Ocean's Edge

St. Croix Condo

Look at all of the wonderful ways you can spend fun-filled days on St. Croix.

There's certainly no shortage of activities to choose from on St. Croix. Being the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands (28 by 7 miles), St. Croix offers such a huge variety of things to do and see that you may have a difficult time deciding just what you'd like to dive into first.

From superb scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing and sport fishing to excellent golf, hiking, horseback riding and biking, there are a plethora of exciting things to do for the active individual.

In addition to physical entertainment, St. Croix is also home to a wealth of fantastic sites to see and places to explore, including a multitude of beaches, historical sites, botanical gardens, eco-parks, shopping districts and, of course, restaurants serving scrumptious and zesty Caribbean-style cuisine.

So take a look at everything this remarkable island has to offer...and have a fantastic time exploring St. Croix!



Beaches

In addition to the beautiful stretch of white sand just yards from Ocean's Edge, there are many other beaches lining the coast of St. Croix that you'll enjoy exploring - and each has its own unique charms and characteristics.

Although there are over 30 beaches to visit on the island, the following are our top picks:

  • Buccaneer Beach
    - A beautiful and secluded beach with a resort that offers chairs, drink service and food - great for families
  • Cane Bay Beach
    - One of St. Croix's most lively beaches with close proximity to Ocean's Edge; offers a delightful swimming area and excellent snorkeling of the famous Cane Bay Wall (also a superb dive site!)
  • Cramer's Beach
    - A rowdy and happening beach where locals BBQ on the weekends
  • Davis Bay
    - White sand and lined with palm trees, this beach is great for snorkeling, swimming and body surfing
  • Gentle Winds Beach
    - Just step outside Ocean's Edge to enjoy this beautiful, sand bottom beach that's fully equipped with beach chairs, thatched umbrellas for sun protection and a tasty bar and grill
  • Grape Tree Beach
    - A wide beach with calm waters located just east of Christiansted; great snorkeling
  • Jack and Isaac's Bay
    - A secluded and magnificent beach that you must hike into (well worth the trip!)
  • Rainbow Beach
    - Here you'll find shallow water and powder white sand that turns the sea into that fantastic Caribbean turquoise that we all love
  • Sandy Point
    - This is the longest beach on St. Croix, making it perfect for playing paddleball; yet, there is no shade - so remember your hat!
  • Sprat Hill Beach
    - Are you a shell lover? This beach is one of the few on St. Croix where you can find beautiful seashells
  • Teague Bay
    - If you want to windsurf or kite surf, head to Teague Bay; otherwise watch out - this beach is windy!

Biking

Because St. Croix is hilly and steamy hot, we'd recommend renting a moped or an ATV to see the island - and save yourself from riding a bicycle.

Exploring the island on your own set of wheels is great fun, and Gecko Island Adventures offers exciting island adventure trips for the whole family. As they say, "Rain of shine; it's always off-roading weather!"

Botanical Gardens

If there comes a point when you're looking for a break from the sun and the heat of the beach, or it's one of those rare, rainy days when you're looking for a nice alternative to water sports, visiting the botanical gardens is an ideal activity.

St. Croix has two beautiful botanical gardens to explore:

  • St. George Village Botanical Garden
    - Built upon seventeen acres of an old Native American settlement and an 18th Century sugar plantation, this garden features an eclectic array of exotic, tropical plants.
  • Cruzan Gardens
    - This privately owned garden is the island's oldest and largest tropical nursery. Here you can take a free, guided tour to learn more about the garden's exquisite flora.

Buck Island

About two miles northeast of St. Croix sits the spectacular 850-acre national park, Buck Island. This uninhabited island boasts a spectacular reef with two underwater snorkeling trails that weave through a marine garden - if you love snorkeling you won't want to miss this. The water is crystal clear and warm; it's a true snorkeler's delight.

From St. Croix you can take a full day or half-day excursion, which leaves from the wharf in Christiansted and Green Cay Marina. We recommend signing up with Big Beard's Adventure Tours; they'll definitely take good care of you.

Casinos

Yes, it's true. There really is a casino on St. Croix. This island truly has it all.

