The United States Virgin Islands is a world leader in the development of "sustainable tourism," which protects the beauty of the natural environment while allowing visitors to enjoy it in its pristine wonder. There are numerous activities to be enjoyed in the USVI by the environmentally conscious traveler. The following are highlights of the variety of ecotourism activities available on St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas.
Ecotourism Resorts
Stanley Selengut, a civil engineer, carpenter and ecologist based in New York, pioneered the vision of balancing "creature comfort and environmental sensitivity" in a resort that tourists can enjoy while visiting the USVI. Since starting Maho Bay Camps in 1976, Selengut has built three additional ecotourism resorts on St. John - Harmony, Estate Concordia and Concordia Ecotents - that allow for intimate encounters with the natural beauty of the Caribbean outdoors as well as comfort and convenience at an affordable cost.
Virgin Islands Ecotours, St. Thomas
St. Thomas welcomed a new eco-friendly activity for vacationers to enjoy in October 1996. V.I. Ecotours is a two-and-a-half-hour guided kayak tour through St. Thomas' Marine Sanctuary and Mangrove Lagoon. Led by experienced naturalists and biologists who are knowledgeable about the island's plant and marine life, the kayak tours are a first-hand educational experience for visitors. Participants can view snowy egrets, great barracudas, dwarf herrings, spotted eagle rays, jellyfish, mangrove crabs and even breeding nurse sharks in their natural environment. Kayakers can also explore the lagoon's underwater life by snorkeling in designated areas without fins, so as not to disturb the delicate marine environment. While VI Ecotours helps travelers to be more environmentally conscious, they also allow visitors to see that St. Thomas offers more than duty-free shopping and beautiful beaches.
Virgin Islands National Park, St. John
The V.I. National Park protects the island from industrial development, while preserving the natural, unspoiled beauty indigenous to this tropical paradise. Laurance Rockefeller donated 5,000 acres on St. John to the federal government to establish the National Park in 1956, which has since maintained the vast stretches of green hillsides, exotic foliage and pristine white-sand beaches that have made St. John the popular vacation destination that it is today. Located on the smallest of the three major U.S. Virgin Islands, the V.I. National Park covers two-thirds of the island's 19 square miles. More than one-third of the 11,560 acres that comprise the National Park land are underwater, offering unparalleled diving and snorkeling. The park boasts some of the most beautiful coral reefs, flora, tropical fish and beaches in the Caribbean, as well as 22 hiking trails within the park's boundaries.
Horseback Riding and Donkey Tours
Take a trip through St. Croix's majestic mountains and rolling green hills on horseback. These guided tours explore the island's lush green foliage and tropical rainforest. Horse and donkey tours are also avilable on St. John. These tours explore the V.I. National Park. Champagne and romance are provided as part of the sunset and moonlight rides that carry couples along St. John's shimmering shoreline.
St. Croix Bike & Tours
Knowledgeable guides provide private lessons of the island's history and ecology on these guided bike tours of St. Croix's west end. Enjoy the scenery of the island's historic greathouses, dramatic shorelines and lush, green rainforest. Bike tours are available for both experienced and less-experienced bikers. Bike rental, lunch and safety equipment are all included in the tour. Full- and half-day equipment rental are also available for those who want to explore the island on their own.
Scuba Diving
Discover the beauty and wonder of the USVI's underwater world by exploring some of the best dive spots in the Caribbean. Divers can view beautiful coral, colorful fish, and solve the mystery of sunken ships, while swimming along the barrier reefs and through coves. The USVI has numerous dive operators which provide equipment and instruction for the less experienced.
Snorkeling: Buck Island National Reef Monument
Buck Island National Reef Monument is one of the USVI's most beautiful underwater paradises. As the only underwater national monument in the U.S., visitors will not want to miss this St. Croix attraction. There is plenty of great snorkeling for everyone on all three islands where the fantasy of the underworld becomes a picturesque reality. No matter which snorkeling trails you choose to explore, you will encounter some of the most beautiful tropical fish and colorful coral in the Caribbean.
Buck Island Reef Hawksbill Sea Turtle Research Program
The preservation of all species of life is an essential part of every ecosystem. The Buck Island Reef Hawksbill Sea Turtle Research Program on St. Croix studies the biology of these endangered turtles in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The research conducted by this organization has significantly contributed to both the survival of the hawksbill sea turtle and the study of environmental sciences in St. Croix's local communities. Several other projects have been initiated since this research program began in 1988, to study the migration of sea turtles after nesting season and to develop non-lethal ways for determining the gender of sea turtle hatchlings. Volunteer assistance from the community has been essential to the success of this program, helping the National Park Service to ensure that these turtles remain a vital part of St. Croix's ecosystem for years to come.
Ranger Reef Project
In an effort to reverse the effects of compounding damage to the United States Virgin Islands' coral reef environment, island residents have launched a community pilot program aimed at involving island youth in the restoration and protection of the reefs and the fish, grasses and turtles inhabiting the area. Witnessing the slow but sure deterioration of the reefs from natural and environmental causes and human neglect, the program's founders vowed to instill an appreciation for the reefs' fragility in this group of 13 young people by educating them about reef ecology, marine biology and environmental preservation. Dubbed "Reef Rangers," the project's young participants have become role models and mentors with a mission to promote reef preservation amongst their peers and in the global community. Nearly a year after its inception in 1995, the Reef Rangers project has brought island youth together with scientists from around the world to develop a working plan to protect and ultimately save the coral reefs surrounding the U.S. Virgin Islands.
St. Croix Environmental Association
The St. Croix Environmental Association (SEA) is an organization committed to the conservation and preservation of St. Croix's many natural wonders. One of the organization's greatest successes has been the preservation and protection of Salt River Bay, a historically significant site to St. Croix and the U.S. because Christopher Columbus landed there in 1493. When developers expressed an interest in building a large hotel / condominium / marina complex on this site, SEA immediately took action to stop the development. Because of SEA's efforts, the area is now the Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve. SEA continues to educate the public about the importance of this area through articles, lectures, workshops and field trips. Since the organization's formation in 1986, SEA continues to stand by its mission statement which is "to encourage environmental action through awareness, education and advocacy." Last year, SEA was named the winner of Islands Magazine Annual Ecotourism Award which recognizes organizations that promote tourism in the Caribbean and the protection of an island's environmental and cultural assets.
