Reef Bay Trail
Reef Bay Trail
4.5
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4.5
487 avis
Excellent
345
Très bon
106
Moyen
27
Médiocre
5
Horrible
4
travelgirl3781
Boston, MA121 contributions
mai 2024 • En famille
First off, this is one of my favorite hikes. My husband, adult daughter and I consider this hike a highlight of our 4th Saint John Trip. We are a “fit family” and hike, walk and do various forms of exercise on a regular basis. This is a great work out. We did take the petroglyph path as well and ended at Reef Bay Beach. We all wore sturdy hiking sandals with good traction which I highly suggest. There had been downpours the night before and some of the path is both rocky and slippery from fallen leaves after a rain. Hiking Sandals and clothes to swim in offer a great reward to wade into the beautiful water for a swim after the hike down. We started our hike at 8 AM ;this time allowed for a cooler hike with hardly any people and had us avoiding the mid day heat and sun on the journey back which in parts can be steep and a little challenging ; pack water with electrolytes. You will sweat with the Caribbean heat although much of the hike is shaded. Our favorite parts of the hike were the beautiful tropical plants and animal sightings. We saw about 5 deer on our hike, mongoose, various types of lizards and of course land crabs ( watch your step as they are EVERYWHERE). We were hoping to see a wild boar, but not this time. The sugar plantation ruins are marked by educational plaques offering some education into some important history of the Island as you hike. The Water fall was a trickle but still impressive in its height and we had no trouble finding the petroglyphs. If you attempt this hike and aren’t in a decent level of fitness and have not replaced fluids and electrolytes sufficiently,the hike back may be very challenging. Beware.
Écrit le 1 juin 2024
Cet avis est l'opinion subjective d'un membre de Tripadvisor et non l'avis de Tripadvisor LLC. Les avis sont soumis à des vérifications de la part de Tripadvisor.
Mitch R
2 contributions
avr. 2024 • En famille
The hike down is beautiful, tropical, isolated/what others have said/blah blah. But, no one mentioned the following items I would have liked to known: there are no pestering bugs but be advised, there are hundreds of bees and wasps flying very close by making a fairly loud buzzing din. It is quite disconcerting at first but "ok". This is really "slavery tourism". We are gawking at the ruins and the past horrors left from slavery. As a person of color and African origin, it really gave me pause. Other than those items, awesome workout: 2 hours to go from the stairs to the Reef Bay Ruins (included stops to read all of the signage); 55 minutes to get back to the stairs (no stops/treated it as a workout).
Écrit le 26 avril 2024
Cet avis est l'opinion subjective d'un membre de Tripadvisor et non l'avis de Tripadvisor LLC. Les avis sont soumis à des vérifications de la part de Tripadvisor.
Bucket List
West Lafayette, IN294 contributions
mars 2024 • En couple
Not worth giving up part of the day for. Downhill and then a brutal return to the top of the trailhead. We are early 60-somethings in decent shape. A couple in great cardio shape. The trail is rough, rocky and honestly, not much to see. Maybe a few remains of structures. The petroglyphs aren’t that exciting and somewhat difficult to see. Our mistake was going mid-day and it was hot, very humid and we didn’t take enough water. We own that mistake. Trail is mostly shaded. I honestly don’t think going when it’s cooler would make that much of a difference. Be sure to wear good athletic shoes or hiking shoes/boots. Dry season, so no waterfalls, and a stagnant pond at the petroglyphs awaited us. Take a snack and hydrate before you go. We did not go down to the beach below.
Écrit le 23 mars 2024
Cet avis est l'opinion subjective d'un membre de Tripadvisor et non l'avis de Tripadvisor LLC. Les avis sont soumis à des vérifications de la part de Tripadvisor.
lpro52NYC
4 contributions
mars 2024 • Entre amis
Beware. Unlike in years past, this tour has become a 4 hour indoctrination into woke ideology. While the plight of indigenous and enalaved peoples is extremely important to understand and appreciate, it’s unfortunate that that has become the sole topic of discussion on this hike. The ecology and biology of the island is largely ignored.
Écrit le 6 mars 2024
Cet avis est l'opinion subjective d'un membre de Tripadvisor et non l'avis de Tripadvisor LLC. Les avis sont soumis à des vérifications de la part de Tripadvisor.
cann_it_114
Ferrara, Italie23 contributions
févr. 2024 • En couple
Fun hike with lots of wildlife, different elevations, petroglyphs, and ruins! Steep and somewhat rocky at the beginning and the end, otherwise relatively flat. Bring lots of water.
Écrit le 5 mars 2024
Cet avis est l'opinion subjective d'un membre de Tripadvisor et non l'avis de Tripadvisor LLC. Les avis sont soumis à des vérifications de la part de Tripadvisor.
