I definitely think it's worth it - you learn about Virgin Islands' plants and history, you may even do some foraging along the trail of natural foodstuff that grows along the trail, you'll see the petroglyphs, some plantation ruins, and there's beach time and a short boat ride at the end. They say it takes two hours, but that's probably if you just walk it yourself without a guide. Definitely go with the Park Ranger so you get the history and knowledge about the plants. Since the rangers stop every so often to explain things, the hike takes a little longer, plus you have to allow time to get there, and back to the visitors' center. I'd allow 4 hours total, I think.

The reef bay hike with a park ranger is an all downhill walk from the top of the reef bay trail to the beach with stops along the way at the petroglyphs and sugar refinery ruins. It is a pretty easy hike. The ranger teaches about local flora and fauna. I remember it taking about 4 hours. You take an open air taxi from the park ranger station in Cruz Bay and then a boat back. Whether or not it is worth it to you depends on what you are expecting to get out of it. My family enjoyed it. It was not too strenuous, it was fun to learn from the park ranger. The trail is more well used than I expected so we saw lots of people on the trail aside from our group and there was graffiti and scracthiti on the trees and at the petroglyphs area.

My husband and I did the NPS guided Reef Bay Trail hike in June of 2005 and loved it! We didn't make reservations in advance, so when we went to sign up for a hike they were all filled up. We were told to be at the NPS Visitor Center in Cruz Bay by 9:30 to see if there were any "no shows." Lucky for us, a few people did not show up and we got to go on the hike. Our guide, Denise, was wonderful! She grew up on the island and told lots of stories. As mentioned above, you also learn about the different native plants and animals/insects on St. John. It's a nice easy hike downhill with plenty of stops. Lunch was taken at the petroglyphs, then you have some free time to explore the ruins or take a dip in Reef Bay. Our boat was waiting for us and you had the option of swimming to it, or taking the dingy. Then you get a nice 45 minute boat ride back to Cruz Bay enjoying the view of St. John's Southern coast while sipping a rum punch! I think we were back in Cruz Bay by 2:30 or 3:00. We will definitely do this guided tour next time we're on St. John!

I highly recommend the NPS tour because of the boat ride (so you don't have to hike back up the trail)...the way down is fine, but going back up is pretty strenuous...I did it once and will never do it again.

I just got back from STJ last week and we did the Reef Bay Trail hike without a guide. We passed the group of people waiting for the park ranger to talk about the local vegetation along the trail and were glad we could slide right past the group without waiting. I guess it depends on what you are looking for in a hike. Personally I like uncrowded hikes where I can move at my own speed.

The group met up with us about 1/2 hour later at the Reef Bay beach. We were splashing in the water having fun and they were wishing they had worn their swimming suits - so if you do take the hike bring your bathing suit along. There also looked to be some confusion over where they caught their boat at to take them back to Cruz Bay.

At the beach we saw 2 nurse sharks swimming in the water right off shore. We also explored the sugar mill ruins by the beach and were greated by several angry bats (apparently they didn't like my flash photography). You'll see loads of hermit crabs along the trail as well.

The hike back is grueling but makes you feel like you accomplished something when you get back to Centerline Road. I treated myself with a painkiller at Skinny Legs.

Either way - enjoy!