Northside Valley Beach and the Monk’s Bath Tidal Pools are located on the northwest corner of St. Croix, near Northside Valley. This beach is very secluded and more than likely you’ll have the whole place to yourself. Northside Valley Beach is tiny and mostly rocky, but great for exploring and snorkeling. Hike towards the north and you will find the Monk’s Bath Tidal Pools. We recommend wearing shoes, as the rock formations can be very sharp.

DETAILS

If you are up for an adventure, the rocky shoreline makes for incredible snorkeling. Just be careful when entering and exiting the water as urchins like to live in the crevices. Since the terrain is precarious, we recommend you take someone with you for safety reasons if you choose to go here.

DIRECTIONS

This beach is located 3 miles north of the town of Frederiksted. Once you pass the Northside Valley sign, drive about 1/4 mile further until you see a large facility building on the right. Park on the left side of the road, but don’t leave valuables in the car.

HISTORY OF MONK’S BATH

Thank you to Anthony J. Ayer for this wonderful history of Monks’ Bath – The myth of baths at Estate North Side are just that, a fanciful story. I lived at North Side as a child with my mother and stepfather (Betty and Dick Richards). Back in the 1950’s before prohibitive permits, Dick hired a contractor, Ove Olsen, to carve out a swimming bay at our waterfront site so we could swim in a calm sheltered cove. Using a compressor and jackhammer, we removed some sedimented coral shore and carved some steps down to the water. At the same time we decided to turn the old coral quarry into a swimming pool for stormy weather. The coral quarry was mined back in the 1840’s or so when the North Side plantation owner needed stone for the sugar mill up on the hill. Coral stone is soft enough to be cut with special hand tools by the plantation slaves.

When you visit the pool you will note the side walls are quite flat and straight up and down. We smoothed out a few bumps and sharp edges and with the air compressor and jack hammer cut steps down to the water level. This was NOT an historic artifact created by imaginary monks who are rumored to have established a religious retreat at Hams Bay.

AMENITIES

None.

RESTRICTIONS

None.