We were told that one of the best things to do in St Croix was to go to Sandy Point beach but no one told us that it closed for a large amount of the year. The Annaly Bay tide pools come with an advisory warning: when the tide is up on the northwest coast of St. Croix, whats normally a fairly simple scramble along the shore to reach can get a little hairy, even dangerous. Exploring what to see and do in St. Croix, USVI can be overwhelming, but Frommer's has the definitive guide on the internet for things to do. Here are the best things to do in St Croix: The main town in St. Croix is Christiansted, and I say town instead of city because its pretty small. Youll find Shoys Beach on the north coast as well, to the left of Christiansted. This post may be sponsored or contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. For free Free Things to Do in St. Croix Island There's no need to give your credit card a workout in St. Croix Island. Well, just across a narrow channel from downtown, anyway. Cant wait to come back. Of course we never left anything valuable in there but we did occasionally leave towels, shoes, sunscreen or whatever, and it was always where we left it when we came back. If youre an experienced 4X4 driver, you can take a Jeep all the way to the shore. Its main purpose was to protect the harbor, but it also was a way to ensure import/export taxes were collected. The walking tour provides information on how molasses turn into rum, and at the end, any visitors of drinking age will get two samples to try! Sure, there are some that have prettier water or less rocks, but we had a good time just seeing the different ones and taking a break to relax. Meganstarr.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. The hike is something that just about anyone can do, but be sure to wear the proper clothes and shoes anyway. The 30-ish minute hike up to this point is through the jungle and its pretty interesting. */, 2023 Meganstarr.com is powered by Targeting, Meganstarr.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. There are a handful of shops and restaurants towards the harbor and a boardwalk that runs alongside the water. Frequently Asked Questions about St. Croix. Celebrate your dive afterwards at one of Cane Bays fun beach bars, including the aptly named Off the Wall and Leatherback Landing, where you can score some locally brewed beers straight from the tap. The hike is around 2.5 miles, and you will also be able to get a glimpse of wildlife. Apothecary Museum - Stroll around and admire the thought-provoking displays and collections at this respected museum. Everything from golf to horseback riding can be found here on St. Croix. We love going here, its quite and the people are friendly and its beautiful!! Along the way, you will hike through the rainforests, which provide views of the Renaissance Beach Resort and the Caribbean Sea. We reached this point and decided to turn around, mostly because of the heat and lack of water. Its constructed in four points that surround a courtyard. Some of the most popular restaurants and bars to check out along the boardwalk include the Breakers Roar Tiki Bar, Carolines Breakfast, and Shupes on the Boardwalk. It is an interesting property and we are grateful to the owners for allowing us to visit. The water, the beach and all were beautiful. Saint Croix: Stand Up Paddleboard Rental They grab the entire can from your hand, smash it with their teeth, guzzle the beer and then spit the beer can out. But it is supposed to be one of the prettier beach areas on sunny days. The trail is considered underwater since the plaques are on the ground and the coral creates a kind of trail to follow along. The three main islands are mountainous with stunning coastlines and beautiful beaches. C$343.08. You can take tours in and around it, though it wasnt open when we walked around it. I understand that all beaches are "public" along the shorelines, but we would definitely like to bring a cooler and possibly chairs. 33 Best Things to Do in St Croix, USVI (in 2023) Andrew Bloem Updated on March 14, 2023 Saint Croix, US Virgin Islands, USA Jump To: Best Things | Museums & Culture | Food & Drink | Outdoor Adventure | Sites & Attractions Although I live on nearby St. Thomas, I've had the fortune to explore much of the other Virgin Islands. This beach lived up to its dreamy reputation, with soft white sand gently leading down to small waves. The good part about it though was that it cooled it off when we were doing some hikes and then didnt really stick around. Things to do in Saint Croix Nature & adventure Water activities Day trips Private tours Transfers Our most recommended things to do in Saint Croix 1. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Shopping in St. Croix is a sight-seeing tour in itself! And my husband and I both found ourselves on the wrong side at one point but luckily it was when we were on jungle or beach roads that were completely empty. This is a small fort and doesn't take long to go throughwell worth the time! In fact, many times you will find that you have the beach all to yourself. ), 12 Best Weekend Getaways in Wisconsin (for a Relaxing Escape! If you want to linger a while, follow a steep path down from the promontory to Jacks Bay and quiet Isaacs Bay Beach. The way down is of course easier but hiking back up is another story. Its also covered in ruins from old sugar mills. It sounds great in theory but groceries are very expensive in St. Croix. You must come early at least once to view the incredible sunrise from the Eastern most point in the US. Water was a little rough & churned so we couldnt snorkel there. Youre more likely to encounter rain during hurricane season which is May-November, but December-April is peak season. The trailhead