Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Flora & Fauna
More than 30 species of tropical birds, including the bananaquit (or 'yellow bird', the of-
ficial bird of the Virgin Islands), hummingbirds and smooth-billed ani, nest in the park.
Lizards such as the green iguana and gecko, hawksbill turtles and an assortment of feral
animals and introduced species inhabit the park. Reef fish bring the island alive below the
water.
Largely regenerated after 18th-century logging and clearing, the island flora is a mix of
introduced species and native plants like the bay rum tree, whose aromatic leaves were a
principal ingredient in the Virgin Islands' cologne industry. Another curious native plant is
the night-blooming cereus; its vanilla scent attracts bats and moths to pollinate it by star-
light. The South Shore and East End are magnificent tropical dry forest; the Uplands and
West End get more rain.
Volunteering Programs
( 8am-1pm Tue & Thu, Nov-Apr)
A great way to give back to the park is by volun-
teering for trail or beach clean-ups; meet at the maintenance parking lot (it's well marked)
by the visitors center. Clean-ups also take place at Maho Bay and Cinnamon Bay beaches
during the same time frame on Thursdays.
DON NEAR: INTERPRETIVE RANGER
Near has worked at Virgin Islands National Park for 26 years.
Best trails for beginners
The Peace Hill Trail (
Click here
)
goes to an old windmill with panoramic views. The
Cinnamon Bay Loop Trail (
Click here
)
circles on a gentle grade through a bay rum
forest, starting and ending at sugar factory ruins.
Best trails for experienced hikers
The Reef Bay Trail (
Click here
)
has mill ruins and a side trip to pre-Columbian pet-
roglyphs. The 0.7-mile Tektite Trail climbs to cliffs overlooking a 1970s underwater
