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Current Feature

Taking a Ride on the Wild Side with Gecko’s Island Adventures

December 14, 2022 by Cindy @ MyStCroix.VI Leave a Comment

Taking a Ride on the Wild Side Geckos Island Adventures

I’ve been lucky enough to have driven wave runners and snowmobiles in the past, but I had never driven an ATV. That all changed recently when I got the opportunity this past November to head out to the west side of St Croix to take a ride on the wild side with Gecko’s Island Adventures!

I have to admit, I had some anxiety going into it. Though I do like a bit of adventure, I would never call myself an adrenaline junky. I tend to take things a bit more cautiously with a side of anxiety lol. But, I also like to challenge myself and conquer my fears when I can. So, when I was invited to check it out, I gathered my courage and headed out.

I arrived in Frederiksted on a beautiful morning after we had some significant rains, so I was expecting a muddy ride and dressed appropriately (in the end I got far less dirty than I imagined). I checked into the shop on Queen Street just before the tour and was greeted by one of the owners, Cynthia, who gave me the rundown of the tour ahead and the safety details. They have a cute little shop with fun gifts, water, drinks, etc. They even had an extra helmet harness for my GoPro! But most importantly, they have helmets for safety. I got properly fitted and headed out to my ATV.

Outside our guide, Porkchop (Shawn, Cynthia’s husband, and co-owner), had our ATVs lined up and ready to go. He went over a safety briefing and let us know the guidelines for our tour. I was really nervous but after the briefing and a little movement in the yard, I felt more confident. And we were off!

safety briefing at Geckos Island Adventures
Our guides Porkchop and Adam
Geckos Island Adventure ATV Tour with my GoPro

We headed out along the coastal road towards Creque Dam Rd with Porkchop at the front and our other guide at the back for safety. This was a nice way of easing into feeling the brakes, gas, and maneuverability. We road along the way, single file, and then headed up Creque Dam Road into the rainforest. The rains had left some epic puddles on the road and that was our first big test. We splashed through those puddles with a sense of exhilaration! The waterfall was running and Creque dam was full. The ride up the road couldn’t have been more beautiful.

Geckos Island Adventure ATV Tour
Some serious concentration and a little fear lol
Geckos Island Adventure ATV Tour
Getting the hang of this, all smiles! Grab my fanny pack here
Geckos Island Adventure ATV Tour
The puddles were my absolute favorite part!
Geckos Island Adventure ATV Tour
I did it!! Fear conquered!
Off-roading in 4-wheel drive. Those ruts are deeper than they look!
DO NOT drive your rental jeeps off-roading. You will get stuck and have to pay thousands to get towed and for damages! Take a Jeep or ATV tour, it costs less.

Once we reached the top, we stopped again to take a break and for another safety and trail briefing as we made our way to go off-roading. I can honestly say, I HAD A BLAST!!! There were a few spots that made me nervous with huge ruts that we had to ride along almost sideways, but every step of the way things were explained expertly and safely and I knew we were in great hands.

The view from the top of the hill
Views for daaayyyys

All-in-all it was an incredible day! After my tour, I headed over to Polly’s at the Pier for a little lunch – I am a huge fan of their decadent grilled cheese sandwiches (on gluten-free bread for me!) and then I headed back up Creque Dam to enjoy the waterfall and the serenity of the full dam.

Frederiksted waterfront
Creque Dam waterfall was running along the road
I couldn’t resist an afternoon walk along the dam

Whether you are visiting for a week or on a cruise ship – don’t miss an ATV Tour with Gecko’s Islands Adventures! (and keep an eye out for them in Alaska next summer)

The ATV Tour Details

  • The tour lasts approximately 1 1/2 hours and covers 14 miles of tropical terrain
  • Drivers must be at least 18 and have a driver’s license.
  • Passengers must be 5 years old or up
  • ATV tour takes off from their shop in Frederiksted, up the coast, and then up through the rainforest for adventure! You’ll do some riding on the country road to get used to the vehicle and then off-roading on the dirt roads atop the hills.
  • Tour pricing starts at $175/ATV (up to two riders)
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Check out St Croix Island Tours

