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Jerry Pillarelli | profile | all galleries >> Travel and Nature; Sites by State >> US Travel; by Trip, by State >> Virgin Islands National Park – US Virgin Islands tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Virgin Islands National Park – US Virgin Islands

Images of Virgin Islands National Park – St. John, Virgin Islands, taken in April 2015.

Deep blue waters, pristine white sand beaches, tropical forests and an assortment of interesting plants and animals make up Virgin Islands National Park in the US Virgin Islands. Covering over 50% of the island of St. John the park that is primarily known for its beaches has a long history as a site for sugar and cotton plantations, the ruins of which are part of the park today.

The park stretches from the popular beaches to the mountainous inland regions with thick tropical forests surrounding narrow, steep and at times primitive roads. As the islands were once claimed by European settlers you also have to remember to drive on the left side of the road making ‘narrow and steep’ the least of your concerns.

Ultimately the views of the sand and water dominate the park landscape but the rich history and the interesting plant and animal life complete the experience. From a four foot by two foot above ground termite colony to a four foot long Iguana, there’s something new and interesting wherever you go in Virgin Islands National Park.
The park Visitor Center in the town of Cruz Bay in Virgin Islands National Park
The park Visitor Center in the town of Cruz Bay in Virgin Islands National Park 		Caneel Bay in Virgin Islands National Park
Caneel Bay in Virgin Islands National Park		 The US and Virgin Island flags fly in Virgin Islands National Park
The US and Virgin Island flags fly in Virgin Islands National Park		 A Sea Grape tree frames the view of Hawksnest Bay in Virgin Islands National Park
A Sea Grape tree frames the view of Hawksnest Bay in Virgin Islands National Park		 The clear waters of Hawksnest Bay in Virgin Islands National Park
The clear waters of Hawksnest Bay in Virgin Islands National Park
The view of St. Thomas from Peace Hill across Hawksnest Bay in Virgin Islands National Park
The view of St. Thomas from Peace Hill across Hawksnest Bay in Virgin Islands National Park		 The Annaberg Sugar Mill ruins in Virgin Islands National Park
The Annaberg Sugar Mill ruins in Virgin Islands National Park		 A Frangipani flower in Virgin Islands National Park
A Frangipani flower in Virgin Islands National Park		 The Annaberg Sugar Mill ruins in Virgin Islands National Park
The Annaberg Sugar Mill ruins in Virgin Islands National Park		 The Annaberg Sugar Mill ruins in Virgin Islands National Park
The Annaberg Sugar Mill ruins in Virgin Islands National Park
A flower in Virgin Islands National Park
A flower in Virgin Islands National Park		 Trunk Bay in Virgin Islands National Park
Trunk Bay in Virgin Islands National Park		 Trunk Cay and the Trunk Bay beach in Virgin Islands National Park
Trunk Cay and the Trunk Bay beach in Virgin Islands National Park		 Trunk Cay and the Trunk Bay beach in Virgin Islands National Park
Trunk Cay and the Trunk Bay beach in Virgin Islands National Park		 A Bird of Paradise flower in Virgin Islands National Park
A Bird of Paradise flower in Virgin Islands National Park
A Pipe Organ cactus overlooking the Great Cruz Bay in Virgin Islands National Park
A Pipe Organ cactus overlooking the Great Cruz Bay in Virgin Islands National Park		 Cinnamon Bay in Virgin Islands National Park
Cinnamon Bay in Virgin Islands National Park		 The waters of Cinnamon Bay in Virgin Islands National Park
The waters of Cinnamon Bay in Virgin Islands National Park		 The sun reflecting off the Cinnamon Bay waters in Virgin Islands National Park
The sun reflecting off the Cinnamon Bay waters in Virgin Islands National Park		 Alamanda flowers in Virgin Islands National Park
Alamanda flowers in Virgin Islands National Park
Francis Bay in Virgin Islands National Park
Francis Bay in Virgin Islands National Park		 An Iguana in Virgin Islands National Park
An Iguana in Virgin Islands National Park		 An Iguana makes its way up a tree in Virgin Islands National Park
