St. Croix in The U.S. Virgin Islands
St. Croix...
St. Croix is the largest of the three US Virgin Islands with 84 square miles of rolling hills and sandy beaches. Although St. Croix is the largest, it receives fewer visitors than its sister islands, St. Thomas and St. John. The island is right in the middle of St. Thomas’s booming tourism and the tranquility of St. John. Those who do visit the island on the occasional cruise ship spread out over the island to discover beautiful vistas, boutique shopping and other outdoor adventures.
There is a real sense of living history in St. Croix. The island’s two main towns, Frederiksted and Christiansted retain 19th century architecture and ruined sugar estates and windmills are along the countryside. Attractions in St. Croix include historical sites and ruins, spectacular vistas and great driving and sailing trips. This is the best St. Croix Virgin Islands travel guide that provides you with information on hotels, rentals, beaches, golf courses, dining and more.
Saint Croix Hotels & Resorts...
St. Croix offers a full range of accommodations although most are on the smaller side. The Sunterra Carambola Beach Resort is the largest resort with only 150 rooms. The rest of your lodging options are small hotels and resorts, condominiums, inns and bed and breakfasts. Lodging rates are the highest in the winter season but all seasons are beautiful in St. Croix.
All the island’s major resorts have beaches and offer water sports, shopping, fitness activities and tennis. You will also find 18-hole golf courses at the Sunterra and The Buccaneer Hotel and nine holes at the Reef Golf Course.
The town of Christiansted has several small hotels to offer. All have pools and are walking distance from fine restaurants, shopping and the seaplane shuttle connection to St. Thomas. Frederiksted also offers plenty of lodging options if you want an in-town location at the western end of the island.
If you prefer more privacy and want an out-of-town location you might want to try one of the island’s vacation villas. All are lovely with top drawer amenities and fine furnishings. Condominium vacations provide a resort feel with villa convenience. All have pools, complete kitchens and staff to assist you with your vacation needs. There are several condominiums along the island’s north shore just outside of Christiansted where you will be just steps from the beach. There are only few bed and breakfasts on the island and there are two located in Christiansted that of course provide a delicious breakfast.
The island has one casino, the Divi Carina Bay Resort and Casino, that is very contemporary and a bit more flashy than the other resorts on the islands. The resort is located at the eastern end of the island and is about 20 minutes from Christiansted.
Saint Croix Beaches...
Just like the other two islands you won’t have to look far to soak in some sun beachside on St. Croix. Many hotels are located on the beach and there are public parks located at the east and west ends of the island.
Near Christiansted is the Buccaneer Beach at Reef Bay that has a steady breeze, beach chairs and towels which are for guests of the Buccaneer Hotel. Non guests of the hotel may use the hotel’s showering facilities and admission to the property is $6. Other close beaches are Shoy’s Beach and Reef Beach, both great for windsurfing. Closer to town are is Hotel on the Cay’s beach that is open to public access, but you must get there by ferry. There is also Isaac Bay, a nudist beach that is difficult to access. West of town is Hibiscus Beach which has good snorkeling, Pelican Cove, also has great snorkeling at the reef, Judith’s Fancy, Salt River and Cane Bay also good for snorkeling and diving.
Close to Frederiksted are La Grange Beach and West End Beach. The Sundowner Beach Bar is a short walk from the pier. Rainbow Beach has good snorkeling and calm waters, Sprat Hall Beach and Monk’s Bath Beach are all farther north of Frederiksted. The island’s most beautiful beach, Sandy Point Beach is south of town.
If you’re looking to visit one of St. Croix’s nicest beaches be sure to check out Buck Island Reef National Monument. Totaling 880 acres Buck Island Reef is the only underwater National Monument in the US. Buck Island is a 180 acre federally protected island that’s less than two miles off the island of St. Croix. An incredible 30,000 people visit the island a year. It’s a great place to take a day sailing trip or a scuba trip to. You’ll see plenty of colorful fish in the coral garden that surrounds the island and there are easy hiking trails with spectacular views to fill your day on the island. You can sign up to sail to Buck Island at your hotel or at water sports centers in town.
Saint Croix Dining and Entertainment...
Christiansted hosts the core of the island’s dining options and most are tucked away in old buildings around the town. There are options from fine dining where Caribbean lobster heads the menu at Restaurant Bacchus to pub fare with a sophisticated spin at the Bombay Club. Locals and visitors both like the very casual restaurant, Harvey’s, where the owner creates local dishes that are always tasty. There are also some great breakfast and lunch spots with fresh muffins and interesting sandwiches.
Great dining in St. Croix is not only limited to Christiansted. There are also great options on the east end of the island. The Great House at Villa Madeline is an elegant restaurant that serves dishes such as roasted duck and fresh wahoo. Frederiksted also offers great eateries. You’ll find a cute bistro, Blue Moon that’s right across the waterfront and Le St. Tropez provides French dishes in a courtyard setting. And don’t miss lunch at Turtle’s Deli out on the covered patio. Outside Frederiksted if you’re coming straight from the beach check out Off the Wall seaside at Cane Bay for a low-key bathing suit attire setting.
