To preserve the forested hills of St. John, Laurance Rockefeller
acquired nearly two-thirds of the island in the 1950s before
donating it to the
National Park Service, making it the easiest
Virgin Island on which to spot
Caribbean hummingbirds and iguanas.
See them on the ranger-led hike to Reef Bay Trail, a downhill trek
to the sea past native Taino petroglyphs, bay leaf trees, and sugar
mill ruins. A launch whisks hikers back to Cruz Bay, eliminating
the uphill trek back.
For some of the sea's best snorkeling, leave Trunk Bay to the
cruise ship crowds and make for Waterlemon Cay. It's a healthy swim
from shore to isle, but worth the effort to view tangs, rays, and
starfish.
Tidy, tiny Cruz Bay does its best to lure nature lovers into town
with unique shops and good restaurants, including the convivial
Fish Trap and romantic, hillside Asolare.
DETAILS: U.S.
Virgin Islands tourism, (800) 372-8784,
www.usvitourism.vi. Caneel
Bay, from $300, (888) 767-3966,
www.rosewoodhotels.com. Maho
Bay Camps, $110, (800) 392-9004,
www.maho.org. Virgin Islands National
Park, (340) 776-6201,
www.nps.gov/viis.
ELAINE GLUSAC is a Chicago-based writer and contributing
editor for
American Way magazine. Her work has appeared in
National Geographic Traveler,
Travel + Leisure,
Shape, and numerous other national magazines.
OFF THE BEATEN PATHS
Even the most-touristed Caribbean isles secret secluded corners.
Find them on:
•
Guadeloupe, in lush Parc National de la Guadeloupe in the
less-developed Basse-Terre wing of the island, where rainforest
trails reach mountain highs. (410) 286-8310,
www.franceguide.com