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St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands © Jpheym/wikipedia/CC BY-SA 3.0
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands © Jpheym/wikipedia/CC BY-SA 3.0
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands © Jpheym/wikipedia/CC BY-SA 3.0
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands © Matt H. Wade/wikipedia/CC BY-SA 3.0
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands © Connie Ma/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands © Jpheym/wikipedia/CC BY-SA 3.0Saint Croix is the largest (82 square miles) island of the U.S. Virgin Islands, a territory of the United States of America. This formerly volcanic island of spectacular beaches and mountains, rainforest, palm trees, and historic towns.St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
There are two towns on the island:- Christiansted
- Frederiksted
Destination:St. Croix, U.S. Virgin IslandsSaint Croix is the largest (82 square miles) island of the U.S. Virgin Islands, a territory of the United States of America. This formerly volcanic island of spectacular beaches and mountains, rainforest, palm trees, and historic towns.
There are two towns on the island:- Christiansted
- Frederiksted
Christiansted
andFrederiksted
have narrow roads and closely spaced historic buildings showcasing historic colonial Danish architecture. How often do you see a sidewalk that goes underneath the second floor? Many buildings have no windows, but only the traditional wooden shutters which completely cover the opening when closed. Window shopping on St. Croix is thus generally not possible; it is necessary to visit shops when they are open. Given its small population, most shops in Frederiksted have short hours and many only seem to open when a cruise ship is docked. However, there are stretches of the gorgeous public beach very close to the town center. Christiansted is slightly more lively; it has no beachfront but does have an active boardwalk and marina area.
There is a mural in the Cruzan Rum Factory showing two types of people - those who live in the big city who are always busy running around, talking on cell phones; and those who live on the island, taking it slow and relaxing. If you are the kind of person who will get bored just sitting on the beach all day, St. Croix is probably not for you. Plenty of men can be seen lounging in the sun around town. Maybe it's the unemployment rate, or maybe it's just the pace of life in the Caribbean.
Many businesses operate on "island time" - slowly. For example, at about half of the fine dining restaurants on the island, service takes what feels to most outsiders like an inordinately long time; the other half is comparable to the mainland. There are definitely culinary gems in Cane Bay and Christiansted; if you are staying elsewhere on the island, you'll probably want a car to get to a well-rated establishment or to the grocery store.
The urban areas of the island can be completely explored in a few hours - big city types used to roaming the urban jungle will instead have to make due with actual jungle. Anyone fascinated with ruins will have a lot to look at one the island. Even on the main commercial streets in town, there are buildings experiencing severe neglect or abandonment. The remnants of several, probably destroyed by one of the many hurricanes that have blown through the island, are filled with trees. There are also a number of colonial Danish stone sugar mills dotting the island, part of St. Croix's plantation legacy.
The flatlands south of Route 70 are partly industrial, with the airport and the Hovensa oil facility. Also on 70 are the University of the Virgin Islands and the agricultural fairgrounds. Covered in exhaust towers and the size of a large central business district, Hovensa operated as a refinery until 2012, when operations were severely curtailed and it became a storage-only facility. The refinery provided 20% of the entire territory's GDP, so its closure has provoked a major economic crisis for St. Croix and the territorial government on top of the effects of the Great Recession. UVI and a stimulus-funded broadband initiative are attempting to stimulate the economy with high-tech training and infrastructure.
The prevailing winds are from east to west. This puts the southwest of the island, including Frederiksted and western beaches downwind of the Cruzan Rum Factory and occasionally unpleasant odors from the open-air fermentation tanks. Also watch out for prickly nettles on the beach between Frederiksted and the turtle sanctuary. On the other hand, the beach here is spectacular, with gorgeous blue-green waters, Caribbean sunsets, a view of the mountains and cruise ship dock, good snorkeling, and plenty of white sand. Often groups of locals will set up enormous speakers, pound the beach with popular and island music and have a barbeque.
The spectacularly hilly rain forest is in the northwest and is a full-on jungle complete with vines and some 4x4-only roads. North of the mountains from most of the island, the well-sheltered Cane Bay also has spectacular snorkeling, with abundant coral, fish, and even some sea turtles in the deeper water. The East End is somewhat remote, though it is dotted with luxury homes on frighteningly steep roads. This end of the island gets less rain; the general lack of trees highlights the spectacular topography and provides an unobstructed ocean view. And where else can you see a Very Long Baseline Array radio telescope across the street from a gorgeous beach?
St. Croix is a bit behind the mainland in terms of finding businesses online or in a phone book, but it's easy to find restaurants on Yelp.
Source:http://wikitravel.org/en/Saint_Croix
Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands: Port Information
Cruise ships dock at the Ann E. Abramson Pier. It is located in the center of Frederiksted.
Two ships can dock at the same time.
If the pier is busy, your cruise ship will dock at the Gallows Bay Dock (1 mile east of Christiansted).Get around St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Major car rental agencies are available at the airport. Also:- Judi of Croix Car Rentals, 877-903-2123
- Skyline Car Rentals, 877-719-5990.
