Virgin Islands National Park is a relatively small park mostly on the Caribbean Island of St. John (of the US Virgin Islands) and surrounding waters, showcasing tropical forests, beautiful beaches and coral reefs. I was in the area after being persuaded to attend a Carribean cruise, and I immediately jumped on the venture, which entailed running around the island of St. Thomas like a madman, getting a boat ride with a crazy conspiracy theorist captain ("Who owns that yacht?" "I don't know, but I can tell you who owns the guy who owns the yacht-the Illuminati. They own everything...") and getting on an hour long rocking trip across the Pillsbury Passage in driving rain.

It was definitely worth it. St. John's is absolutely beautiful, and outside of the resort areas the park has a maze of hiking trails through dry (not rain) forests with cacti and palms to hidden sandy beaches, turquoise blue waters and haunted ruins of sugar plantation echoing horrible histories of slavery and bloody revolt. The crown jewel of Virgin Islands National Park though is Trunk Beach, a white sandy beach with palm trees and coral reefs just offshore. It is a relaxing place to sit and watch, perhaps marred only by its popularity and crowds. Thankfully, the magic of art means that they all disappear :P.

Courtesy of  theroguez!

Jimmy Cliff - You Can Get It If You Really Want