Scuba

Top 10 Ultimately Romantic Things to Do on St Croix

February 11, 2022 by Cindy @ MyStCroix.VI Leave a Comment

Whether it’s Valentine’s Day, your anniversary, honeymoon or you just want to surprise your sweetie with something oozing with romance, St Croix will not disappoint you. There are many options, but I’ve narrowed it down with 10 ultimately romantic things to do on St Croix that are guaranteed to impress your other half.

Book a Romantic Villa with your own private pool – Choose from over twenty privately owned and expertly managed vacation villa homes when you book your next St Croix adventure with Vacation St Croix. Each unique home is well equipped with everything you’ll need for a perfectly romantic getaway, including your own pool. There’s no better way to spark a little romance than your own private getaway. And with Vacation St Croix, there’s never any hidden fees. Just your rental fee, USVI hotel tax, and a refundable damage deposit. That’s it.

Hire a Private Chef for a Romantic Night In – Let your partner know that you’ve thought of everything by surprising them with a romantic dinner for two prepared by a private chef. St Croix is known as one of the top culinary destinations in the Caribbean and we have the chefs to prove it. After you’ve booked your romantic vacation villa, schedule a private chef like Crucian born, former USVI Culinary Ambassador, Chef Ralf Motta to whip up something spectacularly romantic for you!

Plan a Picnic on the Beach – Rent a Jeep from Centerline Car Rentals, grab your partner and head out to explore one of our many beautiful beaches. You can shop ahead for all your supplies at one of the many local markets, or grab local fruits and veggies from one of our year round local farm stands. Or, get your private chef to leave you a basket full of goodies for a wonderfully relaxing beach day. (Don’t forget your Reef Safe sunscreen!)

Experience a Breathtaking Adventure Together– there’s nothing like the thrill of adrenaline pulsing through your veins as you scream down three ziplines through the lush Carambola valley. Carambola Zipline offers an unforgettable experience as you soar down a 205 foot vertical drop. An adventure that is sure to bring you closer together.

On a clear day, you can even see St Thomas, St John and the BVI from above the canopy!

Soar Above the Sea Together – Caribbean Sea Adventures offers an incredible parasailing adventure where you can float above the sea with your favorite person. Or opt for a luxury boating experience that is both sexy and relatively affordable with a splurge on a private boat charter to Buck Island for two (or with your favorite couples) aboard their twin 300hp Smooth Recovery.

Take the plunge – Ready to take your underwater adventure to the next level? Get certified to Scuba dive while you are here on St Croix. You can test the waters with a “Discover Scuba” dive that will get you up to 40 feet deep and count towards your first open water dive should you choose to go all the way. Choose from one of the many PADI-certified scuba operators on St Croix.

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A Romantic Dinner for Just You Two – book a private dining experience in the 17th century Sugar Mill at the historic Buccaneer Beach and Golf Resort. The expansive Buccaneer property has been owned and managed by the same family since its inception as a hotel in the 1940’s, but its history traces back to a Knight of Malta in 1653. The resort has been host to celebrities and public figures throughout its decades and offers three beaches, an 18-hole golf course, 8 tennis courts, four restaurants and much more.

Horseback Riding on the Beach – Book a romantic beach ride for two or join a group ride with Cruzan Cowgirls along the West End shore for the perfect sunset. You’ll be riding rescued and rehabilitated local horses who can’t wait to take you for a swim. Ride along “Cowboy Beach” and up through the rainforest as you learn more about the island. ON your way back, take a swim on your trusty steed. Truly a bucket list adventure!

Jeep Tour for Two – Book a private jeep tour to the famed Anally Bay Tide Pools with Tan Tan Jeep Tours. You’ll be holding on to each other tight as this high octane adventure takes you four-wheeling through the rainforest down to the incredibly romantic tide pools.

Take A Hike down to Jack & Isaac Bay – A moderate hike down from the Easternmost point of St Croix, you’ll find your way along the well maintained Nature Conservancy trail to one of the most pristine beaches on the island at Isaac Bay. There are no facilities or amenities when you get there, just pure nature, so be sure to pack some snacks and water and carry back when you carried in. Snorkeling gear is a plus to explore the fringing reef. Or, just find a spot along the shore to relax and enjoy each other’s company. The beach is expansive and never crowded so there’s plenty of room to stake out your own space.

No matter what romantic adventure you choose, there is so much to do on St Croix that you’ll want to come back again and again. Be sure to check out our Things to Do on St Croix Guide when planning your next getaway.

