St Croix is one of the U.S. Virgin Islands, in the Caribbean. Bright yellow Fort Christiansvaern is among Christiansted National Historic Site’s Danish colonial buildings. West, St. George Village Botanical Gardens occupies an old sugar plantation. Point Udall’s Millennium Monument marks the easternmost point of U.S. territory. North, Salt River Bay National Park has archaeological sites, mangroves, and coral reefs.
Fifty-four sugar mills still rest in the shadows of stately eighteenth-century and nineteenth-century homes. Whim Plantation is one example of these “great-houses.” With acres of rolling green hills, St Croix’s plantation estates also bore crops of okra, cabbage, corn, and other vegetables. As the sugar industry declined after the 1960s, tourism became the most important industry on the island.
Christiansted and Frederiksted
Christiansted and Frederiksted are the two main towns of St Croix. Visitors to St Croix can enjoy many activities such as fine dining, shopping, golf, scuba diving, and horseback riding.
St Croix Weather
St Croix’s subtropical climate and weather provide mostly warm, sunny days with a slight chance of rain. Some days are rainier, and some days are hotter than others. The temperature typically varies from 73°F to 88°F and is rarely below 69°F or above 91°F. It can feel much hotter when the humidity is high.
Things to do and see
- Visit historical sites such as Fort Christiansvaern, Point Udall, and Buck Island Reef National Monument.
- Spend the day at Rainbow Beach or Carambola Tide Pools.
- Have lunch at Turtle’s Deli or dinner at Rumrunners.
- Pick up a sea-themed gift at Cache of the Day or visit Baci Duty Free for fine cigars.
- Dive. St Croix offers varied dive sites that are easy to access by boat and, in some cases, by shore. Popular locations include Cane Bay Wall, Deep Wrecks at Butler Bay, Salt River Canyon East Wall, Salt River Canyon West Wall, and Shallow Wrecks at Butler Bay.
- Follow the St Croix Heritage Trail, a self-guided tour of the island’s many historic sites, cultural attractions, and natural areas. The trail links many of St. Croix’s major historic attractions such as Whim Plantation Museum, St. George Village Botanical Gardens, and Christiansted National Historic Site, as well as plantation and sugar factory ruins, churches, scenic views, and more.
- Take a tour of the Cruzan Rum distillery.
Marinas
Tamarind Reef’s Green Cay Marina: This marina combines top-notch maritime facilities with resort-style amenities. Located just minutes from downtown Christiansted, this 154-slip marina is ideally suited for live-aboard and recreational yachtsmen. Green Cay’s sheltered lagoon provides easy access to Buck Island, as well as excellent protection during a storm.
Guests have full access to the amenities at Tamarind Reef Resort including a pool, tennis courts, fitness center, and restaurants. Boaters can also borrow the resort’s kayaks, snorkeling gear, and SUPs, free of charge.
Salt River Marina: This picturesque small marina is only minutes away from many of the island’s most popular dive sites. The marina has excellent year-round protection for both resident and visiting boaters alike. Amenities include a restaurant, a kayak tour company, and a dive operation.
St Croix Marine: Offers 44 fixed slips for a maximum vessel size of 150 feet. It has a fuel dock, marine store, well-equipped onsite chandlery, full-service boatyard, haul, and launch. Additionally, there’s Wi-Fi, restaurant, bathrooms and showers, and 12-hour security.
