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Drone Rules for Virgin Islands National Park

Central, St. John (St John) • U.S. Virgin Islands
St John, USVI
Lat: 18.3435 • Lng: -64.7501
Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 29, 2026
Summary
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Drone operations are strictly prohibited at Virgin Islands National Park under NPS regulations. No recreational or commercial flights are permitted without an explicit Special Use Permit. The park covers nearly two-thirds of St. John island and protects critical coral reef ecosystems — including Trunk Bay, one of the m

Authorization Status

  • Recreational: ❌ 100% Banned
  • Commercial (Part 107): ❌ Not allowed without NPS Special Use Permit
  • Marine: ⚠️ Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument adjacent
  • ESA: ⚠️ Leatherback sea turtle critical nesting habitat

Geographic Boundaries

Virgin Islands National Park is located on St. John island, U.S. Virgin Islands, in the Caribbean Sea.

  • Total area: ~14,945 acres (land + submerged)
  • Coordinates: 18.3350° N, 64.7282° W
  • Includes Trunk Bay (underwater snorkel trail), Cinnamon Bay, Annaberg Plantation ruins, and Ram Head
  • Adjacent to Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument
  • Nearest city: Cruz Bay, St. John (park headquarters adjacent)

Regulations

  • NPS Management Policies § 8.2.2 prohibits UAS in all NPS units
  • 36 CFR § 1.5 — Superintendent's closure authority
  • 36 CFR § 2.17(a)(3) — Prohibits air delivery/retrieval
  • ESA (16 U.S.C. § 1531) — Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) critically endangered; nesting beach UAS = Section 9
  • Marine Mammal Protection Act (16 U.S.C. § 1361) — humpback whale seasonal feeding in waters adjacent
  • NHPA (54 U.S.C. § 300101) — Annaberg Plantation historic site
  • FAA 14 CFR Part 107 governs commercial operations
  • Airspace: Class G; Cyril E. King Airport (STT) Class D ~4 miles west

Penalties

  • NPS fines up to $5,000 per violation
  • ESA Leatherback: up to $50,000 + 1 year per nesting incident
  • MMPA: civil fines up to $10,000 per marine mammal incident
  • FAA Class D STT violation: civil penalties up to $27,500/day
  • Equipment confiscation by park rangers

Special Permissions

  • NPS Special Use Permit required
  • FAA LAANC check required for STT Class D proximity
  • Sea turtle nesting blackout: March–October beaches Submit requests to: Virgin Islands NP Superintendent, 1300 Cruz Bay Creek, St. John, VI 00830
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