50 things you can do on St Croix to celebrate Earth Day every day of the year!

April 22, 2020 by Cindy @ MyStCroix.VI 1 Comment

50 Earth friendly things to do on St Croix

Snorkel the only fuel it requires is kicking your feet a little! And it’s a great way to explore and get excited about preserving our underwater world.
Grab a fish identification chart from one of the dive shops or snorkel tour operators and go on your own scavenger hunt around the island.
Use Reef Safe Sunscreen!
Learn to hunt lionfish! You can even earn a PADI certification at one of our local Dive Shops.
Go sailing aboard the Schooner Roseway with the World Ocean School when they are here with us for the winter season
Get certified to Scuba dive and witness coral spawning on a night dive!
Watch Chasing Coral. You can view the full feature Netflix Documentary for free. Click here.
Did you know that St Croix is surrounded by one of the longest contiguous barrier reefs in the Caribbean? Learn about the endangered corals that surround St Croix.
Take a trip to Buck Island Reef National Monument and learn about the ocean creatures in our backyard and ways you can help to protect them.
Go horseback riding on the beach! Our friends at Cruzan Cowgirls use rescued horses on their exciting trail rides. Proceeds help to pay for the rescued herd and provide education to local horse owners.
Go on a scavenger hunt for all the St Croix Sea Walls murals painted in 2019. These gorgeous murals represent ocean
BYOB bring your own bag bring for groceries and your own reusable box for leftovers. Grab one of our organic cotton bags here.
Just Say No to disposable plastic straws. There are so many other options nowadays and many of our restaurants and bars now offer metal, silicone, and even bamboo replacements.
Just Say No to plastic flatware – if you are getting takeout, tell the restaurant you have your own and ask them not to pack plastic.
Just Say No to Styrofoam and encourage restaurants to use reusable packaging instead.
Just say Yes! to sustainable/reusable utensils and straws that you can make your own. Check out Café Christine for some great options for purchase.
BYOC bring your own cup to the bar. You’ll find plenty for sale in our local shops.
Get out There! Hike up Goat hill on the East End. The view of the entire island makes it worth the sweat.
Fill ‘er Up! Opt out of one-time use water bottles and carry your own refillable bottle. Remember to stay hydrated while you’re in the islands.
Try fresh coconut water! You’ll find roadside stands selling freshly harvested coconuts that they will machete open for you. Coconut water is full of electrolytes and one of the best ways to stay hydrated while you are here.
Explore the St George Village Botanical Garden (SGVBG) and learn about the many tropical species growing there.
Learn about the SGVBG Reforestation program at the Garden!
Eat Responsible! at one of our Reef Responsible Restaurants who are committed to serving sustainably sourced, caught in-season fish from our waters.
Shop Local and Eat Local! year-round at one of our many St Croix farmers markets.
Try some locally grown tropical fruit – my favorite is Mango season in the summer time! Don’t miss the Botanical Garden’s annual Mango Melee festival each July.
Shop Organic! produce at Art Farm and Ridge2Reef Farm.
Drink Local! Visit the Sion Farm Distillery to learn more about breadfruit vodka and taste some too! Breadfruit is one of the most sustainable crops in the world and is on the rise on St Croix. Learn more here.
Drink Local! Leatherback Brewing Company is a microbrewery that brews and cans all of its beer right here on St Croix. It tastes sweeter at the source.
Drink Local! BrewSTX has been producing and serving their special small batch brews on tap for over 20 years. Sip a draft with a view of the Christiansted Harbor.
Turn out the lights! Living on an island like St Croix you learn quickly about the high cost of energy. Turn off lights that you don’t need.
Volunteer your time! There are so many local nonprofits that are always looking for helping hands. Reach out to one that is near and dear to your heart.
Recycle! While St Croix is still behind on recycling overall, there is a great group of volunteers who have been working with Plaza Extra West for the past year or two. They typically accept plastic for recycling on Saturdays (operations have been halted for the time being due to the COVID-19 crisis, but they will be back). For updates go to: Plastic Drop off and Recycling Project
Reuse! Bottles Reimagined takes discarded rum, wine and other glass bottles and turns them into glassware, candles and more! You can find them in many local shops like Mollys & at The Fred or shop Made on St Croix online.
Visit the Fred! The newest hotel on St Croix is located beachside in downtown Frederiksted. During the renovation and new construction they have incorporated many green practices and innovations. The hotel uses LED lights and turtle safe lighting on the exterior to prevent nesting mothers and hatchlings from being turned away from returning to the ocean. Eat at Fred, the new restaurant uses environmentally friendly to-go containers and if you simply must use a straw, they provide bioplastic drinking straws. In room, you will be given the option to opt out of daily laundering of sheets and towels to reduce energy. The sheets are made of a microfiber that eliminates the need for bleach and the towels are bamboo. And everything is washed with rainwater caught in large cisterns.
Go vegan! Even if you don’t plan to eat vegan every day, you can explore some fantastic vegan food options here on the island. Places like Tap Deck in Frederiksted, Ital in Paradise in Christiansted, and more offer delicious meals that won’t have you missing a thing.
Grab your camera and go on a photo safari. St Croix has so many beautiful vistas. Be sure to capture as many as you can to make your memories permanent.
Visit Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge – one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. But it’s only open from Sept 1 through March 30 and only on weekends. Why? Because it is a critical nesting habitat for the Leatherback sea turtle and other endangered species that make St Croix their birthplace.
Hike the Nature Conservancy trail to Jack & Isaac’s Bay and snorkel at Isaac’s along the pristine coral reef.
Learn about sea turtles and ways you can help keep them safe.
Learn about humpback whale migration through St Croix’s waters.
Shop local! You’ll find artisans throughout Frederiksted and Christiansted who produce their own jewelry right here on the island.
Hike to the Annaly Bay Tide Pools.
Go paddle boarding!
Kayak Salt River or anywhere offshore.
Carry In, Carry Out. be sure that you carry out any and ALL trash and items that you bring to the beach. Don’t leave behind your cigarette butts, beer cans or plastic cups. They end up in our oceans or littering our beaches. Pick up your trash and any other that you find on the beach. PLEASE do your part to protect our oceans!
Spend a weekend or a week at Northside Valley eco-villas. This family-owned Caribbean estate is on the west end of St. Croix and hosts lush landscaping, ocean views, and eight eco-friendly vacation villas. Stargaze at night, pick organic fruit by day, and stroll to nearby beaches whenever the mood strikes you.
Explore the organic Ridge2Reef Farm out in the rainforest with a self-guided hike. You can even sign up for one their courses including the popular Bush Skills
Reserve your spot at a Ridge to Reef Slow Down Dinner! These magical evenings feature local chefs preparing multi-course extravaganzas utilizing locally sourced and grown produce, seafood and meats. There is nothing quite like a delicious night under the stars!
Sign up for one of the many Caribbean Earth Skills classes offered at Mount Victory Eco-camp. Mount Victory is a great place to stay too!
Take a hike out by Great Pond. You can find the trailheads by the East End Marine Park Headquarters on the South Shore. You can find out about their various projects Click Here
Bonus: Oh yes, we almost forgot – just kick back, relax and lime on any one of our incredible beaches!!

