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St. Croix is the largest of the three US Virgin Islands, with many things to do and places to explore. That’s why, if you are on limited time, it’s essential to carefully craft an efficient St. Croix itinerary to experience as much as possible.
After all, it’s no easy task to witness and enjoy all the things to do in St. Croix: the great beaches, historic sugar plantations, lively nightlife, underwater scenery, and fantastic cuisine. Enjoy your seven days in St. Croix!
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Table of Contents
7-Days in St. Croix Itinerary
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Day 1 – Arrive in St. Croix + Christiansted Boardwalk
Most flights landing in the US Virgin Islands, including St. Croix, land in the afternoon. However, if you’re coming from St. Thomas to St. Croix (either by ferry or plane), you have more time in the morning and afternoon to explore.
Your first order of business is checking in your hotel or short-term rental. I recommend staying in or around the centrally located Christiansted instead of Frederiksted, as the town has more entertainment, dining, and nightlife options than its counterpart. Consider The Buccaneer for a luxury experience or a mid-range option like Sugar Apple Bed & Breakfast.
Spend your first evening enjoying the sights and sounds of Christiansted Harbor along the Christiansted Boardwalk. This part of town is amongst the most lively districts in the US Virgin Islands, with a great selection of bars like Rum Runners and restaurants like The Mill Brick Oven Pizza.
🚗 Driving on the Left Side:Driving in the US Virgin Islands is an intimidating experience – that’s why I’ve written a few helpful articles to ease the anxiety of renting a car in St. Croix and driving on the left side of the road during your stay!
Day 2 – Explore Christiansted National Historic Site and Sail to Buck Island
Start your morning with breakfast and a coffee at VI Coffee Roasters in Christiansted before hopping aboard a half-day trip to Buck Island Reef National Monumentwith Big Beard’s Adventure Tours.
The pristine island features Turtle Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean Sea, a breathtaking coral reef system for snorkeling, and a scenic hiking trail to an observation platform.
Once you’ve sailed back to Christiansted, grab lunch at Shupe’s before wandering through Fort Christiansvaern in the Christiansted National Historic Site. Within the Fort, you’ll discover the fascinating history of life on St. Croix from the onset of Danish control in 1733.
In the evening, grab dinner at one of the many fantastic local eateries like La Reine Chicken Shack before witnessing one of the most beautiful sunsets in the Caribbean at Rainbow Beach.
📚 Related Reading: Must-Know Travel Tips for the US Virgin Islands
Day 3 – Point Udall, East End Hiking, Leatherback Brewing, & Rum Distilleries
Start your next day with a pair of hiking shoes and a cup of coffee as you bask in the first rays of sunshine in the United States at the easternmost point, Point Udall. Immediately afterward, descend the nearby hiking trail to Jack and Isaac’s Bay before ascending to Goat Hill. These two trails are my top picks for the best hiking trails in St. Croix.
Once you’re done hiking, cool off at Smugglers Cove, a nearby secluded beach, before grabbing lunch at Ziggy’s Island Market. Be sure to save some time in the afternoon to tour the Captain Morgan Rum Distillery, the Cruzan Rum Distillery, or (my favorite) the Sion Farm Vodka Distillery. Also nearby is Leatherback Brewing Company, the largest locally made and canned brewery in the US Virgin Islands!
End the evening with dinner and a drink at Savant in Christiansted, one of the finest restaurants in St. Croix, before heading to bed early – it’s been a long day!
🥾 More Hiking in the US Virgin Islands: Although St. Croix is great, St. John features Virgin Islands National Park – home to some of the best hiking trails in the Caribbean.
Day 4 – Beach Day & Salt River Bay Kayaking
Why visit the US Virgin Islands if you weren’t planning to spend significant time relaxing on the beach? Thankfully, if you’ve come to St. Croix, you have a long list of amazing beaches to choose from. A few of my favorites are Dorsch Beach near Frederiksted, Protestant Cay in Christiansted, and Shoys Beach outside of Christiansted.
Grab lunch at the most convenient beachfront restaurant before spending more time on a self-guided snorkeling adventure in the afternoon. Most beaches on St. Croix have coral reefs within swimming distance, with frequent encounters with sea turtles, eagle rays, and tropical fish.
After sunset, depart on a nighttime kayaking tour of Salt River Bay – one of the rare bioluminescent bays in the Caribbean (the other bio bays are mostly in Puerto Rico). Head back to your hotel to prepare for another day of adventure in the morning!
☀️ When to Visit St. Croix: The best time to visit the USVI depends on budget, aversion to hurricanes, and peak season.
Day 5 – Hike to Annaly Bay Tide Pools & Cane Bay Beach
Your next day is best spent along the northwest shore of the island. First, hiking to the Annaly Bay Tide Pools – a strenuous and sometimes treacherous trek to crystal clear, natural swimming pools. And secondly, snorkeling or scuba diving at Cane Bay Beach.
Begin the hike to Annaly Bay Tide Pools at sunrise, when the tide is often at its lowest point. Give yourself at least three hours to fully enjoy the beauty of the natural swimming pools, cool ocean breeze, and jaw-dropping views of the Caribbean Sea.
However, this hike is weather dependent – rain, high tide, or a rough sea state can make this hike dangerous – so plan an alternative activity if necessary.
Afterward, head down the road to Cane Bay Beach, where you’ll spend the rest of your afternoon snorkeling, basking in the sun, and scuba diving. Cane Bay is known for its incredible Wall Dive directly from the shore – an underwater cliff plummeting thousands of feet below the surface.
