The Virgin Islands National Park is considering raising numerous fees, and it is asking the public for your feedback. The proposed changes were announced in a social media post Monday evening. There are two increases that stand out to me: a proposed increase at Trunk Bay and another over at Caneel Bay.
The current fee at Trunk Bay is $5 per person for guests ages 15 and older. The new rate is $10 per person for guests ages 10 and older. They are also bring back annual passes at Trunk Bay, which are proposed to be $60 per person, ages 10 and older.
Ever since land access was restored to Caneel Beach on August 1st, parking has remained free. The proposed change is $10 per car. Parking at Caneel for those opting to pay for the shuttle to Honeymoon has also been free for several years. It is unclear whether those guests would also have the pay that $10 fee in addition to the $6 per person, per way shuttle fee to Honeymoon.
Here is the new proposed fees:
Trunk Bay Expanded Amenity Fees*
-Individual Day Pass
Current: $5
Proposed: $10
-Interagency Senior Pass
Current: $2.50
Proposed: $5
-Interagency Access Pass
Current: $2.50
Proposed: $5
-Individual Annual Pass
Current: $0
Proposed: $60
*Individual Day or Annual Passes would be required for all individuals 10 years of age or older. Currently Day Passes are required for individuals over 15 years of age.
Daily Park-wide Mooring and Anchorage Expanded Amenity Fees**
-Standard Vessels (vessels less than or equal to 60 ft length overall)
Current:$26
Proposed: $40
-Large Vessels (vessels greater than 60 ft length overall)
Current: $26
Proposed: $60
-Interagency Senior Pass Mooring Standard Vessels:
Current: $13
Proposed: $20
-Interagency Senior Pass Mooring Large Vessels:
Current: $13
Proposed: $30
-Interagency Access Pass Mooring Standard Vessels:
Current: $13
Proposed: $20
-Interagency Access Pass Mooring Large Vessels
Current: $13
Proposed: $30
**Mooring and anchorage fees will be required 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Fee would be valid for up to 24-hours. Currently mooring and anchorage fees are required for overnight stays.
New Expanded Amenity Fees
-Proposed Fee Proposed Caneel Bay Parking $10 per day
-National Park Service Finger Pier $1/per foot of the vessel per day
-National Park Service Bulkhead/Dinghy $5/day or $150 per year
-National Park Service Boat Launch $10 per launch/retrieval or $100 per year
“The proposed fee increases are necessary for Virgin Islands National Park to improve and maintain high-quality visitor services,” Superintendent Penny Del Bene said in a social media post Monday. “Expanded amenity fees collected by the park are used to support the rising costs associated with maintaining and operating the park’s various facilities and correspond with customer demand and use.”
Eighty percent of fees collected in the Virgin Islands National Park are for use on projects that directly enhance the experience of park visitors. The remaining 20 percent of all collected fees is distributed throughout the National Park System.
Public Engagement Opportunities
Virgin Islands National Park will host a public meeting to discuss the proposed increase in expanded amenity fees on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, from 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.. The meeting will be hosted in the new Resource Management and Science (RMS) building conference room at Lind Point.
The Virgin Islands National Park is accepting public comments on the proposed expanded amenity fee increases. Please submit all comments through the park’s Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) site located at:
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/VIISExpandedAmenityFees
Comments may also be submitted via mail to:
Virgin Islands National Park
Fee Program
1300 Cruz Bay Creek
St. John, VI 00830
All public comments on the proposed expanded amenity fee increases will be accepted through October 9, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
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