Love St. John. Love The Park.

Stunning beaches, miles of trails, marine life, fauna and flora in abundance, and a rich cultural history! Some 60% of St. John is Virgin Islands National Park and Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument.

Friends of Virgin Islands National Park is a non-profit organization and is the official philanthropic partner of the Park.  The Friends assists and advises the National Park Service in assuring the Park's unique terrestrial and marine resources are protected, the Virgin Island's cultural treasures in the Park are preserved, and visitors and community are connected to their Park through volunteerism, education, and advocacy.

The work we do is made possible thanks to the support of people like you!  Thank you!

Noble Samuel

Scholarship Application Open

Applications for the Noble Samuel and Jeffrey Matheny Scholarship are open to St. John residents who are currently seniors or undergraduates.

Summer Trail Crew

Summer Trail Crew

Join this awesome crew! This an 8 week program from June 10 to August 2, 2024 that provides a professional job opportunity to Virgin Island high school students (ages 15 to 18) interested in conservation. 

Beach to Beach Power Swim logo 2024

Power Swim

Registration for the 2024 is open!  Space is limited and registration will close on May 22 or when capacity has been reached. In the past two years, registration has closed in April.  

things to do

Seminars, Hikes & More

Explore and learn about Virgin Islands National Park through a series of hikes (including the Ranger led Reef Bay hike), nature & culture seminars, boat trips, turtle talks, and more from November to June.

Learn To Swim

Learn To Swim

Free swim lessons | First & Third Saturdays | Cinnamon

All ages welcome.  Learn to swim or sign up to become an instructor or lifeguard. 

Passing it on doc

Passing It On

Enjoy this illuminating celebration of the cultural gifts of the Virgin Islands. The entire documentary filmed in 2021 is available for viewing as well as short segments featuring interviews with a moko jumbie, a storyteller, a maubi maker, a beekeeper, and more cultural ambassadors.

Growing Up In Cruz Bay

St. John Voices

Here, St.John is an oral history about Virgin Islands National Park and St. John. It serves to give voice to the heritage, culture and natural history as told by born St. Johnians and resident scientists as they tell stories of the people and the natural life of the island that shape this place. 

personal legends

Personal Legends

St John photographer, Kayden Richards recently completed a fabulous project capturing the stories of Virgin Islanders and "honors the strength and wisdom passed down through the ages, celebrating the triumphs and tribulations that have molded Virgin Islanders into the remarkable individuals they are today."

trail volunteers (1)

Volunteer On The Trails

Volunteer on the walk up trail crew on Tuesdays and Thursdays from November  to May.  Help us maintain trails, clear ruins, plant trees, and remove trash! Work locations and meeting times are posted on Facebook and instagram on Mondays.

Hawksbill Sea Turtle

Sea Turtle Protection

Learn about the Virgin Islands National Park Sea Turtle Program and the challenges our sea turtle population face.  Watch a virtual seminar and read the 2022/23 season report. 

SKIP turtles

School Kids In The Park

The Park is a wonderful living classroom. Schedule a visit to the Park, a classroom visit, and use available lesson content. 

Maho

Boater Info

Use the National Park app to pay mooring fees and an interactive map to identify mooring areas, dinghy channels, and swim zones. To protect coral and marine ecosystems, this is an anchorless park and anchoring is, with a couple of exceptions, not allowed in park waters. 

license plates 2023

License Plates

Friends license plates featuring sea turtles are available to vehicles and motorcycles in the VI.  Proceeds support our work. 

pelican bird

Plan Your Visit

Hike, swim, snorkel, and explore.  Enjoy learning about the natural and cultural gems in the Park.  Make your visit memorable!

"I have lots of heroes: anyone and everyone who does whatever they can to leave the natural world better than they found it."

Dr. Sylvia Earle

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