Virgin Islands National Park comprises three-quarters of St John, one of the islands that make up the United States Virgin Islands in the Carribeans, a thousand miles east of Miami, close to Puerto Rico. It is a tropical laid-back paradise of pearl-white beaches surrounded by steep verdant hills dropping down into turquoise bays full of coral reefs.
Laurence Rockefeller must have had a sense of "paradise found" when he first visited St John in the 1950s, for then he bought more than half the island and eventually donated to the federal government most of the land which is protected by the National Park.
The land however had a rich and less than peacefull human history of tribal wars, competition among the Danish, Dutch, English, and Spanish, and slave uprisals during a sugar plantation area of which centuries old ruin remains. The island was born of violent volcanic eruptions and uplifting which gave it a dramatic topography and a wide range of exposure and rainfall, creating large tracts of lush tropical forest laced with fragrant flowers, mangrove coasts, as well as desert-like enviroments. It it was then shaped present form by the building of coral reefs which together with the waves generated by the steady trade winds, created its perfect beaches.
Accommodations range anywhere from camping which is by far the least expensive and most adventurous way to stay, to cottages or bungalows, local hotels and villas. Villa Information see: Cruz Bay Villas
Camping is permitted only at Cinnamon Bay campground. Cinnamon Bay
has a restaurant which offers a fresh catch of fish daily for those who only
eat halal food, so food won't be a problem here.
Open all year round they can be reached by Phone at 340-776-6330.
Or visit the Camp Website
Cinnamon Bay Campgrounds offer Tent camping as well as Cottages.
Check them out, they are well worth the money. Remember you won't
want to stay in very much especially if you go with kids, so it's not
necessary to rent an elaborate place. You'll want to enjoy the Island and
spend your time relaxing in hidden spots you find as you trek across
the Park. But if you do decide to rent a Villa for more privacy I am sure
you'll enjoy that too (who wouldn't). If you prefer a hotel, try to book your
flights with hotel discount. Many online agency's do this today.
Located in the Island of St. John, Cruz Bay in the U.S. Virgin Islands is the perfect vacations spot for adventurous couples and family's with children. It's diverse beaches, coral reefs, historic ruins, and hiking trails provide endless hours of exploration and enjoyment. Cruz Bay offers a large variety of activities such as swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving; sailing, kayaking and windsurfing; and camping, hiking and bird watching. Some visitors explore the park on their own, while others prefer a two-hour safari bus island tour with a private tour guide. There are programs for just about any outdoor tropical Island adventurer. The park is huge covering 3/4 of the Island so you can find plenty of privacy on this getaway. For a detailed view of the park see the VIIS .pdf map
Temperatures range in the low 70s to upper 80s, December through April, and are slightly higher (mid 80s to mid 90s), May through November. Usually there is more rainfall July through January, while spring and early summer can be quite dry. On any given day, however, brief light rain showers are not uncommon.
Plan to stay at least a week to enjoy this tropical paradise.
