Christiansted
History, boatsThe main town and boardwalk.
Island guide
Things to do in St Croix
The largest and quietest of the US Virgin Islands: the Danish colonial towns of Christiansted and Frederiksted, snorkelling at Buck Island Reef, wall diving at Cane Bay, a bioluminescent bay, rum distilleries and sunsets from the Frederiksted pier.
2
Danish towns
3–4
Days
The island with two Danish towns
St Croix lies about 65 kilometres south of St Thomas and is the largest of the US Virgin Islands. Under Danish rule, it was a sugar island, and its two towns, Christiansted and Frederiksted, keep their arcaded streets, yellow forts and colonial warehouses.
The island is flatter and drier in the east and greener in the west, with a patch of rainforest. Offshore, Buck Island Reef National Monument has an underwater snorkelling trail, and the north coast drops into a deep wall at Cane Bay that divers can reach from the beach. Salt River Bay, where Columbus landed in 1493, has bioluminescence.
St Croix is quieter and less expensive than St Thomas and St John. Give it three or four days.
Where to base yourself
Christiansted for history, the boardwalk and Buck Island boats; Frederiksted for sunsets and the pier; Cane Bay for diving.
Frederiksted
Sunsets, pierThe west-end town.
Cane Bay
DivingThe north shore wall.
Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do on St Croix
Explore Christiansted, including Fort Christiansvaern, part of a national historic site, and the boardwalk. Take a boat to Buck Island Reef National Monument to snorkel its underwater trail and walk to the island's viewpoint.
Dive the wall at Cane Bay, snorkel under the Frederiksted pier, and kayak Salt River Bay at night to see the bioluminescence.
Tour the Cruzan and Captain Morgan rum distilleries, visit the Estate Whim plantation museum, and watch the sunrise from Point Udall, the easternmost point of the United States.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Walking Christiansted and Frederiksted is free, and so are the beaches and the pier. Sunrise at Point Udall costs nothing.
Snorkelling from the beach at Cane Bay is free if you bring gear.
The fort, distillery tours and boat trips charge.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Try kallaloo (a leafy green stew), johnny cakes and pates for €3 to €6, and local plates of fish, rice and peas for €12 to €20. Restaurant mains cost €20 to €40.
Cruzan rum is made on the island.
Tipping works as in the US: 15 to 20 per cent in restaurants and bars, on every round.
Nightlife
Going out
Christiansted's boardwalk has bars and live music, the quietest scene of the three main islands. Frederiksted has bars for sunset and occasional street parties.
A beer costs €4 to €7 and a cocktail €8 to €13, plus tips.
Getting around
Getting around
Henry E. Rohlsen Airport has flights from St Thomas (about 25 minutes) and the US mainland. Seaplanes link Christiansted with Charlotte Amalie, and some ferries run at weekends.
Hire a car to explore; the island is about 45 kilometres long. Driving is on the left. Taxis charge set rates; agree the fare first.
Costs
What St Croix costs
Guesthouse rooms start at around €60 to €120 a night. Local plates cost €12 to €20.
A Buck Island trip costs about €70 to €110, a two-tank dive about €100 to €140, and car hire about €50 to €80 a day.
The currency is the US dollar; prices here are converted to euros.
Safety
Safety and scams
Visitor areas are generally safe, but St Croix has a higher violent crime rate than the US mainland, mostly away from tourist areas. Take taxis at night and do not leave anything in parked cars.
Currents can be strong, and many beaches have no lifeguards.
Much of the water comes from desalination or rain cisterns, so many people drink bottled or filtered water. In an emergency, call 911.
Worth the trip
Reefs, bays and the other islands.
St Thomas
Charlotte Amalie.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Festivals and holidays.
December to early January
Crucian Christmas Festival
St Croix
Parades and mocko jumbies.
February
Agrifest
St Croix
The island's agricultural fair.
3 July
Emancipation Day
Frederiksted
Where emancipation was won in 1848.
When to go
December to April is the dry, busy season. Hurricane season runs from June to November, peaking in September. The Crucian Christmas Festival runs through December and early January.
Jan
Crucian Christmas Festival
Feb
Dry, Agrifest
Mar
Dry
Apr
Dry
May
Shoulder
Jun
Hurricane season opens
Jul
Emancipation Day
Aug
Hot
Sep
Highest risk
Oct
Quiet
Nov
Reopening
Dec
Crucian Christmas Festival
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Warm all year.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on St Croix prices.
Treat these as a guide. Add 15 to 20 per cent tipping to food and drink.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
St Croix questions
The ones we get asked most.
How do I get to St Croix?
Fly from St Thomas (about 25 minutes) or the US mainland, or take a seaplane.
What is Buck Island?
A national monument with an underwater snorkelling trail.
Is St Croix cheaper than St Thomas?
Generally a little, and quieter.
Do I need a car?
Yes, to explore the island.
Is St Croix safe?
Visitor areas are generally safe; take taxis at night.
How many days do I need?
Three to four.
When is the best time to visit?
December to April.
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