ST JOHN, US Virgin Islands — Tropical clouds build over the mountains at Waterlemon Cay on St John in the US Virgin Islands. Waterlemon Cay is a small islet located off the northeast coast of St John, within Virgin Islands National Park. The area is known for its scenic beauty, combining lush mountain landscapes with Caribbean waters.
Photograph by David Coleman. Waterlemon Cay is a picturesque islet situated off the northeast coast of St John, the smallest of the three main US Virgin Islands. This small, uninhabited cay is part of Virgin Islands National Park, which protects approximately 60% of St John's land area and surrounding waters. The cay is renowned for its pristine natural beauty, combining the lush tropical landscape of St John's mountains with the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. The area around Waterlemon Cay is characterized by its dramatic topography. St John's mountainous terrain, formed by ancient volcanic activity, creates a stunning backdrop for the coastal scenery. The highest point on St John, Bordeaux Mountain, reaches an elevation of 1,277 feet (389 meters), contributing to the island's diverse microclimates and ecosystems. The tropical climate of St John, with its warm temperatures and high humidity, often leads to the formation of impressive cloud formations over the mountains. These clouds, typically cumulus or cumulonimbus, are a common sight in the Caribbean, especially during the afternoon hours or the wet season (June to November). The interplay between the warm sea, humid air, and mountainous terrain creates ideal conditions for cloud development. Virgin Islands National Park, established in 1956, plays a crucial role in preserving the natural beauty and ecological diversity of St John and its surrounding waters. The park encompasses over 7,000 acres of land and 5,650 acres of adjacent submerged lands, protecting a rich variety of plant and animal species, as well as important cultural and historical sites.
Size: 6705px × 4475px
Location: Waterlemon Cay, St John, St. John, US Virgin Islands
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: .., america, beach, beaches, blue, caribbean, cay, clear, climate, clouds, coast, coastal, coastline, crystal, ecology, ecosystem, environment, environmentalism, holiday, island, islands, john, land, landscape, lounging, mountains, national, nature, north, park, photo, photos, pristine, saint, sand, scenery, sea, seaside, st, st., states, sunset, travel, tropical, united, usa, usvi, views, virgin, waterfront, waterlemon, waters, weather, white