Found 4 activities
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Best rating
Geckos Island Adventures
⭐

Geckos Island Adventures
5.0

ATV tours along St Croix's west end and up through the rainforest. Enjoy spectacular views of the island and the Caribbean Sea from high above Frederiksted. Enjoy the Ride of Your Life! Gecko's Island Adventures provides every rider the opportunity to see St. Croix like no other tour. Experience 13 miles of Tropical Rain Forest, Panoramic Views of the Coast, and Ancient Ruins. Private tours available. Book online today - they sell out fast! Taking a Ride on the Wild Side with Gecko’s Island Adventures
Address:
69 Queen Street, Frederiksted, St Croix 00840
Phone: (340) 713-8820
Website: view our site
Facebook: Follow us on Facebook
Instagram: @geckosislandadventures
Tours  
atv   island tour  
Tan Tan Jeep Tours
⭐

Tan Tan Jeep Tours
5.0

Tan Tan goes where the Tan Tan grows is their motto! This high octane adventure will having you holding onto the edge of your seat as you go 4-wheeling down to the famed Analy Bay Tide Pools. Along the way from their base in downtown Christiansted, you'll enjoy stops for refreshments, incredible views of the island. The guides are FUN and knowledgeable about the island the history. You'll hit stops at Blue Mountain, Cane Bay, the Domino Club (beer drinking pigs!), and LaReine Chicken Shack (perfect for the appetite you'll build up adventuring). This tour is a bucket-list "must do" [...]
Address:
Queen Cross Street, Christiansted, St Croix 00820
Phone: 340-473-6446
Website: stxtantantours.com
Facebook: Facebook
Tours  

Cruzan Cowgirls Horse Rescue and Riding Tours

Cruzan Cowgirls is a small family-owned and operated business that offers horseback riding tours in St Croix, USVI! Their goal is to share with you the adventure of a lifetime as you experience the beauty, culture, and history that is unique to St Croix’s “West End” on horseback. Tours typically depart from the parking lot at Rainbow Beach. Read more in our article Horsing Around on St Croix. Established in 2013, Cruzan Cowgirls intends to provide visitors to the island of St Croix with the unique and exciting experience of horseback riding in one of the most beautiful places in [...]
Address:
Rainbow Beach, St. Croix, USVI, Frederiksted, St Croix 00840
Phone: 907-841-1990
ecotours   Tours  

BushTribe EcoAdventures

BushTribe EcoAdventures offers guided hiking and kayak tours across the island. Knowledgeable guides share information about local St Croix vegetation, wildlife, and history. They offer hiking tours to the Annaly Bay Tide Pools, Hamm's Bluff Lighthouse, and Jack & Isaac's Bay. Kayak tours explore Salt River Bay in the morning or under the moonlight. Tours of the Bioluminescent Bay offered as well.
Address:
Salt River Marina, Christiansted, St Croix 00820
Phone: 340-277-2503
ecotours   Kayak   Tours  
bioluminescent bay  

Filed Under: Current Feature, Family Fun, Featured, Travel Tips

St Croix’s New Season Brings New Changes

October 28, 2022 by Cindy @ MyStCroix.VI Leave a Comment

St Croix is seeing a renaissance after the past several years of recovering from Hurricanes Irma and Maria, followed by the global pandemic. Quietly during this time, some businesses have closed, new ones have opened, and many have expanded. It's certainly an exciting time to be here! Whether you are new to St Croix or have been traveling here for years, I'm sure you are going to be as excited as I am for some of the things you'll find here. Below is a rundown of some things old, some things new, some things expanded, and a new hotel renovation in the ocean blue.

