If you want to visit a Caribbean paradise, you should consider visiting the beautiful US Virgin Islands. The US Virgin Islands are made up of three islands: St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John. St. Croix is the largest of the islands. Compared to St. Thomas, St. Croix is much quieter, making it perfect for a relaxing island getaway. St. Croix has beautiful beaches, a rich history, historic towns, and many activities to do on land and at sea. There are two main towns on the island of St. Croix: Christiansted and Frederiksted. Between the two towns are several smaller towns and many awesome things to do during your visit to this beautiful island. If you enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking, and the beach, then a vacation to St. Croix is for you. Keep reading to learn more about the many things to do in St. Croix.
Visit the Town of Christiansted
Christiansted is the main and largest town on the island of St. Croix. The town is located on the island’s northeast side, about a 45-minute drive from Frederiksted. As you begin to explore downtown Christiansted, you will notice its colonial Danish architecture from its Danish Colonial era. You will also find many places to eat and stay in town. You will find one of the two main forts in St. Croix, Fort Christiansvaern National Historic Site, one of the top sites to visit in Christiansted.
Visit Fort Christiansvaern National Historic Site
The Fort Christiansvaern National Historic Site sits on seven acres of land in Christiansted. Fort Christiansvaern looks out to Christiansted Harbor and Gallows Bay. The fort is unmistakable, given its yellow walls. Here, you can learn about the history of the island during Danish rule. You can also learn about the Fort’s role during slave uprisings and in defending the island from invasions. We enjoyed walking around Fort Christiansvaern during our trip to St. Croix. We love learning about the history of places we visit, so stopping by Fort Christiansvaern was a must.
Aside from Fort Christiansvaern, several other buildings are part of the National Historic Site. The other buildings that are part of Fort Christiansvaern National Historic Site are the Steeple Building, Government House Christiansted, Customs House, the Danish West India & Guinea Company Warehouse, the Government Building, and the Lutheran Church. All of these buildings are within walking distance of the fort. The green area around Fort Chirsitansvaern is D Hamilton Jackson Park, also part of the historic site.
Things to Know When Visiting Fort Christiansvaern National Historic Site
There is an entrance fee of $10 per person to enter and explore the Fort. If you have an America the Beautiful Pass, you can use your pass to enter Fort Christiansvaern. The America the Beautiful Pass is an annual pass used to enter National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands. I have the America the Beautiful Pass and have used it multiple times at various National Parks and National Historic Parks. It’s a great pass to have.
The Fort Christiansvaern National Historic Site is open daily from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The bookstore and welcome center are open daily from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. If you would like to collect the official cancellations (stamps), as I do, or if you would like to buy souvenirs from National Parks and National Historical Parks, don’t forget to stop by the bookstore.
Take a Walk Along the Christiansted Boardwalk
While visiting the town of Christiansted, take a nice leisurely walk along the waterfront boardwalk. Along the boardwalk, you will find several bars, restaurants, and shops. If you are a scuba diver, you will find a couple of dive shops off the boardwalk. The walk along the boardwalk is pleasant and not crowded. I highly recommend walking along the boardwalk.
Visit the Town of Frederiksted
The town of Frederiksted is the smaller of the two main towns in St. Croix. Frederiksted is a charming, walkable small town on St. Croix’s west end. Like Christiansted, Frederiksted is a historic town with a fort and historic buildings. There is also a pier in town, which happens to be where cruise ships dock when they stop at the island of St. Croix.
Visit Fort Frederik on St. Croix
Fort Frederik is an unmistakable red building in the historic district of the town of Frederiksted near the port. The fort was built by the Danish to protect the west side of the island from invasion. Fort Frederik, sometimes referred to as Fort Frederiksted or Frederiksfort is designated as a National Historic Landmark. As you walk around the fort, you will see cannons and exhibits showcasing the fort’s history.
Unlike the Fort Christiansvaern National Historic Site, the National Park Service does not manage Fort Frederik. The Fort Frederick Museum manages the Fort Frederik, and therefore, there is a small entrance fee.
Visit Emancipation Park
Emancipation Park is directly adjacent to Fort Frederik. It is a great place to walk around or sit on a park bench and relax while enjoying views of the town, fort, and waterfront. When a cruise ship is in port, several vendors will set up shop to sell hand-crafted items and food.
There are many trees, benches, and a gazebo in Emancipation Park. Emancipation Park pays tribute to General Buddhoe, who was one of the slave revolt leaders in St. Croix.
