St Thomas vs St Croix: Which Island is Better in 2024
St. Thomas vs St. Croix! Which Island is better? The first question you have to ask when planning a trip to the US Virgin Islands!
I have your back, as I’ve been to both of these beautiful islands many times, and consider myself your personal Caribbean planning gal!
OVERALL: ST THOMAS is best for a fast-paced, fun, shopping, adventurous vacation. ST CROIX is best for a vacation on “island time”, but still full of adventurous activities
Despite being in the same territory of USVI, each island feels very different than the other!
Both islands have exciting nightlife options as well as spectacular beaches for snorkeling, watersports, or just relaxing. But, there are a few key differences. Below, I go over everything you need to know to decide which island is better for you.
| Which Island is Better on a Budget? 💰 | St Thomas |
| Who has Better Beaches: St Thomas or St Croix? 🏖️ | St Croix |
| Island best for Nightlife? 🍹 | St Thomas |
| Which island is better for a honeymoon? ❤️ | St Croix |
St Thomas vs St Croix: Which Island is Better?
Both St Thomas and St Croix hold white sand and clear, blue-water beaches. They are the two largest of the three main islands on USVI, the last and smallest being St John. St Croix is the largest US Virgin Island coming in at 84 square miles, while St Thomas is 32 square miles.
St Thomas is home to the USVI capital city, Charlotte Amalie. It’s more commercialized than the other islands, holds many resorts, tours and excursions, and is well-known for duty-free shopping.
St Croix, on the other hand, is a larger land with more uninhabited areas. The beaches are quiet, but the island is still full of history and excitement!
St Croix has two Downtown areas – Christiansted is great for dining, shopping, and nightlife. Frederiksted is a quieter city and home to Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge.
If you’re looking for family fun, adventures, watersports, shopping, and nightlife, St Thomas is the island for you! St Croix, however, is best for outdoorsy travelers wanting to live more on “island time”. It’s best for secluded beaches, snorkeling through calm and protected coral reefs, hiking, and hanging out a beach bar with a Cruzan Rum drink!
What is St Thomas Known For?
✅ Stunning Caribbean Beaches, Water Sports, Snorkeling
✅ Cruise Port in Charlotte Amalie, Duty-Free Shopping!
✅ Bumping Downtown Nightlife
St. Thomas is one of the three main islands that make up the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with St. Croix and St. John. The island is known for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters and lively nightlife. It’s also a popular cruise port, with many ships docking in the capital city of Charlotte Amalie.
Looking for awesome Caribbean nightlife? Check out Aruba➡️
When it comes to shopping, St. Thomas is renowned for its duty-free status, meaning visitors can enjoy up to $1600 of tax-free shopping on everything from jewelry to alcohol.
There are also plenty of opportunities to explore the island’s natural beauty, with day trips, excursions, hiking trails wind through lush rainforests and leading to lookout points with sweeping views of the island and beyond. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach vacation or an action-packed getaway, St. Thomas has something to offer everyone.
What is St Croix Known For?
✅ Buck Island National Monument
✅ Historic Christiansted, Culture
✅ Beaches, Snorkeling, Water Excursions
St Croix is larger than St Thomas, and the largest territory of USVI.
It is a less popular destination than St Thomas, and not as commercialized. Holding roughly the same population as St Thomas, despite being double the size, you can be sure to find secluded spots all around St Croix!
St Croix is well-known for it's proximity to Buck Island National Reef Monument, a protected reef off surrounding most of Buck Island, for some of the best snorkeling around! Buck Island is also home to Turtle Bay.
With it's powdery soft, white sand and translucent waters, it's known as one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean...maybe even the world!
It's also full of history and culture. The Christiansted National Historic Site was established in 1952 and brings you back to when the US Virgin Islands were under Danish occupancy.
Which Island is Safer?
Based on crime rates in the last 1-2 years, St Thomas is the safer island, but you'll find that both islands are welcoming and generally safe for tourists.
The Virgin Islands are a safe place for U.S. Citizens to visit.
St Croix has a higher homicide rate than the other USVI, which generally is among locals, not tourists and violent crime is rare.
