Beaches - Pristine beaches and wonderful water sports abound on this island.

Sandy Point - Located at the southwest end of St. Croix, just south of Frederiksted.

This 3-mile beach is the longest in the Virgin Islands and the best for swimming.

The vegetation in the area is stunted due to salt stress and the tree line that starts much further back from the water than is typical at other beaches on St. Croix so shade is not available. The water deepens very quickly at the beach. The 380-acre Sandy Point peninsula is a protected reserve for leatherback and other sea turtles; it is one of the most important leatherback nesting grounds in the world and hosts the largest nesting population of leatherback sea turtles under United States jurisdiction. The dirt access road is open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The beach may be closed during the turtle nesting season from March through August.

Fort Frederik Beach - within walking distance from the cruise ship pier.

A small, lovely white sand beach that offers instant access to the lovely Caribbean Sea right from the Frederiksted waterfront. This beach tends to be heavily populated when cruise ships are in port. Cruise ship passengers can sight see around St. Croix, shop in Frederiksted and then take a relaxing swim before returning to the ship. Popular spot for fishing in the evening and for watching the sunset.

Rainbow Beach Club - About 1 mile north of Frederiksted.

You'll enjoy the calm waters and sugar-white sand at Rainbow Beach. It's been touted as one of the island's best snorkeling spots. The nearby beach bar provides a cool haven for sipping a refreshing drink with good food and live music. Rainbow beach is a small, sandy bay. On the far right and left it gets rocky, however the beach itself is mostly sandy. There is limited shade. A volleyball net is available. Rainbow is very popular on Sundays; on weekdays it is quiet and sparsely populated.

Sprat Hall - North of Frederiksted on Route 63.
This is a pretty bay located a short drive from Frederiksted. The beach is mostly sand with some areas of rocks. The water has a gentle surf and it is rocky close to shore. A nice beachside restaurant & bar is perfect for grabbing a bite to eat and a couple cool drinks. These beaches offer the best swimming on the west side, particularly the one opposite Sprat Hall Plantation, a charming great house that is now an elegant inn and restaurant serving dinner. One mile of beach. Beach use fee $2. Beach chair rental.

Davis Bay Beach - Located at the Carambola Resort Hotel.
Check in at the guard booth and tell them you are going in for lunch at the restaurant and bar. Beautiful white sand beach in a spectacular setting.

Please respect the guests of the resort and stay out of the pool! Davis Bay, a long sandy white beach, is typically quiet and relaxing. The middle of the bay has some rocks and the far left side experiences some mild surf which can be fun for body surfing if the condition are right. The currents can get strong. Coconut palms and other trees are scattered along the shore providing some shade. This beach is a lovely spot to spend a quiet day; the beautiful, undeveloped hills on the far left and the gentle to mild wave action set an atmosphere of being far away from everything. The last scene in the movie Trading Places with Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd was filmed here!

Cane Bay Beach - Northwest coast on Route 80. This beach is easily accessed from the main road.

Cane Bay is a great spot for sunbathing, walking, snorkeling, having a cool drink at a beach bar or just hanging out. The long white sand beach is lined with many trees which provide good shade. Cane Bay is renowned for its excellent snorkeling and scuba diving site. About 1/4 mile offshore, the depth plunges to 1,000 feet, so divers can merely swim out and dive "the wall." A dive shop, kayak shop, restaurant & bars are located in walking distance from the beach. Cane Bay Dive center, Full Moon Beach Bar, and Off the Wall Beach Bar are all just steps away. Volleyball net is available on the left side of the beach. Kayaking and Horseback riding available just steps from the beach as well. The water is usually calm but there can be strong currents.

Columbus Landing Beach - Access by road to the left of the marina, Columbus Cove.

The historic site of the 1493 landing of the fleet of Columbus on Salt River, St. Croix. Columbus Landing is a small, white sand bay with some pebble filled spots. There is a good shell searching, but remember it is illegal to remove seashells from beaches in the Virgin Islands. The water deepens quickly and has many areas with sea grass. There is limited shade. No development or amenities on site.
You can walk along the rocks on the right side (when facing the water) to see Salt River a National Park protected area with natural and historical importance.

Buccaneer Beach -

The Grotto is located at the Buccaneer Resort, just one cove over from Mermaid Beach. The Grotto is mostly sandy with a rocky shoreline area. The beach is long and makes for an enjoyable stroll. Chairs, kayaks, restaurant & bar are available at the resort. Hotel guests have free access to the beach. A fee is collected for parking within the hotel grounds for beach goers that are not hotel guests.