7 Days in Paradise: Shaking the Winter Blues

March 20, 2015 by Cindy @ MyStCroix.VI Leave a Comment

When you live on an island far away from your family, your friends become your island family. And their family becomes an extension of yours. So, it’s fun when they visit over time, and you get to know them a little better each trip. My friend Greg’s sister, Jenni, has visited St Croix several times over the years. This February, she escaped the frigid cold and snow of Illinois and brought down her boyfriend and another couple (on their first trip) and played island tour guide… and she did a bang-up job too! She was lovely enough to allow me to share HER St Croix with you to give you some ideas for your next trip.

After a long day of flying and a plane delay in San Juan we have finally arrived!

Arriving on St Croix includes a breathtaking approach over one of the island’s most beautiful beaches – Sandy Point Wildlife Refuge. A wonderful Crucian Welcome!

Day 1: The gang was smart and rented a jeep to spend their first day taking an island tour with their expert guide Jenni leading the way.

We are having such a great time! The weather has been perfect so far. Sunny and 85! Still have lots more things planned.

Day 2: Scuba Diving! First time divers can participate in a “resort course”. A couple hours of instruction on deck and working on skills in the pool leads to your first dive into water up to 40 feet deep. Decide you love it (I did!) … the dive counts as your first dive towards full PADI certification. Learn more here.

Four very excited people getting ready to scuba dive! Cory and Jamie’s first time!

Sitting on a boat relaxing…sure beats sitting in my office! Life is good!

