Top 10 Things To Do On St. Croix
 10. Get Competitive.
On your vacation? Really? It may not sound like a vacation to you, but it does to a lot of people! St. Croix has a very large athletic community and our climate is perfect for training and hosting events. One of the biggest athletic events, featured annually on ESPN is the IRONMAN qualifier known as the St. Croix Ironman. The Ironman takes place every May and draws over one thousand athletes from all over the world. In addition, there are year round events for runners, bikers, triathletes and kayakers that you could plan your vacation around and then participate in when you are on St. Croix.
 9. Stop and Smell the Ginger Thomas.
It might seem obvious that out tropical climate would allow just about anything to grow. Our balmy climate allows the more sensitive varieties to thrive…and others to flourish (and practically take over!) The St. George Village Botanical Gardens, located on the west end of St. Croix, is situated amongst historic sugar plantation ruins. They conserve the native plants of St. Croix, as well as threatened ones of other Caribbean islands. You can learn more about St. Croix’s botanical make up while strolling through the rock garden, cactus garden and even orchid house! They strive to serve as a center of education for better understanding, of St. Croix’s botanical heritage. It is a top-notch operation they have out west and an opportunity for you to learn more about St. Croix’ beauty.
 8. Get Your Green On!
Were you aware that St. Croix has 2 eighteen hole courses, a nine hole , driving range AND a mini-golf course? Even sister Virgin Islands cannot compare to the golf we offer on St. Croix. The Buccaneer and Carambola courses are so unique in their own right that you’ll have to play both to understand. The views from the Buccaneer are, according to one U.S. Senator, “So beautiful, you don’t want to leave the green.” The Carambola course is a Robert Trent-Jones design which is green and lush all year round. For those who plan their vacation around the holes, you’ll feel right at home. For a fun practice round or to include the kids, try the new driving range and mini golf on the east end. If you’re not a golfer, we encourage you to play a round to enjoy the beauty (and the beverage cart!)
 7. Take an Island Tour...Island Style!
If you think it is quick and easy to drive a 27 mile long island, I suggest you think again. Maps? Road signs? We don’t want to alarm you, but we suggest you take an island tour to see it all….and then go back on your own to the places you really liked in your rental car! And not just any island tour- but an ISLAND STYLE island tour: In an open air shanty bus or open air four-wheel jeep. Feel the sun on your skin (apply sunscreen!), feel the ocean breeze in your hair, and, maybe get wet from a passing shower, don’t worry, it won’t last long but will make a lasting memory.
 6. Kayak at Salt River National Historic Park and Ecological Preserve.
How would you like to tell people you explored the same waters as the great explorer Christopher Columbus? Your vessel might be a bit different, but you can still play explorer if you’d like. Salt River National Historic Park and Eco Preserve is a sensitive area comprised of mangroves and shallow, calm salt water that provides a safe haven to creatures such as iguanas, snowy egrets, and osprey; and that is just above water. Below, living in the safety of the mangrove roots exists a virtual nursery of marine life. You can take a guided tour, day or night, to learn about the history of this area as well as its ecological importance and uniqueness. An activity that the entire family, young and old can all participate in and an activity that is truly unique to St. Croix.
 5. Eat & Drink. Plain & Simple.
Yes, eating and drinking are activities and doing them on St. Croix is an activity you can participate in daily. The point is one day you can indulge in locally caught fish and lobster harbor side and the next day grab a pate and some Johnny cakes, roti, stew goat…and head to the beach. Enjoy al fresco dining anytime of the day or night. Soak in the views that restaurants have to offer: the beach, Buck Island, pastures, boats sailing by….Enjoy the atmosphere that is created just by default of the dining location itself. Intimate dinners in an historic Danish townhouse, casual lunch or dinner (and drinks!) at St. Croix’s only micro-brewery, slow roasted chicken at a true Caribbean chicken shack…the list goes on and on. Be sure to wash it all down with our world famous Cruzan Rum.
 4. DIVE! DIVE! DIVE!
How many times and in how many different ways can we say that St. Croix has some incredible diving? Here it is again, one more time. There are more than 50 dive sites to choose from and 6 of the friendliest dive shops in the Caribbean, all providing personalized, professional service. Not only that, but the diversity of dive sites is unparalleled by any other Caribbean diving destination. What does that mean? It means on St. Croix, you can dive a Pier (encounter seahorses), do a shore dive (forget the boat, walk right in), The Wall (an underwater drop that goes on for miles), boat dives to reefs, explore underwater wrecks of ships and other interesting structures (um, a dump truck? How did that happen?) AND take any one of these and DO THEM AT NIGHT! And there you have it. Again.
 3. Trippin' to Buck Island.
Although St. Croix has sister islands of St. Thomas and St. John, they are 35 miles away. But our next door neighbor, just 3 miles to the northeast of us, is the beautiful, unspoiled, un-inhabited Buck Island. Buck Island Reef National Monument to be more specific. Six thousand feet long and over half a mile wide of pure beauty, both above and under water. Buck Island has it all while at the same time doesn’t really have anything at all. The long stretch of white sand beach along the west shore has been described as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world by National Geographic. Guests to the island can hike the trails on land or snorkel the trails under water. Yes, you read right. Take a snorkeling trip on underwater paths guided by signs identifying sea life and coral species. What doesn’t it have? Shops, restaurants or any other annoying distractions from your relaxing day on a secluded island. You can only get there by boat, so hook up with one of our Buck Island tour operators and book a full or half day excursion.
 2.
Get Some of That St. Croix Culture.
St. Croix has been passed around seven times and each time, the country ownership has influenced the arts and culture of our island. That’s a lot of culture, baby! Seek it out in the streets of Christiansted in the art galleries and historic buildings. The National Park System has preserved several buildings and structures that you can explore (like some really cool forts that once protected us from pirates!) Listen to the culture with live music almost every night of the week. Steel pans, quelbe, soca and even jazz are some of the sounds you’ll hear coming out of restaurants and beach side establishments. Participate in a West Indies style bar-b-que to see a traditional St. Croix cultural icon, the Mocko Jumbie. Take a peek into the past at what life was like on a real sugar plantation from the majestic great house to the factory ruins. The point is, St. Croix is more than just a beautiful island with terrific beaches. We have a diverse culture we are proud of and we want to share it with you in a variety of ways…and bottom line, it is still fun and relaxing.
 1. Find a Beach, Sit on It and Relax.
After you have done the other nine activities recommended on this list, we suggest you spend a bit of time on a beach, relaxing, reflecting and renewing. You’re on vacation in St. Croix, a beach around every corner (um, an un-crowded beach) and you do need to unwind. It does not cost a thing and you can even spend your time thinking about what you’ll do tomorrow, or the next day, or when you get back home…or maybe work on your “Five Year Plan”. Heck, some of the best ideas have come from the beach. St. Croix’s beaches have been named tops in the Caribbean and even in the world, so finding one that is right for you should not be a problem. Maybe even plan to have a beach-side massage. And, what do you know; here is a beach guide to help you out.
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