Maho Bay

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Maho Bay Camps on Maho Bay, St. John, USVI (and a similar set of camps at Estate Concordia, also on St. John) are eco-tourist destinations. The Maho Bay Camps have been in existence for over thirty years, after the initial construction of 18 tent-cottages on platforms by Stanley Selengut. The present camp includes 114 units that are connected by boardwalks. There is an outdoor restaurant present (the Pavilion Restaurant) as well as a small store. The camps are operated by Maho Bay Camps, Inc. The similar Concordia Eco-tents are located south of Coral Bay off the road to Salt Pond Bay. The land on which Maho Bay Camps is located is a privately owned in-holding within the U.S. Virgin Island National Park. (Three U. S. mainland families own it, and not the National Park Service.) The Maho Bay Camps’ lease expires in the year 2012. There is considerable doubt (on the part of the parent organization) that the lease will be renewed. By way of contrast, the Estate Concordia property is privately owned by Stanley Selengut, and is apparently scheduled for expansion. Camping in Virgin Islands National Park is permitted only at the Cinnamon Bay campground - no back-country or beach camping is allowed by the National Park Service. The Cinnamon Bay campground is operated by a concessionaire. There are bare sites, tent-covered platforms and cottages available, along with a restaurant (the T’ree Lizard) and a small camp store. Park Service programs are offered in a small amphitheater (including campfire programs). In addition, a wide range of weekly activities are available at the campground (including trips to Lameshur Bay, Salt Pond Bay, the Reef Bay hike, snorkeling at the Trunk Bay underwater snorkeling trail, and cultural demonstrations at the Annaberg Plantation historical site). A waterfront shop rents snorkeling equipment, sea kayaks, sailboards and small sailboats, and provides lessons as well. In addition, volunteers are given the opportunity to participate in an archaeological dig on a pre-Columbian Taino ceremonial site at Cinnamon Bay. A self-guided trail, ultimately leading to the Centerline Road, begins in the ruins of the original Cinnamon Bay sugar mill directly across the road from the campground entrance.