Dreaming of a tropical getaway? Discover what makes St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands such an awesome beach vacation, especially this year!
Wish you could escape to a tropical place right now? Same. These days my screensaver taunts me with pictures of places that seem unreal: sparkling turquoise water, powdery white-sand beaches and not a single person within view.
But guess what I found out? That place really exists and you don’t need to leave the country to go there. St. Croix is the warm, beachy paradise you’ve been dreaming of and it’s a part of the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI).
Although it’s the largest of the islands, it’s the least visited. That means it isn’t swarmed with tourists (yet!). It can get busier on days that cruise ships dock in Frederiksted. But even then, St. Croix doesn’t feel overrun like other, more popular cruise ship destinations.
The bonus? St. Croix temperatures are in the 70’s and 80’s year-round, making it an ideal getaway just about, um, whenever.
I haven’t been there yet, but it’s at the top of my Go-Now List, which is why I’m researching the heck out of it.
Read on to find out what I’ve learned about this little slice of tropical heaven.
WHERE IS ST. CROIX?
St. Croix is one of the three U.S. Virgin Islands in the Caribbean Sea, just south of Puerto Rico. (The other two are St. Thomas and St. John.) St. Croix is about a 3-hour flight from the East Coast. It’s a U.S. territory. So, if you’re an American, St. Croix is one of the few dreamy destinations you can travel to without a passport. You also don’t have to deal with using different money or learning a new language – English has been the official language since 1917.
What Is St. Croix Known For?
St. Croix is known for its historic sugar plantations, white-sand beaches and the surrounding coral reef that’s popular with snorkelers and scuba divers. Its two main towns – Christiansted and Frederiksted – have a colonial feel with arched, shaded walkways and sorbet-colored buildings.
Originally colonized by the Danish in the 1700s, St. Croix was purchased by the United States in the early 1900s. Among the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix is the most low-key getaway.
What Is There to Do in St. Croix?
Besides sipping rum drinks and digging your toes into powdery white sand, here are all the fun things you can do in one of the best tropical places in the United States:
Follow a snorkel trail
The most popular tourist attraction in St. Croix is the underwater snorkeling trail at Buck Island Reef National Monument. This small island off the coast of St. Croix is approximately a one-hour boat ride away and the best snorkeling spot.
Plaques placed along the barrier reef describe some of the hundreds of different fish you can see including blue tangs, parrot fish and spotted eagle rays.
Visit the most beautiful beach in the world
Buck Island is pure magic, both below and above water. On the west end of the island is Turtle Beach, which National Geographic deemed one of the world’s most beautiful beaches.
It’s a pristine strip of sugary sand and clear, aquamarine water that no one should miss seeing. From March through December, you can also spot endangered sea turtle nests there.
Go off-roading
Drive an ATV along the coast, over hilltops and through forests while learning about the history of the island. This is the best way to get acquainted with your new surroundings!
Eat tropical fruit
Stop by the farmers market to pick up some of the 80 varieties of mangos grown here as well as starfruit, guava, passionfruit, soursop, breadfruit and tamarind for a juicy afternoon snack.
Kayak through glowing water
St. Croix has not one but two bioluminescent bays, which contain microorganisms that make the water glow neon blue or green at night.
Book a nighttime tour on see-through kayaks (they’re made of clear material for a better view of the water) to have an awesome, otherworldly experience!
Drink beer with pigs
At Mt. Pellier Hut Domino Club there’s a unique attraction: beer-drinking pigs! About 25 years ago, one of the pigs stole a beer from a farmer and guzzled it down. After that, people started giving beer to the pigs.
These days, you can purchase non-alcoholic beer to share with these party animals as well as a banana daiquiri for yourself.
Float in a tidepool
If you’re up for a beautiful, but challenging two-mile hike (one way) you’ll be rewarded with tidepools that are up to five feet deep. Look for sea urchins and other sea life, float or just stare off at the crashing waves.
Feed jumping fish
Tarpon are big, slender fish that kind of resemble a small shark. At the boardwalk in Christiansted, they hang out waiting for people to throw them food. It’s especially fun for kids to see them jump and thrash around.
Race hermit crabs
Pick a crab, give it a name and cheer it on as it scrapes and claws its way toward the finish line during an emceed hermit crab race where you can win prizes.
Where to Stay in St. Croix?
Like most tropical destinations, there are numerous types of places to stay on vacation. You can choose from cottages, villas, inns and hotels.
Beach resort
If you’re looking for something fancier, check out The Buccaneer. It’s the oldest family-run resort with open-air restaurants, beachfront massages, and tennis and golf clubs all set on a beach with a gorgeous view. Rates start at around $300/night.
Downtown hotel
If your budget is more moderate, consider staying in a hotel located within a few minutes walk of the beaches and restaurants. Company House Hotel is a boutique hotel in the center of Christiansted and runs around $200/night.
Vacation rental
Need more space for the family? Scroll through vacation properties you can rent on AirBNB or VRBO to find places like this breezy, two-bedroom, two-bathroom, oceanfront condo. It averages $260/night.
St. Croix would be an amazing vacation to add to your bucket list. But why wait? Go now while it’s still under the radar. I know this tropical U.S. destination is definitely calling my name – who’s with me?
Happy travels,
P.S. If you’d rather stick to the mainland, check out Gulf Shores. It’s another fantastic under-the-radar beach getaway.
DO YOU WANT TO REMEMBER THIS? SAVE WHY ST. CROIX IS THE BEST TROPICAL PLACE IN THE U.S. TO VISIT THIS YEAR TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD!
