National Park Compendium

Regulations Affecting Visitors to the VI National Park on St. John

Park regulations provide for the maintenance of public health and safety, protection of scenic or environmental values, protection of natural or cultural resources, and aid in scientific research. Special use permit applications may be obtained by contacting the Office of the Superintendent, Virgin Islands National Park, 6310 Estate Nazareth, St. Thomas, VI 00802 or by calling (809) 775-6238.

Contents:

• Closures and Public Use Limits
• Permits
• Preservation of Natural Resources
• Wildlife Protection
• Research Specimens
• Picnicking
• Fires
• Sanitation and Refuse
• Water Skiing
• Swimming and Bathing
• SCUBA and Snorkeling
• Virgin Islands National Park

Section 1.5 - Closures and Public Use Limits

(a)(1) The following areas will be closed to public use and access for the stated time:
(ii) Cinnamon Bay Campground: Except for the main Cinnamon Bay beach access road (the road that runs from the North Shore Road to Cinnamon beach), all other campground roads and trails are closed to persons who are not registered guests at the campground. The main Cinnamon Bay beach access road, through the campground, is closed from 9 pm until 7 am daily to persons not registered as guests to the campground.
(iii) All vessels are limited fourteen (14) nights, per calendar year, when anchoring in Park waters, except as authorized by a written permit from the Superintendent.
(iv) All vessels with an overall length (including bow sprits, dive platforms and any other accessories) greater than 210 feet are prohibited from anchoring within park waters.
(v) All vessels with an overal l length (including bow sprits, dive platforms and any other accessories) between 125 feet and 210 feet are limited to anchoring in Francis Bay only and only in water depths greater than 30 feet and in sand.
(vi) Anchoring of boats is prohibited in Salt Pond, Reef Bay, Little and Greater Lameshur Bays. Vessels must utilize moorings provided.
(vii) The use of jet skis in Park waters is prohibited.
(viii) Docking at the designated piers and wharfs at Cruz Bay is limited to fifteen minutes to pick up or drop off passengers.
(ix) Cinnamon Bay Campground may establish length of stay limits based on seasonal demand and accommodations availability. The limit is 14 days from December 15 through April 15, and may be extended up to 21 days from April 16 until December 14 (with notification and permission from the Park Superintendent).
(x) All backcountry camping is prohibited. Camping is allowed only at designated sites at Cinnamon Bay Campground.
(xiii) Beaches may be temporarily closed during periods when hazardous conditions make swimming and snorkeling unsafe for visitors, and for the protection of the the resources.

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Section 1.6 - Permits

(a) Special events, weddings, public assemblies, meetings, commercial photography, sale and distribution of printed matter, or other activities, or organized groups, require a written permit from the Park Superintendent. The permit must be applied for and received in advance of the activity.

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Section 2.1 - Preservation of Natural Resources

(c)(1)(i) Coconuts, genips, limes, mammey apples, sour-sops, hog plums, papayas, mangoes, guavas, sweet limes, and seagrapes can be gathered by hand for personal use or consumption as long as the gathering of these fruits and nuts does not adversely affect the plants.
(ii) The taking or harvesting of downed hardwoods such as mahogany, genip, and seagrape is permitted by obtaining a permit from the Park Superintendent.
(iii) The taking or harvesting of hoop and wist vines for making native baskets is only allowed by obtaining a permit from the Park Superintendent.

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Section 2.2 - Wildlife Protection

(2)(i) It is prohibited to have dogs or other large animals on Virgin Islands National Park Beaches during sea turtle nesting season (May - October)

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Section 2.5 - Research Specimens

(a)(1) Collection of specimens of any kind requires a permit from the Park Superintendent

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Section 2.11 - Picnicking

(a)(1) The disposing of charcoal ash onto Park beaches and into trash cans is prohibited

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Section 2.13 - Fires

(a)(1) Ground fires are prohibited throughout the Park. Cooking fires are permitted in designated receptacles at the Cinnamon Bay Campground and at established picnic sites, or in personal charcoal grills so long as ash is removed from the site by the user or placed in ash can receptacles wherever provided.

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Section 2.14 - Sanitation and Refuse

(b)(1) In backcountry areas, human body waste must be disposed of by either carrying out, or by burying. Burying cannot be within sight of a trail or within 100 feet of a water source.

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Section 3.20 - Water Skiing

(a) Water skiing or the towing of other such devices is prohibited in Park waters.

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Section 3.21 - Swimming and Bathing

(b)(1) Glass bottles and other glass containers are prohibited within park designated swim areas and beaches.
(2) The use or possession of a knife, or device used to cut or poke, is prohibited in the Park designated swim areas and on beaches at Trunk Bay and Cinnamon Bay.

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Section 3.23 - SCUBA and Snorkeling

(a)(1) SCUBA diving is prohibited within all Park designated swim areas.
(2) Snorkeling is allowed within all Park designated swim areas.

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Section 7.74 - Virgin Islands National Park

(d)(1) No water craft shall be operated in such a manner nor shall anchors or any other mooring device be cast or dragged or placed so as to strike or otherwise cause damage to any underwater features.
(i) Vessels greater than 55 feet in length (including bow sprits, dive platforms and any other accessories) are prohibited from use all park moorings.
(ii) Vessels greater than 55 fet in length (included bow sprits, dive platforms and any other acessories) are prohibited from using all park moorings.
(iii) The use of more than one mooring by a single vessel is prohibited.
(iv) The use of an anchor by a vessel while attached to a park mooring is prohibited.
(v) Anchoring within 150 feet of a mooring is prohibited.

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