Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ready to Ramble?
The
St. Croix Landmarks Society,
on
Sundays between November and May,
occasionally offers “rambles” into the
countryside to see ruins, many of them
plantations that flourished in the 18th
century. The owners of the remains of
these former sugar plantations open
their gates to the tours, so you have a
chance to see a bit of the hidden St.
Croix that the average visitor misses.
Guides are often St. Croix historians
who will fill you in on the land and its
lore. Count yourself lucky if you get to
visit Castle Nugent Farm, a cattle ranch
on the southeastern coast and one of
the oldest working ranches in the West
Indies. You can still visit the slave quar-
ters at this ranch and the great house
dating from 1730. For information
about these tours and other programs
of the society, call
&
340/772-0598,
or log on to www.stcroixlandmarks.com.
FISHING
The fishing grounds at
Lang Bank
are about 10 miles from St. Croix.
Here you'll find kingfish, dolphin fish, and wahoo. Using light-tackle boats to glide
along the reef, you'll probably turn up jack or bonefish. At
Clover Crest,
in Frederik-
sted, local anglers fish right from the rocks. For more information on legal shore-
fishing spots around the island, contact the tourist office in Christiansted or
Frederiksted.
Serious sport fishermen, and those who don't have their own dinghy, can board the
Island Girl II,
a 38-foot Bertram special. It's anchored at King's Alley Hotel at 59
Kings Wharf in Christiansted. Reservations can be made by calling
&
340/773-
2628
during the day. The cost for up to six passengers is $550 for 4 hours, $750 for
6 hours, and $950 for 8 hours with bait and tackle and drinks included.
GOLF
St. Croix has the best golf in the Virgin Islands. Guests staying on St. John
and St. Thomas often fly over for a round on one of the island's three courses.
Carambola Golf & Country Club,
on the northeast side of St. Croix (
&
340/
778-5638;
www.golfcarambola.com), adjacent to the Carambola Beach Resort
(p. 146), was created by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., who called it “the loveliest course I
ever designed.” It's been likened to a botanical garden. The par-3 holes here are
known to golfing authorities as the best in the Tropics. The greens fee of $95 in
winter, or $65 in the off season, allows you to play as many holes as you like. Carts
are included.
The
Buccaneer,
Gallows Bay (p. 146;
&
340/712-2144
), 3 miles east of Chris-
tiansted, has a challenging 5,685-yard, 18-hole course with panoramic vistas. Non-
guests pay $100 in winter or $60 off season, including use of a cart.
The
Reef,
on the east end of the island at Teague Bay (
&
340/773-8844
), is a
3,100-yard, 9-hole course, charging greens fees of $20 for 9 holes and $35 for 18 holes.
Golf carts can also be rented at an additional $15 for 9 holes or $20 for 18 holes. The
longest hole here is a 465-yard par 5.
HIKING
Scrub-covered hills make up much of St. Croix's landscape. The island's
western district, however, includes a dense, 15-acre forest known as the
“Rain For-
est”
(though it's not a real one). The network of footpaths here offers some fantastic
nature walks. For more details on hiking in this area, see the section “Exploring the
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