Travelpro56V
Boston, MA267 contributions
févr. 2024 • En couple
The hike is fairly easy to the Reef Bay, as it is mostly downhill (or level), but the return is more arduous as it is steeply uphill for the last 1/3 of the trail, with lots of stone steps. Most of the trail is shaded under trees, so it isn't hot and the path is well-marked and well-groomed. At the end, just before Reef Bay, you're rewarded with the somewhat intact remains of a sugar mill. The beach is rocky, so if you can carry water shoes in your backpack, that would be helpful. I would also advise women to wear two-piece (tankini) bathing suits, so you can go to the bathroom easily en route. We were walking at a decent clip, and the hike took about 2.5 hours, with a detour to the Petroglyph Trail and a quick dip in the ocean. It was very dry out so the trail wasn't slippery at all, but the waterfall at the Petroglyph was also non-existent, which is too bad as some of the photos looked amazing. The entrance to the trail is through an opening in a stone wall, and cars have to park alongside the road. We arrived at 9:30 a.m. and we were able to park about 50 feet away from the entrance.
Écrit le 2 février 2024
Cet avis est l'opinion subjective d'un membre de Tripadvisor et non l'avis de Tripadvisor LLC. Les avis sont soumis à des vérifications de la part de Tripadvisor.
roadwarrierMD
Cary, Caroline du Nord214 contributions
janv. 2024 • En couple
This is a scenic hike down from the Centerline road to the beach, with interesting ruins along the way, and a short detour over to very interesting petroglyphs. Hard to tell from reviews how hard it is and how long it takes, so here's my take-its a moderate hike-easy on the way down, steeper on the way back (duh, of course!) . It took us (we're in our late 60s, but used to hiking) about 90 minutes to go down (which included 0.5 mile over/back to the petroglyphs), and about 60 min to go back. Nothing very challenging excepting climbing up/over some rocks to get close to the petroglyphs. Well worth doing if you like to hike and explore ruins. Bring water.
Écrit le 2 février 2024
Cet avis est l'opinion subjective d'un membre de Tripadvisor et non l'avis de Tripadvisor LLC. Les avis sont soumis à des vérifications de la part de Tripadvisor.
Andrew M
7 589 contributions
sept. 2023 • En solo
The Reef bay trail head is located on Centerline Road, a 5 mile drive from the Ferry pier in Cruz bay. A taxi to the trail head is $14, and if you do this hike in the week, the VITRAN stops at the trailhead. The start of the trail is at an entrance in a stone wall, and down a few steps. There are storyboards along the trail which describe the trail history, plants and animals in the park. The old stone drainage gutters are an interesting view on the trail, as they still are necessary today to ensure the stability of the trail.
After walking for half a mile (20 minutes) the first ruins will be seen. The Jossie Gut Estate was famous for it's natural water system with sluice gates and dam. These remains may be inspected before approaching the factory ruins. After passing this area, be on the lookout for deer, which occasionally cross the path in front of you. The next ruins, about 10 minutes away, is Par Force Village, which is the ruins of a single house. Another 10 minutes of walking will take you to a trail on the right known as Petroglyph Trail. At the end of this trail is a small pool in front of a waterfall. There is Taino rock art on the stones next to the pool which makes for great photos.
After returning to the main trail, a short distance away is the Lameshur trail on the left. This trail leads to the Reef Bay Great House and Par Force Estate ruins. After returning to the main trail, you can continue south to the Reef Bay Factory. In this section of the trail, there are many hermit crabs, so care should be taken not to step on shells. Eventually the trail will become more sandy near to the end, and you will pass the entrance to the L'Esperance trail on the right. The Reef Bay factory is one of the best examples of a sugar mill in the Caribbean. The Reef Bay beach is a good area to relax after a long hike. If you are adventurous, take the L'Esperance trail to Genti Bay beach.
I continued my hike up the L'Esperance trail instead of walking back up the Reef Bay trail. The L'Esperance trail is less steep than the Reef Bay trail, and there are ruins of the Sieban Estate and L'Esperance estate that may be visited on the hike. Ensure that you are wearing good footwear as the trail can be slippery in a few places.
After walking for half a mile (20 minutes) the first ruins will be seen. The Jossie Gut Estate was famous for it's natural water system with sluice gates and dam. These remains may be inspected before approaching the factory ruins. After passing this area, be on the lookout for deer, which occasionally cross the path in front of you. The next ruins, about 10 minutes away, is Par Force Village, which is the ruins of a single house. Another 10 minutes of walking will take you to a trail on the right known as Petroglyph Trail. At the end of this trail is a small pool in front of a waterfall. There is Taino rock art on the stones next to the pool which makes for great photos.
