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Reef Bay Trail


TripAdvisor Traveler Rating: 4.0 of 5 stars
TripAdvisor Popularity Index: #8 of 64 attractions in St. John
Traveler Description: The Reef Bay Trail--It's downhill all the way, and can be slippery, so don't wear flip-flops.  Great overgrown plantation ruins, old walls defining... more »
Know about Reef Bay Trail? Share your expertise with other travelers. Add to this description now.
Attraction type: Trail, Hiking trail
Activities: Hiking, Swimming
Address: Rte. 10 Virgin Islands National Park
St. John
Tel: 340 776-6201

Reviews you can trust

[ Date ] [ Rating ]
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4 of 5 stars
mamastewMichigan   3 contributions
Michigan
Nov 5, 2009

Taking a hike along the Reef Bay Trail with a national park ranger is well worth the time and effort. It affords you a good view of flora and fauna of the island. Ruins and petroglyphs are featured and explained by the ranger. The hike is not hard, it is all downhill. The boat ride back to the ranger station... more

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5 of 5 stars
AuroraSpivey   3 contributions
Trondheim, Norway
Aug 27, 2009

I agree with what`s already been said here: If you want to do one trail on St. John, this is the one. It`s a nice and easy walk (not demanding at all, if you`re in a normal good shape); culiminating on a completely deserted (at least in late august..!) coral beach. We met a local man who`s been fishing, but... more

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4 of 5 stars
RLiebold   9 contributions
Clyde, Ohio
Jun 1, 2008
3/3 found this review helpful

The Reef Bay Trail is one of those trails that you just have to do. We arrived on St. John expecting lots of hiking to and from various locations but soon realized that hiking is best done with a motor vehicle close at hand. The island has few level areas and those seem to be near the many bays and... more

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4 of 5 stars
NJ-Eric   58 contributions
NJ
May 17, 2008
6/6 found this review helpful

This is truly a fun hike, with lots of worthwhile spur trails. I advise going with the NPS so that the return will be by boat at the bottom. However, the NPS takes all comers, and there were lots of people that legitimately needed to go slow due to age or conditioning or wearing sandals, and the NPS likes to... more

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5 of 5 stars
enaltavoz00   1 contribution
Maine
Jul 31, 2007
8/8 found this review helpful

This is an excellent way to spend a day. The hike is almost entirely in the shade, which is nice with the intense sunlight. If you start at the summit, then it is a nice cool hike down the entire way. Be prepared for light showers at the top of the trail, as this is common, however, it is refreshing,... more

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5 of 5 stars
lionindasun   3 contributions
St. John USVI
Oct 23, 2006
6/7 found this review helpful

I have hiked this trail and the spur trail to the Petroglyphs about five times (i live here) but I reccomend going the day after a rainfall to see the waterfalls in full effect. It is amazing to see, hear and feel the rush of water over the rocks. more

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5 of 5 stars
Highland_journey   2 contributions
Annapolis, MD
Sep 26, 2006
8/8 found this review helpful

It's a steep hike down and up, but the reward is worth it--a gorgeous beach all to ourselves, and great snorkeling. We did the trail on our own, not with a NPS guide, which meant that we also hiked back up rather than getting a boat ride back to Cruz Bay. If you do the hike on your own, remember... more

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5 of 5 stars
A TripAdvisor Member
Aug 16, 2004
25/25 found this review helpful

This is a must-do hike on St John. I recommend you take the guided hike the first time. Make sure you sign up at Park Service HQ in advance. The guided hike isn't offered every day and on our first trips to St John we missed out. If you take the guided hike you should take a taxi to the... more

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5 of 5 stars
A TripAdvisor Member
Palo Alto, CA
Apr 5, 2004
29/31 found this review helpful

A wonderful jungle hike which leads to a secluded, beautiful beach. The trail descends through the lushest part of St John's jungle. Lots of flora (marked with informative signs by the NPS) and fauna (land crabs, huge banana spiders, huge hermit crabs). Be sure to take the short (0.3 miles one way) spur trail to the petroglyphs. Interesting petroglyphs and... more

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Reef Bay Trail Address

Rte. 10, Virgin Islands National Park, St. John
Tel: 340 776-6201