I'll be goin gto St.Thomas and staying at the east end. I would like to ferry to St. Croix. I understand they have gambling there. Is it worht the trip or better just to hang out in St. John?

Hi! I just came back from three weeks on STX. My wife and I just got married there and WOW! It was amazing. I would not worry to much about the carnival thing going on, there is so much else to do. I highly recommend taking scuba lessons at SCUBA in Christiansted. Ian and the gang there are very friendly and helpful. Jill and Paul have a wonderful two hour horseback riding tour that is fun as well. If you are going to STX to find a big party life, forget it. STX is a very laid back, take it easy, relaxed atmosphere. You want the party life go to STT instead. I also recommend the snorkeling, the Cruzan Rum factory tour and a LOT of general sightseeing and beach bumming.

My wife and I spent a couple evenings at Divi Carina Casino playing nickle and quarter slots just for fun. The drinks are free and the live bands are great. I would however suggest not going on the weekends, the local STX native folts bombard the place and it becomes overcrowded in my opinion. Though My wife and I are not gamblers, it was fun just to blow $30 in quarters and nickels and enjoy the free rum and music!

Unless you are visiting STT during the Winter months, the fast ferry to STX is not avialble and you will need to fly. Seaplane is best option.
STX is worth visiting as it is the largest but not as busy as STT. More of an old island feel but still having the ammenities.

Some other things I forgot to mention...1) A day-long trip to Buck Island via Big Beard, 2) afternoon lunch at Cheeseburger’s in Paradise, 3) tour of the Whim historical plantation, 4) excellent snorkeling all around the island, 5) evening sunset cruises from Christiansted, 6) ANOTHER lunch at Cheeseburger’s in Paradise, 7) Conch shell hunting (not the live ones!) the empty shells you can bring back to the states with you as long as the shell is 9” or longer from tip to tip. I brought back two that were discarded by conch hunters. 8) ALL beaches on STX are public, all are beautiful, visit them all. 9) If you are into fauna, the Botanic Gardens are quite nice 10) A picnic lunch on the cliffs of Point Udall on the east coast…AMAZING view! 11) If you are hungry, might I suggest Cheeseburger’s in Paradise? 12) Though a bit on the pricy side, I would suggest dining at some of my favorite places…Duggan’s Reef, Rum Runners, Changes in Latitude, Tuto Bene’s, Cheeseburger’s in Paradise, 13) If you are into flowers or bird watching, both are in abundance on the island. Do yourself a favor, rent a car and bring your camera!

Things To Do On St. Croix (in no particular order): Say “good morning (or afternoon or evening)” to everyone you meet – it’s the island way. Dive at the wall at Cane Bay or in the Salt River Canyon or anywhere else for that matter - friends who have done this say it's some of the best diving in the Caribbean. Go to the West Indian Buffet on Tuesday nights (or better yet, eat in town and go over for the entertainment) at Hotel on the Cay in Christiansted harbor- you really will want to see the mocko jumbies (costumed dancers on stilts - it’s amazing). Snorkel anywhere, but especially at Buck Island - a national monument; Cane Bay and the beaches in Frederiksted are also excellent. Buck Island itself is small and uninhabited, covered in cactus of various kinds, with the kind of perfect beach you see in pictures. Go to Point Udall, the easternmost point in the US, for the spectacular view and to take you picture at the millennium monument. Take a drive through the rainforest and stop at the Domino Club in the rainforest to have a drink (try the mamawana or babash if you dare - home spiced rum - delicious and potent!) and to see the beer drinking pigs (it's not nearly as tacky as it sounds - great fun). Visit Hamm's Bluff gorgeous surf pounding against the lava flats. Go to St. Croix Leap in the rainforest to see mahogany pieces crafted on site by local artisans. Arrange for a hike through the rainforest. BTW, the western end of St. Croix is rain forest, but the eastern end is largely desert - real desert with cactus. Be sure to keep an eye open for mongoose when you drive. Go to the crab races (Divi on Wednesdays at 5:30, Brew Pub on Mondays) - great fun and great prizes. Horseback riding at Jill's (west end) or Equus (Cane Bay). Arrange for a tour with Sweeny's Safari Tours for historic sites or Tan Tan Tours for off road adventure - excellent. Eat in any of the fabulous restaurants and bars. Tour the forts in Christiansted and Frederiksted. Tour the St. George Botanical Gardens - they're on the ruins of an old plantation. Go to the Laewetz Museum for Danish history of the island. Go kayaking or hiking. Do the Heritage Trail. Explore the Historic District in Christiansted. Tour the Cruzan rum factory - free samples at the end of the tour. Tour the Whim Plantation/museum, a former plantation great house. Do a “Ruins Ramble” through the Landmark Society. Go to Sandy Point (open only on weekends and only September through March due to sea turtle nesting), the last scene of The Shawshank Redemption was filmed there. Take the seaplane (or the ferry in high season) to St. Thomas for the day. Visit the Divi resort and use its facilities (free) or its casino. Shop in Christiansted. Lie on a beach and do nothing : )

Visiting a friend who tells me the roads aren't safe to run on St. Croix!!!........Just hoping to get 3-5 miles in. Any suggestions nice group??.......

Last week I saw guys running & biking on the east end road. I ran the golf course at the Buccaneer & extended my runs about mile on the east end road. Most non-runners may feel it's dangerous due to winding narrow roads & traffic but if you're someone who runs when they travel I don't think you'd be as intimidated. However, due to all the rain this last summer & fall weeds have grown tall along the sides in some places.

JW

The Eaast End Road is OK for biking and running. Just don't wear headphones so you can hear traffic coming up behind you or around blind curves.

Jim

I run on the track at the Educational complex 3-4 nights a week. It is a great track.

Anyone interested in a secure place to stay while visiting St. Croix, check this out!!!

It is a charming 1-bedroom condo villa in West Indian Style cottages on the East End of St. Croix. The villa includes full size kitchen, king-size bed, spacious living room and dinning area with beautiful island furnishings. This villa is centrally located just five minutes east of “Christiansted” the main town with supermarkets, delis, bank, post office, and laundromat with drop-off service. Also the Villa is approximately 10 to 15 minutes west of the Casino Resort. The local favorite restaurant within walking distance along with other restaurants and beaches less than a quarter mile away from the property. The Villa can occupy a max of 4 adults. The amenities include cable TV, CD and stereo, air conditioner and ceiling fan, local telephone, sofa bed, and swimming pool. The view overlooking the private balcony offers a beautiful tropical garden and a large pool deck area with three gazebos provides a relaxing setting under the gorgeous Caribbean sun or the dazzling moon and stars. It's the perfect home base where the eastern ocean breeze beckons from beyond.

The rental rates are competitive with most Hotels and Villas in the area.

Please feel free to contact me at [email protected]