Like any city, petty theft can be the most concerning part of traveling to St Thomas or St John. Always lock your car doors and hotel room doors, don't leave valuables on, and avoid wandering around alone, especially at night!
Before and after sundown, avoid secluded beaches, trails, and downtown areas. Use your best judgement and likely, you'll have a safe, crime-free, relaxing stay!
Costs of St Thomas vs St Croix
St Croix is slightly more expensive, and also requires an extra plane ride or ferry ride to get there. Because St Thomas is more populated and built up, you'll find more lower budget options here than in St Croix, so St Thomas may be the better choice on a budget!
Breaking the costs of each island down a bit further:
Cost of St Thomas
The average nightly cost of St Thomas in January is $250/night.
The lowest option coming in at $81/night and highest coming in at $569/night, villas rentals cost about the same.
View more of the best places to stay in Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas ➡️
Cost of St Croix
The average nightly cost of St Croix in January is $310/night
The lowest option coming in at $141/night and the highest at $702/night.
Of course, this is just a small average of 6 popular St Croix hotels, but there are plenty of accommodation options for all budgets.
❓St Thomas vs St Croix Best on a Budget? St Thomas
St Thomas vs St Croix: Attractions and Things to Do
St Thomas and St Croix both have an incredible variety of attractions and things to do. Generally, St Thomas is more fast-paced, so if you're looking to go, go, go during your vacation, that's the better choice for attractions.
Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas's downtown , and Christiansted, St Croix's downtown, are both rich with history, shopping, dining, entertainment, and excursions.
Most Popular Things to Do in St Thomas
> Head to Coki Beach
You can fill a day or two of adventures at the popular Coki Beach at Coki Point. Choose from SCUBA, snorkeling, or any of the watersports available at the point, or head to Coral World Ocean Park to learn about the many ecosystems and marine life in USVI.
> Visit Popular Sites in Charlotte Amalie
From Skyride to Paradise Point and views at Charlotte Amalie Overlook to the famous 99-steps to Blackbeard's Castle and
> Take a Ferry to St John, USVI
The ferry from Red Hook, St Thomas to Cruz Bay, St John is a quick 20-minute ride. The roundtrip starts at $12/person, making it a budget-friendly way to see more of the Virgin Islands!
Check out all the fun things to do in St Thomas ➡️
Most Popular Things to Do in St Croix
> Take a Ferry to St John, USVI
> Spend the Day at Buck Island Reef National Monument
This famous, protected reef is a can't-miss attraction in the USVI. You can only get to it by boat, and you'll find real beauty and seclusion when you arrive.
Turtle Beach is one of the most picturesque beaches in the Caribbean and the coral reef makes for some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean as well.
🌊 Book your private charter for a epic day at the secluded Buck Island
> Head to Rainbow Beach for the Day
The powdery, white-sand beach with calm waters is perfect for snorkeling and swimming, or enjoying a day with your feet in the sand! You can rent snorkel gear and water sports equipment right on the beach for a full day of activities at Rainbow.
Check out a full list of things to do in St Croix ➡️
❓Things to Do, Attractions? St Thomas
Who Has Better Beaches?
If you're going to USVI enjoy the beaches, snorkel through the coral reefs, and SCUBA, St Croix is the best island for you.
Beaches in St Croix vs St Thomas
St Thomas and St Croix both have the white sand, clear water Caribbean beaches that you're probably looking for on your vacation!
With that said, St Thomas beaches will usually be more crowded than St Croix beaches. But, that also gives you the opportunity for a fun day out at the beach. You'll find people out all around the St Thomas beaches participating in various water sports activities.
However, St Croix gives you the special opportunity to enjoy those white sand beaches with fewer people and distractions. You also have Buck Island right off the coast of St Croix, which is unmatched in beauty and snorkeling!
Best Beaches in St Thomas
🌴Secret Harbor Beach
🌴Coki Beach
🌴Lindbergh Bay Beach
See all the best beaches in St Thomas ➡️
Best Beaches in St Croix
🌴Rainbow Beach
🌴Rainbow Beach
❓St Thomas vs Croix: Who has Better Beaches? St Croix
Does St Thomas or St Croix Have Better Nightlife?
