The 10 Best Free Things to do in Virgin Islands National Park, St. John

March 14, 2022 Joeann Galban

Discover the best top things to do in Virgin Islands National Park, U.S. Virgin Islands including Cinnamon Bay Nature Trail, Annaberg Sugar Plantation, Reef Bay Trail, Leinster Bay, Waterlemon Cay, Hawksnest Beach, Salt Pond Bay, Jumbie Beach, Cinnamon Bay, Francis Bay Trail.

1. Cinnamon Bay Nature Trail

Virgin Islands National Park St. John
Excellent
52%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 88 reviews

Cinnamon Bay Nature Trail

Take a stroll along the self-guided Cinnamon Bay Nature Trail, which leads you through plantation ruins, tropical landscapes and scenic views of the Caribbean Sea.

Reviewed By MareO

There are many ways to experience the Cinnamon Bay Nature Trail. You can do the short, easy, interesting walk around the sugar plantation ruins, or you can hike up to the top of the 1.8 fairly steep trail and/or take the American Hill Trail off of the Cinnamon Bay Trail to the ruins of an old guest house with an interesting history and a fantastic view. This was my favorite part and I highly recommend the American Hill Trail. If you are looking for a longer, more challenging hike, some of my friends went up the even steeper Maria Hope Trail, connected via the road and hiked down the Cinnamon Bay Trail.

2. Annaberg Sugar Plantation

Leinster Bay Rd, Virgin Islands National Park 00830 St. John https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/prvi/pr42.htm
Excellent
48%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 419 reviews

Annaberg Sugar Plantation

The most accessible and best preserved of its type, this once-working sugar plantation (circa 1870) was the site of boiling molasses and hardworking slaves harvesting sugarcane, and which now offers visitors regular tours and living-history demonstrations.

Reviewed By JessBOrganized - Salt Lake City, United States

Good signs explain what the buildings used to be and it’s fun to wander around. Nice easy walk. Leave car in the parking lot and snorkel at Annaberg Beach; best coral and fish snorkeling.

3. Reef Bay Trail

Rte. 10, Virgin Islands National Park St. John +1 340-776-6201 http://www.nps.gov/archive/viis/VIIS/page8.html
Excellent
71%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 449 reviews

Reef Bay Trail

This 2.2-mile hiking trail is one of the best on St. John: descend through a shady, moist forest and a dry forest, through visible remains of four sugar mills, pass by pre-Columbian petroglyphs, and end at a beautiful, pristine beach.

Reviewed By 789jennien

The length of this trail may seem like child's play and it may still seem that way as it is downhill most of the way...until your return hike back. We are relatively in good shape, but the hike back up the mountain is a doozy. However, it is so so so worth it. Little waterfalls, big trees, hermit crabs, and secret beaches make you feel like you're alone on the island. We had an amazing experience and I would recommend it to anyone that isn't afraid to break a sweat!

4. Leinster Bay

1300 Cruz Bay Creek, St. John, VI 00830, Usvi 18. 363469, -64. 731270, Virgin Islands National Park 00830 St. John
Excellent
61%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 163 reviews

Leinster Bay

A rocky, windswept bay on the northern coast of St. John.

Reviewed By Beachgirl42 - Woodstock, United States

This was one of our favorite hikes. Beautiful walk and hike in. Encourage going the entire trail up to the Great House! Passed some sweet donkeys along the trail. Brilliant views. Snorkeled at Watermelon Cay afterwords. Gorgeous.

5. Waterlemon Cay

Water Lemon Cay Beach Virgin Islands National Park,, Virgin Islands National Park 00830 ‎ St. John
Excellent
77%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 923 reviews

Waterlemon Cay

A short swim from Leinster Bay, you'll find some of the best snorkeling on this small island, with its plethora of marine life.

Reviewed By GJL79 - Walkersville, United States

This is our favorite place to snorkel on St. John's. Wear sneakers and walk on a gentle hike for about a mile, from the Sugar Mill parking lot and then enjoy the beautiful view. Swim around the tiny island just offshore. The live coral is beautiful and there are lots of fish, sea turtles, birds and starfish to observe. Be sure to use plenty of sunscreen so you do not get sunburned. If you plan to picnic after your swim, be sure to either hang your bag in a nearby tree, carry it in a thick plastic cooler or leave your food in your car. The mongoose steal food from backpacks and plastic bags when no one is around.