- St. Croix Taxi Association, Rohlsen Airport, 340-778-1088.
- Federation of St. Croix Taxi Association Inc. (Taxi, Vans, Safaris), 778-5587.
- Antilles Taxi Service, Christiansted, 773-5020.
- Caribbean Taxi and Tours, Christiansted, 773-9799.
- Cruzan Taxi Association, Christiansted, 773-6388.
- Combine Taxi and Tours, Frederiksted, 772-2828.
- Frederiksted Taxi Service, Frederiksted, 772-4775.
- Tommy's Scooter Rentals, 340-332-2118.
Many addresses are still written using the names of Danish colonial "estates", which are not shown on e.g. Google Maps. An estate map is essential for navigation; be sure to pick one up at the airport or print one ahead of time.What to see in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
- Buck Island Reef National Monument, boats from Christiansted. Includes an underwater "trail" for snorkelers.
- St. George Village Botanical Garden, 127 Estate St. George/Kingshill, Just north, off Centerline Road, near Frederiksted, Tel: 340-692-2874. Stroll about the grounds of the former plantation.
- The rain forest in the Northwest. Includes the tidal pools at Annally Bay.
-
Point Udall
, the easternmost territory under the American flag. - Christiansted Historic Site, including the warehouse where Alexander Hamilton worked before he moved to New York.
- Sandy Point Wildlife Refuge to see endangered leatherback turtles.
- Whim Great House - a restored plantation.
- Very Long Baseline Array radio telescope, Route 82/East End Road, Estate Cottongarden.
What to do in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
- Divi Carina Bay Casino, 35 Estate Turner Hole, Tel: 877-FUN DIVI.
- SCUBA Dive Cane Bay Wall - Tremendous diving around the beach and the upper levels of the wall before it drops 13,000 feet to the ocean floor.
- Fishing - The waters surrounding St. Croix are ideal for sport fishing and record size catches are common, such as Tuna, Wahoo, or Blue Marlin. You'll need highly expert help to judge if any catch is edible. The area is plagued by an organism in the food chain that causes ciguatera poisoning.
- Jump-Up - Occasional street festival in Christiansted featuring moko jumbies, fire dancers, and local bands, food, and shops.
- Festivals - There are festivals of various kinds all year round. Pick up a calendar at the airport or check online.
- Most beaches around the entire island have good snorkeling; pick up a map at the airport or in town. Snorkel gear is available at dive shops or KMart.
- There is little in the way of LGBT nightlife outside the hotel bar at Sandcastle.
- Things to do in St Croix, 217-494-7724. The best attractions and things to do in St Croix are waiting! Bio bay, deep sea fishing, scuba, buck island snorkeling, vacation rentals and more!
What to eat and drink in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Eat
Local Flavors - The Cruicians pride themselves on their culinary flare. Local fish, goat, and pork are amongst their most varied dishes. Try the salted fish, stew goat, and pig "soup." Fresh seasonal vegetables are always available at road side stands throughout the year. The mango reigns over St. Croix's summer season, and is described as "the Queen of Tropical Fruit." In fact, an entire festival is dedicated to it - Mango Melee.
Although Crucians still cook many traditional foods, St. Croix is rich in culinary variations stemming from the island's history and the influence of the United States and neighboring Caribbean islands, especially Puerto Rico. There is food for all tastes and occasions while local specialties are still held long in tradition.
St. Croix is home to a celebrated week-long culinary festival held each April called the St. Croix Food & Wine Experience which includes wine seminars, dinners with celebrity chefs (Kevin Rathbun, Rocco DiSpirito, Robbin Haas, Gerry Klaskala, Richard Reddington are just a few who joined the fun) and the main event, A Taste of St. Croix, showcases foods from more than 50 of the islands restaurants.
Great local food can be found at Harvey's (stew goat), Singh's (roti), and Norma at the Domino Club in the rain forest always has something cooking.
For fine dining, try Tutto Bene, Case Place, Bacchus, Savant, and The Galleon. Rumrunners, located on the waterfront at Hotel Caravelle is perfect for casual, fun dining. They do a great blend of local and traditional American dishes and flavors.
If you want to catch what you eat, go fishing with Carl Holley. His boat, Mokojumbie, ties up on the docks near Rumrunners. he, in fact, supplies many restaurants with fresh fish daily.
Tutu Bene in the Gallows Bay area of Christiansted is a local favorite for Italian cuisine. Also in the area is Case Place, with an eclectic menu and a nice atmosphere. Try Le St. Tropez in Frederiksted for authentic French fare, Villa Morales or Paquito's for Puerto Rican food and Brady's in Christiansted for the native fare.Drink
On St. Croix, Cruzan Rum is made at a distillery that you can tour. Be sure to do the tour and participate in the tasting after! Cruzan Rum is available just about everywhere, but there are certain flavors (i.e. Clipper) that are not sold on the mainland, so take a bottle back with you. In the seaside town of Christiansted is the Brew Pub which makes several good beers. And, when at local places or events, always ask if there is a local drink. Be wary of the home recipes (i.e. Mama Wanna) - they are strong!- Cruzan Rum Distillery, in Frederiksted for a tour of the noted rum factory. Best watering holes are Bongos and CLub 54 in Christiansted, Harbor Lights in Frederiksted, and El Sol mid-island. Also, try 2plus2 in La Grande Princesse and Sand Bar right on the beach in Frederiksted.
