Top 10 Nature & Parks in U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands

December 6, 2021 Nicolette Lion

Made up of St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas, the laidback USVI offer sophisticated dining, turquoise waters and quaint towns. On St. Croix, Christiansted's colorful Danish Colonial buildings provide a lovely backdrop for dining or sailing. Underwater coral gardens are heaven for divers. On St. Thomas, shopping mecca Charlotte Amalie has hopping nightlife. Tranquil St. John offers quiet trails, secluded coves and lively Cruz Bay's shops and bars. Ferries and local air services link the islands.
Restaurants in U.S. Virgin Islands

1. Hassel Island

5332 Raadets Gade, 00802-6903 St. Thomas +1 340-774-5541 http://StThomasHistoricalTrust.org
Excellent
86%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 72 reviews

Hassel Island

A haven for hikers, more than 135 acres of this island located in Charlotte Amalie harbor is part of the Virgin Islands National Park.

Reviewed By Reisiger1223 - Alexandria, United States

While official tours to the island are temporarily halted, you can get over to the island by making arrangements with a dive shop or through a kayak rental company. It is well worth the trouble if you enjoy history, as the island has plenty! From Danish batteries that became British forts that became American signaling stations, old German (Hamburg America Lines) coaling stations, old Royal Mail Steam Packet Company wharfs, to the best preserved marine railway in the Western Hemisphere, the history is everywhere. If kayaking, I recommend staying to the protected waters on the northern end of the island, as the waters around the southern portion are quite choppy. I also recommend going as early as possible to avoid harbor marine (to include seaplane) traffic.

2. Salomon Beach

Outside of Cruz Bay, off route 10, down trail St. John
Excellent
82%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 184 reviews

Salomon Beach

Reviewed By cebirch25

This beautiful and tranquil little beach is just a short hike off Lind Point Trail. Its definitely worth the hike and you are rewarded with a calming, beautiful beach. We loved this place, even had a little picnic on the beach.

3. Ram Head Trail

St John, US Virgin Islands, 00830 St. John
Excellent
83%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 327 reviews

Ram Head Trail

Reviewed By leighi2019 - Greenville, United States

Awesome Hike with Awesome Views! I recommend tennis shoes or hiking boots. Best for early morning or late afternoon as it gets hot-amazing views. Landscape dotted with cactus along the way. Our favorite hike while in St John! Hit the Salt Pond beach afterwards! Others have provided information on where to park and how to get to the hike. Very cool to cross over the Blue Cobblestone Beach on the way up!

4. Maho Bay Beach

Cruz Bay St. John
Excellent
80%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,679 reviews

Maho Bay Beach

Reviewed By LR417 - Barnegat, United States

This beach is absolutely beautiful. However, snorkeling is only average as there is virtually no coral. No schools of brightly colored tropical fish. However, turtles, sting rays and some large fish were sighted. The beach offers a bar, refreshments and rudimentary bathroom facilities. The taxi ride from the ferry in St John also offered glimpses of other pretty west side beaches.

5. Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden

Rt. 334 Bishop Drive Just East Of Rt. 33 Intersection, 00802 St. Thomas +1 340-774-2916 [email protected] http://www.stthomasbotanicalgarden.com
Excellent
81%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 174 reviews

Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden

We are open on Thursday, Friday, Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00-4:00. We look forward to sharing Phantasea with our visitors and locals. The garden is full of beautiful blooming orchids, bromeliads, lilies, palms, and more. . Come and relax in the calming serenity of nature as lizards scurry about and butterflies and birds fly throughout the garden. Stop and rest in our Balinese gazebo or at our other seating areas. Visit our resident wildlife - parrots, tortoises, peacocks and chickens - and learn about the garden plants and inhabitants with our interpretive signs. Approx. 45 minutes - one hour average time to visit. Great for children and families. Cold water, tropical juices and snacks for sale. Blooming orchids and tillaandsias (air plants) also for sale. Cash and credit cards accepted. Easy to find, just follow the signs posted along the roadways , or use Google maps.(DO NOT use GPS!)

Reviewed By O1172QQamyt

This is a beautiful tropical garden with views overlooking the water. Make sure to use Google maps to find it! The current hours are weekends only (which we didn't know until we called on a Monday), but the owner was close by and actually let us come in for a private experience! The owner was so friendly and accommodating, sharing her love for gardening and knowledge of plants. You'll also get to spot some local birds, banaquits and hummingbirds. Such a beautiful place, I would definitely recommend visiting on your next trip to St. Thomas!

