The Best Things to Do in St. Croix

"Buck Island Reef National Monument Pristine, untouched and unforgettable:There's no other way to describe this natural park justoff the northeast coast of St. Croix. Walking trails crisscross the expanse through frangipani and tamarind trees and cacti to beautiful beaches. Turtle Bay, on the western side, wows with its magnificent snorkeling; theprotected waters and massive coral reef are home to more than 250 kinds of fish. Admission numbers are limited each day;advance booking is required."

"The Estate Whim Plantation Museum, billed as the onlysugar plantation museum in the Virgin Islands, isset onmagnificently landscaped grounds occupying 12 acres of what was formerly a 150-acre property. The restored early-18th-century buildings includea great house, fully restored windmill, and sugar-factory ruins that are open to visitors and can be toured alone or with a docent. Sugarcane still grows in one of the plantation gardens."

"Christiansted Sure, it's the largest town on St. Croix, but it's the charming Danish-influenced architecturethat makes it mostnoteworthy. The city center is aprotected national park lined with candy-colored buildings and historic churches, whilethe streets are made of cobblestones and punctuated by stone archways. At the waterfront, which was a focalpoint of the island's sugar trade, a wharf is populated by restaurants, bars and water sports shops. There's also an 18th-century fort."

"You won't find crowds on a beach that is accessible only by foot or boat. Hike to beautiful Jack Bay from Point Udall or from the east end of the beach at Grapetree Bay. Like beach at Isaac Bay, Jack Bay'sis home to protected hawksbill and green turtle nests. Enjoy the privacy on Jack Bay, then hike around the bend to see more of the same kind of paradise on Isaac Bay."

"This national park is an ecological preserve with upland watersheds, mangrove forests, and estuarine and marine environments that support threatened and endangered species. The park also includes the Columbus Landing Site, a National Historic Landmark that is the only known place where members of a 1493 expedition led by Christopher Columbus (his second voyage) set foot on what is now United States territory. Columbus and his men met atribe of Caribs here, so it was the first documented encounter between American Indians and Europeans."

"This national park is an ecological preserve with upland watersheds, mangrove forests, and estuarine and marine environments that support threatened and endangered species. The park also includes the Columbus Landing Site, a National Historic Landmark that is the only known place where members of a 1493 expedition led by Christopher Columbus (his second voyage) set foot on what is now United States territory. Columbus and his men met atribe of Caribs here, so it was the first documented encounter between American Indians and Europeans."

"You have two choices for how to access the beach at Isaac Bay: Either hike from Jack's Bay or arrive by boat. The hike isworth the extra effort. The breathtaking beach is home to nests of hawksbill and green turtles. (Keep your distance, though;the nurseries are protected by the Nature Conservatory.) The calm and deep waters of secluded Isaac Bay make it great for swimming and even better for snorkeling."

"Frederiksted Historic District This city is laid out in a grid system—seven streets by seven streets. Although established in 1751, Frederiksted was rebuilt in 1878 in a Victorian gingerbread style following a great fire due to a labor revolt. St. Patrick's church, which was constructed in the 1840s, is an impressive sight. Other buildings of note include the Customs House and the eponymous fort. Steps from the pier, Frederiksted Beach has chair, umbrella and paddleboard rentals."

"Wide, sandy Cane Bay Beach, on St. Croix, has a lot going in its favor: The medium-size surf, full-service dive shop, barbecue grills, and fun sites to snorkel make the beach popular with families, kids, and even dogs. Choose simply to rent some beach chairs and bask in the warm Caribbean sun, or opt for a game of beach volleyball or a swim in the clear waters."

"Rum is the Caribbean’s signature spirit, its production documented in the region since colonial times. Just as there are dozens of varieties of rum, Caribbean travelers can select from a wide variety ofrum distillery tours. The one offered at Cruzan Rum Distillery highlights the rum-making prowess of the 19th-century Nelthropp family, considered Cruzan rum royalty by many. The Nelthropp family endeavored to craft a spiritincorporating the "warm, tropical breezes that circulate through the open-air warehouses of the distillery.” A sip after your tour will allow you to judge whetherthey managed to capture St. Croix in a bottle."

"This three-mile beach, located near Frederiksted at the southwest end of St. Croix, is the longest in the U.S. Virgin Islands . Part of the 380-acre Sandy Point Wildlife Preserve, the beach is an important nesting area for the endangered leatherback turtle. Beach access is via a dirt road, open Saturdays and Sundays. The beach may be closed during turtle-nesting season, from March toAugust, so check with your hotel before you make the trek."

