ferry dock, the Cruz Bay Visitor Center is open daily. This is the place to start your park explorations; the center contains exhibits, a park video, brochures, maps, and books. Park rangers can help you plan your visit, which may include island hikes, historical tours, snorkeling, cultural craft demonstrations, and evening campground programs. Advance registration and transportation fees are required in some cases; schedules are available at the visitor center.

Weather
The Virgin Islands, just 18° north of the equator, has a true tropical climate. The peak period for visiting is January through April. However, some of the best snorkeling is in early summer, when the winds are calm and the water flat. Summer daytime temperatures range from the high 80s to low 90s, and winter temperatures range from the high 70s to low 80s. Expect rain all year long, with October and November being the wettest months, and February and March being the driest. Hurricane season centers around August and September.