St Croix Restaurant Updates

Christiansted

El Leon Restaurant is now officially open! It is a contemporary Mexican restaurant located on the boardwalk at the King Christian Hotel. And as with all of the other projects taken on by Chris Pardo of "The Neighborhood Establishment" the décor is divine. Right now they are just taking walk-ins, but they will start taking online reservations via Open Table on November 2nd. Discover More

el leon interior

el leon food

el leon tiradito

el leon tacos

El Leon Mexican Restaurant

Jump Up Deli & Dem Tings- Opening Nov 2022! An authentic deli and unique island gift boutique in the heart of Christiansted. I'm really excited about this new spot in the neighborhood. Sadly, the iconic Café Christine has closed for good, but my friends Ellen and Todd have been working hard to bring something new and fresh to town while honoring some of the Cafe Christine vibe (and recipes!). I've gotten a sneak peek and can't wait for them to open. The gifts are, as Ellen says, "Tings you didn't even know you needed!" and I've already put quite a few of them on my wish list! Discover More

jump up deli and dem tings soon come

Breakers Roar Tiki Bar Has reopened after some renovations and updates. They will announce a new menu in the next few weeks, so stay tuned! Discover More

Rum and Wine Bar - Word on the street is that the new chef at this downtown seafood restaurant below the Comanche Hotel is the bomb and a skilled sushi chef. As someone who has to live gluten-free, I was excited when another "gf" friend informed me that the chef uses tamari (gluten-free) in her kitchen in lieu of soy sauce to make her recipes more accessible. They had a nice selection of sushi rolls and other menu items and I've been told that the food is really excellent. I can't wait to get in and sample some for myself.

Alfio's Pizza - Speaking of gluten-free friendly restaurants, Alfio's is a newer business in Christiansted that's not to be missed. Located in the former Paradise Café (if you're old school), BES Craft Cocktails (if you're newer) on the corner of Company and Queen Cross streets, Alfio is well-known island-wide for his pizzas and sauces that can be purchased in local grocery stores. He started out with pop-up tents and now opened his own restaurant serving up pizza, pasta, and daily specials. As a chef who is also gluten-free himself, he offers special gf pizzas too! You just have to call in your special order before 3:30 pm as it takes extra preparation time. Discover more

Café Fresco is closing their location on King Street in the courtyard of the Penthany building and moving to Gallows Bay with an expanded location and menu. Look for them to reopen in December 2022 in their new spot. Stay tuned.

Nauti Bar & Grille has closed on Hospital Street (just past Fort Christianvaern heading East) but it's being reopened as Jubilee BBQ & Seafood brought to you by the same group that now runs Rum and Wine Bar (see above), ParrotFish, The Galleon, Deep End Bar & Grille, and the Castle St Croix event venue.

Frederiksted

Six Nine Restaurant & Bar has reopened after some downtime this summer and renovations. They've renovated the bar and it looks fabulous! You'll also find a new bar menu available nightly in addition to their lunch and dinner menus. Their sister businesses Tap Deck Bar & Billiards and Lyric Sails are also back in action. You'll find their entertainment schedules up on STXCalendar.com so you won't miss a thing!

Flyers Bar & Grill has sadly closed at the Salt River Marina location. However, they are reopening in December at their new location in Victoria House in downtown Frederiksted. They'll be bringing their well-established menu and, of course, Scottie's delicious homemade ice cream recipes along with them.

World Ocean School Update

First, the bad news. Schooner Roseway will not be here in Christiansted harbor this season. She is currently hauled out in dry dock for some necessary maintenance and repairs. Now, the good and exciting news, the World Ocean School is still coming to St Croix for the season with a different vessel. Along with Roseway, they have added another exciting vessel to their fleet, the Denis Sullivan.  The Denis Sullivan is a three-masted, gaff-rigged schooner, a Great Lakes tall ship built by  Milwaukee community volunteers 20 years ago. I was excited to have participated in a Zoom call where the captain, Christa Miller-Shelley, discussed the new ship, the challenges of getting the ship from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the plans for an inland transit down the Mississippi River.

