Pelican Cove (formerly the Cormorant Cove) condos are on a lovely beach. They are just down from (walking distance) two small hotels with nice restaurants.The Hibiscus and The Palms (formerly Cormorant ) The beach has some nice snorkeling, but occasionally some wicked rip tides.

It is located beach-side of a varied residential area. You are able to meet some very interesting locals at the Hibiscus restaurant. There have been a couple of recent daylight beach robberies along that beach, apparently by teenage boys from the neighborhood. (I don't know if they have been apprehended yet).

If you check the St Croix MLS you will find that there are some listings for units at Pelican Cove. This will also give you some more pictures to look at.

I would not describe Pelican as being more "upscale" than Gentle Winds. They are two of the nicer condo developments on St Croix. However neither are in the same class as Candle Reef, Villa Madeleine or Carden Beach

If I were to 'live' in one of the two Condos you are looking at, my first choice would be Gentle Winds. It has a lovely beach and it not near "anything". (I like that) You also might find some pictures on the MLS. It is closer to Cane Bay and the wonderful diving available. Cane Bay has some fun restaurants, but it is "farther" away.

Oh gosh- now I am really confused!!! 🙂 Maybe if I telll you a little bit more about us, you might be able to suggest which condo complex would best fit us. We are wanting to spend around $3000 for a 2-3 bedroom condo for 1 week over Christmas. There will be 4-5 adults traveling, my parents, my brother, myself, and hopefully my husband! We want to be beach front with a decent pool, and nice, clean, and safe surroundings. My brother is 24 and likes to kayak and fish, we all scuba dive and like to snorkel. The men love to golf. We love the idea of being within walking distance to a restaurant and bar, but we will rent a car. Which do you think is the "nicer" complex and property of the two? Or is there another condo complex I should be looking at? I looked at Candle Reef & Carden Beach but it doesn't seem that they are available for rent.
TIA!

Gentle Winds should be your choice. Columbus Cove is within walking distance, but yes, rent a car.

Why would you choose Gentle Winds?
Thanks!

Hi, TXgal

I would suggest that you contact by "telephone" two or three rental agents on St Croix. Do a search on www.gotostcroix.com and www.visitstcroix.com
You will find several agents at these sites, I suggest you talk to CPMI , Island Villas and Vacation St Croix

You will get information on the condos we have mentioned as well as several Villas that might be a good solution to your rental needs.

Christmas is a difficult time to rent, but if you talk directly to these rental people it will give you a better idea of the
possibilities. After getting the rental agents pitch, come back here and see if we can help.

I would stay at Pelican Cove if you really want to decide between the two. Beautiful beach and views! It's alittle more central to everything. The restaurant at the Palms is great-- you have a choice of inside or outside dining. We chose outside because of that view. Wonderful! Plus you have the Hibiscus Beach Hotel right next door with their restaurant H2O, very popular.

Honestly, I think you should do what the stxer has suggested about contacting *by telephone* rental agencies. For that amount of money you should be able to get a villa by the water. (I think) And since the island isn't that big it's so easy to drive anywhere to do the things you want.

We walked along the beach at Pelican Cove, sat outside to dine, etc and never felt any security issues. (and I'm the type to want to stay where I'm completely comfortable) There were several people at the Palms pool and also families with children around the pool. Not crowded, just felt nice.

I'm confused. Are you asking about the Palms at Pelican Cove HOTEL? Or the condos near there? Or maybe I'm really confused and there are CONDOS connected with the hotel! lol.

I would choose Gentle Winds primarily because of the extensive grounds and because I prefer more out-of-the-way places while on vacation. This part of north shore is very beautiful.

But everyone else is right. Talk to someone is person.

Linda- I am talking about Pelican Cove Condos- www.pelicancovecondos.com 🙂
We looked into renting a villa, but leaned more towards condos because we're a social group and we don't need the seclusion that villas provide. Pelican Cove Condos look just beautiful on the website. They seem very comparable to Gentle Winds, if not the interior being a bit more upscale. From what I can tell in doing research, GW has a nicer beach, but PC has an even nicer beach about a 5 minute walk away. PC has a bigger pool and the location seems a bit better (another plus). But I am concerned that the location is not as safe as GW. Oh my, I am so torn! I will contact *by telephone* some agencies this afternoon.
If anyone has more feedback, bring it on! Thanks!! 🙂

Pelican Cove Condos are much newer than Gentle Winds and not nearly as dated. It is quite upscale and has a wonderful tropical vacation feel that most other properties on STX can't match. The beach is great and you can walk for miles in white sand. It has a large, free-form swimming pool with a waterfall and a cabana if you want to host a party. A short walk along the beach will bring you to a couple of waterfront restaurants with bars so you can hang out close to home if you want and still eat well and have that sunset drink or whatever. Pelican Cove is also closer to town than Gentle Winds, which can be helpful late in the evening if you are prone to getting lost after dark on windy roads or have maybe had a couple drinks. The location makes a great base of operations as they are right at the center of the northern shore of the island.

Thanks for the feedback! PC looks wonderful on the website; I just can't find a lot of reviews. Is the area and beach safe? I found a review saying it wasn't as safe as GW, but I'm assuming that is becasue GW is out in the middle of no where.

Maybe you are over analyzing your information.

Pelican Cove would be a great choice based on your stated preferences.

I don't know what "as safe" means. Beaches on St Croix are safe and the difference between any two condo's and beaches is only as much as your last report or opinion. I mentioned a daylight robbery because it was so unusual, and my "recently" was last February.

Alexandra knows what the "insides looks like" and has given you good advice.

And finally, Gentle Winds is not "out in the middle of no where". It is only a few miles from Pelican Cove. Nothing
on St Croix is in the middle of no where.

Sorry Linda! I think I was the one who confused you. What I meant to tell Txgal is that Pelican Cove Condos are right next door to the Palms Hotel and restaurant, with the Hibiscus Hotel and H2O Restaurant a short walk farther down the beach.

I guess I should have gone on to bed instead of putting my 2 cents in that late. 🙂

Thanks for your thoughts!! I booked Pelican Cove last night- we are so excited to spend Christmas in the Virgin Islands!!! I'm looking forward to planning this vacation!

Congrats! You will be happy with your choice. Pelican Cove is my favorite beach front condo complex on the island. There just haven't been new condos built in so long that most of what is here is getting rather dated architecturally and is in need of serious rehabilitation. We could really use a few new complexes!

are Pelican Cove Condos on Princess Beach? I stumbled upon a site that said Princess Beach was not safe for swimming due to sewage and bacteria.... Now I am totally freaked out!
Can anyone comment?
Thanks!

The health department tests all the beaches in the VI fairly often (monthly maybe) and issues a report of which beaches are "safe" Princess Beach sometimes has higher bacteria counts than is acceptable. And yes, I believe Pelican Cove Condos are on that beach.

OMG am I right to be really worried? If the quality of the water is said to not be safe for swimming, then I'm really thinking we made a bad decision...
I googled it, and as of right now, Princess Beach is not same to swim/fish in...

The beaches are usually all clear to swim. It's possible the beach is unsafe right now b/c of all the rains we've been getting, or some other factor. By the time you are down here, it's likely the beach will be safe for swimming again. Plus, there are so many other beaches, I wouldn't spend your time worrying about the one beach that may or may not be safe for swimming.

Thanks! I just got really freaked out when I read that- we want to be able to snorkle and swim in front of our condo... but it looks like our condos have a little man made beach in front... or something like that!