Overview

The largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St Croix, is a beautiful island with a rich history and alluring attractions. It is known for its white-sand beaches and the surrounding coral reefs popular with snorkelers and scuba divers. The island was originally colonized by the Danish in the 1700s and purchased by the United States in the early 1900s. Forts and remnants of sugar plantations attest to the island’s Dutch colonial era, as do the colorful Dutch-built structures in Christiansted. Its two main towns - Christiansted and Frederiksted - have a colonial feel with arched, shaded walkways and colorful buildings. Among the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix is the most low-key getaway.

Things to See & Do

Wander the historic downtown Christiansted, one of the most charming historical districts of the Caribbean. This 18th Century Danish colonial town was once the capital of the Danish West Indies and is a beautiful example of neoclassical Danish architecture. The town itself is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Take a self-guided walking tour through the Christiansted historic district starting at Fort Christianvaern. Here you’ll find the National Park Service Office and can pick up a map that will lead you to the historic points of interest following your exploration of the fort. The tour encompasses five classic colonial buildings, including Fort Christiansvaern, Customs House, and the Steeple Building.

Throughout the historic district you’ll find shops that house local artisans and jewelers - make sure to check out some treasures to bring home to friends and family and to remind you of your St. Croix experience. As you stroll through the arcades and colored houses, stop in one of the quaint cafes for lunch to enjoy some local cuisine and take in the laid-back island vibe.

About five miles west of Christiansted, the Salt River Bay National Historic Park marks the only known point where Christopher Columbus landed on U.S. soil. It's now an ecological reserve and a popular place for kayak tours through the mangroves.

If you’re a certified diver, head out on a spectacular and easy shore dive that will have you peering over the underwater cliff into the abyss. Over the side of the wall you’ll often encounter sea turtles, schools and schools of bright tropical fish and the occasional reef shark looking to see if anyone has a lionfish treat for them. About 15 miles southwest of Christiansted, the Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge is also worth a visit, with a two-mile stretch of dazzling white-sand beach. The refuge protects leatherback sea turtles as well as many species of birds, but check opening times before you go as it is closed during turtle nesting season.

Rum Tours! If you’ve heard of St Croix, you’ve likely heard of Cruzan Rum – but did you know that Captain Morgan Rum is also made here on St Croix? And both plants offer excellent tours and, of course, tastings! We suggest heading first to the Captain Morgan Experience Center. The tour there is about an hour long and you get two drink tokens to sample their products in the Captain’s Lounge. The Captain Morgan plant is state-of-the-art and mostly automated. The Experience Center offers a museum-like walk through the history of rum, piracy and the Caribbean.

After the tour, make your way to the Cruzan Rum Factory. Here, the Nelthropp Family has been (and still is) making rum since 1760! You’ll take a tour through their facility and see how their hand-crafted rums are made and learn all about the rum-making process. As you wind your way through the warehouses of vats and rum aging in oak barrels, you’ll end up at the appropriately named `Don’t Hurry` lounge. This is the perfect place to sample the many flavors of Cruzan Rum and relax.

Take a ride up into the `rainforest` to the world-famous Domino Club to visit the `beer-drinking pigs.` sample the secret recipe of the `mamawana,` a recipe of rum and spices that’s carefully aged.

Discover Buck Island and its surrounding sea gardens, one of the most visited attractions on St. Croix located just 1.5 miles off the northeast coast. In the 60’s this was a favorite sport of the Kennedy’s and so President John F. Kennedy designated it a National Monument to preserve it. Nowadays it is managed by the National Parks and this uninhabited island is actually less than one-third of the park, the rest is below sea level.

To get to Buck Island, you must book your trip with one of the official concessioners licensed to take guests out to Buck Island. Tour operators will supply you with snorkel gear and instructions (if needed). You’ll spend about an hour or so exploring the underwater trail and reef on the east side of the island. This spot has some of the most diverse schools of fish and marine life in the Caribbean and is featured in 1,000 Places To See Before You Die - so make sure to go! Wreck dives can be found off the north coast. The island also offers protected beaches, picnic sites, and cooking grills as well as a hiking trail through a forest of giant tamarinds to the island’s scenic ridge. Full day trips typically include lunch on the beach.

Hit the beaches! Grab some snorkel gear and head out to the North Shore of St Croix to check out Cane Bay Beach. This popular beach is not only an excellent place to get in some fantastic offshore snorkeling but it’s also the place to see the world-famous Cane Bay Wall.

Another great beach, Frederiksted Beach, is also known as Fort Frederik Beach. This is a great spot for a swim after exploring Frederiksted. The beach has public restrooms and picnic tables. Rainbow Beach is relatively quiet during the week, but bustling on the weekends, especially on Sundays when locals gather to listen to live bands. You can rent chairs and umbrellas, as well as jet skis, paddleboards, and kayaks.

Take a hike down to the Annaly Bay Tide Pools, there’s a trail from the Carambola Beach Resort public parking lot. The hike takes roughly an hour in and an hour out of moderate level. Be sure to bring a backpack with water and wear comfortable shoes.