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Hello! I'm new to this forum; it looks like a great place to be for info re USVI!
My family will be spending Christmas in St. Croix this year. We are very interested in a condo as we like to cook breakfast together and have a common area to hang out. We're interested in a beach front location and I have narrowed down our search to Gentle Winds or Pelican Cove. I've read tons of reviews on GW and they all seem pretty positive. I happened to stumble upon Pelican Cove and it just looks fantastic!! They are basically the same price. PC seems a bit more upscale and is in a better location, though the beach might not be as nice as GW. I'm ready to book PC, I would just like some more feedback as there are not many reviews on line.
Thanks!
The antiquated sewage system on StX is on its last legs and there are a couple of famous "bypass" spots where raw sewage is pumped directly into the ocean when the pumping stations fail. Unfortunately, condo row (or Princess beach) is a frequent offender. The other two are Frederiksted Beach and the Good Hope area on the South Shore.
Before I swam inside Long Reef etc. (Princess Beach) I would certainly check the water quality each day.
Most of the condos along "condo row" lining the bay from Christiansted to Judith's Fancy do not have swimmable beaches. This isn't just because of occasional high bacteria counts, but because of the shallow water running for a long distance from shore out towards the barrier reef. In many places, you would have to wade about 50 yards across rocks and sea urchins in water only a foot or two deep before getting to water deep enough to submerge in. There are a few swimming holes along the bay, but the bulk isn't easily swimmable.
However, there are many great beaches you can swim from around the island and many vacationers enjoy exploring to find their personal favorite. Pelican Cove also has one of the more interesting swimming pools of any condo complex on the island and you will undoubtedly enjoy lounging poolside when you aren't out beach hopping.
