Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument

Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument protects federal submerged lands within the three-mile belt off St. John. Established by presidential proclamation, it covers 12,708 submerged acres, including deep waters off the northern and southern boundaries of Virgin Islands National Park and the shoreline and waters of Hurricane Hole. The monument protects linked ecosystems such as coral reefs, deep-water reefs, seagrass beds, algal plains and mangrove shorelines. There is no entrance fee. Its mailing address and phone line are shared with Virgin Islands National Park in Cruz Bay. For residents who boat, fish or snorkel around St. John, or who are looking at property near Hurricane Hole, this is the National Park Service unit to check with about rules on the water. The monument's main page also mentions a storm refuge system designed for vessels up to 60 feet.