Is St Croix Safe for Tourists?
Wondering, is St Croix safe? You’re in the right place! Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the largest US Virgin Island territory.
If you’re wondering whether St Croix is safe for tourists, you’ve come to the right place. As an avid traveler to the safest Caribbean islands for more than a decade and a lover of all things US Virgin Islands, I prioritize safety above all else when it comes to exploring new destinations.
I know how hard it is to decide which island to visit next, and to make sure your choice is a safe one! In this guide, I’ll provide you with everything you need to know before planning your trip to St Croix. Let’s dive in!
Is St Croix Safe?
St Croix USVI is considered to be a very safe vacation destination, even for solo travelers, female travelers, and solo female travelers. However, the St Croix Virgin Islands’ crime rate is high, and unfortunately, it has been increasing in recent years.
I’ve visited all of the Virgin Islands, and St Croix does have more areas to avoid than St Thomas and St John. However, this can be said for many cities, so it’s not something I would base my whole decision on.
While those two things would seem not to be compatible, it’s important to note that crime in St Croix rarely affects visitors to the island.
That all being said, like any vacation destination, it’s important to be alert and not to let your guard down. Especially in popular areas, there may be people loitering, just waiting to take advantage of an unsuspecting visitor.
Another non-human danger to be aware of is the ocean. St. Croix has loads of beaches and beach resorts. With the good weather, you’ll very likely want to get into the water.
It’s important to note though that riptides are common off the coast. Especially if you visit a beach that doesn’t have a lifeguard on duty or any posted information, be cautious before and while entering the water. Regardless, make sure before your trip you read up on what to do if you get caught in a rip.
In addition to general beachgoing, diving is a common activity in St Croix. There are loads of tour operators across the island, but not all of them have great safety reputations.
Make sure you do some research before booking with just anyone and check that they are following high safety standards — going beneath the ocean surface is nothing to mess around about.
Finally, if you rent a car, be extra careful driving, especially at night. The roads are narrow, windy, and dark. While being vigilant is important, travel insurance is also a good idea for a rental car (as well as for your overall trip).
Crime in St Croix
As mentioned, even though St Croix has the highest crime rate amongst the US Virgin Islands, much of that crime doesn’t create a risk for visitors.
Problems that do exist are things like bribery and corruption as well as a high level of drug use. Gun violence is also an issue in locally populated communities and the government is continually working to crack down on it. Unfortunately, increasing gun violence can be seen throughout most of the United States. So again, this should not be the end all be all of planning your trip.
When visitors do fall victim to crime in St Croix, it is most often theft of valuables. These instances generally come as crimes of opportunity. As you would in any destination, you should stay aware and keep your belongings secure.
While theft happens throughout the islands and the states, it is nowhere near as bad as in places like Barcelona and Rome.
A purse left unattended, an apartment door left unlocked — so make sure to keep your valuables in an extra safe spot. Ask your accommodation if there is a safe you can have access to and don’t carry around large sums of cash or any other valuable items you don’t actually need with you.
Now, this has never happened to me, but I’m always extra extra careful on vacation. It’s a good idea to leave your passport behind in a safe location in your rental or hotel; a locked safe is the best place for it.
If you’re visiting the beach, don’t leave valuables on your towel while you go into the sea, make sure someone in your group always stays behind to watch them. And if you rent a car, make sure to always lock it and never leave anything in your eyesight when you leave the vehicle.
You can stay up to date on crimes occurring across the island by following the news from the island’s police department.
What Should You Avoid in St Croix?
1. Visiting during hurricane season
While there are areas and activities to avoid in St Croix, there are also times of the year when it’s best not to travel to the island. That is, during hurricane season.
The months when hurricanes and tropical storms may pass over the island, leaving destruction and chaos in their wake. Hurricane season runs from June to November, but the peak months are September and October. These really aren’t the best times to visit.
I have visited St Croix in August – simply check the weather and plan on getting travel insurance in case of a last minute storm. These islands are well-prepared to track storms and warn travelers and locals in enough time to cancel or plan to leave.
If you do choose to go and a hurricane warning goes out, plan to leave as soon as possible – the longer you wait, you may find yourself stranded with no flights or other options to get you off the island.
