Hike· St John· Virgin Islands (BVI, USVI and Spanish Virgins)
Francis Bay Trail & Salt Pond
18° 21.7′ N · 64° 44.6′ W
An easy 0.7-mile loop and accessible boardwalk behind Francis Bay beach, past the Mary Point Estate ruins to a brackish salt pond full of birds.
Practical
Trailhead position from the Wikivoyage listing (starts at the Francis Bay sugar factory ruins). About 0.7 mile, 30 minutes, easy; much of the lower trail is a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk (island guide). Birds include herons, egrets, osprey, brown boobies, pelicans, oystercatchers and mangrove cuckoos; bring binoculars. Grills on the beach; pit toilets (no running water) at the parking area; no pets on the beach. Land the dinghy on Francis Bay beach away from swimmers.
Best for
Birding walk from the Francis Bay moorings