Are you searching for the best beaches in St. Croix for your upcoming US Virgin Islands trip? We’ve got you covered!
If youʻre booking your trip to St. Croix last minute, we have you covered. Below are some of the top tours, hotels, and more!
🇻🇮 Top Tours on St. Croix and the USVI:
- St. Croix horseback riding experience (top-rated!)
- Private and Customizable St. Croix island tour
- Rainbow Beach All Day Relax
- St. Croix private airport pick-up
🛌 Top Accommodation and Lodging in St. Croix:
- The Fred – Adults Only Hotel (Frederiksted)
- Georges Royal Inn (Frederiksted)
- Sugar Apple Bed and Breakfast (Christiansted B&B)
- Company House Hotel (2-star in Christiansted)
🚗 Looking for the best way to get around St. Croix? Click here to check rental car rates for USVI!
These are the prettiest St. Croix beaches – from well-known Rainbow Beach all the way to Tamarind Beach in the north.
Did we leave out any of the most beautiful beaches on St. Croix? Let us know in the comments!
Best St. Croix Beaches (US Virgin Islands)
1. Rainbow Beach
If you plan to spend your vacation on the St. Croix beaches in the US Virgin Islands, then Rainbow Beach is most probably what you are looking for.
As many restaurants, bars and water activities are available, it’s an excellent location for active and passive vacation lovers.
If you are eager to learn something new during your vacation, you can try stand-up paddle boarding. You can rent boards on the beach and get instructions on how to paddle.
There are also many nice hotels with a beach view where you can plan your stay. The Rainbow Sands Resort, Ocean Palms Resort, or Baden Resort are some popular options for planning your vacation.
Also, many visitors enjoy playing beach volleyball along Rainbow Beach’s sandy shores, making it another fun activity to try.
2. Turtle Beach
Turtle Beach lies on the west side of Buck Island. You can fully enjoy the vacation and relax on the pristine sands, washed by the crystal clear turquoise waters of the Caribbean.
Once at Buck Island, you should undoubtedly try Buck Island’s underwater snorkeling trail.
Caribbean Sea Adventures is one of the many that offer a variety of tour options on Buck Island.
During the 3.5-hour tour, you will enjoy a guided tour of the Nation’s first underwater trail and experience snorkeling for approximately an hour.
Afterward, you will head to Turtle Beach, one of the world’s best beaches according to National Geographic, where you can relax, sunbathe, swim, or enjoy the wildlife.
This half-day tour is excellent for those who want to be on Buck Island and experience a wonderful adventure on a day when in St. Croix.
The tickets for this tour cost $85 per adult. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen with you during your visit to the island.
3. Jack’s Bay
If you want to run away from the city noise and relax somewhere that no one will disturb you, then Jack’s Bay of St. Croix is the best option.
Though you will not find any hotels or apartments nearby to stay in as the 300-acre area of Jack and Isaac’s Bays is a government-owned natural area.
The bays are accessible only by foot, and the hike to Jack Bay starts at the trailhead close to Point Udall.
After 1,5 hours of hiking, you will reach your destination. Although the hike might seem long, the scenery makes the hike worth it.
It is highly recommended to go snorkeling here as the coral reefs around the bay are home to more than 400 types of fish.
Once you decide to go down to the beach and chill a little, consider that there are no beach amenities and you need to take your own towel, snorkeling gear, sun protection, and lots of water to drink.
4. Davis Bay
One may call this beach on St. Croix a piece of heaven, but it is more widely known as Davis Bay Beach or Carambola Beach.
This beach with rolling green mountains in the background and a sugary beach showered by pristine waters is usually featured in St. Croix commercials.
While the guests at Renaissance Hotels owning the Carambola Beach Resort may enjoy their comfortable rooms equipped with air-conditioning, WiFi, and their own patios, they can also tan on the private beach area, tasting numerous cocktails available in the bar.
Besides relaxing in your villa-styled rooms or on the beach, you can also enjoy hiking activities in the resort.
