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Just a few quick thoughts about St. Croix. We, the 10 of us, had a blast together. The view from Villa Turquesa was spectacular. Weather was wonderful, rained 1 hour in 10 days. The rest of the days were sunny and about 85. I was really disappointed in the beaches. Most all of them were full of seagrass and rocks. You could only go about knee deep. The best beach of all was at the Buccaneer Resort-beautiful!! We visited Cheney Bay Resort, Divi Carina Resort, Hisbiscus Hotel, went to Cane Bay beach looking for that blue water and white sand but really didn't find it. The water on the Fredericksted side was much bluer and most of the beaches had white sand but due to hurricanes and tropical storms, the bottom was nothing but rocks, made for some tough swimming and snorkeling.
We did Big Beards snorkeling trip to Buck Island. It was good snorkeling, saw some really neat rock and cave formations and some fish. But again, was a little disappointed. We were only allowed to snorkel for about an hour. It pales in comparison to the Indians, Norman Island caves, Monkey Point or St. John.
The absolute highlight of our trip was TanTan Tours. We were taken around the whole island in 4-wheel drive jeeps. The drivers were awsome. Went to the very top of the mountains and back down. We went through the rain forest, some old ruins, the Annally Pools and everywhere in between. It was a blast! You would have to take the tour to understand how fun it is. Lasted from 9:30 am -7:30 pm.
Overall, I would have to say, St.Croix is my least favorite of the Virgin Islands. The people were very friendly and the food was some of the best I have ever had in the Caribbean. But the beaches, swimming and snorkeling just don't compare to St. Thomas, St. John, the BVI's and some of the other islands in the southern Caribbean. We still had a great time, but I doubt I would return.
That was a great report, it's been several years since I was in St Croix. The beaches were much better than what you described, but STJ and STT are my all time favorites. Plan on spending more time on STT and maybe an occasional day trip to STX. I do like the laid back atmosphere in STX, unless it too has changed. Thank you for sharing you trip experiences. WE all enjoy vacationers opinions of different islands.
Hey deniseb
Good report.
You have most of your observations right on the mark.
St Croix's beaches are not as great as they once were. However neither are st Thomas or St John beaches.
All of the US Virgin Island beaches were sadly attacked by hurricane's Hugo and Marilyn. In addition they have had several decades of bleaching due to overuse and sewage spills from the government controlled plants. St John was only a few years behind and is now showing the ugly overuse affects. New tourists love the USVI but have no idea what was like only a decade or two ago.
You are right about the great beaches in the British Virgin Islands. They (as of now) haven't been spoiled by tourism. Tortola has begun to show the problems, but the small places accessible by boat are still wonderful.
St Croix is still my favorite for a lot of reasons. I can't live on the BVI (not a citizen) and St Croix hasn't been overrun by tourist as have St Thomas and St John.
Let's help protect paradise
St. Thomas and St. John have been over-run by Tourism but it pays the bills and offer a comfortable living. we love our tourist.
I just got back from St. Thomas last week. I was a little disappointed with the snorkeling that I did on St. Thomas, St. John and the BVI. I know that I might have not gone to the best places but in comparison I feel Hawaii has better snorkeling.
Now let me tell you that I feel in love the Virgin Islands, just thought the snorkeling was going to be better.
On my trip to the BVI we were taken to a place called Diamond Reef. That was probably the best spot of my trip but again not as good as where I go to in Hawaii. There actually seems to be more coral but not as many species of fish and not the quantity I am us to.
Dawn
Those were good observations regarding the deterioration of the waters in the Virgin Islands. The coral and sealife has taken a major hit. A lot of it is because of the global warming that George W. say's doesn't exist. Studies will tell you that Hawaii is just a few years away from the devastation that we are beginning to see off the shores of St Thomas , St John and St Croix. You were fortunate to find some good dive places in Hawaii.
People who deny that reef destruction is happening are only contributing to the problem.
You are right when you say that you love the VI. We all do.
