Is St Croix Worth Visiting in 2023? (Travel Guide)
Is St Croix worth visiting this year? St Croix is the largest of the three main territories in US Virgin Islands.
It offers a wide variety of beautifully quiet beaches, adventurous excursions throughout the island, and a lively downtown and nightlife to explore.
To get down to it, I’ll let you know if St Croix is worth visiting, and why! Along with everything you need to know for your next trip to St Croix, US Virgin Islands.
Is St Croix Worth Visiting?
St Croix is absolutely worth visiting. St Croix is a beautiful territory in the US Virgin Islands and home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
The uniquely awesome things about St Croix? You can find seclusion on any of the clearwater, soft-sandy beaches, OR you can experience the lively city and nightlife of Christiansted and Frederiksted.
Here are just a few of the top reasons St Croix is worth visiting.
You also have two other beautiful islands nearby. Wondering which is best for you?
1. Largest US Virgin Island
St. Croix is one of three main US Virgin Islands, and it is by far the largest territory in terms of size and population.
Although it is not as widely known as some of the other Caribbean islands, it has a lot to offer in terms of natural beauty, history, and culture.
The size is one of the main reasons to visit St. Croix. You get to experience its unique character and get away from the more crowded tourist areas, or hang around the exciting, lively areas if you choose.
2. St Croix offers Spectacular Beaches and Adventures
The island offers a variety of activities, including hiking, biking, and snorkeling, as well as plenty of opportunities to relax on the beach.
The beaches are filled with soft sand and clear water, perfect for spending days and never tiring of it!
3. Buck Island Reef National Monument
This little slice of paradise alone makes visiting St Croix worth your time. It also happens to be my favorite thing that I’ve ever done in the US Virgin Islands.
Buck Island Reef National Monument is located off the coast of St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands. The monument comprises two distinct areas – the coral reef itself and the surrounding waters of Turtle Bay (known as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world!)
The reef is home to a wide variety of marine life, including turtles, fish, and coral. Snorkeling in this famous reef is the #1 thing to do in St Croix!
Efforts are underway to protect and restore the reef, ensuring that it will remain a popular destination for generations to come. There’s even an overview look you can hike to for unique views atop this incredible island.
4. St Croix is Filled With History and Culture
Pirates, Founding Fathers, and Historic Sites…oh my!
There are also several historic sites to explore, including Fort Christiansvaern, which was built by the Danish in the 1600s.
Before making his debut in America, Alexander Hamilton’s childhood home was in St Croix. Tour around Christiansted to learn how this town shaped the popular Hamilton in his young life.
Is St Croix Safe 2023?
Is St Croix safe in 2023? St Croix is a safe island, overall and is considered a safe and popular tourist destination for Americans. The majority of crime in St Croix will be petty theft, so it’s best to take normal precautions:
✅ Lock your room doors
✅ Do not keep valuables in your car
✅ Stay together; do not venture alone at night
✅ Stay away from unfamiliar and unknown areas
However, crime in St Croix and the US Virgin Islands are generally within the local communities. Overall, the USVI is safe.
What is St Croix Known For?
St Croix is well-known for its history, culture, cuisine, and beaches! What more could you want in a town?
St. Croix is a beautiful island with a rich history and culture. The cuisine of St. Croix is diverse and flavorful, and the island’s beaches are simply breathtaking. With that being said, St. Croix has something to offer everyone, and it is truly a paradise.
History
The history of St. Croix is fascinating. The island was originally inhabited by the Ciboney, Carib, and Arawak peoples. The first European settlers arrived in the 1600s, and the island changed hands several times between the French, Danish, and English before finally becoming part of the United States in 1917.
Today, St. Croix is a melting pot of cultures, and its residents are proud of their heritage.
Food
The food of St. Croix is as diverse as its history. Caribbean, French, Danish, and American influences can all be found in the local cuisine. Fresh seafood is abundant on the island, and dishes are often spiced with local herbs and spices.
