St Croix on our Sept 2009 itin on AOS

[sangoofy]

So since no cruise ships have been here for awhile, can anyone suggest things to do on this island. We like variety so sightseeing, beaches, dining, etc. All suggestions welcome at this point.

[The Islander]

sangoofy, you can do an island tour and visit some of the historic sites like Whim Plantation and Laweatz House. You could visit Fort Frederik right by the cruise ship dock, or head to Christiansted and visit the Fort that is there. There is Sts. George's Botanical Garden. Try visiting a St. Croix guide for information on the island, the attractions like the forts mentioned and others, beach guide, island info... might help with your planning http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0geu4pkQoNJVlYB8pFXNyoA?p=st.+croix%2C+us+virgin+islands+%2B+inside+st.+croix+guide&fr=yfp-t-305.

 

There are several National Parks:

 

Christiansted Historic: http://www.nps.gov/chri/

 

Salt River: http://www.nps.gov/sari/

 

Buck Island: http://www.nps.gov/buis/

 

--Islander

[Aligator6182]

I have never been to St. Croix, only St.Thomas and St. John. How does it compare?

[fuzzywuzzy]

sangoofy, you can do an island tour and visit some of the historic sites like Whim Plantation and Laweatz House. You could visit Fort Frederik right by the cruise ship dock, or head to Christiansted and visit the Fort that is there. There is Sts. George's Botanical Garden. Try visiting a St. Croix guide for information on the island, the attractions like the forts mentioned and others, beach guide, island info... might help with your planning http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0geu4pkQoNJVlYB8pFXNyoA?p=st.+croix%2C+us+virgin+islands+%2B+inside+st.+croix+guide&fr=yfp-t-305.

 

There are several National Parks:

 

Christiansted Historic: http://www.nps.gov/chri/

 

Salt River: http://www.nps.gov/sari/

 

Buck Island: http://www.nps.gov/buis/

 

--Islander

 

And don't forget the beer drinking pig !! This was amazing but I felt sorry for the two big pigs in their small stalls. Here is a picture of the pig taking a can of non-alcoholic beer from your hand, crushing it in its huge jaws, drinking the beer and then spitting out the can. I screamed as we weren't expecting the reaction of the pig and the can was squashed and beer sprayed out all over. Too funny. Also a pic of my DH pouring some water into the pig's mouth.

 

 

[The Islander]

Alligator - Each island is different; St. Croix is the biggest island and with a lot more flat land where St. Thomas and St. John are largely mountainous. Because of the terrain you get a lot more view points and vistas on St. Thomas and St. John when driving around then you do on St. Croix. Some people don't really like the up and down driving necessary for getting around St. Thomas/St. John so those people often prefer the flatter drives on St. Croix. St. Croix had a sugar plantation based economy longer than St. Thomas and St. John did, and they still have more agriculture today. But in terms of history this has translated into more historic ruins to see while driving around and to visit on St. Croix for example Whim Plantation which is maintained with tours and others which you can visit on various jeep and hiking trips. St. Thomas has a bigger shopping center but St. Croix has some unique smaller stores, often with various arts and hand made jewerly as well as the typical touristy shops. St. Thomas and St. John were volcanic in origin and St. Croix was not so you have a difference in the coast lines. St. Thomas/St. John has a lot of small bays and coves, St. Croix has a lot of long stretches of sandy shore like in Frederiksted to Sandy Point in addition to some smaller bays. Also St. Croix has the wall, an underwater drop off a short distance from shore - it is well known for fantastic diving. Try pulling up some websites for St. Croix so you can see photos and read a little and you can learn more, try http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0geu5K8oMZJlGAAKxdXNyoA?p=four+islands+%2B+St.+Croix&fr=yfp-t-305.

 

--Islander

[pandorasays]

The sail to Buck Island is nice, but the coral there is unfortunately mostly dead. You'll see lots of fish, though, and the little beach nearby is very pretty. I think the snorkeling is just as good right off the beach in Fredericksted - lots of big rocks that fish congregate around.

 

Have been there several times and love it but can't recommend doing anything else.