The DL – St. Croix: One of the three islands in the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix is the most underdeveloped, the largest, and least touristy. The island is known for the tropical rainforest landscape and beautiful water to snorkel in. The average temperature is in the mid-80s with the total island being about 22 miles long, and 8 wide. Fun fact – St. Croix, and specifically it’s Salt River Bay site has been deemed the only known place where members of Christopher Columbus’ expedition set foot on what is now US territory.
Arriving in St. Croix
St. Croix has its own small airport – the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport. You will exit on the tarmac and it has an outdoor baggage claim, this is where you will find the rental car windows. We took a direct flight in from Atlanta on Delta and it was a simple and quick 4 hours.
Tip: When you are at the airport waiting on your bags, find the pink booklets called the St. Croix This Week, which lists events happening on and around the island that week and month, along with maps, and list of local spots to try out.
Transportation: Unless you don’t plan to go literally anywhere once you get to your accommodations, a rental car is necessary. There are no
Tip: Even though this is an American island, they drive on the other side of the road, so know that before driving on the roads especially when it comes to making turns.
Tip: Groceries are expensive on the island especially things like
The island is really split up into two parts – Frederiksted, which is the
Beaches To Check Out
- Cane Bay – shallow sand area, but popular snorkeling and diving spots, also near good places to eat.
- Chenay beach – must-see sunsets, lounge chairs are free
if food and drinks are purchased at the small pavilion restaurant. - Buck Island and specifically Turtle Beach on the island – you will need a tour boat to take you or private boat since it is an island, it has been voted best beaches by National Geographic (for sure a top recommendation)
- Shoys Beach – pebble beach, hidden and must get there through tree tunnels, very private
- Rainbow beach – calm water, a
restaurant on the beach, water sports - Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge – beautiful secluded beach, usually open just on weekends so check to make sure before going
- Isaac Bay Beach and Jacks Bay – secluded beaches, a little bit of a hike to get down to it, but the views are amazing the whole way down (one of my top recommendations)
- Salt River Bay – where Christopher Columbus landed
For in depth descriptions of other beaches go here.
Where to Eat
Breakfast:
- Twin City Coffee
- Avocado Pitt
- Toast
Brunch:
- Beachside cafe
- Duggan’s Reef – Sunday Brunch
- Angry Nates
- Rum Runners
Lunch/Casual Dinner:
- Eat at Cane Bay -Try the Mahi tacos
- Rhythms at Rainbow beach – this is a fun place to eat while at the beach or just grab a drink if you are passing by
- Le Rein Chicken Shack – this is a local spot and total dive, make sure to try the BBQ chicken and johnnycakes, no views here
- Rowdy Joes – fresh fish, not on the water but good for a late-night bite
- Angry Nate’s – on the water in Christiansted, American food
- Rum Runner – cheap drinks, pub food to steaks to seafood pasta
- The Mermaid at the Buccaneer hotel – fresh seafood (can be nicer for dinner)
- Beauregard’s at the Buccaneer hotel – fresh seafood (can be nicer for dinner)
- Boz off the wall – pizza, check for when bingo night is happening, this is a local fun thing to do and they have prizes!
Nicer Dinner Options:
- The Waves at Cane Bay – get there before sunset to see the views while you eat
- Galangal – Asian Food
- Savant – cute patio, we enjoyed the vibe here
- Balter – good happy hour menu – closed Sunday and Wednesday
- Zion Modern Kitchen
- The Mermaid at Buccaneer Hotel
- Bogey’s – right on the water, amazing sunsets
- Duggan’s Reef – dimly lit, my favorite dinner of the trip, must get the lobster. So many celebrities have visited this spot if eating at night just know you can’t see the water view but still feels very tropical
Unique Dinner options:
- Ridge to reef: They host bimonthly dinners – 6-course meal under the stars on their farm for 60 people.
Other Things to Do:
- Sunset sail
- Scuba Diving
- Bioluminescent Bay, Salt River Bay National Historical Park
- St. George’s village botanical gardens
- Christiansted Boardwalk
- Make sure to check out Shupe’s bar for the hermit crab races
- Seaplane or ferry to St. John or St. Thomas for the day
- Visit St Croix yacht club
- Check out the Divi Casino
- Whim and Lawaetz Plantations
- Water Sports
- Shop in the downtown areas – you must stop and get a hook bracelet from the original Sonya. These bracelets have been imitated all over the Caribbean but it all started here in downtown Christiansted. If the hook is facing toward the heart it means you are taken and if facing away then that means you are not in a relationship. You will see many people all over the island wearing them.
Where to Stay:
- Gentle Winds – we stayed here thanks to one of our fabulous couple friends who just happen to have a condo here. You can rent one of these condos on air
bnb , and it has its own private beach and pool. - The Buccaneer
- Other options check here.
Trip Agenda:
Day 1
- Arrive, get settled, hang out at the beach and eat somewhere by your resort.
Day 2
- Point Udall – see the sunrise
- Point Udall is the easternmost point in the United States. It has a sundial known as the Millennium Monument and marks the angle of the first U.S. sunrise
- Spend the day at Jacks Bay and Isaac Bay – bring lunch and have a beach picnic
- Dinner – Savant (get seated in the little cave-like area around the side of the restaurant) or somewhere else you have been wanting to try
Day 3
- Visit Buck island – One of only three underwater national monuments in the United States filled with underwater trails that snorkelers can follow. We used Big Beards Adventure and they were great, we also did the half-day excursion and it was plenty of time. You get time on the boat to see the beautiful water and St. Croix from a distance since it’s about a 25-minute boat ride, you are also taken to one spot to hang out on the beach and then taken to snorkel the underwater trails.
- Plan to hang out and eat in Downtown Christiansted, go see the hermit crabs, shop
etc . since many of the tours take off from here. - Angry Nate’s – on the water in Christiansted is on the boardwalk and usually easy to get a table
Day 4
- Hike the Annaly Bay Tidal Pools or take a jeep adventure. The tidal pools are quite a hike up, a couple of miles and then you have to rock climb to get into the tidal pools and hike all the way down. But this was an amazing adventure I would highly recommend.
- After an exhausting day head somewhere like Boz off the wall – check for when bingo night is happening, this is a local fun thing to do and they have prizes!
Day 5
- Explore Fredrickstead downtown and the shops
- Check out Rainbow Beach and grab lunch at Rhythms
- Mt. Pelier Domino Club
- Buy
non alcoholic
- Buy
- Cruzan Rum Tour
- A fun and historical way to see one of the long-standing businesses of St. Croix. This is also by the airport if its more convenient to do at another time.
- Botanical Gardens are also near here if this is of interest to you
- Dinner – cook at home or try one of these:
- Eat at Cane Bay -Mahi tacos
- Rowdy Joes – fresh fish, not on the water but good for a late-night bite
Day 6
- Morning – Golf and Spa at the
Buckaneer Hotel. - The Mermaid or Beuregards on the beach on hotel property are a perfect option for lunch, and both have a beautiful view.
- Find a beach and spend the afternoon there
- Dinner – Head somewhere nice tonight, try one of my favorites Dunnagans Reef.
Day 7
- Do anything else on your list or just hang out at the beach and take a late-night flight home!
Tip: Just like many other Caribbean islands there is a lot of poverty and recovery from devastating hurricanes in St. Croix, never did I feel unsafe but always be smart!
For more information about St. Croix click here.
Leave a Comment
Pingback: Ultimate Guide to the Florida Keys - The Detailed Local on January 7, 2020
1 COMMENT