US Virgin Islands Hotel & Tourism Association
Virgin Islands National Park Severe Weather Preparedness Status: Potential Tropical Cyclone Five
Virgin Islands National Park 1300 Cruz Bay Creek
Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument St. John, VI 00830
U.S. Department of the Interior www.nps.gov/viis
Virgin Islands National Park News Release
Release Date: 08/12/2024
Contact: Ahmad Toure
ST. John, U.S. Virgin Islands— Virgin Islands National Park has transitioned into its Incident Managment Team (IMT) operational structure and begun preparing for the incoming severe weather system that is approaching the U.S. Virgin Islands; Potential Tropical Cyclone Five. Currently Hurricane Hole storm berth has been opened as of this morning and all permitted vessels have been contacted via email from the Storm Permits Office. Please see below for other messaging to the general public regarding the park’s storm preparations.
Mariners:
Hurricane Hole is the only designated storm berth for Virgin Islands National Park and Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument. The storm berth chain system is designated by permit only. Vessels that have not been issued a permit for Hurricane Hole may shelter in Hurricane Hole by anchoring; keeping in mind not to hinder the chain system for vessels with storm berth permits.
As a reminder, no vessels should be tied off to shoreline vegetation, including mangroves, or other features (including rocks) is not permitted. Also, NPS day-use-only moorings in Hurricane Hole are prohibited from being used for any storm and effective August 13, 2024 all NPS vessel moorings in the park and monument are closed for public use as well as all park piers, docks and bulkheads including Cruz Bay Visitor Center Finger Pier, Redhook Dock, and Caneel Bay Dock.
Park Facilities and Amenities Closures:
Virgin Islands National Park facilities and amenities such as bathrooms and trash cans will have closures beginning today in some areas and others by tomorrow; August 08/12/2024 and 08/13/2024. Virgin Islands National Park facilities that will be closed tomorrow Tuesday August 13, 2024, at 12 pm, are as follows: Visitor Center and Bookstore, Caneel Bay, Trunk Bay Fee Station, all bathrooms and trash cans. Please note if you are using any of the areas that have closures of bathrooms and trash cans you need to be prepared to practice Leave No Trace (LNT) principles and pack out your waste materials.
Concessions Closures:
The following park concessions will also be closed as of tomorrow Tuesday August 13, 2024, at 12 pm through Wednesday August 14, 2024: Trunk Bay Paradise Aqua Tours, Trunk Bay Snack Bar/Gift shop, and Caneel Bay Beach Club at Honeymoon will not be opening at all on Tuesday August 13 and 14, 2024. Cinnamon Bay Rain Tree Cafe will be open for breakfast and partial lunch service Tuesday August 13. Cinnamon Bay Rain Tree Cafe and the watersports area will be closing at 12pm August 13th and closed August 14, 2024.
Other:
The public meeting scheduled for August 14, 2024, with the topic, “General Information Regarding the National Park Service Request for Qualifications Process,” is canceled and will be rescheduled at a later date after Potential Tropical Cyclone Five has passed.
Stay safe and thank you all for your attention to these matters. We will keep the public informed about park operations and park opening after the storm via our website and social media pages.