Things to do nearTektite Trailhead

The Tektite Trailhead sits within the boundaries of Virgin Islands National Park, which protects more than half of St. John and preserves some of the most biodiverse terrain in the Caribbean. The trailhead itself is named for the Tektite I and II missions of the late 1960s and early 1970s, when NASA and the U.S. Navy stationed aquanauts in an underwater habitat just offshore in Lameshur Bay to study the effects of long-duration saturation diving.

From the trailhead, the path winds through dry tropical forest and coastal scrub, offering hikers a close look at native flora including turpentine trees, century plants, and a variety of cacti. The terrain rises and dips along the southern coastline, rewarding those who push further with open views over the glittering waters of the bay and the low hills of the surrounding park.

The guided hikes available through park-affiliated naturalists can help you identify wildlife and understand the ecological story of this corner of St. John. After your hike, the calm, clear shallows of Lameshur Bay invite snorkeling among healthy coral formations and reef fish. The combination of genuine wilderness, layered history, and aquatic beauty makes Tektite Trailhead a destination that stands apart from the island's busier spots.