USVI-On-Line

I am often out and about very early. Is it ok for us to visit Trunk very early in the morning before they "officially" open at 8 am?

Not sure if it's okay, but I've done it a few times. Took a taxi. Walked right past the rangers' booth, nodded to a gent who was cleaning up. I believe the bathrooms were locked, however.

TM

We always go early...I like it best when its not crowded..and usually leave when it gets crowded..not so much for the not paying thing...I figure if 4 bucks was gonna make or break me I better stay at home..but we've never been stopped going in early, we've been there as early as 7:30.

we generally get there just before 8am. usually have the beach to ourselves. there are a few park employees wandering around but no one ever questioned us. we have a better time snorkeling before the crowds hit.
brian.

I have to admit that for years we avoided Trunk because of the crowds. Then one year we went for sunset. Not that there is a great sunset at Trunk. But it was great and had very few people on the beach. I recall laughing about how perfect it was strolling down an empty Caribbean beach with the sun setting creating an almost cinematic moment. It was enough to convince my daughter and son-in-law to get married there.

Then a couple of years of ago after telling friends new to island that Trunk was too crowded, we drove by early one morning. The parking lot was empty so we pulled in. There was hardly anyone on the beach and we had a great snorkel. Since then we make it a point to go early and leave as the beach fills up. There is always someone waiting to take our parking place.

Which goes to show you, even in high season, there is a time and place for everything.

Ok thanks. Sounds like a breakfast on the beach kind day to me.

we often stop at deli grotto for coffee and hit Trunk early. It is our favorite time. By noon we are usually ready to move on.
My husband always insists on paying on the way out so it's not a money saving thing. We don't mind paying our fair share to the NP.

We always get to Trunk right after sunrise. Usually the first ones there. I love strolling the beach with absolutely no one around. Then we back up and head home at lunch time when the crowds start getting thick.

mbw, I thought surely I had written your post, except we get a soft drink instead of coffee. We like getting our snorkel in before anyone arrives and then we enjoy people watching. We always pay when leaving. We are glad to support the park service of STJ, also.