Denis Sullivan

You can keep track of the Denis Sullivan's trip down the Mississippi River, through locks and making its way to the open sea via the World Ocean School Ship's Log - I can't wait to see this amazing tall ship as it sails into Christiansted Harbor! The ship is expected to make it to St Croix in mid-December and sunset sails start up from Gallows Bay on December 22nd. I hope to see you aboard. Discover more about World Ocean School

2023 St Croix Calendars - Now on Sale!
2023 St Croix Calendars - Now on Sale!

St Croix Places to Stay - Resorts & Hotels

Hotel on the Cay - I'm really excited about this project, I think the entire island is! Located in Christiansted Harbor on Protestant Cay, this property has been in need of some love for a long time, and now it's going to get it! The Neighborhood Establishment was awarded the RFP back in 2020. Since then, they have been negotiating the lease with the USVI Government. They finally signed that last week. The next step is for the lease to be approved by the Legislature of the US Virgin Islands at which point they will have a fully executed lease. And then, the fun begins! The project is multi-phased due to the existing conditions, permitting challenges, etc. The first phase will focus on improving the public beach, amenities, and the existing hotel rooms and event spaces. This will include food and beverage outlets, water sports, the pool area, and other amenities. The second phase includes the building of the new rooms, a marina/dock expansion, and various infrastructure improvements.

Renderings of the proposed new resort renovation on Hotel on the Cay

Hibiscus Beach Hotel - Once a popular spot on St Croix along the Pelican Cove beach in Princess, the Hibiscus Beach Hotel fell into disrepair and foreclosure many years ago. Just yesterday, the new owners announced a plan to revamp the hotel, located next to the Palms Hotel, with 80 rooms, a swimming pool, convenient parking, a gift shop, a meeting center, a fitness center, a spa, a restaurant, and other recreational facilities. Owned by several local brothers, including those that own The Market (formerly known as Plaza West), the project is expected to be accomplished in three phases with a target start date of 2023.

Chenay Bay Beach Resort -Chenay Bay recently announced that they are under new ownership and are undergoing much-needed renovations to the ocean-front property on the East End. Plans are to re-open the existing restaurant in a few weeks. They announced that they will be completely rebranding the property, renovating all cottages, building two new pools and a new restaurant. They have begun the cottage renovations while awaiting approval and permits for the additional plans for the pools and new restaurant. Their goal is to break ground near April 2023 (permits pending) and be complete by November 2023. Stay tuned!

Filed Under: Current Feature, Featured, Island Life, St Croix Food and Wine, Vacation Tips

My Serendipitous St Croix-Ireland Connections

September 16, 2022 by Cindy @ MyStCroix.VI Leave a Comment

Charlene & I at the Van Morrison concert in the heart of Belfast

In August 2022, I took an epic trip to Ireland full of adventure. The global pandemic had put a pause on my European adventure that I had planned for 2020, and so when I was ready to travel abroad again - I thought of my friend who had extended the invitation to visit Ireland.

The Emerald Isle has always been on my "to do" travel list. And it just so happens that a dear friend of mine who previously lived on St Croix had moved to Belfast as a teacher over a decade ago. Charlene and I met while performing many moons ago in various Caribbean Community Theatre productions and became fast friends sharing not only a love for musical theatre but our Irish Catholic heritage and Boston area roots.

If you ask anyone who really knows me, St Patrick's Day has always been my favorite holiday (next to Christmas, of course) and my favorite band of all time is hands-down, U2. And, like millions of others across the globe, my family is part of the vast Irish diaspora. So, after a chat with my friend via Facebook Messenger it was settled. I was heading to Ireland!

How are the St Croix Seaplane and Ireland connected?

Over the years, many have asked me why St Croix has such a big St Patrick's Day parade celebration and I've written about the complicated historical past here - St Croix's Irish Connection. But, St Croix also has another more modern connection to Ireland - one of Éire's favorite daughters, the famed fiery red-head and Hollywood starlet, Maureen O'Hara (1920-2015).

