History of St. Croix
St. Croix is rich with history. When Christopher Columbus discovered the caribbean island of St. Croix in 1493 it was inhabited by two tribes of Indians; the Caribs and the Arawaks. The Arawaks were generally considered to be a peaceful tribe while the Caribs were a warring tribe.
When Christopher Columbus discovered the caribbean island of St. Croix in 1493 it was inhabited by natives. The Spanish and the natives were immediately at war which continued for about 100 years after the Spanish discovery. Sometime in the early 1600's The Dutch and the English settled the Island almost simultaneously, each country set up camp on opposite sides of the island. Predictably battles ensued and the English came out ahead until 1650. In the next 88 years the island was usurped, purchased, or abandoned by the Spanish, the Dutch, the French, and the Knights of Malta -a religious group also know as the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.
In 1665, while owned by the French West Indian Company the island gave birth to some 90 plantations turning out crops of tobacco, cotton, sugar cane, and indigo. In 1733 the French Government sold St. Croix to the Danish West India & Guinea Co. for approximately $150,000. Map of the CaribbeanThe Danes were wise to let immigrants of various nationalities move in and settle abandoned plantations. Sugar became the successful crop under Danish rule until around 1830, when the sugar beet became a feasible source of sugar grown in Europe. The last sugar crop was harvested in St. Croix in 1966.
The United States purchased the Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1917 for $25 million. Since then, the economy has grown due to the construction of an oil refinery, an industrial plant, rum production, and cattle farming all on the flat south coast near the airport. Tourism has become more and more important as a source of revenue as well. St. Croix, along with St. John and St. Thomas is now a U.S. territory and the islands residents are U.S. citizens. The island uses American currency and allows U.S. citizens entry with their driver's license, or state photo ID.
There is no regulation requiring a U.S. citizen to have a passport, though it is always your best ID; a U.S. drivers license will suffice. Citizens of any country outside the U.S. should follow regulations required by the U.S. for their country.
Today, perhaps the best value in the United States Virgin Islands, St. Croix is a beautiful Caribbean island vacation spot. Attracting divers from all over the world, the Island is the largest of the US. Virgin Islands at approximately 20 miles long, by 7 miles wide, Christiansted on the northern coast and Fredricksted on the western tip. The island is geographically diverse, with flatlands on the southern coast, 1000 ft. mountains and rainforests in the northwest, and a virtual desert to the east, with grassland spotted with cacti.
Sightseeing on St. Croix
Christiansted
Two main cities Frederiksted and Christiansted. A charming little caribbean harbor, Christiansted is the largest town on St. Croix. The picturesque wharf area is so well preserved that it has been designated a National Historic Site and is supervised by the U.S. Park Service, which offers daily walking tours. From Christiansted you can board your choice of boat, including glass-bottomed, for the trip to Buck Island Marine Park. Most ferries offer a six hour round trip allowing time for snorkeling, walking or lounging on the beach, and hiking the National Park trail. There are over 60 different tree types and 40 species of birds to see on the trail.
Frederiksted
Frederiksted, planned in the 1750's by a Danish surveyor, has an excellent deep sea harbor for cruise ships to dock. A free walking tour guide map can be obtained at the Visitor's Bureau on the corner of Strand and Lagoon Streets near Fort Frederik. Sites to see include the Old Customs House, Lacy Victoria House, the Public Library, Apothecary Hall, and several historic churches.
Buck Island Adventure Packages
Buck Island Reef National Monument was established by Presidential proclamation in 1961, and expanded in 2001, in order to preserve “one of the finest marine gardens in the Caribbean sea.” The park is now one of only a few fully marine protected areas in the National Park System. The 176-acre island and surrounding coral reef ecosystem support a large variety of native flora and fauna, including several endangered and threatened species such as hawksbill turtles and brown pelicans. The elkhorn coral barrier reef that surrounds two-thirds of the island has extraordinary coral formations, deep grottoes, abundant reef fishes, sea fans, and gorgonians. Although mainly known for its coral reef and nesting sites fo turtles and birds, Buck Island has a rich cultural history as well.
Note: All packages are in addition to your room rate at time of booking:
Buck Island Half Day Adventure - $285 for Two
Enjoy the experience on the 40 ft. catamaran sailboat Flyer. It’s off to the beach at Buck Island, then over to the reef for snorkeling, followed by a relaxing sail back to Christiansted.
9:00AM to 1:00PM or 2:00PM to 6:00PM
Includes:
One Three-Course Dinner for Two
Carambola Beach Resort & Spa Beach Towels
Add on rates available for family members
Buck Island Half Day Power Boat - $285 for Two
9:30AM to 1:00PM
or 1:30PM to 5:00PM
Includes:
The only glass bottom power boat on St. Croix! Boat has a sundeck, plenty of shade, an ice chest and rest room.
One Three-Course Dinner for Two
Carambola Beach Resort & Spa Beach Towels
Add on rates available for family members
Buck Island Full Day - $458 for Two
Sail on the 42 ft. catamaran Renegade, the only sailboat on St. Croix with an underwater viewing window. After experiencing the beauty of the beach and wonder of the underwater trail at the reef, we sail over to Big Beard’s Beach on St. Croix’s North Shore for our famous all you can eat and drink (rum punch or fruit punch) beach barbeque.
9:30AM to 3:30PM
Includes:
One Three-Course Dinner for two
Carambola Beach Resort & Spa Beach Towel
Add on rates available for family members