As far as entertainment goes, you’ll find that St. Croix has more to do during the winter season than the summer. Before your trip check out the calendar of events and for the latest on entertainment events be sure to pick up a copy of “St. Croix This Week,” available at shops, restaurants and tourist attractions around the island.
If you’re looking for live music you’ll find it of all kinds around town. Easy-listening piano music is popular at a lot of the hotel restaurants and upscale restaurants around town. Clubs around the waterfront of Christiansted will often have rock and roll or reggae bands and Indie restaurants usually have jazz on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. In Frederiksted the Blue Moon restaurant has jazz on Friday night and at its Sunday Brunch. Cane Bay’s Off the Wall beach bar and restaurant has blues or jazz on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
On Wednesdays when the cruise ships are in town downtown Frederiksted comes alive with a street party called Harbour Night.
Saint Croix Things To Do...
There are many things to do on the island of St. Croix, everything from land and safari tours of the island to water sports of all kinds depending on what type of vacation you’re aiming for. The island’s two towns host many hot spots for dining, entertainment and shopping but you’ll find plenty of other adventures across the whole island. Among land tours, safari tours and water sport activities you’ll find, great hiking spots, heritage tours, diving trips, fishing and boating, tennis, golf, horseback riding and plantations and ruins to explore. You’re sure to find the perfect activity on your trip to St. Criox.
Christiansted is one of St. Croix’s top visitor spots. It’s a charming town with beautiful old buildings that reflect the island’s Danish heritage. The town is filled with rolling green hills and you will find unique shops on the waterfront boardwalk. The town has a few small hotels, restaurants, bars and quite a few historic sites and museums. Be sure to check out the National Park Service’s Visitor Center. You will find a free walking tour map if you’re interested in visiting the important landmarks. You can also visit the Christiansted Visitor Center at 53A Company Street for brochures and information on things to do in St. Croix.
The town’s construction began in 1735 and the architecture is mostly 18th century European style. The streets slope slightly uphill from the harbor and traffic is minimal. The harbor is quite calm with plenty of sailboats and charter boats to take visitors sailing, diving or fishing. Seaplanes also will frequently take off and land in the harbor from trips to St. Thomas. There is also a water taxi to take people to Protestant Cay, a small island in the middle of the harbor and also home to Hotel on the Cay. You will find a small beach, a water sports area and a beachfront restaurant at Hotel on the Cay.
Frederiksted is St. Croix’s other town, but acts more like a village. It’s about 45 minutes from Christiansted and can be reached via highways or through the rainforest. In the town you will find Frederiksted Cruise Ship Pier, the island’s deep-water pier. You will find great restaurants and shopping nearby if you arrive by cruise ship. However, when the cruise ships leave the town practically shuts down. You may not find all the shops and restaurants open when the cruise ships are not in port, so call to make sure before you make the trip.
Near the Pier you will find Ft. Frederik a fort built in 1760 that has since been turned into a museum containing refurbished military quarters and stables. Other important historical attractions include Victorian buildings, museums, historic churches and the fruit and vegetable market. Also, Frederiksted Visitor’s Center is close by the pier.
On the countryside of St. Croix you will find over 100 ruins of sugar cane mills and grand plantation homes. Some plantations have been restored as private homes, guest homes and museums. The Whim Plantation Museum is close to Frederiksted and is filled with antiques and open for daily tours.
St Croix’s Rain Forest is only a 20 minute drive from Frederiksted. Although it is not a true rain forest, it is the home to centuries old mahogany trees, samaan and silk cotton trees. There are also remains of former plantations and estates along Mahogany Road, the main road through the forest. A trip through the rain forest on the less-traveled and barely-improved Scenic Road –Route 79 or Creque Dam Road – Routes 58 and 78 requires a four-wheel drive vehicle.
Salt River Bay National Historic Park and Ecological Preserve is a fairly new living museum on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. It is a dynamic, tropical ecosystem with Prehistoric and colonial-era archeological sites and ruins. It is home to some of the largest mangrove forests in the Virgin Islands as well as coral reefs and a submarine canyon. Experience the beauty, sanctity and spirit of this place.
Saint Croix Fun Facts...
Population: 119,000
Land Area: 84 sq miles
Average Annual Rainfall: 40 in
Average January Temperature: 79 degrees F
Average July Temperature: 84 degrees F
Saint Croix Quick Facts…
Major Industries: Oil, Sugar, Agriculture, Tourism.
Electricity: 120 volts, 60 Hz; standard two-pin plug
Time Zone: GMT-4
Country Dialing Code: 1
Area Code: 340
Did You Know?
In November of 1493 Christopher Columbus and his crew landed on the north shore of St. Croix.
Orientation…
St. Croix is one of the United States Virgin Islands, which are located between the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean. About 50 miles east of Puerto Rico, they make up part of the large arc of Caribbean islands that stretch from Florida down to South America. St. Croix is the southernmost of the Virgin Islands, and is also the largest.