You can rarely find this unique geological structure anywhere, let alone so close to the beach, making The Wall at Cane Bay even more special.
Pick between two lively beach bars for lunch and dinner: Off the Wall or The Landing Beach Bar. Either is a safe bet for good vibes, cold or frozen drinks, and delicious local fare.
🛂 Do You Need a Passport to Visit the US Virgin Islands? Find out the answer and more tips with our Passport Guide to the USVI.
Day 6 – Frederiksted, Rainbow Beach, and Hams Bluff Lighthouse
Head West for an entire day in and around Frederiksted, the second largest of the two main towns on St. Croix. The Frederiksted Historic District is a great place to start with a tour of Fort Frederik – an 18th-century fortification built by the Danish.
The rest of the town features the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts and Frederiksted Pier – an unassuming yet magnificent scuba diving and snorkeling site. You’ll have plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from for a delicious lunch with an ocean view.
After enjoying the town, head slightly north to Rainbow Beach. This active shoreline has jet ski rentals, horseback riding, excellent snorkeling, and one epic beach bar called Rhythms. For a different atmosphere, head east into the rainforest to visit the world-famous Mt. Pellier Domino Club and their beer-drinking pigs (non-alcoholic, of course).
End the day exploring Estate Mount Washington – one of the many sugar plantation remnants from the Danish West Indies – before ascending to Hams Bluff Lighthouse for a dazzling sunset.
💰 Budget Travel in the USVI: The US Virgin Islands aren’t exactly known for their affordability, yet, I’ve crafted a helpful USVI budget guide to get the best bang for your buck while visiting.
Day 7 – Sandy Point Beach & Depart St. Croix
I highly recommend visiting Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge and its picturesque shoreline, Sandy Point Beach. This miles-long stretch of sand is possibly my favorite beach in the US Virgin Islands with its turquoise waters, soft sand, and epic views.
The only caveat? Sandy Point is open extremely sparingly throughout the year due to its high rates of sea turtle nesting. That’s why if given the opportunity, you have to visit. The area is open between September 1st and March 31st, Saturday and Sunday only, 10 AM – 4 PM. So plan accordingly not to miss this breathtaking beach .
Otherwise, use this day to rest up, pack up, and head out in the afternoon or later the next day! You’ve had quite the week!
🇻🇮 Head to St. Thomas and St. John: You’ve come all this way, so why wouldn’t you extend your stay to see the other two main islands in the USVI? Start your planning with the best things to do on St. Thomas!
Where to Stay on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands
Best Hotels
I always recommend staying in Christiansted with its central location, lively nightlife, and access to top attractions like Christiansted National Historic Site and Buck Island. However, a few top-rated hotels like Sand Castle and the Fred make Frederiksted a worthwhile destination.
- Mid-Range – Sugar Apple Bed & Breakfast
- Luxury – The Buccaneer
- Highly-Rated – The Waves at Cane Bay
- In Frederiksted – The Fred
- Best View – Sand Castle on the Beach
- Unique – Mt. Victory Eco Camp
Best Neighborhoods & Areas
Most accommodation and vacation rentals are sprinkled in the three most populous districts: the two main towns of Christiansted and Frederiksted, plus Sion Farm.
- Christiansted ( Search apartments in Christiansted) – the largest and most lively town on St. Croix.
- Frederiksted ( Search apartments in Frederiksted) – second largest town and home to the island’s cruise port and calmest beaches.
- Sion Farm ( Search apartments in Sion Farm) – central district primarily home to residential homes and private vacation rentals near Christiansted.
St. Croix Itinerary Map
Here is a Google Map with all the stop, attractions, and hotels mentioned in this post.
How to Get Around in St. Croix
The easiest way to get around St. Croix is by renting a car. You can search for car rentals for pick up at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) or downtown Christiansted near the seaplane and ferry terminals from St. Thomas.
For more, see my full guide to how to get around St. Croix.
St. Croix Itinerary Planning Tips
Embrace the Outdoors
St. Croix is an adventurous island with excellent outdoor experiences like hiking trails, paddling routes, snorkeling reefs, sailing waters, and dive sites.
Plus, the island features three US National Parks: Christiansted National Historic Site, Buck Island Reef National Monument, and Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve.
Go At Your Own Pace
This St. Croix itinerary offers you ideas on how to efficiently move around the large island and which activities go well with one another. It’s pretty intense, requiring a lot of energy. So obviously, go at your own pace – it’s okay if you don’t hit everything on the St. Croix Itinerary!
Take Time to Relax
Amidst all the fun and adventure, remember to kick back and enjoy a cold drink under a palm tree on the beach. You’re here to escape!
FAQs About Planning a St. Croix Itinerary
How Many Days Do You Need in St. Croix?
You need at least seven days to fully enjoy everything St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands offers. If you’re visiting from nearby St. Thomas or St. John, I always recommend staying on St. Croix for at least three days to get a quality taste of the island.
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit St. Croix?
The best time of year to visit St. Croix is April or May. This is when the weather is fabulous, the crowds begin to thin from the busier winter months, and hurricane season has yet to start.
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🖨️ Get a printable version of this itinerary.
This seven-day St. Croix itinerary is the perfect way to explore the island, hitting all the best sights, beach bars, restaurants, and activities. Please let me know if you have anything to add in the comments below!
Otherwise, head over to my guide for 10 days in the US Virgin Islands if you plan on staying longer than a week!
