Guide to Traveling
St. Croix - USVI
- St. Croix -
The Garden Spot of the Caribbean
St. Croix is one of three islands that make up the US Virgin Islands or USVI and a favorite among history lovers. The largest of the USVI, it also has the easternmost point in the US. This island of approximately 82 sq mi has sat under 6 flags! Spain, The Netherlands, England, France, the Knights of Malta, and Denmark at one time, occupied St. Croix. More fertile than the other Virgin islands, it was known as “the Garden Spot of the Caribbean” during the colonial period. But before the Europeans arrived, the Igneri, Taíno, and Caribs peoples made their home here. In 1493, Christopher Columbus landed here which led to the first recorded fight between the Spanish and the New World indigenous peoples.
St. Croix claims many notable people throughout history. Believe it or not, the Founding Father, Alexander Hamilton, spent his formative years in Christiansted, St. Croix. With the popularity of the award-winning musical Hamilton and the renewed interest in his life, there are now a variety of tours available highlighting his life on the island.
Table of Contents
How do you get to St. Croix?
Aside from sailing there like us; getting to St. Croix can be achieved in many ways. Flights into St. Croix (STX) arrives from the US mainland, Puerto Rico, as well as other Caribbean islands.
There’s also a ferry service, QEIV, that runs everyday but Tuesday from St. Thomas to St. Croix. The final option available is Seaborne Airlines which is a seaplane that offers service from St. Thomas to St. Croix.
Sailing to St. Croix
We came to St. Croix after leaving Esperanza, Vieques. Now, you cruisers out there may be asking why we went to St. Croix vs St. Thomas where most check into the USVI. Well, Jon’s parents were coming to visit and that is where we were meeting them! We were also able to meet up with a high school friend of theirs, Gary and his lovely wife Gail. Both very active in the Crucian community, they were a wealth of information and even gave us a locals tour!
Anchoring and Customs
With a few known anchorages, we decided to drop the hook in Christiansted harbor. Considered by many to be the most beautiful town in the Caribbean, it was once the capital of the Danish West Indies. The architecture is the same today as it was during colonial times. The harbor has good protection with Long Reef extending across the harbor. Lee of Protestant Cay is usually crowded with permanent residents on moorings but occasionally you can find an anchoring spot. The best part? Access to land is easy from the harbor. You can tie up your dinghy anywhere along the boardwalk for free!
Raising the “Q” flag upon arrive in St. Croix – USVI.
How to get around St. Croix?
The best way to get around the island is by renting a car or taking a tour bus.
We decided to rent a car at Centerline Car Rentals. Interestingly, cars drive on the LEFT side of the road in the USVI. Many historians believe this is because donkeys were trained to pass on the left. Once cars were introduced, many still used donkeys and retraining was difficult. As a result, we now drive on the left. BUUUUUT, even though we drive on the left, the car’s steering column is ALSO located on the left. This is because the cars are sourced from the US mainland. It may seem intimidating at first but most roads on the island are 2 lane and traffic is very forgiving due to the landscape and condition of the roads. Also, don’t be put off by any honking you encounter! Generally, it’s just to say hello or signal other motorists right of way.
Top 5 places to Eats in St. Croix *OFF the boardwalk*
Generally, we tend to make our own food to save money. But, as we were visiting with Jon’s parents, Gary and Gail, we ended up eating out a good amount! So here are our favorites off the the boardwalk.
This newer restaurant is found amongst the historical buildings on Christiansted. It operates in a slightly unconventional way. With a priority on customer experience, they prioritize serving a limited number of people at a time. To further achieve this goal, no take out option is offered. They do not have a website so reservations are made through their Instagram or by calling and leaving a voicemail. The food is honestly worth it!gt5
This restaurant is the perfect spot for lunch! Located on the ocean in Frederiksted, the Turtle’s Deli has fantastic deli sandwiches and the portions are HUGE! With reasonable prices and ocean breezes, you can’t beat it!
If you’re looking for a local’s choice, La Reine Chicken Shack is the way to go! Ask anyone, this is the best BBQ chicken on the island. Slow cooked over coal and coated in a special seasoning, the chicken is some of the tastiest we’ve had! There’s also steak, pork, and seafood options available if your palate calls for something else. There’s also traditional sides available including Johnny Cakes!
