Best Beaches on St. Croix

You don't need a personal invitation to visit St. Croix, but that's just what the beautiful palm-lined, sun-kissed beaches do. Spend a few hours or spend the day, these miles of white golden sand and turquoise waters offer an enticing way to relax or to brush up on your snorkeling or diving.

But that's not all. The many trails on St. Croix that weave along the shore and through the hillsides will make you wonder why you've never visited before.

Most of the beaches have full-service facilities. Some are very secluded. No matter your taste, you will certainly find one that suits you.

Protestant Cay Beach

Protestant Cay is located just off the shore from Christiansted. You must take a short ferry ride to get to the beautiful sandy beach at "Hotel on the Cay".

Since all beaches on St. Croix are public, feel free to walk right past the hotel to the sandy strip. You will not only find the water crystal clear, but the view breathtaking. The beach faces the city and this makes for ideal beach conditions: calm water, shallow sands.

So Protestant Cay is perfect for sunning and swimming. And, because it takes a little work to get to, it's rarely crowded.

Plan a morning trip to Protestant Cay. Enjoy the tranquility under the palm trees or rental umbrellas. In the afternoon, shop in close by Christiansted.

Sundays brings live music to the beach. Enjoy the Caribbean culture and plan a meal at the hotel. The view as we said, is spectacular.

The ferry departs the dock next to Fort Christianvearn running from 7 AM to 6 PM. A round-trip ticket will set you back $3.00.


BEACH INDEX:

• Sand - white powder, medium grain/pebbles, clean
• Facilities - full-service
• Shade - palm trees, umbrellas for rent
• Sports - snorkel rental, variety of items at hotel
  
• Notes - smaller beach, but since there is a charge for the ferry, fewer people make the effort to come out. Calm water.
  

Buck Island Reef National Monument Beach

Buck Island Reef is 1.5 miles off the northeast coast of St. Croix. It is a National Monument consisting of 880 acres of land and 704 acres of water and coral reef. If you are someone who snorkels, or are thinking of taking up the pastime, Buck Island Reef will be paradise. Scuba divers also enjoy the deep grottos and labyrinths.

Buck Island Reef is a must see. Not only is the beach one of the best in the Caribbean, the area contains significant cultural and historical objects. In March 1797, the slave ship Mary, captained by James Hunter of Liverpool, sank here, and its cargo of 240 slaves was saved and brought to Christiansted. In March 1803, the General Abercrombie, captained by James Booth of Liverpool, also wrecked in this area, and its cargo of 339 slaves was brought to Christiansted. Slave shipwrecks in U.S. waters are rare. The monument contains remnants of these wrecks. Other wrecks may also exist in the monument.

Again, like Protestant Cay, it's offshore and you must charter a boat or join a group going out to the Island.

But how cool can it get to simply jump off the boat, don your flippers and mask and explore some of the best coral reefs in the USVI? If you go as a family, one can explore below the water while the rest take advantage of the sun, sea and gentle breezes.

This beach is highly recommended. Do some research before you come so when you're here you can fully appreciate the magnitude of the duty of this National Park.

BEACH INDEX:

• Sand - darker, yet soft, medium grain
• Facilities - full-service
• Shade - none
• Sports - some snorkel rental, but make sure you bring at least for one person. You don't want to miss what this beach has to offer.
• Notes - we highly recommend this beach; don't miss it
  

Cane Bay Beach - The Best Beach on St. Croix

Cane Bay is the best beach on St. Croix. Why? It ranks best with sunbathers, snorkel enthusiasts, for walking, and is a perfect "kids" beach. Pictures don't do it justice.

You can easily reach Cane Bay Beach from the main road. Parking is ample. You'll share this beauty of a beach with world class scuba divers. Divers come from all over the world to experience what lies a few hundred yards offshore - "The Wall".

The Wall is where the ocean floor simply plunges to over 10,000 feet in a matter of yards. Look down and you'll only see the sun glints as they are swallowed by the sheer darkness. But the beauty is in the wall of coral that hugs Cane Bay. It is simply one of the best dives in the world.

But back to the beach!

Spend the day at the beach, or just the afternoon, but make sure you are here for the sunset. And you will have no problem finding a great place to hang out, munch on some snack food and take God's handiwork. You can come back tomorrow and start the whole experience over again. Yes, it's "that" good.

BEACH INDEX:

• Sand - soft, white, fine/medium grain
• Facilities - full-service
• Shade - adult trees/palms, umbrellas available
• Sports - center on site
• Notes - surf can get to 3 to 4 feet; excellent snorkeling, diving