Maureen O'Hara

Maureen lived here on St Croix for many years with her third husband, United States Air Force Brigadier General Charles F. (Charlie) Blair, Jr. Charlie was an aviation pioneer and the founder of "Antilles Air Boats", the predecessor of today's seaplane operation in Christiansted & Charlotte Amalie Harbors. With $10,000 he bought a Gruman Goose (an amphibious plane), hired five employees and started what would become the largest seaplane airline in the world with a fleet of 27 planes. And he did it all right here on St Croix!

Charles Blair with his Goose - from AntillesAirboats.com

Maureen owned and edited the Virgin Islander travel magazine from 1976 to 1980 when she sold it to USA Today. Maureen and Charlie would often fly from St Croix to Ireland with multiple stop overs for fuel, including in Nova Scotia where they are remembered fondly. Though a highly honored and experienced pilot, Blair was killed when the  Goose he was piloting crashed en route to St Thomas on September 2, 1978, killing him and three others aboard. You can still see Maureen and Charlie Blair's home sitting high atop the hill above Christiansted. Over the years its fallen into some disrepair, but local rumor has it that it's being renovated right now and will become a rental villa in the future.

St Croix was a Celebrity Hotspot

One of Maureen's frequent leading men and one of her best friends was John Wayne. He visited her and Charlie on St Croix several times over the years. She entertained other Hollywood celebrities like Ginger Rogers, Jason Robards, Victor Borge, and Lauren Bacall. Maureen was well known for her hospitality and deep love of St Croix, referring to it often as her favorite island.

Maureen O’Hara and John Wayne in The Quiet Man (1952)

My personal favorite Maureen O'Hara story comes from my time as a wedding planner. About a decade or so ago, I planned the wedding of a truly lovely couple. The bride, Jenny, had been born on St Croix when her father worked for the Hess Oil Refinery. She only lived on the island for the first few years of her life, but it was still very special to her. During the wedding reception, her father got up and shared a touching story. When Jenny was a toddler, the family attended the annual St Patrick's Day Parade and Maureen O'Hara was on one of the floats (this may have been the year that she was the Grand Marshall). Maureen saw little Jenny and handed her a lucky Irish penny. Over the years and several moves, unfortunately, the penny was misplaced by her parents. So, before the wedding, Jenny's father wrote a letter to Maureen O'Hara sharing the story of the lost penny. Well, don't you know that Maureen not only sent back a lovely letter, but a shiny new lucky Irish penny to gift Jenny at her wedding. (yep, there wasn't a dry eye in the house and I'm a little teary now retelling it, lol)

My St Croix-Ireland Connections Begin

So that's the back story. Fast forward to my 2022 Irish Adventure. I spent the first four days of my trip with my friend, Charlene, in Belfast (which I absolutely LOVED). My very first night included an outdoor Van Morrison concert in Belfast Square. Epic! For the first part of my trip, we visited many of the filming locations from Game of Thrones up along the breathtaking NorthEast coast of Ireland, the Game of Thrones Studio Tour on the outskirts of Belfast, and St Patricks Cathedrals in Armagh (more on all of at my new Travel website Exploranista.com )

Belfast

Following my stay in Belfast, I rented a car and took off on my own adventure. I had plotted on my Google map the places in Ireland that my family emigrated from about 200 years ago. So, leaving Belfast, I headed out on my heritage trail. One of those was Sligo on the North West Coast of the Republic of Ireland. There, I spent some time exploring the Neolithic burial ground at Carrowmore and then drove down through the breathtaking Connemara mountains with a plan to head to Galway.

The megalithic tombs at Carrowmore are older than the Egyptian Pyramids!

I have an Addiction to Photography

Driving through the beautiful Connemara Mountains

Well, my incessant need to stop every mile to take pictures of the insanely gorgeous landscape across Ireland got the best of me and I was just exhausted. But, I was still a couple hours out of Galway where I'd booked a hostel for the night. It was only $25/night so it wasn't a big deal to be charged but not make it. I checked out a few hotels and bed and breakfasts along my way but everything was booked solid. I really wanted my own room that night so that I could get a good night's sleep, but things weren't looking promising.