6. Hawksnest Beach

N Shore Road, Virgin Islands National Park 00831 St. John
Excellent
68%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 605 reviews

Hawksnest Beach

This narrow, sea-grape-tree-lined stretch of sand is a popular beach on St John, especially for island residents, which offers gazebos for parties, barbecues or family get-togethers.

Reviewed By thouks1 - Fort Worth, United States

Ample parking right next to the beach, fine sand with decent snorkeling, snady bottom for swimming, gentle wave action, potential to swim over to Gibley / Oppenheimer Beach, picnic tables, restrooms and many beachside spots with shade. Only things missing are a beach bar and rental chairs, so bring your cooler, snacks and beach chairs.

7. Salt Pond Bay

Virgin Islands National Park St. John
Excellent
67%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 648 reviews

Salt Pond Bay

This scenic bay on St. John offers a secluded beach with good swimming and snorkeling, plus a graded hiking trail leading to and from the beach and picnic area.

Reviewed By BPKBroiler - McLean, United States

We made a great stop at Salt Pond Bay during our tour last week with Sonic Charters. It was a windy day, but Salt Pond was protected and the water completely calm. The beach itself is beautiful, with white sand and some shady areas with picnic tables if you are looking to bring a picnic lunch. There is a single, public bathroom, but no other services. We stopped at Lime Out in Coral Bay and took out lunch to eat on the beach. After lunch, we snorkeled in the crystal clear water and immediately found a stingray and two juvenile sea turtles. To the right side of the beach, there is excellent snorkeling with lots of fish and some coral. We definitely will return on our next trip.

8. Jumbie Beach

Virgin Islands National Park St. John
Excellent
57%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 195 reviews

Jumbie Beach

Located right across the bay from Trunk Bay, this small beach has great snorkeling and is an ideal spot to watch magnificent sunsets.

Reviewed By KathyS894 - Falls Church, United States

Jumbie is another one of the fabulous beaches on St. John, but it's a bit off the beaten path, so it's a quieter beach w/fewer people. While one can snorkel along the bank, we found the best snorkeling a bit further out, along the bank, but around the point. In the deeper water, we saw a nurse shark, Queen Triggerfish, Queen and Gray Angelfish, Jackknife Fish, grouper, and many more. Also more hard and soft corals in the slightly deeper water. Use care though - best to be a strong swimmer. Love Jumbie!

9. Cinnamon Bay

North Shore Road, Virgin Islands National Park 00830 St. John https://www.nps.gov/viis/planyourvisit/cinnamon-bay.htm
Excellent
70%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,169 reviews

Cinnamon Bay

Situated in the unspoiled island refuge, Virgin Islands National Park, this beach offers a variety of water sports from snorkeling and kayaking to sailing and windsurfing, plus a popular beachfront cottage and campsite complex.

Reviewed By SydVa

We loved this beach as much as Trunk bay. The views are incredible and the beach is longer than Trunk Bay. Not as heavily populated either. the Hurricanes have wiped out the campgrounds and showers, but they are working on restoring it as quickly as they can. In spite of the damage the views were amazing. When they have facilities up and running I imagine it will be as packed as Trunk Bay is. In the meantime enjoy it before all the folks find out what a gem this palce is!

10. Francis Bay Trail

Virgin Islands National Park St. John
Excellent
56%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 62 reviews

Francis Bay Trail

This nature trail is a good place for birdwatching.

Reviewed By Elephanteric - Fort Myers, United States

If you take the boardwalk instead of going directly to the beach from the parking lot or walk nearly all the way down the beach, you will come to a shaded picnic bench that is almost never occupied. When I was there with my family, we could see large, green turtles poking their heads above the water. We also snorkeled with them. This area is very secluded and is very beautiful. There are definitely bugs, so bring repellent. If you hike the full trail, you will also get to the bench. This area is great and genuinely my favorite beach on St. John and I loved seeing turtles, frigatebirds, and pelicans. Highly recommended.

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