St Croix Travel Guide
St Croix is the largest and most remote of the three inhabited Virgin Islands, and is less developed than St Thomas. Covered in forested hills and fertile lowlands, it's also surrounded by coral reefs providing excellent diving opportunities, particularly along the north coast.
The island lies 40 miles (64km) south of St Thomas and has two main towns, namely Christiansted on the northeast coast and Frederiksted on the west coast. Both prospered as commercial ports during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Christiansted is a lively town offering trips to the tiny Buck Island as a popular excursion. Frederiksted is smaller and is a sleepy destination, though the occasional cruise ship arrival does bring passengers looking to indulge in a spree of duty-free shopping. Both towns contain numerous examples of fine Danish colonial architecture, along with a surrounding landscape that's scattered with remnants of sugar plantations, stone windmill towers and ruined houses from the island's sugarcane heyday.
Aside from its picturesque beaches and superb diving, St Croix has a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, including hiking, historic sights and attractions, golf and horse riding. There are also fine hotels, excellent dining spots and casinos.