- Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Center: Right at the ferry dock, this is where you pick up trail maps, check ranger programs and ask about current conditions on the trails and beaches. Go in the morning before heading out. It is free and takes 20 to 30 minutes.
- Mongoose Junction: A shopping and eating complex built of stone and wood a short walk from the dock, with local craft shops, galleries and a few casual places to eat. Late afternoon is pleasant, when it cools down. Browsing is free and 1 to 2 hours is plenty.
- Cruz Bay waterfront and ferry dock: The harbor is the town’s living room, with boats coming and going, taxi trucks loading and people-watching from a bench. Come at sunset for the light on the water. It costs nothing and 30 to 60 minutes suffices.
- Joe’s Rum Hut: A small open-air
- Virgin Islands National Park Visitor Center: Right at the ferry dock, this is where you pick up trail maps, check ranger programs and ask about current conditions on the trails and beaches. Go in the morning before heading out. It is free and takes 20 to 30 minutes.
- Mongoose Junction: A shopping and eating complex built of stone and wood a short walk from the dock, with local craft shops, galleries and a few casual places to eat. Late afternoon is pleasant, when it cools down. Browsing is free and 1 to 2 hours is plenty.
- Cruz Bay waterfront and ferry dock: The harbor is the town’s living room, with boats coming and going, taxi trucks loading and people-watching from a bench. Come at sunset for the light on the water. It costs nothing and 30 to 60 minutes suffices.
- Joe’s Rum Hut: A small open-air bar in town known for rum drinks and a relaxed crowd, good for meeting other travelers after a day of hiking. Evenings are best. Expect drinks around US$8 to 12 and an hour or two.
- Cruz Bay Landing and the town center streets: A walk through the few blocks behind the dock shows the town’s pastel buildings, small shops and local eateries. Mornings are quiet and cooler. It is free and takes about an hour.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.