Day 3: More island touring with an exciting twist. The group started the day touring Whim Plantation for a historical perspective of the island’s history and then headed over to the famed Cruzan Rum Factory that’s been distilling fine spirits since the 1700’s. Then, it was off to the airport for the big reveal – an aerial view of our gorgeous island. Don’t have a hook up like Jenni’s bro? No problem! Local airline Bohlke International Airways offers aerial island tours for up to 3 people.

Today will be a fun day…We will first be touring an old plantation on the island and learn a little history. Then off to tour the Cruzan Rum factory. Bring on the rum drinks! Then lastly..we have a very exciting surprise for our friends Cory & Jamie to help make their first time on an island that much more exciting!

OMG that was awesome!!!!

Day 4: North Shore Fun! After hiking down to the beautiful and remote Anally Bay Tide Pools, it was time to hit the beach at Carambola while the guys took in a shore dive. St Croix has some of the best diving in the Caribbean. I mean where else can you literally walk into the water, kick out about 300 yards and descend into the water while looking over a sea wall into the abyss 1400 ft down. Cool stuff!!

Oh just being lazy at the beach today! Doesn’t get any better!

Later that day it was time to relax and join up with the happy hour crew at Ziggy’s Island Market & Libation Station. Jenni says it best:

Only in St. Croix can you go to a gas station that is also a bar…that has a deck in the back with bag boards [corn hole] ..ocean view..goats and a sugar mill in the background! Lovin the Island Life Mon!

Day 5: A trip to St Croix simply isn’t complete without an excursion out to the Buck Island National Monument. Hop aboard one of the registered concessioners like Big Beard’s Adventure Tours for a full or half-day snorkeling trip out to one of the most beautiful reefs in the Caribbean listed in 1,000 Places to See Before You Die

Buck Island snorkel trip. One of the best parts of our trip! Water is unreal!!

Day 6: Included an afternoon stop at the famous Domino Club to sample some mamawana and play with the beer drinking pigs. Then it was off to enjoy the crystal blue waters and white sand beach at Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge. This perfect West End day ended with pizza at the Lost Dog Pub.

Visited the famous beer drinking pigs at Domino’s Club in the rainforest today.

Day 7: The final day of their trip was still full of fun! A tour of the Captain Morgan Rum Factory, a little shopping in Christiansted and their final evening was capped off with a wonderful dinner and show.

Well folks…it’s our last full day on the beautiful island of St. Croix. We sure have had one hell of a trip! Can’t wait to see the kids…but are not looking forward to 9″ of snow back home!

moko jumbies at caribbean night — Perfect ending to our week…Caribbean Night buffet dinner at Palms at Pelican Cove

Thanks, Jenni, for sharing your view of St Croix with your friends and with us!

Do you have some favorite places and island tips that Jenni missed on this trip? Let us know in the comments below!

Alien Invaders :: Lionfish, Alien Predators of the Reef

January 5, 2012 by Cindy @ MyStCroix.VI Leave a Comment

Invasive. Poisonous. Devastating.

Got your attention didn’t I?! Well these aliens in our waters are no joke. Lionfish are native to Indo-Pacific waters where they are kept in check by their natural environment and predators like grouper who are familiar with hunting them over thousands of years. However, here in the Caribbean, they are a new and alien species who multiple like crazy and have no natural predators – and they are taking over our reefs at an alarming rate. When I first started diving 10 years ago, we hadn’t even heard of lionfish in these waters. In fact, its only been in the past few years that they have been seen here at all. And now, I can almost guarantee I’ll see AT LEAST one on each dive I do. It’s scary. According to Dr. Mark Hixon from Oregon State University who is studying lionfish in the Bahamas along with NOAA’s Undersea Research Program (NURP), “Due to their population explosion and aggressive behavior, lionfish have the potential to become the most disastrous marine invasion in history by drastically reducing the abundance of coral reef fishes and leaving behind a devastated ecosystem.”

The commonly agreed upon theory is that lionfish were first introduced into Atlantic waters in the 1990’s by aquarists dumping their exotic tanks into the ocean after hurricanes in Florida. (or maybe flushing ala Finding Nemo?!) and have subsequently spread up the East Coast and down into the Caribbean following the reefs of the Antilles chain. Genetic testing of lionfish in the Atlantic shows that this rapid spread could be the result of as few as THREE of the little buggers being released into Florida’s waters. According to Smithsonian Magazine “In 2000, a recreational diver saw two tropical lionfish clinging improbably to the submerged ruins of a tanker off the coast of North Carolina, nearly 140 feet below the surface. She alerted the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, which started tracking lionfish sightings in the Atlantic. Within two years, the fish had been seen in Georgia, Florida, Bermuda and the Bahamas. They are now known to live from Rhode Island to Belize.” Talk about Alien Invasion!

