Nature of US Virgin Islands - national parks and reserves for active recreation

A vacation on the U.S. Virgin Islands – St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix – is quite expensive, but it is very pleasant to get acquainted with marvelous animals that are not scared of people. There are many iguanas on St. Thomas. It is hard to forecast their behavior in the countryside, but iguanas that live in towns, near beaches, and in the port are absolutely not afraid of people. Quite the opposite - these cute reptiles often approach people and ask for food. Vacationers in search of beautiful landscapes can explore the island on foot or can rent a bicycle or motorbike. Exotic tropical nature is perfect for leisure strolls too. Moreover, the islands are a safe place, so tourists do not need to worry about thieves or abusers. The economy of the islands depends on tourism, so local people care about their guests because without tourists their life will be a lot poorer.

Port waters of Charlotte Amalie – the capital of the islands – are protected from the sea by two small islands, Water Island and Hassel Island. The latter is a protected area – a national park – that still has fragments of a military camp dating back to the 19th century. Water Island is famous for its beaches that are popular with locals. It is also possible to explore local botanic gardens and visit the underground fort. St. Thomas is also rich in beautiful beaches, but it may be better to start your acquaintance with the island with a historical excursion to the main street of Charlotte Amalie. Tourists do not need to walk a lot during this excursion but can sample 10 dishes and drinks in several restaurants and shops. After this short tour, you will know the history of the city and its main streets.

A canoe ride on the Inner Mangrove Lagoon of St. Thomas is a fantastic way to see nature of the Caribbean Islands in its full splendor. Visitors pass small islands and reach two bigger uninhabited islands – Patricia Cay and Cas Cay. The program of the excursion includes a visit to a mangrove orchard, a stroll on a coral beach, watching pelican nesting areas, snorkeling, and admiring the flora and fauna of coral shallows. The excursion lasts 5 hours and starts from the Marine Lagoon (southeast of the island). There are also shorter excursions to the marine reserve and mangrove lagoons of St. Thomas. They last 2-3 hours but also offer much interesting – nesting areas of the brown pelican, blue and night heron, hummingbird, and booby. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The national park on St. John covers two-thirds of the island’s territory. This is a dense tropical forest. As the park is a protected area, it is prohibited to use this land for agriculture, and visitors can see the untouched tropical nature of the Caribbean. The vast majority of the island’s population lives in two big (by standards of the islands) towns – Cruz Bay and Coral Bay. There are many shops and restaurants here, and the annual carnival is the most famous local event. When it comes to outdoor recreation, tourists are welcome to explore the tropical forest, lagoons, and beaches.

Tourists can explore the island independently, but it is better to check the most popular excursion routes, sports and entertainment events first. Enjoy kayaking in Caneel Bay, explore the nearby forests with coconut palm trees and coral reefs, and stroll on tropical forest trails in search of wild deer. The excursion includes riding a boat, diving, and walking. It starts at 9 am and lasts 5 hours. All participants are provided with all the equipment they need. As a rule, groups consist of only several people and an English-speaking guide. The adventure starts at Caneel Bay.

A three-hour-long excursion to the protected part of St. John is a no less exciting tour. It starts in Cruz Bay (in the tourist center). This is a magnificent opportunity to get acquainted with marine creatures of the region, see coral reefs (includes scuba diving), and walk on the Lind Point trail along botanical gardens, a cinnamon grove, and a sugarcane plantation that dates back to the 18th century. An English-speaking guide tells many interesting stories about local flora and fauna, history and culture of the island. Lind Point Trail is a popular tourist route. It starts not far from the ferry. As the trail is not complex, it is easy to explore it individually – simply get a map of the area.

In Caneel Bay on St. John, there is a special place for newlyweds in the National Park of the Virgin Islands. To turn a honeymoon into an unforgettable adventure, there are special events at the newlyweds’ beach. One of these daily tours features a whole day full of leisure activities – canoeing, snorkeling, admiring underwater life, sunbathing, and relaxing in hammocks. Exploring the beauty of local coral reefs is an unforgettable adventure that tourists will remember for years to come. All excursions and diving tours fit beginners and not physically strong people.

It doesn’t matter, what activities you choose, don’t forget to take a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Ask about suitable clothes type in advance – the majority of excursions require clothes that you are not scared of making wet and a swimming suit. Car is the most comfortable way to explore the island, and tourists can rent a car or use taxi services. If you travel in a group of four people, it is cheaper to rent a car. There can be arguments with taxi drivers because they rarely want to make stops and simply want to get clients to their final destination while tourists want to explore the area better. It is a good idea to negotiate all the details and the price in advance.