The Divi Marina Bay Casino is the first and only casino in the Virgin Islands, and features the most preferred games, including Blackjack, Craps, Roulette and, of course, slot machines. (35 Estate Turner Hold 340-773-PLAY)

Ecological Preserves and Nature Parks

St. Croix is very fortunate to have a community dedicated to preserving natural areas and wildlife habitats on the island. These ecological treasures provide excellent hiking, biking, kayaking, bird watching and guided tours. If you're a nature lover, you'll really enjoy a day or two exploring St. Croix's pristine natural areas.

These two preserves are beautiful spots to visit:

  • Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge
    - This two mile stretch of white sand is one of the longest beaches in the Caribbean, along with being the nesting ground for endangered leatherback turtles.
  • Salt River Bay National Historic Park and Ecological Preserve
    - Dedicated in 1993, this national ecological preserve and park features a submarine canyon, the largest remaining mangrove forest in the U.S.V.I. and objects of cultural significance, such as a prehistoric ceremonial hall and burial site. (And this preserve is just minutes away from Ocean's Edge, making it a perfect morning or afternoon excursion.)

Another wonderful site to witness is turtle hatching season, which runs between July and October. You can join The World Wildlife Foundation on tours to Jack and Issac's Bay and at Sandy Point State Park to view this fascinating event.

Other nature preserves found on St. Croix include:

  • Buck Island National Monument
  • Jack's and Isaac's Bays
  • Caledonia Gut
  • Annaly Bay
  • Wills Bay
  • Creque Dam Road
  • Great Pond
  • Southgate Pond
  • West End Salt Pond
  • Billy French's Pond
  • Altona Lagoon
  • Maroon Ridge

Fishing

Love to fish? Then you're going to have a blast casting into St. Croix's 80-degree water where you can catch marlin, wahoo, yellow-fin tuna, kingfish, dolphin fish and much more.

There are several sport-fishing operators on the island who offer half and full day charters.

St. Croix's most recommended sport-fishing charters include:

Golf

Teeing off with a view of azure waters in the distance and swaying palms overhead is an experience every golfer will enjoy. St. Croix's golf courses don't only have spectacular views, they're also fun courses with pristine fairways and greens.

  • Buccaneer Golf Club
    - This is a par-70, 18-hole course encompassing 5,668 yards with spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea. (Christiansted 340-712-2144)
  • Carambola Golf Club
    - This par-72 course was built by Laurence Rockefeller as the centerpiece of a luxury Caribbean resort complex. (Northwest St. Croix, Estate River ?340-778-5638)

Hiking

If you like to hike, definitely throw a pair of hiking boots or sneakers into your suitcase, because there are many excellent trails to explore on St. Croix. Some of the best include Jack and Isaac Bays, Creque Dam and the Hams Bluff Lighthouse.

Probably the best hike on St. Croix is trekking to the Annaly Bay Tidal Pools from the Carambola Resort. The trail is about two miles long and takes you through a lush rainforest to spectacular natural tide pools.

If you're also interested in hearing details about the islands flora and fauna, consider joining a guided hike sponsored by the St. Croix Environmental Association & The St. Croix Landmarks Society. These professionals are full of interesting facts about the ecology, formation and history of the island.

Historic Sites

St. Croix has a fascinating, yet tumultuous past full of European power exchanges, sugarcane and rum production and piracy. Fortunately, there are many pieces of the past that you can view today, including the following:

  • Cruzan Rum Distillery
    - For over 300 years, Cruzan Rum has been produced at this distillery with only the purest natural ingredients and processes. Guests may take a guided tour and watch first-hand how rum is made.
  • Estate Mount Washington Plantation and Whim Plantation Museum
    - Both plantations were once authentic Danish sugar estates dating back to the 1700's. Today, you can still view the elegantly furnished rooms, the sugar factory ruins and a museum store with West Indian crafts and souvenirs.
  • Fort Frederik
    - Built by the Danish government in the 18th century on the west side of the island, this fort was meant to protect St. Croix from invasion, smugglers and pirates.
  • Judith's Fancy
    - This is impressive ruin was once a 17th Century chateau that was home to the governor of the Knights of Malta.
  • Point Udall
    - Take a relaxing scenic drive out to Point Udall to visit the most eastern point of the United States - it's a beautiful drive with a rewarding view.
  • Steeple Building
    - Once a Lutheran Church, this important museum outlines the history of St. Croix's historic slave industry.
  • St. Croix Heritage Trail
    - The Heritage Trail is a self-guided driving tour that leads you to all of the island's historic sites and natural areas, making it a great option for those who only have one day to see all of the island's major sites.