After returning to the main trail, a short distance away is the Lameshur trail on the left. This trail leads to the Reef Bay Great House and Par Force Estate ruins. After returning to the main trail, you can continue south to the Reef Bay Factory. In this section of the trail, there are many hermit crabs, so care should be taken not to step on shells. Eventually the trail will become more sandy near to the end, and you will pass the entrance to the L'Esperance trail on the right. The Reef Bay factory is one of the best examples of a sugar mill in the Caribbean. The Reef Bay beach is a good area to relax after a long hike. If you are adventurous, take the L'Esperance trail to Genti Bay beach.
I continued my hike up the L'Esperance trail instead of walking back up the Reef Bay trail. The L'Esperance trail is less steep than the Reef Bay trail, and there are ruins of the Sieban Estate and L'Esperance estate that may be visited on the hike. Ensure that you are wearing good footwear as the trail can be slippery in a few places.
Écrit le 19 octobre 2023
Cet avis est l'opinion subjective d'un membre de Tripadvisor et non l'avis de Tripadvisor LLC. Les avis sont soumis à des vérifications de la part de Tripadvisor.
MSK
Fenton, MO17 contributions
juil. 2023 • En couple
My husband and I did this hike on our own. We rented a car and drove into the park because it may have been difficult to find a taxi to come get us. The walk down was okay but the walk up is somewhat difficult. Definitely bring a lot of water and a snack.
Écrit le 21 juillet 2023
Cet avis est l'opinion subjective d'un membre de Tripadvisor et non l'avis de Tripadvisor LLC. Les avis sont soumis à des vérifications de la part de Tripadvisor.
Lisa G
Rochester, État de New York40 contributions
mai 2023
We booked the guided hike and boat ride through the Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park website. Our tour guide (Taylor?) was fantastic. Warning - All day parking at Lumberyard costs $70 - park elsewhere. The tour leaves promptly at 8:45 with a safari taxi ride to the trailhead. The hike is all down-hill and not strenuous. At about 11:30 you'll stop at the petroglyphs and have a break for lunch if you brought it. It's another ~ 1 mile to the sugar mill ruins and the beach. There is a (not in good condition) restroom at the ruins. Wear your swimsuit under your clothes if you want a dip in the ocean - you'll have 20 minutes or so depending on the time of the boat arrival. Dinghy from the beach to the boat - took 5 trips for our group of 30. Then a wonderful boat ride back to the visitor center - we got back around 2:00. I would have given in 5 stars only if the pre-communicated information had been a little clearer (itinerary was vague) and we hadn't been told to park at the lumberyard!!
Écrit le 21 mai 2023
Cet avis est l'opinion subjective d'un membre de Tripadvisor et non l'avis de Tripadvisor LLC. Les avis sont soumis à des vérifications de la part de Tripadvisor.
What is the name of the beach at the bottom of the trail?
Rédigé le 16 mars 2021
Is there a boat or taxi boat that will pick you up down the bottom so you don’t have to walk back up
Rédigé le 18 août 2019
As of January 2019 Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park are once again offering their guided Reef Bay Hike. Cost is $60 per person. You’ll be shuttled to the top of the trail and descend 2+ miles and over 900 feet to the beach, stopping to view petroglyphs on the way. At the beach you can take a dip before being ferried to a boat for return to Cruz Bay. Take plenty of water and something for lunch. This is a very popular hike and advance reservations are necessary. Trip Advisor doesn’t allow urls in responses so google friends of the Virgin Islands National Park to make reservations.
Rédigé le 8 janvier 2020
I didn’t really get in the water when I got to the bottom, but for only a few lbs of gear, it’s worth a shot. Make sure the mongooses do not run off with it.
Rédigé le 22 février 2019
Is it possible to travel to and from the trailhead by taxi?
Rédigé le 14 mai 2017
No, you need to hike to the Trial Head.
Rédigé le 13 juin 2017
Hi! Where is the HQ for the park ranger to reserve tickets?? Great review. Thanks!
Rédigé le 26 avril 2017
It's in the visitor center. When you get off the ferry, you can drive to it within 5-8 mins. Make your reservations as early as possible. The tour is pretty popular and informative. Have fun. :)
Rédigé le 1 mai 2017
How do you go about arranging a tour with Park Rangers? We will be arriving by ferry from St. Thomas. How do you arrange for a boat ride return to the starting point? Thanks.
Rédigé le 20 novembre 2016
How do you get to and from trailhead without a car??
Rédigé le 6 janvier 2016
Were there restrooms on the trail?
Rédigé le 7 septembre 2015
Nice intimate inns/hotels to stay nearby. Preferably with ocean access and views
Rédigé le 23 août 2015
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