So, I cranked up my U2 playlist, left the windows open to the cool air and sang my heart out as I drove through the valley and the misting rain. And then I saw the most vibrant rainbow that I'd EVER seen in my life! I thought it must be a sign. It was the golden hour and I also saw a couple more photo opportunities that I just couldn't pass up. Because, when would I be right there again, ya know?!

I got back on the road and saw, I kid you not, three more incredibly vibrant rainbows. The last rainbow was in a town called Oughterard (pronounced OOK-ter-ard in Gaelic) and right there was the sign for a Bed & Breakfast. It was now around 8:30pm and I thought they would probably just laugh me out the door at that hour. But, instead they were the most warm and welcoming folks of my entire trip (besides my friends in Belfast, of course!).

A Warm Irish Welcome

They had just gotten a cancelation which worked out for us both. I had a wonderful, relaxing night of sleep after a hot bath and some tea and an incredible home-cooked breakfast the next morning. Over breakfast, I plotted my navigation plan for the day.

If you're traveling through Ireland, I highly recommend a stay at the Carrowntober House B&B!

You see, I had plans later that afternoon to meet up with the sister of my St. Croix friend, Christine, who lived just North of Galway. Christine had suggested that if I was headed out her sister's way , I should stop by so she could show me around some of the countryside that many visitors to Ireland miss. Prior to my trip, Cait and I connected on Facebook and made a plan to meet up. Ironically, it turned out that she was right across the lake from the Carrowntober House B&B where I was. I decided at breakfast to take a look at my Google Map to see if there was anything of interest nearby the area for me to explore quickly before I hit the open road. And I found a place right around the corner that I'd seen several signs for the day prior - "The Quiet Man Bridge" - so I figured I may as well check it out. And bonus, it was on my way!

The Quiet Man

That, my friends, is where the magical St Croix connection day started to occur. I'm sure that Irish fairies from behind the rainbows I saw were involved. Because, unbeknownst to me, "The Quiet Man" (1952) was an Academy Award winning film starring - wait for it - Maureen O'Hara and John Wayne! And it was just the beginning of the adventurous day ahead.

I drove over to the Bridge and pulled out my trusty Canon EOS 6D Mark II to capture this beautiful and iconic spot in the middle of the idyllic Irish countryside. There's a wonderful sign on the bridge marking the point in the film where John Wayne sits on it and looks across the land during one of the opening scenes. (I watched the film after I returned and recognized the bridge, but the growth around the stream has changed quite a bit!)

Looking back at the Connemara Moutains from the Bridge
The Quiet Man Bridge

After exploring the bridge, I headed on my merry way to drive down the Wild Atlantic Way and over to Headford to meet Cait. The plan was to meet her after lunchtime and I thought "what a fun coincidence to find that little bit of a St Croix connection along my way". It really made me smile!

My trusty travel companion - driving on the left-side of the care wasn't bad at all!

Of course, the trip took me a bit longer than planned due to the multiple photo stops I made along the way. Thankfully, Cait, was very understanding of my snails pace! Eventually, I made the decision to skip a brief stop in Galway (next trip for sure!) and headed directly to Headford. I had to drive South and then back North to get around Lough Corrib (one of the largest lakes in Ireland).

Kismet in the Irish Countryside

I finally made it around 3pm with a bit of that infamous Irish drizzle following me. Cait was delightful and showed me around her family's country home complete with dwarf goats, chickens, and a couple of adorable pups (I felt right at home!).

Then we headed out to explore the historic and entirely cool ruins of the medieval Franciscan Ross Errilly Friary that was founded in 1351. I was thrilled to experience the drizzling rain of Ireland and was thankful I'd bought the perfect rain slicker in Belfast that kept me warm and dry.

Ross Errilly Friary ruins

Finishing up the tour of the Friary, Cait suggested we head up to the village of Cong, where she works. We had a little more time and there were a few of the sights and a pretty village square. We made our way, parked, and walked through the ruins of the medieval 12th-Century Cúnga Fheichín (Cong Abbey) that anchors the little hamlet.

