The Caribbean Sea is home to some of the world's best vacation destinations. There are over 700 different islands to be found all around the Caribbean, and you'd need more than one lifetime to visit and enjoy them all. Choosing the right Caribbean island for you and your traveling companions can be a challenge because there are simply so many different options, but if you're looking for a picturesque Caribbean island with lots of gorgeous beaches and fun opportunities for water sports, sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, and other coastal activities, then Saint Croix might be the right choice for you.
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One of the United States Virgin Islands, St Croix is home to 50,000 people and is known under the nickname 'Twin City' due to the fact that there are two major cities on the island, one at each end. The island is a lively and luxurious places with stunning natural landscapes and fun festivals. It's a place for everyone to have fun and relax and holds equal appeal to thrill-seekers and backpackers looking for peace and tranquility. The beaches of Saint Croix are renowned for their beauty, and this particular Caribbean island offers some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities in the whole region, well known for a vast array of marine life and awe-inspiring bioluminescent bays.
Best Beaches in St Croix
St Croix is blessed with some astounding beaches of all shapes, sizes, and forms. Whether you're looking for a huge open stretch of sand to play some beach games and enjoy picnics with friends or a secluded, romantic spot to watch the sunset with that special someone in your life, you'll find all you need on this Caribbean island. Choosing the best St Croix beach is simply impossible, but the guide below will give you all the information you need on some of the island’s best-rated beaches.
Buccaneer Beach
A highly popular St Croix beach, Buccaneer Beach is especially good for families. It's a large beach with a lot to love, starting with the excellent views and surrounding landscapes which make it a lovely spot to simply sit and admire the surrounding scenery or snap some magical vacation photos to share with friends and family back home. The beach offers really soft sands and warm waters, while also being equipped with plenty of good amenities and facilities. Lots of sun loungers and umbrellas can be found dotted around the sand offering comfortable, shady spots in which to relax, and there are some good restaurants and bars nearby as well, so you never have to worry about going hungry or thirsty at this St Croix beach.
Rainbow Beach
One of the most famous and popular beaches on St Croix, Rainbow Beach is situated on the western end of the island. It's not too far from Frederiksted, so you happen to be staying in or near this part of the island, you should definitely stop off and spend at least a few hours appreciating the captivating beauty of Rainbow Beach. The sands here are exceptionally soft and powdery, while the waters are calm and soothing, just right for wading and swimming. Everyone can have fun at this beach, including families with young kids or groups of friends. The local bar provides live entertainment to create a real party atmosphere at the weekends, while the weekdays at Rainbow Beach are much calmer and quieter. Snorkeling is really rewarding at this beach too, so there are lots of activities to try out here.
Jack's Bay
One of the best ways to make the most of any vacation is to pay attention to the locals and see what sort of places they prefer to visit in their free time. While many tourists flock to locations like Buccaneer Beach and Rainbow Beach at St Croix, many of the locals prefer heading out to Jack's Bay. Part of a protected area that also includes the neighboring Isaac's Bay, Jack's Bay is one of the most pristine and private places on the entire St Croix coastline. It's an incredible beach, offering the sort of views that can take one's breath away, but it's worth noting that there aren't any hotels, restaurants, or other amenities in the area. It's also important to note that reaching Jack's Bay requires a little effort, as the beach can only be reached by a hiking trail, but it's definitely worth the effort.
Shoys Beach
Definitely one of the biggest and prettiest beaches on St Croix, Shoys Beach stretches out a long way in both directions, offering a huge amount of space to ensure that even on the busiest of days, it never gets too crowded or noisy here. In fact, if you come at a good time in the middle of the week, you'll be able to have large parts of this St Croix beach all to yourself. The views from this beach are astonishing and the crescent form of the surrounding bay area makes it a great spot for swimming. Even young children will be able to splash around here as the waves are very small and gentle.
Turtle Beach
If you try and picture the perfect Caribbean beach in your mind, the image you create probably isn't too different from Turtle Beach. This beach isn't actually on St Croix island; instead it's situated on the tiny Buck Island, just off the coast of St Croix, so you'll need to hitch a ride on a private boat or rent a kayak and paddle your way over there. It's worth the detour though, offering astonishingly soft, white sands and mind-blowing waters. The snorkeling at this beach is exceptional too, with lots of colorful fish and other marine life waiting to be discovered and admired beneath the waves.
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