The famous Annaly Bay Tidal Pools trail starts from Carambola and is a two miles-long route where you can enjoy the breathtaking Caribbean views and end up at naturally formed tide pools surrounded by black rocks.
5. Shoy’s Beach
Shoy’s Beach looks like a sand crescent showered by the pure waters of the Caribbean. Once the water is calm, you can enjoy a great snorkeling experience here!
Though there are a lot of private residences along the beach, you can still reach the beach via the Buccaneer Hotel. Just tell the hotel’s security about your intentions.
Afterward, you’ll also meet the beach guard and tell them that you want to go to the beach.
If you plan your stay somewhere around Shoy’s Beach, you can consider Buccaneer Hotel.
It’s a luxury hotel founded in the 17th century and family-run by generations.
On a 340-acre tropical estate, you can enjoy playing golf or tennis, tanning around the freshwater pools or on the three exquisite beaches, and tasting delicious food in the restaurants available.
6. Cane Bay
Cane Bay Beach is another heaven-like destination in St. Croix, offering a wonderful place for swimming or just basking in the Caribbean sun.
You can find there four waterfront restaurants to taste delicious food and enjoy the lovely view of the sunset. Leatherback Landing is a recommended option where you can also enjoy cold cocktails.
If you are fond of snorkeling or scuba diving, then the Cane Bay Dive Shop has all the rental gear for your water activities.
Beneath the ocean’s turquoise waters, the island is surrounded by a coral reef, and the most prominent part is situated right next to Cane Bay and is called “The Wall.”
Diving around the Wall, you’ll be able to look at a number of fishes and the colorful botanicals under the ocean.
You can also simply relax on the beach by just renting a beach chair and reading your favorite book.
7. Sprat Hall Beach
Among the numerous beaches on St. Croix, you can also find Sprat Hall Beach, which is located on the west end of the island.
Though the beach here is a bit rocky, it is still a perfect place for snorkeling or just swimming because of the calm water.
Sprat Hall Beach stretches for a mile; thus, one can enjoy a walk around the beach, marveling at the beautiful sunset scenery.
When visiting the beach, take into consideration that there are no beach facilities, so it would be better if you take your own chair, towel, or swimming gear with you.
If you are looking for a place to stay somewhere near Sprat Hall Beach, then you might opt for the Sprat Hall Plantation, which offers air-conditioned rooms, a nice pool, and is famous for its restaurant in Frederiksted.
8. Pelican Cove Beach
Pelican Cove Beach, also known as Cormorant Beach, is a several-minute drive from Christiansted, located north of St. Croix.
The long sandy beach also offers nice palms for those who want to escape the sun and enjoy the overwhelming sea view in the shade.
When choosing this beach for your vacation, consider the strong currents specific to the place. Palms Pelican Cove is one of the two hotels available on the beach, which offers around 40 beachfront luxury guest rooms with separate patios.
Here you’ll be able to spend your vacation relaxing around the large pool or on the private beach, enjoy kayaking or snorkeling and taste the award-winning restaurant’s menu with everyday specials from the chef.
If interested in any other activities, you can sign up for a St. Croix Snorkeling excursion with S.C.U.B.A. or another tour operator.
9. Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge
St. Croix is home to millions of turtles and the Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge on the west of the island is a crucial nesting habitat for endangered leatherback sea turtles and hawksbill sea turtles, as well as for the threatened green sea turtle.
The spot is usually closed from April to August due to the nestling period. However, many visitors participate in the educational experience of guided sea turtle nesting and hatching observation.
Otherwise, the beach is open to tourists and locals, mainly during the weekends.
This beach is one of the unspoiled ones in the Caribbean, so it’s a great option for lying on the sand, basking in the sun, and swimming in the turquoise waters unplugging from everyday life.
10. Monk’s Bath Tidal Pools
Monks’ Bath Tidal Pools is located in the North of St. Croix and represents some part of its history.
It’s believed that the pools were made during the 17th century by French monks, which is where the place got its name from.