Horseback Riding

With so much to explore on St. Croix, including historic sites, beaches and rainforests, you definitely won't regret riding out with your friends and family into the wilds of St. Croix. Going horseback riding could very well be the highlight of your entire trip - it's that much fun.

So if you're dying to get back in the saddle, contact Paul & Jill's Equestrian Stables or Equus Horseback Riding at 340-778-0933. And have a great time!

Kayaking

In addition to the fun of sea kayaking, there are several other cool kayaking adventures on St. Croix, including historical tours, ecological tours and a moonlight tour through the Salt River preserve.

Caribbean Adventure Tours offers these tours and will provide you with all the equipment you'll need. (340-778-1522)

Restaurants

Along with the many restaurants serving Caribbean cuisine - which is a flavorful blend of the West Indies, Africa and Puerto Rico - there are many other types of fare to enjoy on St. Croix, including American, Spanish, Mediterranean and French.

From seafood and steaks to pub food, delis and fish shacks, you'll surely find many tasty establishments where you can enjoy your meals on the island.

Some of our favorite places to eat on St. Croix include:

  • Cheeseburger in Paradise
    - A casual setting with scrumptious burgers and great mango daiquiris - perfect for hungry divers and snorkelers heading through Christiansted.
  • Eat @ Cane Bay
    - Cane Bay is one of the liveliest spots on the island and has several great restaurants to choose from: Off the Wall, a covered bar right on the beach with tasty food; Spratnet Beach Bar and Grill, also delicious and right on the water; Eat @ Cane Bay, where you can enjoy a great breakfast or lunch overlooking the water; and The Waves at Cane Bay, an outdoor, elegant restaurant on a deck that overlooks crashing waves and a tidal pool, is a wonderful spot to enjoy the sunset with a cool cocktail.
  • Duggan's Reef
    - Located right on the water, Duggan's offers great local fare with a stunning view.
  • The Galleon
    - Situated in the Marina, this charming restaurant offers a fresh menu of fish, lobster, mussels, duck and pasta.
  • Kendricks
    - Located right in town, Kendricks offers Contemporary and Nouvelle American cuisine, including pastas, seafood, duck and pork. Offers a great wine list. (Kings Cross Street, Christiansted 773-9199)
  • La Reine Chicken Shack
    - The best, slow-cooked, BBQ chicken on the island! La Reine also offers BBQ ribs, steak, pork, conch, fish and mac-n-cheese. (Estate La Reine?340-778-5717)
  • Rum Runners
    - Conveniently located on the water in Christiansted, Rum Runners is known for their delicious steaks and seafood, along with the live steel pan band that plays every week at Sunday brunch.
  • Salud Bistro
    - A Mediterranean bistro with an award-winning wine list, Salud Bistro offers a creative cocktail menu and fresh, bold dishes. (Princess Plaza?340-718-7900)
  • South Shore Cafe
    - Situated in a simple, breezy building in the isolated inland region of the island, this is a charming and intensely personal family-style restaurant with fabulous seafood, Sicilian clam chowder, lasagna and much more.
  • The Palms at Pelican Cove
    - American breakfasts, tasty lunches and fine dining in the evenings, The Palms features international dishes, American home cooking and an expansive wine list. (The Palms Hotel, North Shore 718-8920)

Sailing

Above all, the Virgin Islands are known around the world for one thing - sailing. And rightfully so! With so many empty beaches, nestled coves and fantastic dive sites, how could it not be?

So if you'd like to spend a day sailing through the vibrant turquoise waters around St. Croix, don't hesitate to charter a boat - it's a wonderful experience. From catamarans to yachts and speedboats to schooners, you can rent just about every type of boat on the island.

Contact the Kindred Spirit or Bilinda Charters and sail out for a great day of exploration and relaxation.

And if you're a big lover of cocktails at dusk, chartering a boat for a sunset cruise is another fantastic choice. Caribbean Sea Adventures will take you out for an evening you'll never forget. (304-773-2628)

Scuba Diving

With crystal clear, warm water, an abundance of marine life and fascinating ship wrecks, the USVI is know to be one of the best diving destinations in the world.

