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- Reef Bay petroglyphs and ruins — The Reef Bay Trail drops you through shady dry forest to Taino petroglyphs carved into the rock and the remains of old plantation terraces and stonework. The combination of archaeology tucked into a jungle setting makes this feel like a proper time-capsule hike, different from the “pretty view” routes you get elsewhere.
- Reef Bay waterfall — Tucked near the trail’s end, a freshwater cascade is a surprisingly lush payoff after a heat-soaked walk, and a great place to sit and cool off. The contrast of tropical forest, fresh water and the Caribbean beyond is a rare mix on island hikes.
- Bordeaux Mountain summit — The park’s highest point gives sweeping panoramas of St. John, neighboring islands and the reef-studded sea. The effort to climb through winding singletrack
- Reef Bay petroglyphs and ruins — The Reef Bay Trail drops you through shady dry forest to Taino petroglyphs carved into the rock and the remains of old plantation terraces and stonework. The combination of archaeology tucked into a jungle setting makes this feel like a proper time-capsule hike, different from the “pretty view” routes you get elsewhere.
- Reef Bay waterfall — Tucked near the trail’s end, a freshwater cascade is a surprisingly lush payoff after a heat-soaked walk, and a great place to sit and cool off. The contrast of tropical forest, fresh water and the Caribbean beyond is a rare mix on island hikes.
- Bordeaux Mountain summit — The park’s highest point gives sweeping panoramas of St. John, neighboring islands and the reef-studded sea. The effort to climb through winding singletrack is rewarded with some of the clearest, most dramatic vantage points in the park.
- Trunk Bay lookout and underwater snorkel trail — From the trail above you get that iconic view of the crescent white sand and turquoise water; if you drop down, the snorkel trail with marked stations shows off healthy reef and easy marine life encounters. It’s the classic Caribbean beach-and-reef combo, but accessible directly from park trails.
- Annaberg sugar plantation ruins — Old windmill towers, stone buildings and interpretive signs tell the human story of the islands — sugar, enslaved labor, and colonial economics. It’s a cultural stop that puts the landscape in historical context, so the hike becomes about more than just scenery.
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St John Island Sightseeing Tour
St Thomas Full-Day Boat Rental 37' Intrepid Powerboat
St John Island and Trunk Bay Beach Tour
National Park & Surrounding Cays Sunset Sail
Half-Day Excursion to Trunk Bay Beach
Budget Trunk Bay Beach with Scenic Stops
St. Thomas and St. John Two Day Tour
Private St John Tour including Trunk Bay
Explore St. John Private Full Day Island Tour
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.