Visit the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts
The Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts (CACArts) is a gallery showcasing artwork of local St. Croix artists and artists from other Caribbean islands. The museum is in a two-story historic building built in the late 1700s. There is a gift shop, exhibit halls, studio space, and a courtyard you can walk through.
The courtyard hosts numerous community events throughout the year and will even have some locals selling artisan items. CACArts also offers cultural and art classes, such as dancing, pottery classes, and music lessons. The CACArts gift shop sells local artists’ artwork and artisan items. The museum is located in Frederiksted and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Visit the Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge
The Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge on the West End of St. Croix is a preserve that is over 340 acres. Sandy Point is home to nesting sites for endangered leatherback and hawksbill sea turtles and threatened green sea turtles. The refuge is also a conservation site for the endangered Vahl’s boxwood tree and the Aklis prehistoric archaeological site.
Although Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area, the public can access an amazing two-mile-long beach. Public access to Sandy Point Beach is only allowed on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. However, due to turtle nesting, Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge is closed to the public from April to September to allow the sea turtles to nest and hatch.
Stop By the Mt. Pellier Hut Domino Club
The Mt. Pellier Hut Domino Club is a popular destination on the island of St. Croix. Mt. Pellier Hut Domino Club is a bar, restaurant, and local hang-out spot. The Domino Club is known for its famous beer drinking pigs. The beer-drinking pigs do not drink alcoholic beer but rather non-alcoholic beer.
Seeing the pigs and giving them a beer is an additional cost. The cost to see the pigs is $2.00, and the beer for the pigs costs $4.00.If you want to see the pigs and feed them a beer, the total cost as of June 2024, when we visited, is $6.00.
If you plan to visit Mt. Pellier Hut Domino Club, you should bring cash, as they do not accept credit cards. Additionally, Mt. Pellier Hut Domino Club is located in the rainforest of St. Croix. Because of its location, there is a good chance you will not have cell service.
Go on a Day Trip to Buck Island
Buck Island Reef National Monument is a great place to visit during your trip to St. Croix. If you love snorkeling like we do, snorkeling Buck Island Reef is a must-do excursion during your visit to St. Croix. To get to the Buck Island Reef National Monument, you will need to book a tour through a National Park Service-approved provider.
There are half-day and full-day snorkel trips to Buck Island available through approved tour providers. Most tour companies will have a guided snorkeling tour at the Underwater Trail, which is a popular snorkeling path with a vibrant coral reef. The length of time you spend snorkeling will vary based on the tour you select.
Hiking Buck Island
If you like hiking, there is a great hiking trail on Buck Island. When hiking on Buck Island, make sure to stay on the marked trail. You can hike from West Beach to Diedrichs Point or vice versa. There is also a trail that branches off from the main trail, leading to an observation point with breathtaking island and ocean views.
If you do decide to hike, make sure to have plenty of water and proper shoes. During your hike, you may see Manchineel Trees. Manchineel Trees are commonly found in the Caribbean, such as in Curacao. They have a fruit that looks like a delicious apple. As tasty as the fruit looks, you should not eat any of the fruit. All parts of this tree are toxic. You should not touch the tree at all. Also, since the whole tree is toxic, you should not stand under this tree if it is raining.
Buck Island and the surrounding reef are federally protected. Therefore, do not take any rocks, sea shells, plants, or any objects from the area.
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Visit the Point Udall Monument
At Point Udall St Croix, you will find the Millennium Monument, which is a large sundial. The Millennium Monument was constructed to commemorate the beginning of the new millennium. To commemorate the beginning of the new millennium, a special New Year’s Day ceremony was held when the sun rose on January 1, 2000.
Point Udall is considered to be the easternmost point of the United States. Since Point Udall is the easternmost point in the United States, this is the first place the sun rises in the United States. If you want amazing sunrise pictures, this is the place to be. From Point Udall, you will have an amazing view of Buck Island and the surrounding Caribbean Sea.
Spend a Day at St. George Village Botanical Gardens
St. George Village Botanical Gardens sits on 16 acres of land. These 16 acres of land were once a Danish sugar plantation. As you walk around the botanical garden, you will see the historical ruins of the sugar plantation.
St. George Village Botanical Gardens has over 1,000 plants and tree species. Many of the plants in the botanical garden are native to the islands of the USVI. In addition to the gardens, there are museums you can walk through and visit while spending the day at the botanical gardens.
Visit One of the Rum Distilleries and Brewing Companies on St. Croix
Cruzan Rum Distillery and Captain Morgan Rum Distillery are the two main rum distilleries you will find on the island. You can go on tours, enjoy tastings at both distilleries, and get a cocktail. If you plan on visiting one of these rum distilleries, plan to make reservations in advance as tours get booked up. Reservations will ensure that you can go on a tour on your preferred date.
