Activities and Watersports

Playing in a Tropical Paradise

Believe it or not, there are people who go to the Caribbean to engage in activities that don't involve being in, on, or near water. St. Croix has plenty of options to satisfy such landlubbers.

Considered to be "golfing central" for the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), St. Croix offers 18-hole challenges at the award-winning Robert Trent Jones, Sr. designed Carambola Golf Course and the ocean-side Buccaneer Golf Course. For those with a shorter attention span or less time on their hands, there's the 9-hole Reef Golf Course.

Hoping to play some tennis, but no courts where you're staying? Public courts can be found at Canegata Park in Christiansted and near the Fort in Frederiksted. Several hotels, including the Buccaneer, the Tamarind Reef, and the Chenay Bay Beach Resort have courts that non-guests can play on for a reasonable fee. Some of the courts are lighted for evening play and Tamarind's are grass covered.

Like to get some exercise while seated? No, we're not talking about trying your luck at the Divi Carina Bay Casino, even though such an activity is a favorite of many tourists. We're thinking more along the lines of using a few different muscle groups while enjoying the view from your saddle as part of one of Jill and Paul's Equestrian Stable rides. The two-hour long tour will have you climbing hills, learning about the rain forest, and riding along the beach. Special sunset or moonlight rides can also be arranged.

Maybe shopping is your sport of choice. Hey, don't laugh! It can be quite a sprint for US residents to fill their $1,200 limit of duty-free goods. It's made even harder by the fact that there's no sales tax on St. Croix. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it, right? In Christiansted, the capital city and main shopping district on the island, many shoppers head to King Street and King's Alley to find the best buys and handmade island treasures. Frederiksted also offers a variety of storefronts that are convenient for the many cruise ship passengers that disembark there and that need to focus their time and energy.

Whether you suffer from sea legs or webbed feet,
St. Croix will keep you happily moving in the direction of your choice.

Not only is St. Croix surrounded by water, but it's also literally overflowing with watersport activities for visitors and locals alike to immerse themselves in. Here you'll find award-winning opportunities to scout out shipwrecks, focus on underwater photography, and night dive for seahorse sightings.

While the beaches that ring the island are among some of the best in the Caribbean, it's the award-winning diving opportunities along "the Wall" of St. Croix's entire north coast that attracts scuba divers and snorkelers from around the world. Take a descent into the Puerto Rico Trench that's more than 13,000 feet deep and see what all of the hype is about.

Buck Island Reef National Monument is another delight to the eyes. A short one-mile boat trip off the northeast shore of St. Croix will take you to a world of undersea trails and coral gardens that will leave you breathless for all of the right reasons. Snorkelers of all skill levels will appreciate the unique beauty of this first underwater national park.

If windsurfing, jet skiing, parasailing, kayaking, and the like are more your style, head on over to the St. Croix Water Sports Center at the Hotel on the Cay. While there, strap yourself in for a ride on the Oceanique, a semi-submersible sub that allows you to wade into the undersea world while staying dry. Another favorite spot for kayakers is the Salt River National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve where the land is virtually untouched.

The waters of the Virgin Islands are also home to record breaking deep-sea fish. Here you'll find marlin, tuna, Wahoo, and more. Many charters will be happy to share the secrets that lie within their best fishing spots.

Even though St. Croix is referred to as the "sleeping virgin" island, we're certain that you'll never be bored during your visit. So after taking that leisurely cat nap in the hammock on the beach, set your sights on taking a one or two tank dive, riding in a one or two seater kayak, or playing a singles or doubles match of tennis. You likely won't regret it and you'll certainly never forget it.