However, there are no facts approving this theory. It’s a few-minute ride from Northside Valley, and you can leave your car near the road and go down to the beach.
Though the place is not one of those where you can spend a day or a half, 20-30 minutes of stay in those pools will convey a great relaxation and experience.
Make sure your visit coincides with high tides to ensure plenty of water in the pools, which is continually refreshed because of the holes in the pools.
However, mind taking water shoes with you, as the beach is too rocky and the sharp rocks in the pool may disturb you when enjoying the beauty of nature.
11. Buccaneer Beach
Buccaneer Beach is one of the most fascinating spots in St. Croix.
Its history dates back to 1653 when Maltese knight Charles Martel constructed the first building on Estate Shoys, where Buccaneer is located now.
Besides enjoying your stay in villa-like luxury rooms, one can bask in the sun on one of the three beaches the resort has, play golf on the course with 18 holes, or try tennis skills on the eight courts available in the resort.
From the time of its founding, the resort has been known for its live music and fine restaurants for nightlife diversion.
Guests here also receive complimentary use of ocean kayaks, snorkeling gear, floating mats, beach toys, and games.
Thus, the holiday spent in Buccaneer one can call a stay in heaven. Staying at this luxury resort might start from $425 per night.
12. Tamarind Beach
Enjoy views of the Green Cane and Buck Island from the Tamarind Reef Resort and Spa located in the north of St. Croix.
You can discover a tranquil hideaway and unwind under the swaying palms of the resort while enjoying the calm and pure water of the Caribbean.
The 40-acre property offers a seaside swimming pool, four tennis courts, an incredible spa experience to relieve your body, and a great marina with luxury yachts.
Your stay at Tamarind Resort will become even complete when you try the seafood served in the fine restaurants available and the various cocktails served in the poolside bar.
The resort also offers complimentary kayaks and snorkeling gear to make the most of your time in the water.
Your stay in the resort can start from $200 per night at one of the available 40 rooms with their own patios and balconies.
13. Fort Frederik Beach
Fort Frederik Beach, often called Frederiksted Beach, is one of the most famous St. Croix beaches and one that is pretty centralized on the island. The beach tends to be a bit rocky on the southern part but has gorgeous views, nevertheless.
One distinction of Frederiksted Beach is that it is located right near the famous Frederiksted Pier. You’ll find all kinds of restaurants nearby, as well as tour companies like Gecko Island Adventures.
Unfortunately, due to its proximity to the cruise ship port, this beach can be a bit less desirable than other ones on the island (and locals will attest to this).
14. Grapetree Bay
Grapetree Beach is located on the east end of St. Croix and is considered to be one of the nicest and quiet beaches on the island.
It offers a long sandy beach where you can tan, enjoy some reading or even plan your morning jogging while watching the sunrise.
The barrier reef available protects the calm waters on the shore, so it becomes an excellent place for swimming.
Though the bottom of the beach is a little grassy, you can still do some snorkeling but don’t expect to meet various fishes.
Unlike the fish, one can be lucky enough to see sea turtles on this peaceful beach. As there is a residential area around the beach, there might be houses, so when visiting the beach, one needs to be respectful.
Also, mind there are no beach amenities, so bring a towel, sunscreen, and plenty of water with you if you plan to spend some time on the beach.
Did we miss any of the best St. Croix beaches? Let us know your favorite beaches in St. Croix in the comment. Thanks!
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Megan is a travel blogger and writer with a background in digital marketing. Originally from Richmond, VA, she now splits her time between Frankfurt, Germany and Arctic Finland after also living in Norway, Armenia, and Kazakhstan. She has a passion for winter travel, as well as the Nordic countries, but you can also find her eating her way through Italy, perusing perfume stores in Paris, or taking road trips through the USA. Megan has written for or been featured by National Geographic, Forbes, Lonely Planet, the New York Times, and more. She co-authored Fodor’s Travel ‘Essential Norway’ and has visited 45 US states and 100+ countries.