Shopping in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Both Christiansted and Frederiksted have merchants offering jewelry, liquor, and souvenirs, but with atmospheres more genteel than in large cruise ports. For any items that benefit from duty-free importation, prices generally rival those in Saint Thomas.
You'll find supermarkets, KMart (which has everything from cheap rum to snorkel gear to sunglasses), and a strip mall at Sion Farm along Route 70 (which connects Frederiksted and Christiansted). If you are looking for stamps to mail postcards after the post offices have closed, be aware that none have vending machines or package kiosks, but Office Max is open later and does sell stamps. Fresh produce can also be found roadside - try some super-fresh coconut or sugar cane water!
St. Croix is rich with artists. Christiansted is home to many galleries including ISLAND BOY DESIGNS owned by jewelry designer Whealan Massciott (Kenny Chesney is a fan), the MARIA HENLE GALLERY and many more. A stroll around town will reveal these and many more treasures.Safety in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
St. Croix has similar risks to any large Western city. Most crime consists of occasional break-ins to cars, businesses, and homes, but hotels are typically quite safe and hoteliers are safety conscious. Walking alone after dark is not recommended, especially with valuables.Language spoken in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
English is the official language and widely spoken, although a local dialect "Crucian" is common. Spanish and French Creoles are spoken as well, given St. Croix's history of migration.
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USDTravelers recommend visiting the following places of interests
Buck Island Reef National Monument, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Buck Island Reef National Monument, or just Buck Island is a small, uninhabited, 176 acre (712,000 m²) island about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) north of the northeast coast of Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. It was first established as a protected area by the U.S. Government in 1948, with the intention of preserving “one of the finest marine gardens...Carambola Tide Pools, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Get ready for a long hike with incredible scenery, wild nature all around, and beautiful natural Carambola Tide Pools to refresh yourself. You should take water, snacks, sunscreen, and water shoes with you. Bring a map. Alternatively, check the route with a guide or take a guided tour. Think twice before taking this tour with children or other...Rainbow Beach, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
This popular beach is located one mile north of Frederiksted (about 20 minutes on foot). It has numerous facilities, including chairs and umbrellas, a water sports shop, restaurant and bar, etc. You can enjoy playing beach volleyball, snorkeling, paddle boarding, kayaking, and many other activities on Rainbow Beach.Protestant Cay, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Protestant Cay is a four-acre triangular islet in the Christiansted Harbor, 200 yards north of Christiansted. It has the closest beach to Downtown Christiansted. The island is home to a resort, the Hotel on the Cay, which is home to a sand beach, several shops and restaurants. The ferries to Protestant Cay are free of charge and leave from King’s...Fort Christiansvaern, Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
It is a Danish colonial fort in Christiansted on St. Croix island. Completed in 1749 to defend the colonial Danish West Indies, it is within the Christiansted National Historic Site, and on the National Register of Historic Places in the United States Virgin Islands.Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge preserves habitat for threatened and endangered species, with particular emphasis on the Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). Its two miles (3 km) of sandy beaches on the southwest corner of Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands is an ideal nesting place for leatherbacks. The National Wildlife Refuge...Cane Beach, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Cane Bay Beach is popular among the locals and visitors of the island. A parking lot, several bars and restaurants right by the beach, chair and umbrella rentals, a dive shop – it has everything for an exciting beach day and offers lots of activities for every taste. However, Cane Bay Beach may become a bit crowded on the weekends.St. George Village Botanical Garden, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
The St. George Village Botanical Garden (16 acres) is a botanical garden with arboretum located at 127 Estate St. George, Frederiksted, Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. It is open daily except Christmas; an admission fee is charged. The garden is set in and around the restored buildings and ruins of a 19th-century Danish sugarcane plantation....Point Udall, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Point Udall (17°45′20″N 64°33′55″W) at the east end of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands is the easternmost point (by travel, not longitude) in the United States including territories and insular areas. It was named for Stewart Udall, United States Secretary of the Interior under Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson. A sundial known...Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Christiansted is a town on Saint Croix, one of the main islands comprising the United States Virgin Islands, a territory of the United States of America. It is a former capital of the Danish West Indies and home to the Christiansted National Historic Site. Christiansted as of 2004, had a population of about 3,000. The 2000 census population of the...Latest travel blogs about St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
This island is deservedly considered one of the most beautiful ports of call throughout the Caribbean. Here you’ll find fantastic attractions of St. Croix , both historical and natural, as well as lovely beaches, cozy restaurants, and even two bioluminescent bays. Here you can spectate...
First was the Island of Saint Croix . Car with driver for the whole day costs $120. The island is a part of a group of American Virgin Islands and is the largest island in this archipelago and is the former capital of Danish colonies in the Caribbean. One of the largest barrier reefs is...