Even embassies are not always able to help in a timely manner during these natural disasters.
2. Avoid deserted beaches and dark alleys
While you’re on St Croix, it’s a good idea to avoid anywhere too quiet. Deserted beaches or alleyways could spell trouble for you. There are some specific beaches on St Croix that are known for being unsafe such as Ha’Penny Beach.
3. Only use licensed taxis
If you’re taking taxis, make sure they are licensed. There are no Ubers on St Croix. You can often ask your hotel or other accommodation to help you secure a safe ride wherever you need to go.
It’s also a good idea to have an idea of the route you should be taking or to track it on your phone. If your driver starts to go off of that route, don’t hesitate to speak up and question where they are going.
When you do find a good driver that you trust, get their number so you can call them when you need another ride!
Safest Areas in St Croix
Generally speaking, any area with a high density of tourism infrastructure is a safe area.
For example, the North Shore, also referred to as the North Side, which includes spots like Cane Bay and the famous Annaly Bay tide pools is a popular tourist destination and overall is quite safe – as long as you have a four-wheel drive and shoes with good support!
Christiansted is another one. However, as the main town of St Croix, it is both one of the safer areas as well as an area where there is a decent amount of crime (particularly tourist theft and pickpockets). You’ll likely find yourself here at some point, even if you don’t choose to stay here.
There are some great attractions here like the National Historic Site. But don’t get caught wandering late at night by yourself and definitely avoid dark, deserted alleyways. There is a lot of nightlife here and it’s considered the best place to go if you want to have a drink or a bit of a party.
The bars and clubs are well-lit and busy so you likely won’t encounter issues around them, but do be aware when heading home at the end of the night. Make sure to find a licensed taxi and make sure not to wander off on your own or to anywhere too secluded or dark.
Frederiksted is the third most popular town in St Croix. It’s on the opposite side of the island, about a 45-minute drive from Christiansted. Learn more about getting around St Croix ►
Here you’ll find Rainbow Bay Beach (one of my favorites), plenty of excursions, and amazing jewelry shops. I add a new custom silver piece to my collection every time I visit this little town.
Frederiksted is on the quieter side, especially compared to Christiansted. But it’s a safe city on the island and there’s plenty of fun things to do.
Areas to Avoid in St Croix
Unfortunately, the neighborhoods with higher crime rates which you should be careful to avoid are the poorer ones within the larger towns.
These neighborhoods are often noticeable due to their social housing structures. One specific example of this type of neighborhood is the Mount Pleasant Housing Project in Frederiksted.
Realistically, there is little reason why you’d find yourself in such areas on a vacation to St Croix, but if you get lost and do end up there and start to feel unsafe, don’t hesitate to quickly move on and find a safer spot to regroup.
And as I previously mentioned, any deserted beaches or anywhere with little to no other people around are best avoided. If you do want to explore somewhere that is quieter, be extra vigilant and if you notice any other individuals, keep a close eye on them.
These people may be targeting you for a crime of opportunity so if they look suspicious, get to somewhere more populated.
Things to Know Before Visiting St Croix
Understanding safety concerns for your trip is important, but there are other things you should also know before you jet off to St Croix.
You don’t need a passport, but I bring mine anyway.
For example, if you are a United States citizen, you actually don’t need a passport to enter the country. But if you’re traveling without one you’ll need alternative acceptable documentation.
That could be an original birth certificate along with a state-issued photo ID, or a trusted traveler card. If you have a passport, bringing it into the country is the easiest and fastest option.
When I’m traveling in the Caribbean, I tend to carry my passport with me regardless of the location. Are you flying into St Thomas? Maybe you’ll want to hop on the ferry to go to the British Virgin Islands. You’ll need your passport for that trip!
They drive on the left side of the road
Renting a car is a good way to have plenty of access to all parts of the island. Be mindful of narrow windy roads. The roads in St Croix are safer and flatter than St Thomas and St John, but like every Caribbean islands, they have their infrastructure issues.
