With its white-sand beaches, swaying palm trees, turquoise waters, and numerous scenic views, Virgin Islands National Park is an absolute paradise—a park unlike any other. One of my personal highlights of this park is watching the sunrise, whether it’s from an overlook or on a beach.
While it does require some effort getting up early and driving (a short distance) to one of the many sunset spots in Virgin Islands National Park, it’s so incredibly worth it.
In fact, whenever I visit a national park, I always get up for sunrise. It’s one of my favorite things to do, allowing me to enjoy the scenery in peace and quiet.
And in the case of the Virgin Islands, if you’re a bit tired from waking up before dawn, you can always just take a nap on the beach or in the shade of a palm tree afterward!
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5 Spectacular Sunrise Spots in Virgin Islands National Park
There are numerous places to watch the sunrise in Virgin Islands National Park, but some are simply better than others. These are the five specific ones I’d recommend going to.
1. Peace Hill Windmill Ruins
Located halfway between Hawksnest and Trunk Bay, the Peace Hill Windmill Ruins are easily one of the greatest sunrise spots in Virgin Islands National Park. They’re pretty accessible, too, even if you’re staying in Cruz Bay or at Cinnamon Bay Beach.
From the small parking lot on North Shore Road, it’s a short 0.1-mile walk up the hill. Once at the top, you can explore the ruins of the Peace Hill Windmill, one of the last remaining structures of the Denis Bay Plantation.
Just behind the windmill is a large grassy area that offers panoramic views from Hawksnest Bay to the southwest to Trunk Bay in the east. These views are nothing short of sensational, overlooking some of the park’s most famous bays and beaches.
As the name suggests, Peace Hill is, in fact, amazingly peaceful in the morning. I was there all by myself the entire time I was up there at sunrise.
2. Trunk Bay Overlook
Arguably the ultimate postcard landscape in Virgin Islands National Park, the view from Trunk Bay Overlook is as iconic as it gets. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say this is one of the most famous views in the entire Caribbean.
Situated just west of Trunk Bay Beach itself, the overlook offers a commanding view of the turquoise waters of Trunk Bay, the bright white sand of the beach, and rocky Trunk Cay just offshore. In the distance, you can also see the western part of Mary Point, as well as Whistling Cay.
Trunk Bay Overlook is no more than a roadside pullout on North Shore Road, but it’s an attraction you should not miss! Facing to the northeast, it’s also a phenomenal place to watch the sunrise in Virgin Islands National Park.
3. America Hill Ruins
The America Hill Ruins stand on a hilltop above Cinnamon Bay Beach and are accessible via the Cinnamon Bay Trail. Getting there does require a moderate 1.3-mile roundtrip hike through a tropical forest.
These ruins are the remains of one of several “great houses” that once dot the island of St. John—many are still there as ruins. Although they’re partially overgrown, you can still clearly see the beautiful pink color of the buildings.
From the America Hill Ruins, you get to enjoy a spectacular view of Francis Bay, Maho Bay, Mary Point, and other Caribbean islands in the distance. It’s a beautiful view that makes the hike, which can be quite humid later in the day, well worth it at dawn.
And of course, after your hike, you can grab breakfast at The Rain Tree Café at Cinnamon Bay Resort just across the street from the trailhead. The beach itself awaits a short stroll from the café!
4. Cinnamon Bay Beach
While it’s not an overlook or viewpoint, Cinnamon Bay Beach provides amazing sunrise views, nonetheless.
For obvious reasons, it’s the most convenient place to watch the sunrise in Virgin Islands National Park if you’re staying at the eco-tents of Cinnamon Bay Resort, which I highly recommend. This is easily one of the best beach camping experiences in the national parks.
The beach is mere steps from the eco-tents, or a short walk from the parking lot if you’re staying elsewhere.
It’s the longest beach on St. John, allowing for lengthy sunrise beach walks. Additionally, because it’s so long, there’s plenty of space for beachgoers to spread out, so the beach never really feels extremely crowded.
After your sunrise stroll, you can spend the rest of the day relaxing on this stunning tropical beach, rent watersports equipment, grab food from the food truck or at The Rain Tree Café, and explore the nearby Cinnamon Bay Plantation Ruins.
5. Murphy Great House Ruins
When it comes to combining intriguing history with jaw-dropping scenery, few places in Virgin Islands National Park can compete with the Murphy Great House Ruins.
Also known as the Windy Hill Ruins, this former estate stands at the top of a hill that overlooks Waterlemon Bay on the island’s north shore.
Affiliated with the nearby Annaberg Sugar Plantation, this great house is named after James Murphy, a late-18th-and-early-19th-century Irish merchant, ship owner, and slave trader. He’s widely considered to be “one of the most significant planters on St. John around the turn of the nineteenth century.”
The Murphy Great House was the former home of James Murphy. It offers spectacular views of Waterlemon Bay, Leinster Bay, and the Sir Francis Drake Channel. Famous Waterlemon Cay, one of the greatest snorkeling spots in the U.S. Virgin Islands, is clearly visible below.
You can get there from Annaberg via the easy Leinster Bay Trail, followed by a short section of the relatively steep Johnny Horn Trail.
The roundtrip hike is 2.4 miles and takes about 1 hour (or more if you’re spending some time at remote Waterlemon Bay Beach below the hill).
I made the effort to start this hike at sunrise and—although I also got caught in a rain shower on the trail—the gorgeous views and beautiful morning sunlight were amazing and well worth it.
More About Virgin Islands National Park
- Park Website
- Travel Guide
- Topographic Map
- Most Beautiful Beaches in Virgin Islands National Park
- Best Views in Virgin Islands National Park
- Best Hikes in Virgin Islands National Park
- Historic Plantation Ruins in Virgin Islands National Park
- Virgin Islands National Park Snorkeling Guide
- Accommodation