is just before the viewing area on your right. By BrettLP. It is an interesting property and we are grateful to the owners for allowing us to visit. Thanks! This is the newest dive shop in St. Croix, with a specialty in offering visitors and locals snorkeling and diving tours. The beach is full of large shells but the tide pools themselves are filled with sand, once you walk across the pebbles on the shore. Later in the day we made it a point to drive to the opposite end of the island to watch the sunset at the pier on the west side. It is around 30-45 minutes, and the trail ends right at the lighthouse. For us it was a perfect day. Mary Ann (our tour guide) was excellent! St. Croix is a fairly mountainous island with views of the harbor from the hills, a potential mountain/jungle view from your Air Bnb and hikes you can do that take you along the coastline. I dont really have the words to describe it other than that itsinteresting. We drove just far enough down that we found some more empty grass/sand areas that we could pull up in. Like Fort Christiansvaern, Fort Frederik remains a formidable site in the heart of the city it was raised to defend in 1760, its cannon still pointing menacingly towards the Caribbean Sea. is in port with tourists and vendors and I love to see the huge ships docked on the Beautiful beach, swimming pool clear water, and Rythms beach bar on. Try hiking one of our many trails . We visited Protestant Cay for the day to snorkel and have lunch. Over 100 Things to Do on St Croix. A lot of passengers arrive in St. Croix by cruise ship, but if you have flown there and intend to travel the island independently, here are some top-rated lodging and accommodation choices: Please let us know the best things to do in St. Croix in the comments if you have visited! After dark the bay lights up with the movements of tiny, glowing sea creatures known as dinoflagellates and ctenophora, which each use biochemical light as a defense mechanism when disturbed such as by a kayak paddle passing through the water. It's also great for anyone who just wants to relax and unwind without crowds and commercial trappings. Point Udall on St. Croix is the geographic easternmost spot of United States territory, where the sun first touches the US soil. Scuba Dive the Pier, you will see 3 different types of Turtles, spotted eagle rays, squid, seahorses, magnificent urchins and more! Although some changes have taken place with tours due to the pandemic, it is possible to take a tour of the fort every day between 8:30 to 4:30 PM with an entry fee of $7. (STX) to St.Croix island -Round-Trip Transfer. The D. Hamilton Jackson Park is located right in the center of the six historical buildings that are part of the Christiansted National Historic Site. No one ever bothered us and no one asked for money or that sort of thing. The Best Things To Do On St. Croix, Plus Where To Eat And Stay United States Outdoor Activities Food and Drink Sightseeing Seasonal Travel National Parks State Parks Hotels and Resorts Wildlife Beaches Shopping Festivals and Special Events Theme Parks Photography Reading See All Types of Travel Group Travel Road Trips RVing Camping Rail Youll get a decent view of the rocky coast here, as well as Goat Hillanother hike to do nearby. Its a great spot to sit outside and have some of the local liquor called MamaWanna. They are a bit off the beaten path and take some effort to get to. There is no admission fee to visit the monument, and you can spend as much time as you would like checking out the area. The Virgin Islands are one of the most underrated places that Americans can visit easily. Hotels near Buck Island Reef National Monument, Hotels near Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge, Hotels near Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX), Hotels near Christiansted Harbor Seaplane Base (SSB), Hotels near Charlotte Amalie Harbor Seaplane Base (SPB), Points of Interest & Landmarks in St. Croix, Buck Island Reef National Monument: Tickets & Tours, Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge: Tickets & Tours, Things to do near Virgin Islands Food Tours, Manuel Antonio Herping Tour (Reptile & Amphibian), Caves Ambacia, Tour and Wine Tasting in Amboise, Loire Valley, Nice Small-Group Walking Food Tour with Local Specialties & Wine Tasting, 5 Hour Luxury Catamaran Day Sail in Sint Maarten, Delicious Chocolate Workshop Shared Experience in Cancun, Review of: Buck Island Reef National Monument, Review of: St. George Village Botanical Garden, Review of: Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge, Review of: Estate Mount Washington Plantation, See all attractions in St. Croix on Tripadvisor, See all outdoor activities in St. Croix on Tripadvisor, See all kid friendly things to do in St. Croix on Tripadvisor. The monument is a giant sundial and it sits on top of one of the mountains overlooking the ocean. St Croix is the perfect getaway for the eco-tourist, water-lover, or history buff. We didnt hike but heard it was amazing. When you get to the bar, however, give the NA beer a pass in favor of a shot of mamajuana, the house-made bush rum. The fort is the site where the first salute from foreign soil to the newly independent United States was fired in 1776, and it is where the Danish Governor emancipated the slaves in 1848. Excellent way to learn the history of the island and its people groups. There are three main islands in the US Virgin Islands St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. For us it was a perfect day. Definitely walk the beach to see different views of the island. And as I said above, some of the roads can be quite bumpy/unfinished. