What To Do In St. Croix, U.S.V.A

Come along as I take you through a weekend getaway in St.Croix. The 22.7 miles long and 8-mile wide island resides in the Caribbean chain of the U.S.V.A. The island has an abundance of monumental landmarks, such as the easternmost point of U.S. territory, the monk's bath tidal pools, the Cruzan Rum distillery, and much more.

Here are some of the places I got to experience during my time on the island:

+ Rainbow Beach: During the day, the ambiance is laid-back, setting the tone of a tropical vibe. On this little stretch of sand, there's an outdoor restaurant named Rhythms, serving bar food and island-style drinks to fuel your bodies after renting jet-skis or paddle boards from the West End Water Sports shop. However, I recommend making your way here for dusk because the beach is west facing leaving an unbelievable view of the sunset.

+ Point Udall: The easternmost point of the United States, and also the home to the Millennium Monument. The monument is accompanied by the sundial, which emanates the start of the new year with being the first place the sun rises on U.S. soil. When going to St. Croix, this is a must-see not only for its representation but as well for the desert-like cactuses and turquoise water surrounding the point.

+ East End Bay / Isaac's Bay: The land and water surrounding Point Udall is Issac's bay/ east end bay. The scenery is a blend of a desert-like landscape, and a turquoise oasis; when you look off into the distance, you face the clearest ocean imaginable.

+ Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge: Once again, the water at Sandy Point is another captivating spectacle on the island, but there's more than meets the eye. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the 327 acres is the largest nesting beach for leatherback turtles in the U.S. and its Territories. Over the last 27 years, the proactiveness and scientific database have been a significant help in documenting the population growth of leatherback sea turtles, which is critical for their recovery world-wide.

+ Monk's Bath Tidal Pools: This may have been the most unusual spot on our trip by the intriguing history behind it. The tale goes that the monks hand-carved the baths since the water was scarce and they desired to be clean, but not comprise their fresh drinking water. The baths were carved into rectangular shapes to harness the water from the waves crashing against the rocks, making it easy for them to bath themselves.

Images: Nicole Trejo-Valli, featuring Gisele Morales Photography

Travel Tips

currency

U.S. dollar

Lodging

Airbnb is recommended, but The Buccaneer Hotel is a great hotel option

Dining

Ask for what's in season to get the freshest seafood/meats

East side v.s. Westside

The westside is the touristy destination: white-sand beaches, serene waters, stunning sunsets, restaurants, and beach bars.

The east side is the projects side, but they are cleaning up the area.

The season

April-June: 88°F with minimal rainfall

Dec-March: Mid-70°F to high 80°F with breezy evenings

July-Oct: Upper 80°F and hurricane season