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This page has information about the beautiful island of St. Croix.
Overview, Weather, History of the island ... READ MORE >
Religion, Schools, Government, Economic Development, Real Estate Market ... READ MORE >
Activities on St. Croix: day sails, Buck Island tours, scuba diving, sport fishing, parasailing, kayaking, horseback riding, tennis, golf, hiking, camping ... READ MORE >
Real-Estate FAQ ... READ MORE > |
ACTIVITIES
St. Croix offers sports enthusiasts and nature lovers a wide range of activities that will please all ages.
Buck Island Reef National Monument
No trip to St. Croix is complete without a trip to beautiful Buck Island. The only underwater U.S. National park, Buck Island Reef encompasses more than 850 acres, including underwater trails for divers that wind through submerged cave systems. Spend the day or a half-day on this uninhabited island. "One of the world's best beaches," according to National Geographic, Buck Island is surrounded by aqua waters and extensive coral reefs. The island is great for picnicking with beaches, picnic tables and barbeque pits. The island's main attraction is snorkeling. Between the island and the coral barrier reef rests a shallow blue lagoon. Buck Island is uninhabited which makes for great hiking. See stunning views of St. Croix and find undisturbed secret beaches.
Scuba Diving
For the novice or expert, St. Croix is a diver's paradise. There are more than 50 premium dive sites to choose from, including the wreck of the Rosamaria, the pier in Frederiksted, and a spectacular 13,000 foot drop-off on the North Shore known as The Wall. St. Croix has the largest living reef of any Caribbean island. Certified divers can sign up for dive packages through a 5-star PADI shop. Non-certified guests can partake in a Discover Scuba Dive or take a class to become a certified diver.
St. Croix Island Tour
Let someone else do the driving or rent your own car. See some of the most interesting, beautiful and historical sites on the island.
- The Cruzan Rum Factory - The Cruzan Rum Distillery, in operation for more than 300 years in the same location, is home to one of the world's finest rums. The distillery (formerly known as Estate Diamond) offers guided tours of the facilities that explain the distillery process, the importance of rum in the island's history, and the story of the estate grounds. A tasting area is always a highlight after the tour.
- Estate Little Princess - A 24-acre preserve owned by the Nature Conservancy, this property has walking trails winding through the historic ruins of a sugar plantation dating back to the 1730s. Visitors can explore on three footpaths: the laborers' village trail, the rum factory trail and the beach trail.
- Whim Plantation is a popular historic plantation house located in Frederiksted. This restored site includes a furnished 18th Century great house, operating cookhouse, pot still, wind mill, sugar-producing machinery, island history museum, out-buildings, extensive grounds and library archives.
Kayaking on Salt River
Paddle through the protected waters of Salt River Bay National Park and Ecological Preserve. Kayak through mangroves, learn of the Taino and Carib peoples, and see where Christopher Columbus' crew from the Mariagalante made landfall over 500 years ago. Explore birding areas, and observe ancient Taino Indian burial grounds. Some night-time luminescent tours are also available. Beginners and experts are welcome. A Visitors Center is adjacent to the Salt River Marina.
Learn to Sail
The Virgin Islands are the ideal location to learn to sail. Christiansted Harbor and the waters surrounding St. Croix add to the ease of the beginning experience with steady winds and calm seas, while the offshore trips offer a challenging new experience.
Horseback Riding
Ride through a rainforest, along the beach, and visit old slave village ruins all in a single ride.
Sunset Sail
Romantic early evening cruises from Christiansted Harbor or Green Cay to St. Croix's North Shore, then out to sea to view the sunset and marine life. Includes hors 'oeuvres and rum punch. End the evening with a dinner at one of Christiansted’s fine restaurants.
Ruins Ramble
Explore old ruins of sugar mills and plantations through the educational tours sponsored by the St Croix Landmarks Society.
Deep Sea Fishing
St. Croix's warm waters (78-84 degrees) are home to blue marlin, wahoo, yellow-fin tuna, kingfish and dolphin (the fish). Half-day and full-day trips are available for up to six people.
Divi Carina Bay Casino
As the first and only casino in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Divi Carina Bay Casino has attracted thousands of visitors seeking gaming excitement since opening in March 2000. Divi Carina Bay is situated on the easternmost end of the island featuring gaming tables, slots, off track betting and nightly live entertainment.
Eco-tourism (Turtle Watching)
Shopping, hiking, sightseeing and “limin” (relaxing) are some other St. Croix activities.
STANFORD BREAKS GROUND
U.S.V.I. Governor John P. deJongh, Jr., joined Sir Allen Stanford, Chairman and CEO of the Stanford Financial Group, to break ground on construction of the Stanford Financial Group global management complex.
The Stanford Financial Group global management complex will be located on a 37-acre site at the southwest corner of the Henry E. Rohlsen International Airport and will house the Stanford companies’ worldwide management functions.
The business campus will feature St. Croix’s distinctive Danish West Indian- style architecture and elements, which will include 105,000 square feet of office space with an expansive atrium, skylight and water feature. It will also include a conference facility that will accommodate more than 200 people, a 45,000-square-foot aviation hangar and office, a food pavilion and a lounge area for staff and guests.
The office building will be among the first in the Caribbean to receive a LEED certification. This is the benchmark for design, construction and operation of efficient “green” buildings. The company expects to complete construction in July 2009.
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