It’s also important to know that in St Croix, you’ll be driving on the left side of the road. If you’re coming from a right-side driving country and have never switched over, this can be confusing, especially your first time doing it!
It usually takes me about a day to adjust, depending on how much driving I’m doing.
Make sure your sunscreen in reef-safe
Check your sunscreen! Of course, you’ll want to protect your skin out in the Caribbean sunshine, but some chemical sunscreens are actually illegal in St Croix.
This is because those chemicals are the ones that are causing damage including bleaching to reefs here and around the world.
The three chemicals that are prohibited are oxybenzone, octinoxate, and octocrylene. Opt for a reef-safe mineral sunscreen instead.
Buy my favorite reef safe sunscreen before leaving (it’s cheaper!)
Don’t touch the turtles or the reefs
Another thing you’re protecting by being mindful of what you put in the sea is the local leatherback turtles.
If you want to see these beauties on your visit to St Croix, head to Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge, a beautiful national park where you can take part in their educational experience of nesting and hatching observation.
While Sandy Point is a popular spot for wildlife, there’s no better place in the US Virgin Islands to spot wildlife than Buck Island Reef National Monument.
The National Monument is different than the Buck Island off the coast of St Croix. Buck Island Reef National Monument is a national treasure (well, it should be anyway). Thankfully, it’s well protected under NPS.
There are only a few tour operators and boats allowed to visit the area each day, so this is one tour you’ll want to plan ahead.
The tour in St Croix was by far the best one I’ve ever been on in the Caribbean. We visited Buck Island’s turtle beach – which put even the top beaches in the Caribbean to shame. The whitest sand and clearest water I’ve ever seen. It was truly picture-perfect.
FAQ: Is St Croix Dangerous?
Are there bad areas to avoid in St Croix?
Yes, there are bad areas in St Croix. The areas you should be careful to avoid are the social housing areas in the larger towns and population centers across the island.
You likely won’t find yourself in these areas but just be careful of accidentally getting lost and wandering into one.
What to avoid in St Croix?
It’s important to avoid deserted spaces in St Croix, especially at night. This includes dark alleyways in the towns of Frederiksted and Christiansted as well as any deserted beaches anywhere on the island.
You should also avoid ever leaving your valuables unattended – whether at the beach, in your car, or laying out in a hotel room. And when possible, simply avoid carrying any valuables with you during your vacation
What is the safest island in the US Virgin Islands?
St John is considered to be the safest island in the US Virgin Islands. The island is both the smallest of the four islands and it has the lowest crime rate. Comparably, St Croix does have the highest crime rate, but it is still overall quite a safe vacation destination.
Is it worth going to St Croix?
Yes! It is absolutely worth going to St Croix on your next trip. If you are looking for a laidback Caribbean destination with beautiful beaches and sunny weather but don’t want the hustle and bustle of the more popular cruise ship stops, then St Croix is the perfect place for you.
Which is nicer St Thomas or St. Croix?
St Thomas is a popular island simply by the number of visitors it receives. It also has more upscale options for things like shopping, dining, and hotels. There are even a few more popular beaches around St Thomas, plus easy access to St John.
St Croix on the other hand is a much more relaxing beach destination, with down-to-earth accommodation and a slower pace of life. Overall, it depends what you want in your vacation!
Can you swim in ocean in St Croix?
Yes, you can absolutely swim in the ocean in St Croix. The island has beaches all around its miles of coastline. You’ll find beautiful, clear blue waters which are a consistently warm temperature ensuring comfortable bathing.
In the summer months, the water gets as warm as the low 80s. Be careful of rip tides though, which are unfortunately fairly common and can be quite dangerous.
Final Thoughts: Is St Croix Safe?
It is always important to understand that everything is relative when talking about safety and that there is no perfect vacation destination.
That being said, St Croix is quite a safe place and if you head there for your next trip, you’re likely to have a great time.
Take all the same precautions you would while traveling anywhere in the world, or even at home, and make sure to be extra vigilant in certain areas of the island where crime might be higher.
If you do that, you’ll find friendly locals who are happy to have you visiting, a laid-back attitude, and a slow pace of life across the island. All the perfect ingredients for an epic Caribbean vacation!
