Virgin Islands Hiking and Snorkeling

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Distance: 3 miles

Elevation Gain: 300 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 110 feet

We gather on St. Thomas Island, home to the airport, then transfer with our jeep to the more remote St. John's Island. Our first hike is on the west side and takes us to Honeymoon Beach. This beach is currently only accessible by foot so there are rarely many people there. Be sure to always have a swim suit handy, as who can resist the turquoise blue water? After our return hike and a visit to the only national park visitor center, we drive the length of the island to our home on the east side for all 4 nights. The Eco resort is secluded and basic, but has all we need for an ideal active beach vacation.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Distance: 4 miles

Elevation Gain: 670 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 130 feet

Focusing on the east side of the island, we have a unique point to point hike planned. We enlist a local guide to share the knowledge of history and biology of the island as we take a little used trail. We'll hike over a ridge to the secluded Brown Bay, then continue west. We meet up with the Johnny Horne trail that takes us to plantation ruins high on a hill overlooking Waterlemon Bay. We will likely have this trail to ourselves. We'll descend to the bay to walk along the shoreline to the Anaberg Historic District. This is a fascinating, well maintained view of former sugar plantation life on the island. After lunch at the plantation, we transfer to Trunk Bay to explore the only underwater trail in the park. Equipment and snorkel lessons are provided. Relax on the white sand beach, as we are in no hurry to get anywhere.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Distance: 7 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,600 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 350 feet

Today is our only all day hike, but don't worry, we still enjoy a couple beaches. We start from Centerline Road on the spine of the island, and descend around Dubloon Hill to Reef Bay Beach. There are ruins of a sugar mill near the shore and a beautiful sandy beach with no road access. When we've had our fill exploring the area and the water, we return to the north shore via the Reef Bay Trail. This is undoubtedly the best maintained trail on the island and there are likely to be other hikers. A short side trail takes us to ancient Taino petroglyphs on our way back past more plantation ruins to Centerline Road. Up and over the road, we continue north, back down to sea level at Maho Bay. This is a more popular beach with snack shacks, boogie board rentals and parking lots. We'll have some time to enjoy the beach before returning to our ecoresort.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Distance: 4 miles

Elevation Gain: 520 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 65 feet

We focus on the southern tip of the island today, starting with a trail straight from our resort. The trail goes around Salt Bond Bay and climbs over a ridge to walk along Blue Cobblestone Beach, with views of the open ocean and the underwater Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument. We continue to the peninsula head called Rams Head for spectacular views all around. On our return, we have the whole afternoon to enjoy Salt Pond Bay. This is considered one of the best snorkeling sites on the island and we are likely to see turtles, rays and countless fish. The afternoon is open ended as you can return to the resort when ever you like.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Distance: 2.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 300 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 80 feet

For our last day on the island we must return to the east side, and on the way we have one more spectacular hike. We'll start from the Centerline Road again and hike along the ridgetop. Over Margaret Hill, then over Caneel Hill. Although the vegetation is pretty thick, there is a wonderfull viewing platform on top of the hill. The trail continues down Caneel Hill all the way into Cruz Bay, where we can enjoy an ice cream or smoothy, and even a last swim in Cruz Bay before our ferry return to St. Thomas and our drop off at Charlotte Amalie.