St Croix, USVI

What to do in St Croix, USVI

Buck Island Cruise

Take a glass-bottom boat from Christiansted to this uninhabited volcanic islet, just 5 miles offshore. Divers and snorkelers treasure its crystal waters, where corals can grow up to 30 feet tall and the reefs are home to a various species. There are two major underwater trails, Turtle Bay and East End Trail, and on land there are walking trails, gorgeous sandy beaches, and picnic facilities.

Whim Great House

This lovingly restored estate including a windmill and cook house is furnished with antique mahogany pieces including a splendid 4-poster bed characteristically carved with pineapples, the colonial symbol of hospitality. A stroll through its high-ceiling rooms and grounds imparts a sense of life on a 19th-century sugar plantation. The fresh, airy atmosphere is generatd by an ingenious, waterless stone moat that gathers cool air and distributes it evenly.

Christiansted Jump-Ups

These highly energetic street-dance parades are a signature festivity of the Caribbean, and in St Croix they are held in February, May, July, and November. These single-night events held over and over, like a collection of mini Mardi Gras!.

Submarine Cruise

If you visit St Thomas, take an undersea voyage on the Atlantis for the experience of a lifetime! You'll journey through the reefs and brilliantly-colored marine life of the famed Buck Island Wilderness Preserves at depths of up to 90 feet!.

St John Day Trip

This neighboring US Virgin Island is a two-thirds national park, where you'll see what the world is like when nature takes care of itself. Drift to sleep on nearly untouched beaches or follow a friendly mongoose along a woodland trail to a plateau with arresting views of emerald cays on white sand beaches.

Scuba Dive and Snorkel

This is one of the Caribbean's most popular dive destinations, and has won several Scuba Diving magazine "Diver's Choice Awards" for Best Overall Diving, Best Overall Value, Best Snorkeling, and Best Beginner Diving! .

Select Reefs.

Buck Island National Monument, two miles off St Croix's north shore, this US National Park harbors over 250 species of fish as well as sponges, crustaceans, and corals.

Frederiksted Pier's entry and exit may cause some problems to the beginner, but other than that it is a very easy dive. The pier's pilings have become an underwater forest full of marine life.

Jimmy's Surprise is known for the variety of marine life spotted here from sea fans and hard/soft corals, to nurse sharks and queen angelfish.

Salt River Drop Off, at the mouth of the Salt River, is a prime dive site that encompasses the east and west walls of a submerged canyon. You'll find a wide variety of marine life here, including forests of black coral.

Select Wrecks.

The Northwind lies in 45 feet of water, the Rosaomaira lies in 75-110 feet of water, and the Suffolk Maid lies in 65 feet of water.

Golf

The spectacular vistas and well-kept greens of St Croix's courses turn a round of golf into a blissful nature experience. Major celebrity tours are frequent and visitors can often play with the pros! Courses include the fantastic Sunterra Carambola Beach Resort course in the northern valley, designed by Robert Trent Jones.

Beaches

Some Favorites:.

Buck Island rates highly again! We may be repeating ourselves, but it can't be said enough - the beaches are beautiful and pristine, and have the aforementioned unbeatable bonus of being one of the best snorkeling and diving sites in the world.

Cane Bay is one of those secrets you kind of don't want to share because its greatest attraction is its solitude. This beach rarely has many people on it, possibly because the northern waters are sometimes not calm, but it isn't too rough and the snorkeling and diving sights are wonderful. Elkhorn and brain corals abound and less than 200 yards out is the Cane Bay Wall drop-off.

Isaac Bay, on the East End, is so secluded and remote you'll need an SUV to reach it, but you'll be glad you made the effort. Sunbathe in virtual solitude and swim in lake-still waters, then discover amazing beauty as you snorkel along the barrier reef.

West End Beaches are still so undisturbed that no one has gotten around to naming them. Drive along the shore road and stop whenever a particular stretch of powdery sand beckons. When you absolutely have to have a sandwich and a piña colada lunch, play volleyball, and windsurf, head over to the Rainbow Beach Club!.

Hiking

You can set off on your own along countless nature trails, or hire a guide who discusses important historical and ecological points along the way.

Horseback Riding

Well-maintained paths and expert guides make a horseback tour of the island an peak experience. Clip-clop through the rainforest, along the coast, and under the stars as your group leader talks about the plants, animals, and ruins you see along the way.

Steeple Building

A small museum of Arawak and Carib artifacts, it also has an exhibit about the workings of a sugar plantation, island architecture, and the history of the African people in the Virgin Islands. The Old Customs House serves as an art gallery with year-round exhibits.

Fort Frederik

The first foreign salute to the US flag was given here in 1776 and, in 1848, the Governor emancipated the Danish West Indian slaves from this site. The fort has been restored and includes a courtyard, the stables, the old soldiers' canteen where tobacco and beer were purchased, and the old garrison, which now functions as an art exhibit area.

Government House

Impressive and imposing, this is a beautiful example of Danish architecture built in 1747. Venture inside and walk up the grand staircase to the opulent ballroom.

Outdoor Market

If you're feeling like a picnic, this is the place to stock up your basket! The islanders bring their fresh-picked fruits and vegetables here to sell, so you can be sure to get tree-ripe mangos, papayas, and lots of other delicious tropical treats.

Estate St George Botanical Garden

Consisting of lush woods and rich land, the garden covers 16 acres housing the ruins of a 19th-century sugarcane village and rum factory. The site includes the workers' homes, manager's house, a bake oven, stone dam, a blacksmith's shop and the foundations of a water mill.

St Croix Aquarium and Marine Education Center

The tanks are filled with hundreds of marine animals from local waters, which are routinely rotated back to their homes in the sea. A biologist takes you on a guided tour and teaches you all about mating behavior, feeding habits, species identification, local folklore, and reef conservation. Hold some of the creatures in the touch pond and check out the interactive displays in the Discovery Room.

Cruzan Rum Distillery

Visit the distillery of St Croix's best-selling souvenir and watch them make the Virgin Islands rum. The tour includes tastings, of course!.

Point Udall

You've reached the eastern tip of the island and as far east as you can go in the United States. The spot is barren, but ruggedly beautiful. Bring your camera!.

Explore the Universe

Less than a mile from Point Udall, the National Science Foundation has a giant, 262-ton antenna to explore the unknown universe. Guides explain how this dish combines with 9 others to form a single radio telescope, then share data over the Internet.

Rain Forest

As you head towards Frederiksted, you'll come upon Creque Dam Road and 15 acres of rainforest. Stroll through beautiful mahogany, yellow cedar, and Tibet trees (also called "mother's tongue" because of the pods that rustle in the wind). The air is filled with the scent of many island fruits and the call of mountain doves.

Salt River

Columbus first arrived in the Virgin Islands on this spot in November 1493 during his second voyage to the New World, when he named the island Santa Cruz.

Duty-Free Shop Till You Drop! St Croix isn't jam-packed with stores like St Thomas, but what it does have is a small array of quality shops with unique merchandise. Suzy Gershman, Shopper Extraordinaire and author of the Born to Shop series, rates St Croix tops in the Caribbean. She says the Best Batik is at Java Wraps, where they use the Dutch wax method in a modern way that makes their clothing colorful, exciting and, most importantly, wearable. The Annual Antiques Market at the Whim Plantation wins her kudos - as well as those of the dealers who fly in for it - as Best Specialty Shopping Event. Colombian Emeralds and the Ralph Lauren outlet are some of the finer shops in the capital, as well as the requisite Little Switzerland.