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We are travel bloggers who enjoy writing about the Nordics and the Eastern Bloc. Your email address will not be published. Afterward we took the opportunity to hike before it got too hot to Jack and Isaacs Bay . It is open from 10 AM to 4 PM on Saturdays and Sundays during the open season. If you are in the Island of St. Croix, I recommend you to take a boat trip to the. It has a great view of the coastline and I read online somewhere that you could go up the lighthouse. Visit Jetset Jansen's profile on Pinterest. Book these experiences for a close-up look at St. Croix. We bought sandwich stuff, eggs and some bananas, and we might as well have just gone out to lunch instead. We were picked up and driven to our rental (which was the way to gothe lines at the airport were really long to pick up cars) so we were able to get a little taste of the left side driving from our pickup. What are the best outdoor activities in St. Croix? We were advised for Isaacs Bay to not leave anything in the car and leave it unlocked (no busted windows). ), 12 Apple Orchards in Wisconsin (for an Apple Picking Experience! Theres the Cruzan Rum Distillery and a Captain Morgan Rum Distillery on the island. The snorkeling here is incredible and the beach is breathtakingly beautiful. The heat and the steep hills nearly took me out. The great thing about these islands is that there isnt a huge change between seasons, temperature wise. By ontheroadagain65 The point is marked by the Millennium Monument, a sundial, which was built in 2000 in honor of the new millennium. This is the first place where the sun rises on US soil. You dont need to book a charter boat to SCUBA dive over one of the most spectacular sites in the Caribbean. 2. Even if you hike down in the morning, youd still likely be coming up when the sun is already hot. The beautiful Annaly Bay tide pools are one of the jewels of the island. We also enjoyed the barbeque for lunch. But as you can see, its a rusted piece of work. We stayed close by and the drive from Villa Madeline was less than 15 minutes. BUT, the roads can be extremely bumpy. It takes a bit of getting used to. Visiting catamarans practically glide right onshore at Turtle Beach for half- and full-day visits, often including lunch on the beach and plenty of time to catch some rays or swim. There are also several national park sites throughout the islands. That may be because the "plantation island" is a . The fort in Christiansted is bright yellow which was a typical color for Danish colonial buildings. The Caribbean island of St. Croix is practically the backdrop of a Hollywood love story. The rocky areas are nice to snorkel around as well. We should go somewhere, instances. St. Croix is further south, about 40 miles, which I suppose is why its less visited. According to many visitors, this is the most beautiful historic restoration on the island. This fort is shaped like a trapezoid and is a solid red. To reach the trail, drive from Frederiksted to the National Guard Training Center, where there are plenty of parking spaces. It was also nice to see St. Croix from afar. There are also private and full-day horseback rides available upon reservation, and pricing can be discussed over the phone. There is another option to hike the whole way and it is apparently a flatter trek. However, most of them are blocked off and/or on private property. St. Croix packs an abundance of attractions in its 84 square miles in fact, acre for acre Id put this U.S. Virgin Island up against any Caribbean destination for its diverse, interesting, and quirky activities. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. Sugar production was huge in the 1700s when the island was under Danish rule. As an Airbnb Associate, we earn when you book through our links., 15 Wonderful Things to Do in Stevens Point, WI (and Nearby! I found out I had another day off around Memorial Day weekend, and that was that. Here are 10 of the best things to do in St. Croix (including many that are inherently socially distanced for COVID-19 safety). We got nervous in our rental when we almost got stuck, so we ditched the Jeep and hiked the rest of the way. Mermaid Beach at the Buccaneer Resort St. Croix's Mermaid Beach is located at the Buccaneer Resort, which is one of the nicest luxury resorts on the island. St. Croix is actually the landing site for Christopher Columbus second voyage in 1493. This beach is great, a nice curved bay, deep water close to shore, decent sized waves (for saint Croix), great clean. We walked out on the beach to see it and take some pictures. The tours are available from Sundays to Wednesdays from 8 AM to 5 PM, and from Thursday to Saturday from 8 AM to 6 PM. You can find beach chairs and umbrellas lining the beach, jet ski rentals and theres a little restaurant/bar on the end. If you want to get a glimpse at this important part of Caribbean history, there are plenty of tours and events that will allow you to do so. Theres a small parking lot dedicated to beach parking and a tree tunnel that youll walk through to get to the beach. #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; }/* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block.We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. It was a little rough but I saw two Se turtles. There are over 1,000 types of plants, all of which served cultural and historical importance for purposes such as food, medicine, and dye in the Caribbean. Wrong infor6. OMG, the fish tacos, french fries, spicy Mahi Bites and PINEAPPLE MARGARITAS are SO GOOD with a gorgeous view! The garden is open every day from 9 AM to 3 PM. We loved exploring St. Croix and it quickly became one of our favorite places in the Caribbean so far. The beach is clean and has soft sand, good for small children. 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