If you are not a fan of rum but like beer, visit the Leatherback Brewing Company. At the Leatherback Brewing Company, you can taste a variety of beers. If you plan to spend a few hours at Leatherback Brewing Company, you can also grab a bite to eat while you are there. If you decide to hang out for a bit, there is indoor and outdoor seating so you can relax with a beer or two.
Visit One of the Many Beaches in St. Croix
Similar to the US states of Hawaii and California, all beaches in the USVI are considered public beaches. Therefore, everyone can enjoy all the beaches in St. Croix. You may find beaches with fees or restrictions when visiting, but they are public beaches. There are many beaches where you can easily spend the day, or you can hop between several beaches during the day. These are some of the best beaches in St. Croix.
Frederiksted Beach
Frederiksted Beach is adjacent to Fort Frederik and the closest beach to the St. Croix Cruise Pier for cruise passengers. You will find restrooms, tables, some shaded areas, and a park across the street. The water at Frederiksted Beach is calm, making it a great beach in St. Croix for kids. The calmness of the water also makes it a great place to go snorkeling, especially in the rocky area near the fort and near Frederiksted Pier.
Rainbow Beach
Rainbow Beach is a popular beach for visitors and locals. There is a restaurant and bar on the beach, making this a great beach to spend the day. You can also rent water sports equipment if you are interested in paddle boarding, kayaking, or riding a jet ski. If you need relief from the sun, you can rent an umbrella and chairs. There is very little shade at Rainbow Beach, so renting an umbrella is ideal. Overall, this is a great beach on which to spend the day.
Cane Bay Beach
Cane Bay is another popular beach area for locals and tourists. This is a great beach for the whole family. There are water sports rentals available. Cane Bay Beach also has restaurants and bars within walking distance in case you get hungry.
Some spots in the water are rocky, so you may want to bring water shoes. If you like snorkeling or are a certified scuba diver, this is a great bay to visit. There is a dive shop located across the street if you need to rent any equipment.
Visit Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve
The Salt River Bay is a protected ecological area that is home to endangered and threatened species. If you would like to explore this protected area, it is recommended you do so on a tour. You can do kayak and paddle board tours of the area. There is also a beach you can visit within this protected area.
Additionally, you may hear this area referred to as Columbus Landing. The name Columbus Landing is in reference to this area being the landing site of Christopher Columbus.
Enjoy Outdoor Activities in St. Croix
There are a variety of things to do in St. Croix, such as snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, parasailing, sport fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and ziplining. So many outdoor activities are available that you can fill your vacation by doing many different things each day.
Water sports are among the most popular things to do in St. Croix. Among the best watersports in St. Croix are snorkeling, scuba diving, paddle boarding, and kayaking. The pristine waters surrounding St. Croix make the island a great place to snorkel and scuba dive.
Snorkeling on St. Croix
You can easily snorkel at the numerous beaches around the island. Some of the best snorkeling is found at more secluded beaches that may require a hike. You can also purchase a snorkel tour through a tour company or by visiting a local dive shop. One of the most popular snorkel tours you can do in St. Croix is to Buck Island.
Scuba Diving on St. Croix
If you are a certified scuba diver, you can sign up at several dive shops to go scuba diving. You can easily find several dive shops in the main towns offering dive experiences. The dive shops on the island offer a variety of dives to go on during your trip to St. Croix.
Most dive shops offer morning and afternoon dives and even a night dive. If you want a unique scuba diving experience in St. Croix, you can go on a lionfish hunt. You can also scuba dive at Buck Island. However, there are more snorkeling than scuba diving tours to Buck Island, as you can only scuba dive in certain spots around Buck Island.
St. Croix has some of the best diving in the Caribbean. The Ultimate Wall is located on the North Shore of the island. The depth of the Ultimate Wall drops to over 13000 feet. Of course, you won’t be diving at this depth. The wall is topped by the largest living reef of any Caribbean Island, which you can enjoy at 25 feet to 40 feet, depending on your dive site. The reef and dive sites on this part of the island are spectacular.
Kayaking and Paddle Boarding in St. Croix
If you are looking to go kayaking, you can do so on your own or on a kayak tour. You can rent kayaks at some beaches on St. Croix if you do not want to purchase a kayaking tour. Some companies offering kayak tours also rent kayaks and paddle boards for use if you do not want to do a tour.