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a formal dining experience, you’ll be able to find it in St. Croix.
Beaches
And of course, no trip to St. Croix would be complete without spending some time on the beach. The island’s sandy beaches are perfect for sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, and simply relaxing.
It’s surrounded by incredible coral reefs and rich marine wildlife. With so much to see and do in St. Croix, you’ll never want to leave! After spending time in the Caribbean and Hawaii, I can definitely say the beaches in Hawaii cannot compare to the beaches in St Croix.
Visiting St Croix: Things to Know
St Croix Passport Requirements
US Citizens do not need a passport to visit St Croix! This makes it a convenient and easy destination.
You also don’t need a passport to visit the other US Virgin Islands, so hop on a ferry or hopper plane and check out St Thomas and St John as well.
Christiansted and Frederiksted
There are two main cities in St Croix. Christiansted and Frederiksted are both popular destinations and hold many things to do, places to see, and places to stay in St Croix!
Christiansted is known as the more lively downtown area. It’s filled with fine dining, excursions, bars, and shopping!
Frederiksted is smaller and quieter but filled with history, museums, and adventure.
View all hotels in Downtown Christiansted ➡️
US Virgin Islands Require Reef Safe Sunscreen
USVI Law requires you to use reef-safe sunscreen to protect marine wildlife and coral reefs around the islands! Protect the land and plan ahead.
Avoid oxybenzone, octinoxate, and octocrylene.
Related Reading: Plan your Caribbean packing list
PRO TIP: Purchase reef-safe sunscreen before, as it can be expensive on the island!
Enough about visiting, what about living in the Caribbean? 🌴
Living in Aruba
Living in St Thomas, USVI
Is St Croix Worth Visiting? Things to Do in St Croix!
✅ Excursion to Buck Island Reef National Monument
Voted a top-rated activity in St Croix, you can’t forget to plan an excursion to Buck Island Reef National Monument.
There are tour companies that will take you out to snorkel around this famous reef, hike on the beach, or dive. You can go alone, but it will require an anchoring permit, so be sure to plan ahead.
✅ Play All Day at Rainbow Beach
Rainbow Beach is located on the west end of St Croix and is one of the most popular beaches on the island. The snorkeling is awesome, plus, you can choose so many water sports to stay busy all day.
Sea Sports St Croix offers a full-day package with unlimited use of kayaks, paddle boards, floats, and snorkel gear.
Plan your whole day of fun in the sun! ☀️
➡️ Book here with Sea Sports St Croix
✅ Frederiksted Historic District
St. Croix is a historic island with a rich cultural heritage. The Frederiksted Historic District is a prime example of this, as it contains many well-preserved 18th and 19th-century buildings.
This area was once the center of the island’s sugar industry, and today it is a popular tourist destination.
In addition, there are several museums and art galleries in the district, making it a great place to learn about the island’s history and culture. Whether you’re interested in architecture, history, or art, the Frederiksted Historic District is definitely worth a visit.
✅ Shopping in Christiansted
You can find endless shopping from local boutiques and larger stores all around St Croix! Christiansted is popular for its markets and small shops; you could spend a whole day just shopping around!
Don’t forget, US Citizens (including children!) can take $1600 worth of duty-free shopping back from USVI to the USA every 30 days. Shop till you drop!
View all things to do in St Croix ➡️
✅Day Trips from St Croix to St Thomas
Best Beaches in St Croix
You won’t be asking, “is St Croix worth visiting?” after seeing the spectacular beaches located all around St Croix, USVI!
🏖️ Turtle Beach St Croix
Turtle beach is located off the North Coast of St Croix. It is on the protected land of Buck Island. You can’t miss the white sand and crystal-clear waters of this famous beach.
🏖️ Rainbow Beach
Rainbow beach is a famous St Croix beach, known for its fun water sports, beautiful calm waters for snorkeling, and family-friendly restaurants and activities nearby.
🏖️ Cay Beach St Croix
Cay Beach (pronounced “Key”) is located a 3 minute ferry ride off Christiansted Harbor.
