VINP Superintendent Updates Community about Caneel Bay and Park Improvements

A portion of the shuttered property that was formerly the Caneel Bay Resort on St. John will be open to the public within a matter of weeks, according to Penny Del Bene, the superintendent of the Virgin Islands National Park.

The National Park Service is finalizing the installation of new signage and security measures to assure the public’s safety when a limited area is reopened at Caneel Bay, Del Bene said.

Many of the buildings on the 150-acre property have lain in ruin since the resort was heavily damaged by hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. Aside from two businesses that have been allowed to operate under the previous lease-holder’s agreement, the iconic resort has remained off-limits to the public.

At the meeting, one St. John resident said she celebrated when the sign at the entrance of the former resort was removed and replaced with a National Park Service sign; it indicated that after a seven-year wait to gain access to the property – which included a long legal battle – the change in ownership was complete. “It was the prettiest park sign. We waited so long,” said Kathy Guidi.