Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
St Croix
POP 53,200
Includes ยป
Why Go?
St Croix (pronounced
Saint Croy
) is the Virgins' big boy, and it sports an exceptional topo-
graphy spanning mountains, a spooky rainforest and a fertile coastal plain that, once upon a
time, earned it the nickname 'Garden of the Antilles' for its sugarcane-growing prowess.
Today divers and drinkers appreciate St Croix's charms. The former submerge to view the
wall along the island's north shore. It drops at a 60-degree slope to a 12,000ft depth, offer-
ing a true look into 'the deep.' There's nothing quite like it anywhere in the world. Under-
water enthusiasts also don mask and flippers to explore Buck Island Marine Sanctuary, an
18,800-acre coral reef system with an abundance of marine life. Landlubbers take solace
sipping through the heady Cruzan Rum Factory and taking their pick of 18th-century wind-
mills, plantations and forts to poke around.
When to Go
Mid-December through April is the dry and sunny high season, when prices and crowds
hit their peak. The island has a busy social calendar year-round. There's Agri-Fest in mid-
February, which is like a big state fair and draws families from around the islands; the Half-
Ironman Triathlon in May; the sticky-sweet Mango Melee in June; and the Christmas Fiesta,
gifting concerts and pageants from December through early January. The quarterly Jump
Ups (street carnivals) are a prime time to be on the island for some spontaneous cultural fun.