Many kayak and paddle board tours are at the Salt River National and Ecological Preserve. You can choose to do a tour during the day, at sunset, or a moonlit tour. A unique kayak tour offered is a Bioluminescent Bay tour. If you want to do a Bioluminescent Bay tour, you will need to check with the tour company for the dates the tour is offered. Bioluminescent Bay kayak tour offerings can be impacted by the phases of the moon. This tour is best when the sky is darker so you can see the glow in the water. I highly recommend a Bioluminescent Bay tour if you are in St. Croix at the right time.
Go Hiking When Visiting St. Croix
Throughout the island of St. Croix, you will find many hiking trails. Many popular hiking trails are around the Point Udall. The hikes around Point Udall have amazing scenic ocean and island views. Some trails will take you to secluded beaches. Hiking the popular trails to Goat’s Hill or Sugarloaf Hill will give you amazing island views.
If you do plan to go hiking during your visit to St. Croix, take plenty of water, a hat, and sunblock. You should also consider hiking earlier in the day when it is cooler rather than later in the day. The sun in the Caribbean can be intense.
Many hiking trails do not have shade or have minimal shade. You should also be aware that some hikes have overgrown vegetation. This can make finding trailheads and staying on the trail a little more difficult. You could also be in areas without cell service, so you should download a map of the area that you can use offline.
Go Ziplining
If you are adventurous, visit Carambola Zip Line. Carambola Zip Line has zip lines running through the Carambola Valley in St. Croix. When ziplining with Carambola Zip Line, you will soar through the valley on three lines. Ziplining is one of my favorite things to do because of the views you get and the thrill of soaring through the sky.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting St. Croix
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you plan your visit to St. Croix. We hope these answers help you as you plan your visit to the U.S. Virgin Island of St. Croix.
If you are a citizen of the United States, you do not need a passport to travel to St. Croix or any of the other U.S. Virgin Islands like St. Thomas or St. John. Traveling to St. Croix is considered a domestic flight for U.S. citizens. However, you will need to provide proof of U.S. citizenship before leaving St. Croix and flying back to the U.S. mainland or other U.S. territory.
If you decide not to take your passport, you will need government-issued identification and a document like a birth certificate or naturalization paperwork to prove you are an American citizen. This is similar to the document requirements for Americans going on a cruise from a US mainland cruise port who travel without a passport.Â
Non-U.S. citizens will need a passport to travel to the St. Croix. A passport will also be needed for US Green Card holders. For additional information on traveling to St. Croix, you can visit the Virgin Islands Port Authority website.
The high season and the busy season to visit St. Croix is from November through March. There is minimal rain during this time, and the temperature ranges in the 80s (Fahrenheit). Because it is the high season, hotel costs will also be higher during these months.
The low season and the least busy time to visit St. Croix is from June to November. This time corresponds with hurricane season in the Caribbean. During the low season, the cost of hotels is also on the lower side. We recommend having travel insurance when traveling during this time. In fact, we recommend having travel insurance anytime you travel.
The shoulder months for traveling to St. Croix are the months of April and May. During this time, you start to see a decrease in the cost of hotels. The weather is still great during this time, but you may get a little rain as it gets closer to June.
booking
Since St. Croix is one of the U.S. Virgin Islands, a U.S. Territory, the currency used is the U.S. Dollar. We recommend having cash on hand when you visit St. Croix, as some local businesses only accept cash. Also, taxis will typically only accept cash.
There are many places that will accept credit cards. If you plan to use a credit card, make sure to have either a Mastercard or Visa, as they are the most widely accepted credit cards on the island. When we travel, we tend to have either a Mastercard or Visa card because they are widely accepted in many regions and countries.Â
The main way to get to St. Croix is by airplane. Depending on where you are coming from on the US mainland, you may need to take more than one flight. If you visit from nearby St. Thomas, you can fly or take a ferry to St. Croix. The ferry ride from St. Thomas takes a couple of hours. You should check the schedule for departure days and times, as there is usually only one departure time per day, and the ferry might not run every day.
St. Croix and the rest of the USVI are the only places in the U.S. and its territories where people drive on the left-hand side of the road. If you decide to rent a car during your visit to St. Croix, remember to keep left when driving. You will likely have a sticker in your car reminding you to keep left while driving.
Is a Visit to St. Croix Worth It?
Yes, a visit to St. Croix is absolutely worth it! The people we met when visiting were very nice and welcoming. The white sandy beaches with gorgeous turquoise-blue water are beautiful, and the water is warm and perfect for swimming. St. Croix is a great place to have a laid-back, relaxing vacation, especially if you love spending time at the beach. We cannot wait to go back.
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