An Iguana makes its way up a tree in Virgin Islands National Park		 An Iguana perched on a tree limb in Virgin Islands National Park
An Iguana perched on a tree limb in Virgin Islands National Park		 The sun reflected in the waters of Virgin Islands National Park
The sun reflected in the waters of Virgin Islands National Park
The Francis Bay Trail through a Mangrove forest in Virgin Islands National Park
The Francis Bay Trail through a Mangrove forest in Virgin Islands National Park		 A four foot tall above ground Termite colony along the Francis Bay Trail in Virgin Islands National Park
A four foot tall above ground Termite colony along the Francis Bay Trail in Virgin Islands National Park		 A White Heron catches a fish in the waters off Francis Bay in Virgin Islands National Park
A White Heron catches a fish in the waters off Francis Bay in Virgin Islands National Park		 A White Heron in the waters of Francis Bay in Virgin Islands National Park
A White Heron in the waters of Francis Bay in Virgin Islands National Park		 A White Heron feeds in Francis Bay in Virgin Islands National Park
A White Heron feeds in Francis Bay in Virgin Islands National Park
White Tailed Deer along the Francis Bay Trail in Virgin Islands National Park
White Tailed Deer along the Francis Bay Trail in Virgin Islands National Park		 Dried wood in a salt pond along the Francis Bay Trail in Virgin Islands National Park
Dried wood in a salt pond along the Francis Bay Trail in Virgin Islands National Park		 Coral Harbor on St. John Island in the US Virgin Islands
Coral Harbor on St. John Island in the US Virgin Islands		 Ram Head along the Ram Head Trail in Virgin Islands National Park
Ram Head along the Ram Head Trail in Virgin Islands National Park		 A Turk’s Cap Cactus in Virgin Islands National Park
A Turk’s Cap Cactus in Virgin Islands National Park
A beached Brain Coral along the Ram Head Trail in Virgin Islands National Park
A beached Brain Coral along the Ram Head Trail in Virgin Islands National Park		 Cactus growing from a rock along the Ram Head Trail in Virgin Islands National Park
Cactus growing from a rock along the Ram Head Trail in Virgin Islands National Park		 An Anole lizard camouflaged on a tree in Virgin Islands National Park
An Anole lizard camouflaged on a tree in Virgin Islands National Park		 Cruz Bay on St. John Island in the US Virgin Islands
Cruz Bay on St. John Island in the US Virgin Islands		 The Westin Resort in the Great Cruz Bay on St. John Island in the US Virgin Islands
The Westin Resort in the Great Cruz Bay on St. John Island in the US Virgin Islands
The Westin Resort in the Great Cruz Bay on St. John Island in the US Virgin Islands
The Westin Resort in the Great Cruz Bay on St. John Island in the US Virgin Islands		 A tiki torch at the Westin Resort in the Great Cruz Bay on St. John Island in the US Virgin Islands
A tiki torch at the Westin Resort in the Great Cruz Bay on St. John Island in the US Virgin Islands		 A view of the Great Cruz Bay on St. John Island in the US Virgin Islands
A view of the Great Cruz Bay on St. John Island in the US Virgin Islands		 Sunset from the Westin Resort in the Great Cruz Bay on St. John Island in the US Virgin Islands
Sunset from the Westin Resort in the Great Cruz Bay on St. John Island in the US Virgin Islands		 Sunset from the Westin Resort in the Great Cruz Bay on St. John Island in the US Virgin Islands
Sunset from the Westin Resort in the Great Cruz Bay on St. John Island in the US Virgin Islands

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Josh Goldie 27-Apr-2015 01:09
I was there 12-13 years ago. Looks like it's still just as beautiful. Did you make it out to Watermelon Bay? It was harder to get to and I remember it was mostly just large private yachts and a handful of people out there snorkeling.

Hope you enjoyed plenty of the local rum punch!
Barbara Diener 26-Apr-2015 21:03
Jerry, These are amazing photos. The color of the water is breathtaking.
Thank you for sharing these gorgeous shots of what mother nature has created for us to enjoy.
On to the next adventure.
Barbara
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