There is one hotel on the cay, but you can purchase a day pass to enjoy the serenity of your own private island for the day!
This beach is great for relaxing, snorkeling, or floating in the water for a while.
For the best beaches in the Caribbean, compare St Croix vs St John
Where to Stay: St Croix Resorts
Buccaneer Hotel Resort
This luxurious resort in St Croix offers an 18-hole golf course, oceanfront views, spas, restaurants, and more.
They offer romantic packages, packages for family savings, beach excursions, dining, and basically everything you need to never have to leave!
Enjoy luxurious views and beaches from the resort
⭐ Book your stay at the Buccaneer Hotel!⭐
Hotel on the Cay
Stay on your own private Cay off Christiansted at Hotel in the Cay! A “Cay” is basically a little island.
You can catch a quick 3-minute ferry ride from Christiansted to Hotel on the Cay. Not only is it that easy to get downtown but you have the beauty of solitude at the hotel and the fun of downtown just a few minutes away; plus: no driving is necessary!
⭐Make your reservations at Hotel on the Cay ➡️
Related reading: St Croix Hotels on the Beach
Related reading: Best places to stay in St Croix
How to Travel to St Croix
There are a few cities you can fly direct to St Croix from, like Charlotte and Miami. Most flights will take you to STX, St Thomas’s airport. St Thomas is the main USVI and home to the capital, Charlotte Amalie.
When you arrive at St Thomas Airport you can take a hopper plane into St Croix, or you can take a ferry.
St Croix Airport
The Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (HERA) is located towards the bottom middle of the island, about 7-9 miles from Frederiksted and Christiansted. You can pick up a rental car from the hotel, or easily grab a taxi from the airport to your hotel destination!
If you’re able to fly direct from the US to HERA, St Croix is worth visiting simply for the ease of travel! Plus, not needing a passport makes it even quicker.
Christiansted Harbor Seaplane Base is located right in downtown Christiansted, so it’s a great option if you want to land and be as close as possible to your hotel if you plan to stay in Christiansted.
How to Get Around St Croix
It’s easy to get around St Croix; there are two main options to choose from, rental cars and taxis!
✅ Rental Cars
Renting a car in St Croix is very affordable! You can find rental cars for $50-$100 per day, depending on the size of vehicle you’re looking for. Car rentals are the most efficient way to get around St Croix and it’s highly recommended that you do!
Don’t forget they drive on the LEFT side of the road!!
There are many off-the-beaten-path beaches and adventures around St Croix. It’s such a large island, you don’t want to rely on taxis to get everywhere!
You also may have a hard time finding a taxi in those more secluded areas! Keep your freedom and enjoy convenience with your own rental car during your stay.
➡️Book your rental car here through Expedia!
PRO TIP: Small islands have fewer rental cars! Reserve your car ASAP!
✅ Taxis
Taxis are easy to catch throughout St Croix, particularly at hotels, popular beaches, and the two downtowns, Christiansted and Frederiksted.
Taxis in St Croix charge per person, so traveling with a group will be more costly!
| Airport to Frederiksted | approx. $6/person |
| Airport to Christiansted | approx $9/person |
| Christiansted to Frederiksted | approx $11/person |
Final Thoughts: Is St Croix Worth Visiting
Now that we’ve gone over everything you need to know about the largest US Virgin Islands territory, let’s get back to the original question.
Is St Croix Worth Visiting? I can easily say yes, St Croix is worth visiting this year, and you should absolutely add it to your Caribbean to-do list as soon as possible!
Whether you’re looking for a laid-back vacation or an adventurous getaway, St. Croix is definitely worth a visit.
With so much space, so many beaches, nightlife options, and history, St Croix is a great vacation spot for you no matter what you’re looking for. For families, honeymoons, or a girl’s getaway, you’ll find it easy to fill a whole itinerary for your trip!
Time to start planning!
Next: Is St John Worth Visiting?
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