Virgin Islands Vacation and Tourism - About St. Croix
St. Croix, the largest island, is 28 miles long and 7 miles wide. Its vegetation ranges widely from rain forest on the west end to desert out east.
It's Danish ancestry is reflected in the island's architecture. First colonized in the the-1700s, St. Croix is now home to about 50,000 permanent residents.
The climate is tropical with average winter daytime temperatures of 82 degrees F. and summer daytime temperatures of 88 degrees F.
Christiansted is located on the "east end" and is known for it's duty free shopping, art galleries, and the charming bars and restaurants along the harbor side boardwalk. Nightlife also offers pleasant surprises.
Frederiksted, on the west shore
of St. Croix or the "west end", is growing in popularity as a cruise port. Its historic
buildings, shops, restaurants and hotels are well worth a visit for land travelers, too.
St. Croix is well-endowed with beaches, reefs, and recreational
water sports opportunities. Sandy Point, on the southwest end of St. Croix, is known as
a nesting ground for endangered
sea turtles. You will certainly want to visit two off-shore islands easily within reach by
boat offering isolation and adventure: Buck Island National Park, and Protestant Cay. located just off Christiansted harbor.
A day sail to beautiful Buck Island Reef National Monument is a must. Buck Island
is an 800-acre nature reserve, and features the only under-water snorkeling site within the National Park system and one of the best beaches you can imagine.
Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve, is home to the place where members of Columbus' expedition set foot on actual United States land. It also contains interesting wrecks, derelict hulls, mangrove forests, and environments that are home to endangered species.
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Getting
There - To St. Croix
Air service to the Henry E. Rohlsen International Airport in St. Croix is available on these airlines:
- American Airlines, from Miami, daily
- Delta, from Atlanta, nonstop Tuesdays and Saturdays
- USAirways, from Charlotte nonstop Wednesdays and Saturdays
- Bohlke International Airways, charter service from/to San Juan and St. Thomas for up to five passengers; 800-653-9177; e-mail: bohlke@viaccess.net
- Island Airlines LLC, Caribbean-wide charter service; 340-998-9599,
islandairlines@yahoo.com and on Bohlke (see above)
Many airlines provide service to San Juan from cities throughout the Continental United States and Canada. From San Juan, connections to St. Croix are available on American Eagle, Caribbean Sun or Cape Air (800-352-0714). Your travel agent can arrange all air travel.
The airport is about 20 minutes from Club St. Croix and Colony Cove.
For inter-island travel, Seaborne Seaplane Adventures flies 6 trips daily
between Christiansted and Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, with continuing service to Roadtown, Tortola twice weekly.
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St
Croix Airport:
Henry E. Rholsen Airport is is only 13 miles from Christiansted. The colonnade
makes the airport uniquely Caribbean. Parking is convenient and both car rental
and taxis are available at the airport. The airport code is STX.
Gateways/Flying times
Miami: 2 ½ hrs
New York: 3 ½ hrs
San Francisco: 10 hrs
Houston: 8 hrs
San Juan: ½ hr
(San Juan is the principal gateway in the
islands)
Airport Transfers/Connections:
Fares are fixed. They should be displayed in the taxi. St. Croix Airport to Christiansted $10.00 (25 mins). Frederiksted $8 (10 mins). Fares are subject to change.
Multi-passenger transfers, taxis and rental cars are available
adjacent to the baggage area at the airport. All the major rental car agencies
are available at the St Croix airport.
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Entry Requirements:
US Citizens Alternatives
No passports are required for US Virgin islands travel until Dec. 31, 2007.
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requiring passports by December 31, 2006 will not affect travel between the United States and its territories. U.S. citizens traveling between the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin islands will continue to be able to use established forms of identification, such as birth certificates and government-issued photo ID, to board flights and for entry. Vaccinations are not required.
The following are usually accepted as Proofs of U.S. Citizenship:
- a valid U.S. passport -or-
- Certified copy of birth certificate plus government issued photo ID -or-
- Official U.S. government document verifying citizenship
- Certificate of citizenship
- Certificate of naturalization
- Consular report of birth abroad of a U.S. Citizen
- Valid photo I.D. (Photo I.D.'s are not applicable for minors up to 16 years of age.)
Entry requirements for all others are the same as for entering the United States from any foreign destination.
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Getting
Around St. Croix
Rental cars are easily arranged through your Antilles Resorts representative. Hertz Car Rental is located in the airport and their rental cars are located immediately adjacent to the airport. Advance reservation is recommended. Note: Be prepared for driving on St. Croix! It's English style - you drive on the left side of the road.
