At just 84 square miles, you’d think St. Croix would fly right under the radar. However, in the U.S. Virgin Islands, those miles stack up to make it the largest island in the archipelago. Every square inch is brimming with something special for visitors. So, keep this information in mind for your next trip to St. Croix to discover everything you should see, do, and explore on this island paradise.

Getting to St. Croix

St. Croix is relatively accessible to U.S.-based travelers. Several leading air carriers, including American, JetBlue, Spirit, and Delta, operate nonstop flights from major gateways like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Charlotte, and Atlanta. Moreover, Americans do not require a passport to enter, as the island is an unincorporated U.S. territory.

However, upon landing, Americans will notice one major difference: The local population drives on the left. Fortunately, the transition is easy, as “Keep Left” road signs and stickers are prominently displayed in rental cars and road signs, offering helpful reminders along the way.

St. Croix History and Culture

While on the island, visitors may catch glimpses of several different flags swaying in the breeze, including the Dannebrog, the national flag of Denmark. This is a remnant of the island’s colonial-era past, prior to the purchase by the U.S. and its transition of power in 1917.

The culture on the island is a deep combination of African, European, Caribbean, native Carib and Taino, and American heritages. Consequently, storytelling and music can be found on every corner and town square, making it a good idea to stop, learn, and appreciate what makes this destination and its locals so special.

Best St. Croix Beaches, Hikes, Shops, Restaurants, and More

St. Croix appeals to a broad range of adventurous and culturally curious travelers. The island’s twin towns, Christiansted in the east and Frederiksted in the west, offer a wealth of shopping, fine dining, art, and historical attractions.

Fort Frederik in Frederiksted is historically significant from an Afro-conscious perspective. It was here, in 1848, that the proclamation freeing all enslaved Africans throughout the Danish West Indies was made. A bust commemorating General Buddhoe, a formerly enslaved person who led the insurrection pivotal to earning emancipation, sits just outside the fort’s weathered red walls. Additional historical attractions in Frederiksted include the Estate Whim Great House and Museum (the only sugar plantation museum in the Virgin Islands) and the Lawaetz Museum.

Christiansted is also home to several centuries-old attractions. Fort Christiansvaern serves as the centerpiece of the Christiansted National Historic Site, which features a collection of carefully restored Danish colonial structures dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries.

Arguably, the bigger draws in Christiansted are the shopping and dining venues. Here, exciting culinary adventures and one-of-a-kind purchases await in cafes, restaurants, and boutiques housed in distinctive structures pulled right from the past.

Top restaurants in the neighborhood include Savant, Café Christine, Galangal, and Rum and Wine Bar Restaurant. Meanwhile, savvy shoppers eager to collect unique mementos won’t want to miss Sonya’s, home of the original St. Croix hook bracelet. Crucian Gold and ib Designs are also known for producing fine, handmade jewelry born and bred on the island.

Away from the twin towns, St. Croix’s beaches, hiking, championship golf courses, snorkeling, and scuba diving options fill days with thrills that keep travelers coming back for more.

For a stunning view, consider a hike up Goat Hill, where you’ll enjoy the full expanse of the island extending westward and the easternmost point of the U.S., Point Udall, to the east.

The Jack and Isaac Bay Preserve below Goat Hill lets travelers combine hiking and beachcombing in one rewarding adventure. Low-impact trails lead to remote, unspoiled beaches lined with sugar-white sand, lush trees, and blessedly nothing else.

Additional hiking trails are available at Buck Island, a small, uninhabited island just off St. Croix’s northeast shore. Buck Island and its surrounding reef and waters lie within the Buck Island Reef National Monument, a protected natural area managed by the U.S. National Park Service. Hiking adventures here are ideal for bird-watchers or anyone seeking to commune with nature peacefully. An undersea snorkeling trail along the Buck Island Reef makes it easy for visitors to familiarize themselves with the coral and sea creatures that call these protected waters home.

Several tour operators offer half-and full-day excursions to Buck Island. Chief among them is Captain Carl of Buck Island Charters, which provides a nonmotorized full-sail Buck Island experience aboard trimaran sailing vessels.

For scuba divers, the experience at The Wall at Cane Bay is unmatched. This renowned dive site drops to depths exceeding 13,000 feet, where the deep waters teem with extraordinary wildlife and coral formations.

Best St. Croix Resorts

The hotels and resorts in St. Croix offer a unique experience compared to those found on other Caribbean islands. Instead of large, all-inclusive properties and familiar international brand names, St. Croix hotels are generally smaller and more intimate. Moreover, they frequently echo the island’s rich history, with many of the newest hotels being updated and reimagined versions of older, historic properties.

The Buccaneer Beach and Golf Resort

The Buccaneer Beach and Golf Resort provides an extensive array of amenities including a stunning 18-hole championship golf course, modern tennis facilities, a full-service spa, multiple dining options, three beaches, and various water sports equipment. Originally founded in 1653, remnants of the old plantation, such as a sugar mill that sits at the main entrance to the hotel lobby, still exist on the grounds. The property was converted into a hotel in 1947, earning The Buccaneer the distinction of being the oldest family-owned and operated property in the Caribbean.

Company House Hotel

Located in the heart of downtown Christiansted, the historic Company House Hotel offers a cozy and freshly remodeled space focused on simplicity. A somewhat secret grotto pool and an elegant mahogany bar in the lobby serve as the two main gathering points. There is no restaurant, encouraging guests to explore the many fantastic restaurants that have recently elevated Christiansted into a culinary hot spot.

The Fred

The most stylish hotel to open in St. Croix in a generation, The Fred is situated right on the waterfront of its namesake town, Frederiksted, on the west coast of the island. Formerly a private residence, the property structure dates back to the 18th century, with new additions including a swanky pool, elevated sundeck, party-sized Jacuzzi, half-moon bar, and boardwalk above the beach.

Feather Leaf Inn

History meets modernity at the Feather Leaf Inn, formerly known as Estate Butler’s Bay. This property, an 18th-century Danish sugar plantation, emphasizes healthy, plant-based food and sustainable tourism rather than glorifying its colonial past. Much of the grounds are devoted to developing a seaside botanical forest filled with tropical fruits and herbs. The accommodations consist of nine guest rooms spread among three separate buildings, all 100% solar-powered, uniquely styled, and featuring breathtaking sunset views over a calm, secluded bay.