Mermaid Beach is a great white sand beach and is home to the Buccaneer Resort. The shore is dotted with many tall, beautiful coconut trees; they provide ample shade for those seeking refuge from the bright Caribbean sun. Some areas of the water are rocky and there are parts with sea grass. Conch and starfish are attracted to sea grass so its possible you might see some of those sea critters along with other marine life. A fee is collected for parking within the hotel grounds for beach goers that are not hotel guests. The beach is often busy with hotel guests during high-season.

Protestant Cay - Across the harbor from Christiansted
Take a short ferry ride- or water taxi (small fee)- over from Christiansted to Protestant Cay, home of Hotel on the Cay. The sandy little beach on Protestant Cay is delightful for sunning and swimming. The water deepens gradually but does open up to the harbor. You can enjoy a stunning view of the Christiansted and Fort Christianvearn from the tranquility of the beach. A few palm trees and palm-covered umbrellas offer shade. (The ferry departs from the boardwalk that is in front of the park next to Fort Christianvearn; it runs from 7am to 6pm and costs $3 round trip.)

Shoy Beach - East of Christiansted. Turn right before the gate to the Buccaneer Hotel
After checking in with the guard in the small booth, proceed to the parking lot at the end of the road. Follow the path through the trees to a fine sandy beach.No facilities. Considered one of the prettiest beaches on St. Croix. Shoy's has crystal clear water and white sand. A few sea grape trees line the long beach. The beach is quiet and relaxing. The beach is usually sparsely populated on weekdays. Access is available through the guarded, gated entrance on the right when entering Buccaneer Resort; drive past the golf course, residential area and then park in the small parking area; follow the short path to the beach. There is a residential area close by so respect private property boundaries. The east end of the beach is better for swimming while the opposite end offers good snorkeling.

Chenay Bay Beach - East of Christiansted on Route 82.

Chenay Beach is a pretty little beach. Home to a hotel with the same name, the beach is open to the public. This white sand beach offers both a relaxing atmosphere and beach fun.

Wind surfers, snorkeling, kayak and sunfish rentals are available. A beachside bar and restaurant makes you feel far away from everything else and is perfect for lunch and drinks while enjoying the tranquility of the beach. There is some sea grass in the areas close to shore. Swimming out along the right side to the point affords good snorkeling. A children's play set is located just behind the tree line.

Coakley Bay Beach - Located on the East end of St. Croix Accessible by a dirt road; a small sign that reads "Nature Preserve of St. Croix Environmental Association" marks the turn in for the road.
Coakley Bay is a beautiful white sand beach that is mostly a deserted strip of sand often sparsely populated. Although there are no palm trees on the beach, shade can be found under the sea grape trees. There are areas in the water with a lot of sea grass, so you'll see it washed up on the beach. The ocean floor bottom is rocky in some places and these areas are strewn with sea urchins, so beware. However, there are many areas with a sandy bottom which are great for taking a dip. The beach offers views of Buck Island.

Reef Beach - East end of the island at Teague Bay on Route 82.

Reef is a small, quiet, sandy beach with generally calm water and good snorkeling. There are sea grape trees along the beach for some shade. Some rocks are in the water and many areas contain sea grass. It is a popular spot for wind surfing. Duggan's Reef restaurant and bar are nearby.

Cramer Park - Near the end of Route 82.
A beautiful and sandy public beach with picnic facilities and usually calm waters due to the reef just off shore. Recently renovated changing rooms and bathrooms. The beach is very popular with residents. On weekdays the beach might be sparsely populated but on weekends its party central with family picnics, parties, gatherings, sometimes camping and definitely loud music. The water deepens gradually and is usually calm. Camping is allowed and there are sheds, restrooms and other park amenities like picnic tables & grills.

Isaac's Bay - On east end of Island
This east-end beach is easily one of the most beautiful on the island. You'll find secluded sands for sunbathing, calm waters for swimming, and a barrier reef for snorkeling. You can get here via footpaths from Jack's Bay or from Point Udall. It is a hike but it's worth the effort. Isaac Bay is long, mostly sandy. The far right is rocky with some sand and sandstone. Short shrubs line the shoreline; but they provide little to no shade. The waters are mostly calm with the exception of the rocky area on the right and it deepens quickly. The bay is framed by beautiful, undeveloped hills.

Jack's Bay - Located on the east end of the island, right next to Isaac's Bay.
Jack's Bay is mostly sand, small pebbles and sea grass.

The tree line is made up of seagrape trees, acacia and grass – limited to no shade. The water deepens more gradually than at Issac and there are reefs within the shallow areas.