As an alternative, St. Croix taxis are available everywhere. Drivers are available for hire -by the hour or day- for a more extensive private guided excursion.
Ferries to St. Thomas and St. John are available. Check with
your Antilles Resorts representative for the schedule.
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Virgin Island Sightseeing
St. Croix's Old Danish Town and Historic Area -including a fort in Christiansted - are favorite attractions
along with the rain forest on the west end of the island. Point Udall, on the "east end", is proclaimed as the easternmost point in the United States.
Protestant Cay, an island located just off Christiansted harbor, has a beautiful beach and is
only a short ferry trip from the main island.
Check out local steel Pan Drum bands and keep a lookout for stilted, traditional Mocko Jumbies that are a part of the Caribbean heritage. The Whim Museum is a great architectural example of historic St. Croix. The Cruzan Rum factory offers tours on specific days and times.
Don't miss a day trip to Buck Island Underwater National Park; and canoeing
the Salt River -a Virgin Island National Park and nature preserve- is a
recent addition to the attractions list.
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Shopping on St. Croix
Small shops are jewels of unique
and interesting wares. Custom allows $1200 worth of goods per person duty-free. And there's
no sales tax! A favorite purchase is a Cruzan bracelet, worn by both men and women as a
memento of St. Croix.
St. Croix also boasts a large artist community with galleries in Christiansted
and Frederiksted.
Locally produced items include Cruzan Rum, Arts and Crafts, local perfumes
and bath scents, jewelry, and clothing. Especially good buys include distinctive
name brand china, linen, and watches.
Look for St Croix custom-designed jewelry, leather goods, ceramics, Caribbean
fabric designs, basket work, and West Indian mahogany wood sculpture.
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Information.
Dining on St. Croix
St. Croix restaurants boast a wide variety of cuisine from native Caribbean fare to Continental, Danish, French, Italian and Chinese. If you absolutely can't live without your fix of fast food, we have 'em. Or just stop by one of the many delis or cafes. Christiansted's downtown wharf sports
several open-air cafe-restaurants.
Limin', as we call it, is the art of hangin' out. Piano bars, jazz clubs, discos, rock and country music abound on St Croix. Or, check out the local Quadrille dancers or Steel Band Show. It's all part of limin'.
There isn't room here to list all our favorite spots, but for starters,
try:
- Breezez poolside on the beach at Club St. Croix, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Try the rum lobster or blackened prime rib for dinner, chicken Dijon or veggie chimmichunga for lunch, or the Sunday Brunch with mimosas, eggs Benedict, and Aebleskivers (Danish Meat Balls). Price range: moderate. Atmosphere: casual
- Bombay Club, in a historic townhouse on King Street, serves pub fare with wonderful daily specials, including fresh fish, pastas, conch, chicken and filet mignon. It's comfortable and air-conditioned.
- Indies Restaurant and Bar is set in a 17th century courtyard surrounded by tropical plants. It is in a historic Danish building on Company Street. It is widely acclaimed for both its food and atmosphere.
- Duggan's Reef offers lobster, fresh catches, and pasta dishes served in a variety of ways. Duggan's is a favorite spot for local folk and is about seven miles east of town in Teague Bay.
- Kendrick's on King Street has distinctive charm and elegance both in covered and open gardens. Gourmet meals and gracious service are provided by David and Jane Kendrick. Appetizers, salads, soups and creative main courses entice you. Highly recommended!
- Le St. Tropez in Frederiksted, is a casual French cafe and restaurant. The menu features hors d' oeuvres like patem escargot and Beluga caviar. Interesting wines are offered to compliment fresh lobster, seafood and filet mignon.
- Top Hat Restaurant, on Company Street headed the list of St. Croix's fine dining list for 25 years. This should go on your "must do" list. You'll enjoy Continental, Scandinavian, and local dishes, accompanied by fine wine. Top it all off with marvelous homemade desserts.
- Tutto Bene Cafe on Company Street is a charming Italian bistro. The ambience is welcoming and friendly. Specialties include veal chops, crab meat dishes, ravioli, steak pizzola, chicken Napoli and other tasty fare.
Many restaurants are open for lunch, close for a time, and reopen for
dinner. Check with your choice for serving hours and reservations.
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Information.
Antilles Resorts' St. Croix Resorts: Colony Cove Beach Resort, Club St Croix Resort
© 2007 Antilles Resort Management, Inc. St. Croix, St. Thomas US Virgin Islands and Dibbern & Dibbern. All contents of this site are copyright protected. Any reproduction of these images, art and contents is prohibited without specific permission.
St.
Croix Information 