St. Croix attracts a wide variety of adventurous and culturally interested tourists because it is the right blend of sophisticated and rough.

With only 84 square miles, you’d think St. Croix would be easy to miss. However, in the US Virgin Islands, those miles add enough to make it the archipelago’s biggest island. And there’s something unique for tourists on every square inch. To save this page for your next vacation to St. Croix so you can remember everything there is to see, do, and experience on the Caribbean island paradise.

Getting to St.Croix

Travelers from the United States will find St. Croix very accessible. Nonstop flights are available from major gateways such as Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Charlotte, and Atlanta on many major airlines (American, JetBlue, Spirit, and Delta). The fact that Americans do not need a passport to access the island since it is an unorganized US territory is perhaps the handiest feature for this group of travelers.

When Americans arrive, they will notice one important difference: the locals drive on the left. However, owing to “Keep Left” road signs and stickers prominently displayed in rental cars, as well as road signs offering useful reminders along the way, the adjustment is simple.

History and Culture of St.Croix

Visitors to the island may notice various different flags flowing in the breeze, including the Danish national flag, the Dannebrog. This is a relic of the island’s colonial past, prior to the United States’ acquisition and transfer of control in 1917.

The island’s culture is a complex mix of African, European, Caribbean, native Carib and Taino, and American influences. It’s a location where you can find storytelling and music on every corner and town square, and it’s a good idea to stop, learn, and enjoy what makes this destination and its people so unique.

St. Croix attracts a diverse group of daring and culturally inquisitive visitors. Christiansted in the east and Frederiksted in the west, the island’s twin cities, provide a plethora of shopping, good eating, art, and historical sites.

Best Sites in St.Croix to Visit

From an Afro-conscious standpoint, Fort Frederik in Frederiksted is historically noteworthy. The proclamation liberating all enslaved Africans across the Danish West Indies was issued here in 1848. Just beyond the fort’s crumbling red walls is a bust honoring General Buddha, a previously enslaved man who led the insurgency that proved important in achieving independence. The Estate Whim Great House and Museum (the only sugar plantation museum in the Virgin Islands) and the Lawaetz Museum are two more historical sights in Frederiksted.

Christiansted also has a number of historic attractions. The Christiansted National Historic Site, which includes a collection of well-restored Danish colonial structures from the 18th and 19th centuries, is centered around Fort Christiansvaern.

The retail and eating outlets, however, are arguably the biggest draws in Christiansted. Cafes, restaurants, and boutique’s built-in unique architecture from the past provide intriguing gourmet excursions and one-of-a-kind purchases.

Savant, Café Christine, Galangal, and Rum and Wine Bar Restaurant are some of the best restaurants in the area. Meanwhile, clever buyers looking for one-of-a-kind souvenirs should visit Sonya’s, which is home to the original St. Croix hook bracelet. Crucian Gold and ib Designs are two companies that specialize in quality, handcrafted jewelry manufactured on the island.

Away from the twin cities, St. Croix’s beaches, hiking trails, championship golf courses, snorkeling, and scuba diving choices keep visitors returning for more.

Put in the effort with a trek up Goat Hill, where you can see the entire island extending westward and the easternmost point of the United States, Point Udall, to the east.

The Jack and Isaac Bay Preserve, which is located below Goat Hill, allows visitors to combine hiking and beachcombing into one enjoyable experience. Low-impact pathways lead to secluded, undeveloped beaches with sugar-white sand, beautiful greenery, and thankfully no one else.

Buck Island, a small uninhabited island off the northeast coast of St. Croix, has additional hiking paths. Buck Island Reef National Monument, is a protected natural habitat maintained by the US National Park Service, including Buck Island and its surrounding reef and waterways.

Hiking activities in this area are ideal for birdwatchers or anybody seeking peace and quiet in nature. The Buck Island Reef has an underwater snorkeling route that allows visitors to get acquainted with the coral and sea species that call these protected waters home.

A number of tour companies provide half and full-day trips to Buck Island. Captain Carl of Buck Island Charters is one of them. On trimaran sailing yachts, the family-owned charter firm offers a nonmotorized full-sail Buck Island experience.

Best St.Croix Resorts

The top hotels and resorts on St. Croix are a little different from those on other Caribbean islands. St. Croix hotels are often smaller and more intimate than huge, all-inclusive complexes with well-known worldwide brand names. They frequently allude to the island’s rich past. Many of the newest hotels are really redesigned replicas of older, historic buildings.

The Buccaneer Beach and Golf Resort offers it all: a beautiful 18-hole championship golf course, modern tennis facilities, a full-service spa, a variety of dining options, three beaches, and a variety of water sports equipment. When the Knights of Malta governed St. Croix, the estate was built in 1653. The sugar mill, which stands astride the main entrance to the hotel lobby, is a historic relic of the former plantation. The Buccaneer has the distinction of being the Caribbean’s oldest family-owned and run hotel, having been converted to a hotel in 1947.

At the Feather Leaf Inn, the old is new again (and considerably improved). The property, formerly known as Estate Butler’s Bay, is a Danish sugar plantation from the 18th century. Feather Leaf draws on its agrarian heritage, stressing healthful, plant-based food and ecological tourism, rather than celebrating its grim, colonial past.

A seashore botanical forest with tropical fruits and plants is being developed over a large portion of the property. The nine guest rooms are distributed over three independent structures, each of which is 100 percent solar-powered, uniquely decorated, and offers breathtaking sunset views over a tranquil, isolated bay.