NPS photo Overview of Caneel BayCaneel Bay is located on a 150-acre peninsula on the northwest side of the island and was originally developed by Laurance Rockefeller beginning in 1956. Initially, Rockefeller donated over 5,000 acres of land to the National Park Service (NPS) and reserved the 150 acres, what has been Caneel Bay Resort, for the Jackson Hole Preserve, a Rockefeller family land trust. In 1983 Jackson Hole Preserve donated the 150 acres of land to the U.S. government for inclusion within the Virgin Islands National Park. The preserved land was transferred to the NPS with a 40-year retained use estate (RUE).Since 1983, the resort under the RUE has been owned and/or managed by different companies. Since 1992, Caneel Bay Resort has been operated by Rosewood Hotels on behalf of the owners, CBI Acquisitions. The RUE is scheduled to expire on September 30, 2023. With the expiration of the Rockefeller RUE in sight, the NPS undertook a formal planning process to plan for the redevelopment of Caneel Bay at Virgin Islands National Park on St. John. The NPS planning team focused its early priorities on framing the stewardship, community and operational objectives for redevelopment. Check out a list of frequently asked questions for more information. Updates of Continued Phased Opening Process
NPS is addressing the environmental contamination at Caneel Bay identified in the EE/CA Addendum. Area 1 (317 cubic yards of loose asbestos containing debris scattered throughout the resort boundary) was removed in May 2024. The contract for Area 2 (remove contaminates in the maintenance and landscaping area) was out for bid and closed July 15, 2024. Area 3 (remove unauthorized landfill contents) is on hold as the current funding allocated for the project is reassessed. The NPS intends to implement a phased reopening of areas of Caneel Bay to the public as they become safe. A full reopening and implementation of the actions approved in the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Virgin Islands National Park Caneel Bay Area Redevelopment and Management Environmental Assessment will take time. No firm timetable currently exists for complete public access, but the NPS will prioritize providing limited beach access to the public once conditions allow. Over time more amenities and facilities will become operational once public health and safety can be accounted for. Please continue to check the park’s website for up-to-date information. 
NPS Image Land Based Opening of Caneel BeachVirgin Islands National Park has opened Caneel Beach for land-based public access as part of the Caneel Bay phased reopening outlined by the Finding of No Significant Impacts (FONSI) the National Park Service has been carrying out since the Virgin Islands District Court affirmed the federal government’s ownership of Caneel Bay Resort lands and improvements in April 2024.The land-based opening of Caneel Beach occured on August 1, 2024. The public is advised to use designated public areas only, and not enter areas that are still closed due to remaining safety risks. Please refer to this map to orient to open areas. The map highlights public parking, a paved pedestrian pathway to Caneel Beach, viewing area for the Historic Durloo Plantation, and shows areas that remain closed to the public due to present safety risks. This restored public access is the next step in the phased reopening of the Caneel Bay property. “We are very pleased to continue taking positive steps to open areas of Caneel back up to the public and continue providing safe, and memorable experiences in Virgin Islands National Park,” stated Park Superintendent Penny Del Bene. 
NPS Photo Caneel Bay Pre-Solicitation for the Request for QualificationsThis is a unique chance for the right developer to invest in the U.S. Virgin Islands community, with an unprecedented 60-year lease term, on 74 acres of the Virgin Islands National Park. Competition for this lease is a straightforward two-step process, where bidders submit their qualifications to the NPS during the request for qualifications (RFQ) process. Those bidders found eligible through the RFQ will then be given the exclusive opportunity to submit a detailed proposal on how they would develop and manage an eco-friendly destination resort that commands the level of customer service expected in the U.S. Virgin Islands, while also becoming an integral member of the community on St. John and throughout the Virgin Islands.Interested in the opportunity to submit during the RFQ process? The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) will be released on October 22, 2024, and this is your first step to engage in this important process. Interested parties should be aware that both Federal and territorial tax incentives may be available. For more information please see: Historic Preservation Tax Incentives (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) and Tax Incentives – USVIEDA Request for Qualifications- Caneel Bay flyer 
Planning for Future Use and StewardshipThe National Park Service began planning for the redevelopment of Caneel Bay in 2021, and identified the following goals:
On Januray 20, 2023 the National Park Service released an Environmental Asessment for the Redevelopment and Management of Caneel Bay at Virgin Islands National Park. The public and stakeholders were invited to provide comments on the plan over the following months. Under the selected alternative announced on July 28, 2023, the NPS plans to balance enhanced public access, recreational opportunities, resource protection, and park operational efficiency while reestablishing an overnight experience on a portion of the original RUE. This plan also identifies two potential locations for future community spaces where residents, overnight guests, and Park visitors could more directly experience the local culture of St. John and the USVI. Additional information about the proposed redevelopment and the other proposed alternatives can be found here. First StepsCaneel Bay was devastated during the back-to-back category 5 hurricanes of Irma and Maria in 2017. Like much of the U.S. Virgin Islands, structures, natural resources and infrastructure recieved catosstrophic damage. The island was forever changed after the 2017 hurricane season. Recovery continues, and Caneel Bay is no execption. The National Park Service must assess all structures, infrastructure, and natural resources and develop a plan for recovery and remediation. Once this data is collected, it will inform a phased reopening strategy for the Caneel Bay area.Additionally, some specifc needs have already been identified. Extensive work will be needed to mediate abestos that was used in the construction of the buildings and was exposed from the hurricane damage. Further, over 8 acres of land in Caneel Bay has been identified as having potential environmental concerns from the operation of the wastewater treatment plant, use of chemicals and other pesticides. The NPS is currently investigating this potential environmental contamination prusuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Phased ReopeningThe full reopening and implimentation of the actions approved in the environmental assessment will take time. No firm timetable currently exists for public access, but the NPS will prioritize providing limited beach access to the public once conditions allow. Over time more amenities and facilities will become operational once public health and safety can be accounted for. The NPS does forsee soliciting business proposals for operating the Caneel Bay Resort at a future, yet undetermined date. Please contine to check this website for updates.Caneel Bay FONSI Presentation, September 2023 (Video)
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A recording of the public presentation exploring the selected alternative for the Redevelopment of Caneel Bay from September of 2023. NPS News Releases on Caneel Bay |
Last updated: October 9, 2024