Looking for the best things to do in Virgin Islands National Park? From snorkeling to the best beaches and hiking, check out the best things to do in Virgin Islands National Park!

Why this blog? Hi there! My name is Maddy and I’ve worked as an outdoor guide and travel writer since 2018! When I was in college studying Neuroscience, I got it in my head that I would rather be a travel writer. Since then, I’ve lived in Armenia as a US Peace Corps Volunteer, worked as an overnight sea kayaking guide (which I still do!), hosted and guided dozens of women’s trips, and written all about treks and national parks throughout US. I’m from the Midwest originally, and this blog focuses on helping getting other Midwest folks outside!

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Best Things to do Virgin Islands National Park

The Virgin Islands National Park is on the traditional homelands of the Tiano Indigenous Nation. Please remember to recreate with care, including choosing to stay on trail, pack out all trash including toilet paper, orange peels, and items typically regarded as “biodegradable”, and take nothing with you. In addition, remember that wildlife should not be approached, and coral should not be touched including with flippers while snorkeling. Standing on coral damages the coral; for this reason only confident swimmers should snorkel here. Additionally, remember to wear a reef-safe sunscreen.

Note that water conservation is paramount on St. John Island.

From historic ruins and hiking trails to beaches and tours, check out the best things to do in Virgin Islands National Park:

1) Visit Cinnamon Bay Plantation Ruins

The Cinnamon Bay Plantation Ruins are overgrown with moss and ferns, and date back to the plantation era of St. John Island. These ruins can be accessed via a quick walk from Cinnamon Bay, and are one of the most interesting spots in Virgin Islands National Park.

Cinnamon Bay was likely once home to an Indigenous Tiano culture according archeological evidence. The Danish occupied St. John Island in the 1700s and established sugar plantations. On these plantations, they used people kidnapped from their homeland in Africa for forced labor. The 1733 St. John slave insurrection in which 150 enslaved people from present-day Ghana (Akwamu Empire) revolted against the Danish, portions of the property burned.

The insurrection, ultimately unsuccessful, was defeated by armed troops sent from Martinique. Nonetheless, the insurrection lasted for several months and is one of the earliest revolts of enslaved peoples in the Americas.

2) Snorkel the Trunk Bay Snorkel Trail

Below the iconic overlook of Trunk Bay not only can you find one of the best beaches in the Virgin Islands, but you can also find the unique and informative Trunk Bay Snorkel Trial. This short underwater loop includes interpretive signs, so you can learn about what you’re seeing as you snorkel.

As one of the most popular places in Virgin Islands National Park, Trunk Bay is likely to be crowded. That said, popular things are popular for a reason, and it’s worth heading out to Trunk Bay and packing a little extra patience for the crowds. If a private experience is important to you, check out a day trip yacht excursion to snorkel and explore more secluded coves.

3) Hike Ram Head

If you’re looking for one of the best and most beautiful hiking trails in Virgin Islands National Park, check out the Ram Head Hike (also called the Salt Pond Bay Trail) at the southernmost point of St. John Island. This nearly three-mile hike winds up and over a few hills, past cactus and wind-worn hills, with the open Atlantic on one side and the protected bay on the other, making for a really beautiful and dramatic contrast.

Ram Head hiking trail is generally considered moderate in difficulty. Keep an eye out for cacti, sea turtles and other wildlife as you hike. To avoid crowds, consider arriving earlier in the morning or mid-afternoon.

READ: Best Hiking Trails in Virgin Islands National Park

4) Swim at Cinnamon Bay Beach

Cinnamon Bay Beach is considered by many to be the prettiest beach in Virgin Islands National Park, and you can actually camp here! Whether you want to tent it, or have a more glamping-adjacent experience, both are options at Cinnamon Bay Beach.

Cinnamon Bay Beach is the longest beach in the Virgin Islands.

5) Visit American Hill

Located between Cinnamon Bay Beach and Maho Bay Beach, American Hill Ruins make for a historic and interesting stop in Virgin Islands National Park. Hop on the trail to reach American Hill from the Cinnamon Bay Trail and hike to the ruins.

6) Book a snorkeling Boat Tour

One of the best things to do on St. John and St. Thomas Islands is to snorkel, whether in the national park or outside of it. The waters here are clear and blue and home to a variety of species included sea turtles, and one of the best ways to experience the snorkeling is from a boat to access hidden beaches and secluded coves.