"At Point Udall, on the east coast of St. Croix, a sundial called Millennium Monument was erected for the New Year's celebration in 2000. The stark sculpturerepresents the azimuth of the first sunrise of that year, the new millennium, at this easternmost point of the United States. Point Udall also affords visitors panoramic views and marks thestarting point of a hike that leads tothe beach at Isaac Bay."

"Seek Out Sun, Sand, and Sea at Shoy's I love this beach. Squeeze past the Buccaneer, bypass the golf course, keep going and don't look back. Park at the end of the line, pick through the sea grapes and there it is: Shoy's. A sweet little crescent of a beach that's sure to leave a smile on your face."

"Polly’s at the Pier Thisbreezy spot hosts hearty breakfastsand casual lunches. Sandwiches—try the grilled cheese—burgers (there are vegan and veggie options) and plenty of saladsdominate the menu. Fresh-squeezed juices are also available."

"Do Not Pass Go, or The La Reine Chicken Shack This is it. The moment you arrive on-island, do not pass go, do not collect $200 — just get yourself to the La Reine Chicken Shack to immediately immerse yourself in the uniquely local St. Croix vibe. No, this is not haute cuisine, this isn't even a nice looking place, but what it is is an institution sporting the best BBQ chicken on island. Everyone eats here from senators to sanitation workers and all walks of life in between. On Sunday's you can even expect some roast pork added to the menu. Whatever you order, you won't go wrong pairing your styrofoam wrapped meal with a nice rum & Coke!"

"Franklin’s on the Waterfront This gift shop's claim to fame may be that itstocks more candles than any other store on the island, but it's the curated keepsakes—from Christmas ornaments to housewares—that bringpeople back. A selection of organic teas and excellent bath products round out the offerings."

"The Buccaneer has a long history. The colonial great house was built by Maltese knight Charles Martel in 1653. Locatedon aprotected bluff, the house later became the home of Danish governor von Prock after Denmark’s 1733 purchase of the Virgin Islands. Fast-forward to1947, when the Armstrong familytransformedwhat was by then acattle estate intothe Buccaneer, St. Croix’s first family-run hotel. The resort, completely modern and still quite popular, operatesthe Buccaneer Golf Club, celebrated for its par 70 course that offers Caribbean views from 13 of its 18 holes."

"Dance In The Rain at Rhythms at Rainbow Beach I’m not sure exactly how Rainbow Beach got its name, though I wouldn’t be surprised if it actually had a lot to do with rain. The island’s most popular beach bar, especially on Sundays, is centrally located on St. Croix’s West Coast, some of the island’s tallest peaks and dense rainforest just a few miles behind it. Prevailing weather patterns, particularly during the summer months, make brief afternoon showers a fairly regular occurrence here. That doesn’t stop the party, though. Live bands play on and everyone keeps dancing. When you’re already wet from the sea and feeling the vibes, a little rain doesn’t hurt one bit."

"Eat at Ziggy's and Get Gas I have to admit, I didn't want to like this place. I used to come to this location (previously known as Smokey's) for years to eat great local food and enjoy a laid back vibe... While getting gas, of course. But then the previous West Indian owner moved away to Antigua only to be replaced by a statesider. I thought my days of liming at the solitude gas station with so many other locals and eating great West Indian fare were over. I couldn't have been more wrong. I'd say the new owner has gone out of his way to make Ziggy's an active and positive member of the local community, but everything he's done just has this natural feel to it. Like he's not even trying, he just IS a part of the community. Local foods like roti, johnny cake, and more still find their home at Ziggy's. Plus now they're accompanied by frequent charity events, eating contests, concerts, and even dance competitions... All at an awesome gas station. It may seem odd to suggest stopping by a gas station, but you'd be missing a great new addition to Crucian life without a visit to this libation station."

"Look Like a Local with a Crucian Hook Bracelet Wherever your travels may take you around the world whenever you ever see anyone sporting this distinct hook bracelet, you'll know they possess a special place in their heart occupied by the island of St. Croix. There are many, many imitations and evolutions of the Crucian hook bracelet (some better than others), but this is the original and, in my opinion, only truly authentic version. Pick one up and Sonya's, wear it wherever you go and you'll be surprised how many new friends you make."