Also located in the historic Kings Christian Hotel, the VI Coffee Roasters is an absolute treat for those who love a good cup of coffee. What makes this coffee so special? Sourced from all over the world, this coffee shop roasts all of their beans in smaller batches to capture the subtle flavors found in each coffee bean. You better believe, we made multiple trips here!
The perfect place for those with a sweet tooth! Cream & Co has handmade ice cream with a variety of ice cream options. They have ice cream floats, milkshakes, sundaes and your classic ice cream scoops. Found in the historic Kings Christian Hotel they have flavors ranging from classic to creative originals. We loved it so much and ended up spending a small fortune on pints to go!
Best Food & Shops on Christiansted Boardwalk
Downtown Christiansted and the Christiansted Boardwalk is a major hub of activity. Running along the Caribbean Sea, the boardwalk is a favorite among foodies. There’s also a variety of shops where you can buy everything from touristy chachkies to handmade gifts.
We stumbled upon Stones Throw which was a newly opened restaurant in downtown Christiansted. Everything made from scratch the food is phenomenal and the drinks were the BEST we had on the island!
This restaurant/bar is found steps away from Christiansted harbor. Offering a simple menu of “build your own”, they offer burgers, chicken sandwiches and wings, fries, and other options. After hours, Shupe’s turns into the place to be. You really can’t go wrong!
At western end of the boardwalk, Nate’s Boardwalk specializes in seafood and is worth a visit if you’re in the area. The staff definitely makes you feel like family. They have Happy Hour specials everyday from 4-6pm and even better $15 Bottomless Mimosas and Bloody Mary’s every Sunday!
If you are in Christiansted, the Purple Papaya is hard to miss. A quintessential souvenir store, you can find gifts for everyone here. A convenient location if you forgot something you can easily find it here!
If you find yourself looking for a unique gift, this is the store for you! Fleur has a wide selection of quality items for purchase. With a wide range in price, there’s something or everyone! This is also the sister store to Franklin’s on the Waterfront in Frederiksted. During our visit here, we met the owner Michelle and her husband. They have truly created a beautiful store. If you find yourself in Christiansted, you MUST stop by!
Found on Company St, Cultured Naturals Body Care offers all natural, made from scratch, body care products and home scents. The best part? It’s created by a Registered Nurse! They offer products made for your hair, body, and face.
St. George Village Botanical Garden
One of our favorite attractions was, the St. George Village Botanical Garden did not disappoint. Gary was able to give us a personalized tour and as a past President of the botanical garden, we couldn’t ask for a better guide!
The botanical garden not only hosts over 1000 plant varieties but is built around the ruins of an 18th-19th century sugar cane plantation. Its property line also overlaps an Amerindian village dating back to 100 AD. With the Mint Gut, a freshwater stream, cutting through this site; it’s easy to see why people have settled here for centuries.
Not the biggest green thumb? There’s more than plants here! In the Overseer’s House, you’ll find a family of Jamaican Fruit Bats and in the Blacksmith’s Shop, common tools used are preserved and placed on display. Many of the ruins have been repurposed and are now used as a library and museum. A post-Emancipation worker’s quarters is now a library that holds over 500 volumes of materials about Caribbean plants and history. In addition, there’s a museum that holds not only artifacts from the colonial period but pre-Columbian as well! An Herbarium around the Manager’s House showcases herbs known to grow throughout the USVI.
A trip to St. Croix is not complete without a visit to the botanical garden. Walking amongst the ruins, you’ll find yourself transported back in time. Surrounded by the natural beauty that this island has to offer, you can visualize what life was like at this sugar plantation.
What are some Festivals on St. Croix?
St. Croix hosts many festivals throughout the year. Make sure to check the St. Croix Event Calendar to see if your visit coincides with a festival!
Our visit to St. Croix coincided with St. Patrick’s Day and for more than 50 years on the Saturday closest to March 17 marks the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Starting at 1100, the parade starts on Company Street and with no open container laws, it definitely is a PARTY!