St Thomas has the more exciting downtown nightlife, clubs, and bar options!
St Thomas and St Croix both have lively downtown areas - Charlotte Amalie and Christiansted, respectively.
St Thomas also has easy bar hopping in Red Hook, Havensight, and Frenchtown!
In St Croix, you can find a few late night spots, even a casino, but mostly dining and beach bars!
❓Which island has the Better Nightlife? St Thomas
Hiking in St Thomas vs Hiking in St Croix
The hikes in St Croix will be a bit more strenuous and longer than the hikes in St Thomas.
However, the best hiking in the US Virgin Islands is in the last and smallest territory, St John!
So if you're wanting to spend a lot of time hiking, St John is the best choice for you. If you don't want to stay in St John, stay in St Thomas and take the ferry over to St John and spend the day exploring Virgin Islands National Park!
One of my favorite parts of the Virgin Islands is the mountainous terrain. Unlike flatter islands like St Maarten and Bonaire, USVI and St Lucia offer spectacular mountains and hikes.
❓Who has Better Hiking? St Croix, but if you're interested in hiking, head to St John.
St Thomas vs St Croix: Which is Better for Families?
St Thomas is better for families looking to keep the kids active and busy with excursions, tours, watersports, and activities.
St Croix will be the better option if having the kids run around, play on the beaches, and snorkel while you relax in the sand is more your style.
This choice really is dependent on what you're looking for in your vacation and what your family will most enjoy.
Both islands offer historic sites, hiking, and great beaches, so you can't go wrong; you'll find plenty for the whole family on both islands.
❓Best for Families: St Thomas or St Croix? Depends on what kind of vacation you want to have with the family!
Which Island is Better for a Honeymoon?
St Croix honeymoon is a better option than St Thomas. St Croix is more secluded, and larger, and you'll find quieter areas to spend your first few days as husband and wife! There are plenty of romantic things to do in St Croix from sunset sails, couples massages on the beach, and quiet candlelight dinners.
❓Best for Honeymoon: St Thomas or St Croix? St Croix
Transportation in St Thomas and St Croix
Getting around St Thomas and St Croix is the same, and easy and convenient, for the most part! US Citizens can drive in USVI with their US license for 90 days.
✅ Rental Cars
Rental Cars are the best option for getting the most out of your trip to the USVI. Don't forget they drive on the LEFT side of the road!
Rental cars in St Croix can cost as little as $50/day!
Reserve your rental car in St Thomas! ➡️
OR
Book your rental car in St Croix through Expedia! ➡️
**Both are small islands and rental cars are limited, so book your car ASAP!
✅ Taxis
Taxis in St Thomas and St Croix are charged per person. Expect to pay between $9-$15 per person to get around either island, depending on how far you need to go
It's easy to find taxis in the cities - Charlotte Amalie, Red Hook, Christiansted, and Frederiksted. However, if you're planning to go to secluded areas of the island, or explore off-the-beaten-path beaches, keep taxi numbers on hand to call for a pickup when you're ready.
When is the Best Time to Go to USVI?
The best time to visit US Virgin Islands is between January and April. Tourist season peaks from the late December holidays to March, and rain season peaks around August.
Conclusion: St Thomas vs St Croix: Which is Better?
Hopefully, this sheds some light and helps you choose between St. Croix vs St. Thomas. They're both awesome options for your next Caribbean vacation. So, is St Thomas or St Croix better:
| Which Island is Better on a Budget? 💰 | St Thomas |
| Who has Better Beaches: St Croix or St Thomas? 🏖️ | St Croix |
| Island best for Nightlife? 🍹 | St Thomas |
| Which island is better for a honeymoon? ❤️ | St Croix |
Overall, head to St Thomas if you're looking for a bustling, face-paced vacation.
Or, head to St Croix if you want to live on island time with your feet in the sand and a drink in your hand!
Leaning toward St Croix? Read more on whether St Croix is worth visiting➡️