St. Croix has more than 50 world-class dive sites to choose from and each is unique and different. So it's often hard to know which to choose, but these are our very favorites:

  • Anchor Wall
    - Wide open, sweeping views of the underwater world, make this is a great site for wall lovers.
  • Butler Bay Wrecks
    -Five separate shipwrecks are located in Butler Bay, each home to a bevy of brightly colored schools of fish, lobster, eels and more.
  • Cane Bay Wall
    - Walking straight in from the beach, this wall is known as one of the best dive sites on the Island. Dropping from 40ft to 3,000 ft, the wall is home to a multitude of diverse underwater life. Don't miss this dive!
  • Eagle Ray
    - You guessed it! This site is frequently visited by large stingrays and has a comfortable depth ideal for beginners.
  • Northstar
    - A 100% vertical wall stretching into the abyss, this site is an advanced dive.
  • Pavilions
    - If you're looking for a huge abundance of marine life, head straight to the Pavilions where you'll find large schools of fish, nurse sharks, eels and many different kinds of coral. Perfect for beginners and experts.
  • Salt River Canyon
    - A 300-foot deep canyon, this site is reputably one of the best on the island. The canyon is home to sharks, dolphins, pinnacles, swim-throughs and two impressive walls.

Now that you've decided where you want to dive, whom should you dive with? We recommend any of the following dive shops:

Shopping

For centuries the Caribbean has been known for its treasures, and today is no different. The shopping is great. You'll find all kinds of fun gifts, souvenirs, clothes, pottery, jewelry, body care products and, of course, spices.

The main shopping district that you must visit is downtown Christiansted, where you'll find tons of darling boutiques to peruse.

Here are some of our favorites shops:

  • Kicks
    - Specializes in fine leather goods like shoes, wallets, belts and bags.
  • IB Designs
    - IB offers handcrafted "feel good" jewelry that you will enjoy for years to come.
  • Purple Papaya
    - Every tourist destination has an enticing gift shop with all of those little trinkets that are fun to bring home to family and friends - and Purple Papaya is that shop on St. Croix.
  • The Bubble Bistro
    - This cool store offers locally handmade, all natural skin food, like soap, body butter, scrubs and oils - a definite must for those who love their skin.

Snorkeling

One of the many wonderful things about vacationing in the USVI is that there are an abundance of amazing places to snorkel. You'll even find a nice reef right off of the Gentle Wind's beach.

In addition to snorkeling at the complex, other terrific spots on the island include the magnificent wall at Cane Bay, Grapetree Beach and Green Cay. But, bar none, the best place to snorkel is through the spectacular underwater marine park on Buck Island. Chartering a boat to take you to Buck Island and other offshore sites is a fantastic way to spend a day in the Caribbean.

And despite whether the beach you're heading to is on this list or not, don't forget to take your snorkel equipment with you. There could very well be a reef or school of fish that you want to take a peak at off of any beach - after all, it's a beautiful world under there!

Spa Treatments

There's no better time to unwind with a soothing massage or a revitalizing facial than when you're on vacation - especially when you can have a masseuse or esthetician come to you at Ocean's Edge! Take a look:

  • Ambrosia Body Care
    - Offers out-call massages - they'll come to you! (Christiansted 340-773-6174)
  • The Buccaneer
    - A beautiful and highly recommended full-service spa. (Christiansted 340-712-2149)
  • Headquarters, Inc.
    - Beauty saloon with accomplished stylists (Caravelle Arcade, Christiansted 340-773-2465)
  • Surfside Spa
    - Full-service spa with ocean front views (Divi Carina Bay Resort 340-773-4511)
  • Tropical Therapy Wellness Spa
    - Offers massage therapy and a wellness spa in downtown Christiansted (Gallows Bay 340-773-5333)

Surfing, Windsurfing and Kite Boarding

Although the tranquil, shallow waters around St. Croix don't lend themselves to a huge variety of surf breaks, there is one decent break on the island: Judith Fancy.

The Judith Fancy wave is a fast, powerful right and left reef break. There aren't too many places on the island to rent surfboards, but you can definitely find one or two at windsurfing and kite boarding shops.

If you're interested in windsurfing and kite boarding, St. Croix's year-round, ideal water temperature, combined with the glassy-smooth, sheltered water, make it perfect for these exhilarating sports.

The best place to rent equipment and take lessons is at Kite St. Croix in Christiansted.

Ready to explore the rich culture of St. Croix?

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