Top 10 Beaches On St. Croix

10. Cramer’s Park, East End
Cramer’s Park has a reputation for being a bit loud and rowdy on the weekend with locals. And that is a bad thing? It takes on a fun, party-like atmosphere where people walk from covered area to covered area, joining each other’s bbq and conversation. There are bathrooms, grills, tables and has lots of shade. No strong currents, long, sand beach, and even a bit of coral reef for snorkeling. Great spot for the kids. During the week, it stays pretty empty, so it is a nice place to “get away”.

9. The Palms at Pelican Cove Beach Resort, North Shore

The sand is soft, the water is an amazing clear, deep blue and coral reef juts out of the water, making for interesting snorkeling. This beach is also very convenient, just a few minutes west of Christiansted. Plan to spend the day there because The Palms restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner…and the bar is also serving your favorite frozen concoction. Even though this beach is on resort property, there is no fee to enter, but please be respectful of those who are guests of the hotel. Also a great place for turtle watching!

8. Tamarind Beach located at Tamarind Reef Hotel, East End

Wide sandy beach, palm-thatched cabanas, lounge chairs, snorkeling, kayaking, iguanas, a beach shack, bar and restaurant, WHEW! And I am sure I have forgotten something. Tamarind is great for the entire family. Large boulders create a calm sea ”pool” where you can lounge in the tubes provided or teach the kids how to swim or snorkel. Just on the other side of the large rocks is a beautiful underwater environment enriched with sea-life perfect for snorkeling. Turtles, octopus, snapper, rainbow runners, puffer fish and Caribbean lobster make up this unique underwater neighborhood of marine life. Bring your own gear, or rent from the beach shack. Cabanas and chairs are reserved for guests, but worth the small fee if you are just there for the day!

7. Shoys Beach, East End

The perfect swimming beach! Enter in though the Buccaneer Hotel’s entrance, and then take a right into the Shoys subdivision; tell the guard you are going to the beach and they’ll point you in the right direction. Make your way through the sea-grape trees and behold this BIG beautiful beach. The sand goes on in each direction, as if to hug the warm water it surrounds. Sandy and grassy bottom make for a nice swim whether for pleasure or exercise .The gentle sloping beach is perfect for spreading out your blanket to catch some rays. This beach is popular with residents on the weekends and pretty sparse during the week (hey, some of us have to work, you know!)

6. Sandy Point

The idyllic beach scene used for several movies and TV commercials, Sandy Point is located on the west end of St. Croix, and is the L O N G E S T stretch of white sand beach you’ll find on St. Croix. The beach extends out into, well, a point. Because of this, the waves sometimes tend to be a bit larger, making skim-boarding fun for the kids (larger, but not dangerous!) Sandy Point is a wonderful area for playing on the beach or playing in the water but with its sandy bottom, there’s not much to see for snorkelers. The area is a protected wildlife refuge, so nature is abound. Now, the bad news: The beach is only open on weekends and closed entirely from April through August because of turtle nesting season (YEAH TURTLES!) There is NO shade and you can’t stick an umbrella in the ground ‘cause you might hit a turtle nest. Just remember to bring a hat, wear sunscreen and re-apply often and enjoy the water.

5. Buccaneer Beach(es)

The beach(es) at the Buccaneer are fun for the entire family, AND can be a secluded getaway. At a resort? YES! The Mermaid Beach, is the main beach is chock full of beach chairs awaiting guests ready to sit back, relax and have someone bring them a drink. This beach has a sandy bottom, which is great for kids. To the west of The Mermaid Beach is the Grotto. This beautiful crescent shaped beach is perfect for long sunset walks. There is a shallow reef of rock and coral that is about 5 to 6 feet out into the water that is fun for snorkeling. Each beach has a beach shack where you can rent snorkel gear and kayaks. There is a small admission fee to enter the resort and utilize their beach chairs and equipment, but well worth the experience. Read about Anna’s visit to the beaches at the Buccaneer.

4. Rainbow Beach, West End

When I take my guests to this beach, I tell them “This is what you imagine the Caribbean to be like.” The sea is so calm, so blue and so beautiful out west. This beach goes on forever and has interesting things to see both above and below the water. I always find large starfish; cuddle fish, tons of snapper, French angels and the like when snorkeling. The water stays shallow for quite some time, so even though you can go far, you’re still in shallow water. Above the water you’ll find some great shelling around exposed rocks; but the rocks do not interfere AT ALL with the powder white sand! You’ll also find a fun beach bar with live music on the weekends, cold drinks and bathroom facilities.

3. Cane Bay Beach

By our Crucian standards, this beach tends to be a bit more crowded than others (by your state-side standards, that means still LOTS of room!) This popular North Shore Beach is enjoyed by every one every day of the week. The restaurants and bars in the area help keep visitors fed and hydrated; feel free to bring your own cooler of food and drinks and park it for the day. Start up a game of beach volleyball with the people you’ve made friends with next to you and just let the day happen! Snorkel, scuba dive the famous Wall, relax under the warm Caribbean sun …ahhhhh, that is your day.

2. Turtle Beach, Buck Island

Whether you arrive by catamaran, powerboat or kayak, Turtle Beach is a beautiful site to see as you approach Buck Island from the west. The lush green peak of the island and the incredible shade of turquoise of the sea envelop this beach. Buck Island is un-inhabited, which makes this beach free of un-necessary distractions. It is what you are daydreaming at work about. White powder sand to stretch out on: check. Calm waves gently rolling a-shore: check. Friendly aquatic life to snorkel amongst: check. Walk this beach around to the northwest side and you come across a virtual nursery for marine life. You’ll see in the water juvenille reef sharks, parrotfish, and more, who make the safety of this area their home until they are mature enough to go out on their own. The underwater national monument part of Buck Island is accessible only through licensed tour operators , but Turtle Beach is accessible to all. Any day is a good day for Buck Island, but Sunday is the day that locals arrive on their private boats and enjoy one of the reasons they live on St. Croix to begin with. Now, quit daydreaming about being on Turtle Beach and plan you vacation to St. Croix!

1. Jack’s + Isaac’s Bay

Some residents might be mad that I am sharing this little St. Croix secret….but this area is too beautiful not to let others know about it. Jack’s and Issac’s could very well be the United States most easterly beaches. Hike the dirt road on the right before you get to the top of Point Udall ; just park on the side of the road. The first bay is Issac’s ...play a little in the surf and then hike over a small peninsula to Jack’s and BEHOLD what Caribbean vacation ads are made of. You know when you fly on an airplane, look down and see the multi-blue water…and wish you could dip your feet in it? Well, here you are. The water is shallow. There is plenty of reef for you to snorkel around and plenty of marine life for you to view- you’re in THEIR fish bowl now! There are plenty of sand areas to just “chill” in the water and float. There is plenty of coastline to walk, explore, oh yes and relax. There is plenty of sunshine and beautiful views to enjoy! The land is protected by the Nature Conservancy and guided hikes are available for those who may want them.