Here are a few snorkel tour options in the US Virgin Islands:

• St. Thomas: Sailing Trip with Snorkeling, Breakfast, & Lunch
• St. Thomas-St. John: Snorkeling & Beach Catamaran Tour
• St. Thomas: Private 50-Foot Voyage 500 Catamaran Sail (Below Deck vibes)
• St. Thomas & St. John: Snorkeling and Beaches Boat Tour

7) Visit Maho Beach

For another great beach in Virgin Islands National Park, check out Maho Bay Beach. This is a relatively small beach but known to be a good place to observe sea turtles. When snorkeling, be sure to avoid touching coral as it can damage and kill the coral, and stay a respectful distance from wildlife including sea turtles (never follow or chase turtles!).

8) Snorkel Waterlemon Cay

If you’re looking for an incredible adventure in Virgin Islands National Park with less crowds, head over to Waterlemon Cay and Lenister Bay. This combination hike and snorkel adventure is often considered to be one of the best places to snorkel in the Virgin Islands, but note that there is a strong tidal current that runs off the end of the Cay.

This is considered an intermediate route. When in doubt, head back to shore, and always snorkel with a buddy!

9) Visit Annaberg Sugar Plantation Ruins

The Annaberg Sugar Plantation ruins are a really beautiful historic spot in Virgin Islands National Park. One of the largest ruin complexes in the national park, the Annaberg Ruins saw over 600 enslaved African people working under extremely harsh conditions according to the US National Parks Service.

Here, sugar was processed from cane. The Ruins serve as a place on the island to learn about the history, including the historical injustices and wrongdoings in the Virgin Islands.

10) Hike to Danish Guardhouse Ruins

The less than one mile Lenister Bay Trail is one of the best things to do on St. John island in a relatively easy hike. In fact, in order to reach the snorkeling at Waterlemon Cay, you’ll have to hike at least a portion of this trail. This first portion is a great place to watch for wildlife. The part of this trail I really loved was the Danish Guardhouse Ruins along the Johnny Horn Trail.

Personally this was one of my favorite spots in Virgin Islands National Park, partially because the view was really nice but also because of the significant history. Lenister Bay was the place which enslaved people seeking freedom launched multiple escapes and attempted escapes from this point in effort to reach Tortula in the British Virgin Islands, which had abolished slavery sooner. According to Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park, it’s estimated that over 100 people successfully escaped and the spot is now recognized in the National Park Service Network to Freedom Program.

11) Drive the North Shore Road

Route 20 on St. John Island, also known as the North Shore Road, offers a number of scenic views of Caribbean coves and beaches as well as opportunities to spot wildlife (or donkeys!) who we were told are descended from the original work animals from hundreds of years ago.

On St. John, driving is done on the left side of the road (the steering wheel is also on the left). The roads are winding with curves, so drive with care and be considerate of local drivers, who will likely have somewhere to be.

12) Catch a sunset

St. John Island is beautiful any time of day, but it is truly a gorgeous place to catch a sunset. Whether you enjoy the last hours of the day from a beach, hiking trail, or your vacation rental, you’re sure to be in for a show.

13) Book a Kayak Tour

One of my favorite things I did with my family while visiting Virgin Islands National Park was a kayak and snorkel day trip with Arawak Expeditions. This was a super fun and involved way to experience the Virgin Islands.

Where to stay near Virgin Islands National Park:

Virgin Islands National Park is located on St. John Island in the US Virgin Islands. To visit the park, you’ll need to fly in to St. Thomas Island, then take a ferry to St. John Island. It’s possible to visit while staying on St. Thomas and tends to be cheaper, but for more time experiencing Virgin Islands National Park I recommend base camping on St. John Island. Here are a few places to stay near Virgin Islands National Park:

• Camping at Cinnamon Bay; glamping, cottages, tent rental, bare tent pads, St. John Island
• Westin Resort Villas, St. John Island
• St. John Inn, St. John Island
• Buoy Haus Beach Resort, St. Thomas
• Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, St. Thomas

Another option is to book a VRBO or Airbnb in the islands.

What to pack for a Virgin Islands National Park hiking trip:

Flying into a tropical vacation where your hoping to adventure it can be tough to know what to pack! Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

• A 40-L water resistant duffle
• Quick-dry shorts (2-3)
• Swimsuits you like!
• A sun hoodie or two
• Quick-dry tank tops
• loose fitting hiking pants
• A collapsable day pack
• hiking sandals
• packable hiking shoes
• binoculars for wildlife sightings
• solid socks
• A thin fleece hoodie for early mornings and late nights
• Reef-safe sunscreen: mineral sunscreens are considered reef safe

Looking for adventurous vacation ideas? Check out…

• Backpack Arizona’s iconic Havasu Falls Trail
• Plan a trip to explore Moab, Utah
• Love remote and little-visited National Parks? Check out the remote Isle Royale National Park

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