If you've never had it, Irish chocolate is insanely good!!

Then, we popped over to the shop she works in as it was closing and headed back to the car park. (that's a parking lot for you yanks) Right before it, we had to stop to snap a picture of the "famous statue"… of Maureen O'Hara and John Wayne! Don't you just love coincidences like this?! This unplanned excursion was pure kismet. It was those fairies again, I tell ya!

Sculpture of John Wayne & Maureen O'Hara from The Quiet Man

It turns out that Cong was one of the main towns for filming where many building exteriors and pubs were featured. There's even the local Quiet Man Museum with tours and a replica of the cottage from the film. I was so excited that this was the end of a day of exploration that started serendipitously with the Quiet Man Bridge! And Cait was thrilled to hear about the connection with St Croix where her sister now lives. The day was perfectly capped off with a scrumptious, locally caught salmon dinner at one of the nearby inns. (It was so delicious and I was so hungry that I actually forgot to take a picture!)

Everything about Ireland captured my heart. From the North Eastern shore near Murlough Bay that reminds me so much of St Croix's South Shore to all of the St Croix connections along the way. It's just another of the many things that I love about island life. No matter where you go in the world, you're certain to find St Croix connections along the way, whether history or friends you've met on the island. Travel is a truly gift!

If you're interested in following more of my travels abroad, pop over to Exploranista.com 

Epilogue

Upon my return to St Croix, I decided I had to watch "The Quiet Man" so I did a quick search on my Amazon Prime. Wouldn't you know it, the movie was showing the very next morning on one of my Sling TV channels. I recorded it and watched it the next night. I love classic old films and was surprised I'd never seen it before.

It was really fun to watch, but I will remind - especially the young ladies who may be reading this - it was released in 1952 and depicts the 20's era in the Irish countryside. The Irish were (and to an extent still are) very conservative Catholics. So, there's no need to find a marriage broker and ask your parents or your older brother where your dowry is. We've come a long way from those days baby!

2023 Limited Edition St Croix Wall Calendar

Filed Under: Current Feature, Featured, Island Life, Photography, St Croix History, Travel Tips

St Croix Summer Lovin: Sea Turtle Nesting Season

June 14, 2017 by Cindy @ MyStCroix.VI 1 Comment

sea turtle nesting season on st croix virgin islands

Summer on St Croix means that things slow down just a little, mangoes are dripping from the trees and sea turtles are getting frisky off shore. It's sea turtle nesting season. Three out of 7 species of endangered sea turtles can be found nesting on our shores in the summer and early fall: Leatherback, Green Sea Turtles and Hawksbills. (We also infrequently have Loggerheads that make landfall!). Sea Turtles are some of my favorite St Croix locals.

If you are visiting St Croix's beaches during this time of year, there are some important things to know about sea turtles and the things you can do to make nesting season safer for them.

Sea Turtle Facts

Sea turtles spend all their lives in the water and only come ashore to lay their eggs and rarely to sun themselves. That means that most male sea turtles never set foot on land after they hatch!

Cold-blooded reptiles, sea turtles sun themselves on the surface to increase their body temperature. When resting, they can hold their breath for up to 5 hours. When active, they surface every 5-10 minutes to take a breath. Boat strikes are a huge threat to sea turtles, so it's important to always keep an eye out for them in our waters, particularly during the summer mating season.