Grapetree Bay - On the south eastern shore of St. Croix close to the Divi casino.
Grapetree Beach is a narrow, long, beautiful white sand beach. It runs along the same stretch as the Divi Beach. The shoreline is perfect for a nice, relaxing day on the beach. A few palm trees can be found on the far end. It makes for a lovely walk. Several residential homes are close by so respect the private property that boundaries this lovely beach. Snorkeling is decent and turtles can sometimes be spotted. This beach is often quiet and makes for a great spot to read, think, picnic and to just unwind. Grapetree Beach. Snorkel gear and sailboard rentals are available at this hotel beach, and you'll also find a bar, a restaurant and rest rooms.

Divi Beach - On the south eastern shore
This lovely white sand beach offers you a relaxing day in the sun. Palm trees line the sandy shoreline. Home to Divi Carina Bay Resort, this beach is in easy access to water sports, bar and restaurant and even a casino. You can walk along the Divi Beach to Grapetree Beach which makes for a great beach stroll. Enjoy the pool side bar and restaurant at the Divi. Order a delicious cold tropical drink and sit under a palm tree while enjoying paradise. Fair snorkeling can be enjoyed.

Buck Island - A few miles of the north eastern shore of St Croix.

The stunning beach on Buck Island and the surrounding waters are one of the most prized areas and attractions on St. Croix and in the Virgin Islands. The beach on Buck Island is a gorgeous white sand beach, perfect for laying out on, taking a leisurely walk and for swimming in the crystal clear waters. Buck Island is part of the U.S. National Park. The entire island and its surrounding coral reefs is a protected nature reserve and includes a beautiful beach, an incredible coral marine garden, and two major underwater snorkeling trails with signs that introduce snorkelers to the types of coral and its sea life. An underwater trail leads you through a natural wonder of coral, underwater gardens and a variety of marine life. The island's facilities include picnic tables, grills, a pavilion, a changing house and rest rooms. Most tour operators provide snorkeling equipment.

YOUR MOST IMPORTANT TRIP INSURANCE ON ANY CRUISE--IS VIGILANCE!

(These are the same safety tips I have published on my other island websites and they bear reminding you again to insure that you have a wonderful vacation experience.)

         Know that no one is going to protect you-- except yourself--anywhere! That said: Do not pass up the chance to visit this beautiful island by staying on the ship. There are many wonderful people who live here. Unfortunately, as everywhere else in the world--there are also thugs! Please do follow the common-sense safety suggestions below - as you would anywhere:

1. Both men and women: use a fanny pack that you can strap around your middle--(pouch on your stomach)...and your shirt, blouse, or jacket pulled over the strap in the back. Keep only your money and plastic, a cell phone, camera (if you carry one) and sunglasses in it. Women: maybe add a tube of lipstick. That's it! If someone assaults you--give them the fanny pack.

2. Leave your birth certificates, passports any other important papers (or extra money) in the safe in your cabin. Carry with you a copy of your passport. Should you need it on the island, the original can be easily obtained from your cabin by ship authorities. Leave your jewelry and your "bling" on the ship, also. Forget about impressing anyone with these adornments.

3. Avoid isolated places: beaches, streets, and inactive areas. Especially, late at night but also during the day.   Be wary of any characters looking to "help" you.

4. Always travel in numbers--even in broad daylight! A couple is not safe as there have been masked robberies on buses, taxis and even in rental cars where passengers have been robbed by knife and gunpoint Be extremely diligent about whom you choose for a guide or taxi driver. Beware of the "gypsy operators."

5. If you rent a car be aware that you are very much a potential victim. Read the blogs about rental cars and trunks being jimmied open. You are responsible for the damage. Read carefully your rental car contract. Some say to remove all valuables and leave the car unlocked. This might be wise, if you have to pay for damaged autos. Also, if you rent a car make sure you get a car without an "R" on the rental plates or the rental company's logo. This gives you away as a tourist.

6. Always drive with your windows up!

7. Do not leave your drink unattended in bar or restaurant. (Date-rape drugs are prevalent in all of the islands)

HAVE A WONDERFUL VACATION IN St. CROIX. ENJOY THIS BEAUTIFUL ISLAND...

I hope that this web-tour of St. Croix was able to provide you with a sneak peak of what you can expect to experience when you visit.   Hopefully, it will help you decide on an itinerary for your particular day ashore.   Please feel free to send me feedback (click here) to this site --or the rest of my sites, i.e.; things I should change; things I should add. I certainly would appreciate your input and suggestions.     Thanks!

Sunny