The Virgin Islands National Park is a true tropical paradise. Located on the island of St. John, this US National Park boasts pristine white-sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, lush tropical forests, and some of the most stunning coral reefs in the Caribbean. Here’s what you need to know to plan your perfect trip to the Virgin Islands National Park.
How to get to the U.S. Virgin Islands National Park
Those travelling from the main land of the United States will need to fly to St. Croix or St. Thomas.
I am finding that most flights from major U.S. cities have one connection along this journey.
Most airlines will stop in Orlando or Miami before taking passengers to the Virgin Islands. I have seen roudtrip flights from Miami as low as $218 per person in 2023.
The most common, major air carriers from the main land to the Virgin Islands seem to be Jet Blue and American Airlines. Spirit airlines does offer some flights, but they are often not the least expensive.
Arrival at the U.S. Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands National Park is located on the island of St. John, which is accessible by ferry from both St. Thomas and St. Croix.
The most popular way to get to St. John is by taking a ferry from Red Hook on St. Thomas, which takes about 20 minutes.
Once on St. John, you can rent a car, take a taxi, or use the park’s shuttle service to get around. We suggest you rent a car to tour this National Park. There are many different hiking trails and beaches that will best be accessed with your personal vehicle.
Another route to the Virgin Islands National Park
An alternative option for those who would enjoy a very brief visit to Virgin Islands National Park is to take a cruise excursion. Most major cruise lines, such as Disney, Carnival, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean, use St. Thomas (U.S.V.I) as a major port-of-call.
When they dock in St. Thomas, these cruise lines will offer guided excursions to Trunk Bay, a beautiful beach on St. John and inside of Virgin Islands National Park. Do carefully read the itinerary to ensure that you will have the experience you want in this national park.
Another option that may be a similar cost but will likely offer you more flexibility to tour the national park is to book a private charter boat. You can take pre-book this experience which offers your family a rate of about $225 per person for a full day of flexibility and access to St. John, Virgin Islands National Park. They will pick you up in St. Thomas, where the cruise ship docks, and take you to the park.
Given the high costs of excursions around the Virgin Islands, the price and flexibility of this option seems like an unbeatable way to enjoy the National Park!
Why a cruise that docks in the U.S. Virgin Islands may be the cheapest way to access the National Park
What we like about the cruise option is the value. A family of four can take a cruise that docks at St. Thomas for as low as $2800 in the off-season to $4000 in peak season. This covers transportation to the the Virgin Islands, rooms, food, and most entertainment.
If you can get yourself to a major port city on airline points, which is usually inexpensive due to the frequency of flights to Miami or Orlando, your cruise price can be your trip’s total price tag!
On the other hand, if you fly to St. Thomas, and then head over to St. John to enjoy the national park, a family of four is likely to pay at least $900 in flights alone. Once you add in food, lodging, and a car rental, your minimum, off-season cost – unless you camp on the beach – will far exceed $3800 for the trip.
Always weigh your options and choose what works the best for your family needs. I am just here to offer options! For more tips and tricks for budget family travel, visit the Families Fly Free program.
Things to Do
- Explore the Beaches: With over 5,000 acres of protected land and over 5 miles of coastline, the Virgin Islands National Park is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Some of the most popular beaches include Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay, and Hawksnest Bay. These beaches are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, and enjoying the stunning views of the Caribbean Sea.
- Snorkeling and Scuba Diving: The Virgin Islands National Park is home to some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the Caribbean making it an ideal spot for snorkeling and scuba diving. Trunk Bay is one of the most popular spots for snorkeling with a marked underwater trail that guides you through the coral reef. There are also many scuba diving companies that offer guided tours of the reefs.
- Hiking: The Virgin Islands National Park offers a variety of hiking trails that range in difficulty from easy to strenuous. Some of the most popular trails include the Reef Bay Trail, the Ram Head Trail, and the Cinnamon Bay Trail. These trails will take you through lush tropical forests, past historical ruins, and to stunning viewpoints overlooking the Caribbean Sea.
- Historical Ruins: The Virgin Islands National Park is home to a rich history, with many ruins and historical sites dating back to the island’s colonial past. Some of the most popular sites include the Annaberg Sugar Plantation and the Cinnamon Bay Plantation. These sites offer a glimpse into the island’s history and are a must-visit for history buffs.
- Wildlife Watching: The Virgin Islands National Park is home to a variety of wildlife, including sea turtles, iguanas, and over 200 species of birds. Take a guided tour to learn about the park’s wildlife and the efforts being made to protect it.
Where to Stay
The Virgin Islands National Park offers several camping options, including backcountry camping and car camping. There are also several private villas and hotels located on the island of St. John. For those who prefer to stay on St. Thomas or St. Croix, there are several hotels and resorts that offer day trips to the Virgin Islands National Park.
Combined National Park Tours
Some people with goals to visit all of our national parks choose to combine their visits to the U.S. Virgin Islands National Park with visits to Florida’s three parks: Dry Tortugas, Everglades, and Biscayne. If this is your goal, be sure to consider the time it takes to get to St. John.
We suggest you plan for a day of travel both to and from the island. The route we would take to visit all four parks would likely be:
- Day 1 – Fly to Miami & start touring Biscayne National Park.
- Day 2 – Morning in Biscayne, then drive to Key West.
- Day 3 – Dry Tortugas tour, and spend night in Key West.
- Day 4 – Drive to Flamingo region of Everglades, stop at visitor center, do two short hikes.
- Day 5 – Do two tours in Everglades, then drive to Miami in the evening.
- Day 6 – Fly to St. Thomas.
- Day 7 – Ferry to St. John, rent car, explore park.
- Day 8 – Explore park, and enjoy beach.
- Day 9 – Ferry back to St. Thomas.
- Day 10 – Fly from St. Thomas to home airport.
A family trip to the Virgin Islands National Park will be one to remember. With the beautiful beaches, challenging hikes, and historic ruins, there is fun for everyone in your tour group. However you choose to enjoy this park, it will be worth the bucket-list adventure!