6. Coral Bay

St. John +1 860-287-7956 http://www.sailpoetslounge.com
Excellent
71%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 204 reviews

Coral Bay

A home decidedly away from home for a number of U.S. expats who now reside in this eclectic community.

Reviewed By Cosmopolitan724616 - Wailea, United States

Peaceful, gorgeous location. aqua bistro for the best food take out we thought. zemi had the coolest most unique jewelery on the island, and the best prices. beaches are just about as close from this side. you do need a vehicle, a jeep most likely. miss lucy's is great for a laid back meal on the water. flyaway charters leaves for private boat snorkel tours out of coral bay and was the best snorkeling we have done anywhere. we hit cruz bay about once a week for a meal, gas and extra food shopping but didn't miss the crowds of tourists at all. if you are coming to party stay in cruz bay. if you want to enjoy the natural splendor of st john and try to enjoy the local culture when you travel, coral bay will give you more of that.

7. Trunk Bay Beach

N Shore Rd, Virgin Islands National Park 00830 St. John https://www.nps.gov/viis/planyourvisit/placestogo.htm
Excellent
75%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,000 reviews

Trunk Bay Beach

The good news: this world-class stretch of white sand and turquoise water is St. John's most photographed beach, which features a marked underwater trail for beginning snorkelers. The bad news: because of its popularity, it can get very crowded with cruise ship passengers and members of sightseeing tours.

Reviewed By Sinceshea - New Jersey, United States

We go to trunk bay from St Thomas quite often for the beautiful clear water, terrific snorkeling path and amenities such as bar, showers and lunch if desired. The snorkeling trail is comprised of monuments affixed to the ocean floor explaining what sights are in immediate view, i.e. coral, fish species etc. The monuments are some 20 feet deep however can be clearly seen in the crystal clear waters. Sargassum (sea weed) has plagued a number of beaches in the VI but not Trunk. After your visit to the beach, you can shower up and hit the great happy hour spots on St John. It’s a great day! Returning in 6 weeks again for the 5th time.

8. Water Island

St. Thomas +1 340-774-1340 [email protected] http://www.usvi.net/water/index.html
Excellent
73%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 499 reviews

Water Island

The fourth largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, this quiet 492-acre island, located in Charlotte Amalie harbor, beckons those who want to stroll its beaches, bike amid its green hills, and view birds, iguana, turtles and other wildlife that make this lovely paradise their home.

Reviewed By cwD7581YP - Bear Creek, United States

We have been coming to St Thomas for years, but this was the first year visiting Water Island. It is a short ferry ride from Crown Point harbor (ferry fills up fast so get in line early)......the island itself is nice, with a free shuttle to the beach and convenient golf cart rentals right at the pier. The golf cart is worth it if you want explore the island - there are great spots for panoramic pics from the higher parts of the island, as well as an old unfinished fort at the very top. The beach is great, with chairs/umbrellas and 2 different spots to to purchase food/drink. We will definitely be adding this as one of our regular spots for future visits.

9. Sapphire Beach

St. Thomas
Excellent
55%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,970 reviews

Sapphire Beach

A favorite of windsurfers, the beach has fine white sand and beautiful views of St. John and offshore cays, and offers excellent snorkeling at the reef to the east, near Pettyklip Point.

Reviewed By reedmangreg - Chicago, United States

With many great beaches to choose from I would say Sapphire and Megans were my favorite in our 7 nights on St Thomas - we stayed at the Sapphire Beach Resort for 4 nights and having this beauty right in front of us was a blessing :) We did try some other beaches but this one packs everything great in one like no other in St Thomas - you have a nice beach bar and a great coffee/breakfast place on the spot, plenty of shade, peaceful water and soft sand, good for sunsets (despite being on the side) and the chickens/iguanas roaming around - it's the real Caribbean deal :) TIP: it's a free beach and appears to be part of the condo/resort area but it welcomes visitors as well so don't be shy, otherwise you will miss out on something great!

10. Cane Bay

St. Croix
Excellent
58%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 379 reviews

Cane Bay

Located on St. Croix's north shore, the waters are not always gentle along this palm-tree-lined beach, but scuba diving and snorkeling are very popular here where less than 200 yards out is the drop-off called Cane Bay Wall.

Reviewed By EmKay823 - Aubrey, United States

We nicknamed this beach, sunburn beach. We did not anticipate the sun to be this ... sunny. It was a great beach. Not too many people - we went on a Monday - so it was easy to find a good stop to lay and play for the afternoon. Snorkeling was great as well. Kids and husband said it was really cool! Bring the sunscreen!

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