Jump Up
A festival that takes place four times a year. Found in Christiansted, this traditional street party has vendors lining the street and even moko jumbies (stilt dancers) dancing to the LIVE music. The biggest Jump Up is held on Valentine’s Day. There’s also a Spring Jump Up in April/May, Alexander Hamilton Jump Up in July, and Holiday Jump Up occurring the Friday after Thanksgiving.
Agrifest (Agriculture and Food Fair)
This fair takes place in late May and celebrates agricultural heritage. You’ll find arts & crafts, traditional foods, livestock and locally produced agricultural products!
Mango Melee
In early July, St. Croix pays homage to this tasty fruit in many ways. Taking place at St. George Village Botanical Garden, mixologists and chefs set up shop and celebrate the mango in unique ways! You’ll also find a mango eating contest and live music.
Crucian Christmas Festival
Starting in December and peaking the first week of January near Three Kings Day, this festival is St. Croix’s version of Carnival. Most of the events take place near Frederiksted but celebrations occur throughout the island.
Cruzan Rum Distillery
When you think of the Caribbean, what comes to mind? Well, sipping a delicious rum cocktail while sitting on the beach of course! Rum has played such a prominent role in Caribbean history that it must be mentioned. For over 250 years, Cruzan Rum Distillery has been in operation right here on St. Croix. The Nelthropp family have managed Cruzan rum for generations.
Once upon a time, Cruzan Rum offered tours of their infamous distillery and even better free samples at the end. Sadly, since the Coronavirus Pandemic, tours have stopped. But always check the website, they may open up to the public again soon! Either way, make sure to pick up a bottle (or two!) of this locally made rum. Don’t forget, it’s DUTY FREE!
Snorkel/SCUBA Dive
St. Croix is home to the largest barrier reef system in the Caribbean! As a result, it is an absolute diver’s paradise! With over 50 dive sites, you’ll have your choice of walls along the Puerto Rican trench, reefs, wrecks and a working pier! There’s nothing you can’t find under the water here!
Sadly, we weren’t able to dive at all during our time in St. Croix but we were able to get some snorkeling in. One of the best places to explore is Buck Island Reef National Monument. This encompasses the small uninhabited island named Buck island and 18,839 acres of submerged lands. Established as a protected area in 1948 and expanded in 2001, it has been noted as “one of the finest marine gardens in the Caribbean sea”. Along the eastern tip, you’ll find the best snorkeling with a marked underwater trail. You’re likely to see a plethora of reef fish, schools of blue tang, sea turtles and spotted eagle rays. Different species of shark are also known to frequent the area. Finally, on the western shore, you will find Turtle Beach, which was voted one of the “most beautiful” by National Geographic. In addition, this beach is known to be a nesting site for sea turtles. Leatherback (vulnerable), Loggerhead (vulnerable), Green (endangered), and Hawksbill (critically endangered) turtles have all been known to nest here. Please remember that all sea turtles are protected and if you happen to come across one or see a nest, keep your distance and admire from afar!
There are only two ways to visit this wonderful monument. Purchasing a guided tour from authorized concessionaires available on St. Croix’s mainland or obtaining an anchoring permit from the National Park Service.
St. Croix remains relatively unspoiled and is the least visited of the USVI. This means, it’s not swarming with tourists (yet!). We absolutely loved our visit to St. Croix! Make sure to add it to your bucket list, or better yet plan your visit while it’s still under the radar!
8 Responses
What a great write up about St Croix- USVI: the interesting history, the beautiful places & gardens to see, the food to eat, etc. It’s my kind of place to visit & on my bucket list already!
Thanks! Yea it really is a wonderful spot!!
Thanks for commenting!
That’s a very nice write – up and great recommendations. perhaps one day I’ll get to check it out myself! 😊
Yea! It really is a great place! Thanks for stopping by and commenting! Let us know if you ever go and check it out!
Hi Jon and Angela ! How are you ? Love your posts !! I’ve now added this place in my list of places to visit .
Your post is very informative and I love the fact that you’ve added the table of contents!
Hey! We are doing well, thanks for asking! Thanks for reaching out and commenting! Let us know if you knock off this new bucket list location!
Love getting the blog posts! Hope you are both doing well.
Thanks, that means a lot!! Things are going well, we are currently in Baltimore for the winter. Angela is picking up some nursing work while here. So if you see yourself in the area would love to catch up and you have a free place to stay!