You need to get a map of STX. There are NO markets close to Divi. Case Place, near the Reef Condos is the closet small store and Schooner Bay Market in Gallows Bay is the closest larger small store.

Thanks for the market info. where do people buy food on St. Croix ????

I'll ask Linda J or someone else who lives there to give more details.

There are many stores and a few very good ones that are very well stocked on STX. They're just not close to the Divi. You can grab things on the way to the villa or drive (rental or taxi) to them. Have you ask the people you're renting from for suggestions?

There are many things to do. I like the beauty of the island & water, diving, people, historical spots, restaurants/bars, beaches to name a few. What are your likes?

JW

Divi is about as far east on island as you can go. The closest large stores are a little west of C'sted, probably a 30-40 drive.

think COUNTRY!

Well, I am very used to country living in Maine, that is pretty much all we have. I am not afraid of driving a distance. So Christainsted is where the "BIG", good market is? Do you need a rental car if you go to STT for the day?

Well Beebe...Actually there are not any big grocery stores in Christensted. It is sort of a tourist area with restaurants , tourist and shirt shops, the US post office and government buildings.

If you look on the map and go a bit farther you will find "Sunny Isle". It has a Kmart and a discount warehouse store and a large grocery store (as well as most of the other local shopping on St Croix.

In the area east of Csted you will find only small grocery stores and on the north shore (you are on the south east) you will find Schooner Bay Market. That's where we shop a lot.

Gosh beebe i forgot to finish my message. You asked about needing a rental car if you go to STT for the day. If you are staying out towards the Divi on St Croix, make sure that you have rented a car for EVERYDAY.

As far as going to STT (St Thomas) I assume you are flying over or taking the long and rocky ferry ride. (take your seasick pills) No cars allowed. On St Thomas a car is a good idea unless your trip is just short term. Than you can pay the very high taxi fares to see the island. It Probably will cost as much as your air ticket to spend a full day sight seeing in taxi's on St Thomas.

Have a good time.

I personally think that it is more fun to take the seaplane over to St Thomas. It is faster, not as bumpy as the boat, more reliable, and has more departure/arrival time options. There isn't an exorbitant difference in round trip fares if money isn't a huge issue.

C'sted also has many fine unique jewelry shops which are not run-of-the-mill tourist shops. Definitely worth spending an afternoon walking around.

Other stuff to do besides go out to restaurants and the beach and shop--visit Point Udall, St George Botanical Gardens, Whim Museum, drive out west to see the rainforest and the beer drinking pigs, daysail to Buck Island,Tan-Tan tours, diving or snorkelling--to name a few.

If you're from Boston you might be interested in a great Irish pub in Frederiksted called the Lost Dog that is owned and staffed by people from the Cape and fully decorated in Red Sox, Patriots, and Bruins stuff.

Have fun!! Go Sox!

I would add that Sweeny's Tours of the historic and cultural sites are excellent and include many of the sites stxem has mentioned. http://www.gotostcroix.com/safaritours/

Tan Tan Tours is fantastic and takes an entirely different approach to the island by going off road to natural sites seldom seen by locals, let alone tourists. http://www.stxtantantours.com/

Also, we just took an airplane tour of the island with Air Ventures in Paradise that I definitely recommend. It's a four-seater plane, about an hour, $120 for up to three people and an absolute gas!
http://www.airventuresinparadise.com/

There's also horseback riding, kayaking, hiking - I've been nearly 30 times and still have not done it all.

STX is a great place, not STJ, but still great. There are some fantastic restuarants in Christainstaad, both upper end and moderate. A sail and snorkel at Buck Island is good way to spend a half day. There is a pretty complete grocery store just out of Christainstaad. Christainstaad, itself, is a great place to spend one or more afternoons. Shop some, braclets are a speciality there, have a an afternoon beer, people watch along the waterfront, have dinner, etc.

BTW, the people there are really friendly and very kind to tourists. Feel free to ask them for directions, advice, etc. Be sure to greet people when you enter their shops and thank them when you leave.

Thanks everyone for great ideas, this really helps to hear from people who are in the know, keep them coming 🙂 What boat is good for going to Buck Island?

beebe

I'm sold on capt heinz and his teroro II

I've done buck island through bigbeards also

Captain heinz is more expensive but he spends the entire time at buck island

Bigbeards cost includes a grilled lunch that is provided on another beach on mainland stx not turtle beach on buck island

I woud rather spend the entire time at buck island and turtle beach and pack my own pb&j and pringles

Unfortunately it's been 3 years since i've been there - things might have changed since then - but i would definately start with capt heinz - he sails out of green cay marina on the east end - bigbeards sails out of christiansted on the boardwalk

check out these two sites

[www.visitstcroix.com]

[bigbeards.com]

Linda J also provides great info on and about stx - if she sees this thread she should be able to give up to date info on this topic

Steve

If you have the time, you should check out the archives on this website. I posted a trip report last summer about our 10 day trip to STX. Others have done so too. You'll get alot of useful info about what to do, where to shop,etc. Here are some answers to your questions: While staying near the Divi, ;you really will need a car. As far as shopping, the Case Place is small but has ALOT of stuff packed in it. We shopped there as well as the Schooner Market. There are some larger grocery stores. You will need a map but the roads are confusing (the maps arent always accurate)and you'll need a good co-pilot. But it's all part of the adventure. Definitely go to Buck Island (we also used Capt Heinz and I would highly recommend him), check out the Domino Club and beer drinking pigs, and just look at the STX websites too so you can find what interests you. We did alot of beach hopping, ate atsome cool spots, hiked around, etc etc. Like I said check out the archives..Please dont hesitate to ask any quiestions. As far as going to STT from STX, I dont know. We took a separate trip all togehter to STJ. There is so much to do in both spots but for a day trip, I'd go by seaplane. Im not good on boats. UGH.
good luck and let us know how you make out.

I highly recommend Diva Tours for the Buck Island thing. I work in a resort and every time someone comes back from that tour, they just rave about what an incredible time they had. They go on a smaller boat, six people max, and from what my guests have told me, Captain Mike is very friendly, warm and knowledgeable about the things you see while snorkeling.