Green Sea Turtle
Green Sea Turtle

Though they don't read calendars or horoscopes, you will find sea turtles mating and nesting on St Croix mainly during the summer months. Nesting season and primary location vary by species:

  • Leatherback Sea Turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) 
    • Nesting: May - July
    • Hatching: July - September
    • Primary location: Sandy Point (West End)
  • Hawksbill Sea Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) 
    • Nesting: July - November
    • Hatching: September - January
    • Primary location: Buck Island National Park &
      main island St Croix
  • Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) 
    • Nesting: August - November
    • Hatching: October - January
    • Primary location: Jacks & Isaacs Bay (East End)

Depending upon the species, females reach sexual maturity between 15 and 30 years of age. They will return to the beach that they hatched on and lay anywhere from 60-160 eggs in a single clutch (the group of eggs in the nest). Sea turtles face an enormous amount of threats as they grow from predators, ocean pollution and trash, and long-line fishing. It is estimated that only 1 sea turtle out of 100 will live long enough to mate and nest!

Leatherback Sea Turtle digging her nest

How to Help Sea Turtles During Nesting Season

Because sea turtles spend the majority of their lives underwater, they are very sensitive to artificial light (light bulbs). It's EXTREMELY important if you see a nesting sea turtle at night that you DO NOT use any type of flash photography. This can disorient or temporarily blind the nesting female making her vulnerable to predators waiting for her back in the water.

Lights can also disorient sea turtle hatchlings. They are attracted to artificial light sources (bulbs) like a magnet. So, if you notice a nest hatching happening be sure to turn off all the lights in the area for the evening. Baby sea turtles have a critical burst of energy when they hatch that allows them to get to the sea and swim out past awaiting predators on the beach and in the shallows. Lights onshore may cause them to turn around which can exhaust them and make them even more vulnerable.

  • If you are staying at a location that faces the water, try to keep shore facing lights off at night unless they are amber bug lights or infrared lights.
  • If you live on St Croix and have a coastal facing home - use "bug lights" or amber or infrared colored lights. Avoid blue-hued lights. As the ocean gets deeper, the red portion of the spectrum of light is removed. So sea turtles "see" blue but not red. Motion activated lights are a good choice for security as they do not remain on all the time.
  • Rule of thumb is that if you stand at the water's edge on the beach and can see the light source (bulb) it is visible to a nesting female or hatchling.
  • Learn more about Safe Sea Turtle Lighting on Broward County, Florida's website They have led the way for Community Sea Turtle Conservation and Education.
  • DarkSky.org provides great information on light fixture options that are also safe for sea turtles.

All sea turtles in our waters are protected by the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA). This means that it is illegal to touch, harrass or harm a sea turtle. If you observe a female coming ashore to nest in the evening - stay at least 50 feet away and try to stay behind her line of site (behind her head). You should also remain very still. Sudden movement can spook a female causing her to abandon her attempt to lay her eggs.

Sea Turtle Hatchlings

Nests tend to hatch in the early evening just before sunset. If you see a nest hatching, stand back and enjoy this miracle of nature. Do not attempt to pick up or touch the hatchlings! Many scientists theorize that they pick up scent or magnetic cues from the sand which help them return to the beach they were born on when they reach sexual maturity. HOWEVER, if you notice hatchlings going in the wrong direction away from the water, you can pick them up and put them back down on the beach facing the ocean 3-6 feet from the water's edge.

Leatherback hatchling headed to the sea

Keep our oceans clean

Carry in, Carry out when you go to the beach. Because sea turtles feed off of invertebrates like jellyfish and marine vegetation, they are vulnerable to accidentally feeding on plastic and other trash that ends up in the ocean. They can't digest plastic. Eventually, it can block their digestive system leading to death.

Do your part to keep our oceans clean for all marine life. Avoid balloon releases that end up in the sea. Bring a bag with you to the beach for your own trash and any other you see and properly dispose of it.

hawskbill sea turtle
Look for Hawksbill Sea Turtles when snorkeling or diving the coral reefs

Together we can help to ensure that Leatherback, Green and Hawksbill Sea Turtles continue their St Croix summer lovin' for generations to come.

If you are interested in participating in a Sea Turtle Watch on St Croix, become a member of the St Croix Environmental Organization (SEA) and check their calendar of events for Turtle Watch programs during the summer at Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge.

Filed Under: coral reef, Current Feature, Featured, Marine Conservation, Nature Conservation, Travel Tips, Vacation Tips

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