So what’s the big deal? Well, I’ll tell you. They may be beautiful, but they are deadly to our reef ecosystems. Lionfish can grow up to a foot long and eat fish as large as 2/3 the size of their own body and their stomach’s can expand 30 times their normal size. They have voracious, non-discriminating appetites that include shrimp, parrotfish, juvenile groupers and other inhabitants of the coral reef system. They can lay up to 2 MILLION eggs per year that float on the surface and are carried swiftly by the ocean currents to new locations. In many areas of the Atlantic seaboard – including North Carolina – lionfish have become the predominant species on the reefs. Parrotfish are just one species that play a critical role in the reef environment eating algae and preventing it from smothering the coral polyps. This invasion has an obviously devastating effect not only on the reef ecosystems, but with a trickle down effect on local, commercial and sport fishing and other underwater tourism (snorkeling and Scuba diving).

“I call them the Norwegian rats of the sea,” said George Burgess, director of shark research at the Florida Museum of Natural History. “Just like rats, they are spreading all over the world, and you can shoot them, poison them, or curse them all you want, but they aren’t going to go away.”

My weapon of choice is the pole spear with trident tip. Click to purchase!

Not one to take this invasion sitting down, I decided to do my part, along with a group of dive buddies, and take a PADI Lionfish Eradication Specialty Course from St Croix Ultimate Blue Water Adventures here on St Croix. In fact, I was lucky enough to be taking the course by the guy who wrote it – Dive Instructor Simeon Tolar Yep, I’m now a card-carrying Lionfish Huntress! I opted to take a class, rather than just go out and start shooting for a couple of reasons. First, Lionfish are venomous and their spines pack a powerful punch. I wanted to be sure that I knew the proper way to handle them without getting hurt and I needed to know what to do in case I got speared by the spiny brats. Second, our coral reefs and the reef fishes are vulnerable enough to begin with. Without having proper instruction, I would run the risk of doing more damage than good. The St Croix SCUBA course was offered in one-day or taken in two sessions which was most convenient for our group. Our first session involved a brief lecture on the history of the invasion and the biological facts about lionfish – then we got into the pool with our gear on and practiced hitting targets with both spear guns and poles (I prefer the pole method). I’m so glad I got to practice in the calm of the pool. It gave me the relaxed environment I needed to get comfortable with the equipment and a non-moving target.

Simeon-Scuba-Lionfish — Simeon demonstrates the weapons we’ll use for our expedition

Scuba gear for lionfish hunting course — All geared up and ready to go!

For our next session, we headed out on the boat to a reef on the West End of St Croix that Simeon guaranteed would have plenty of live targets. And, scary but true, he didn’t disappoint us. We did two tanks on that one spot and the lionfish were plentiful. I think everyone in our group speared at least two. Not an easy task! While lionfish remain fairly still at first, they are sneaky and as soon as you take a shot – and miss – they jump and hide in deeper holes. Still, I got one and was wildly satisfied at being a new hunter, much to my surprise.

Lionfish Hunters St Croix — Lionfish can run, but they can’t hide from this group of Certified Hunters. Thanks Simeon and S.C.U.B.A.

SimeonwithLionFish — Our fearless leader Simeon Tolar. Image courtesy St Croix Ultimate Bluewater Adventures aka SCUBA

Scuba Divers and researchers in locations throughout the Eastern Seaboard and the Caribbean are getting involved and coming up with some innovative ways at battling the invasive lionfish problem…

shark makes a meal of a lionfish in Roatan Marine Park in 2010 Honduras — Park officials and Divers in Honduras are attempting to train reef sharks to prey on lionfish and it sure seems to be working.

Some locales like the Florida Keys are adding lionfish to the menu and say they are quite tasty. Eco-conscious restaurateurs are doing the right thing by paying top-dollar for lionfish meat and forgoing Grouper on their menus (we need the grouper to eat the lionfish or eventually there will be no fish for you!). Unfortunately, in the USVI, our lionfish have tested positive for Ciguatera, so it is not advisable to eat them. Ciguatera is a foodborne illness caused by eating carnivorous, predatory reef fishes that have been contaminated with toxins. The toxins are originally produced by microscopic dinoflagellates that attach to corals, algae and seaweed in tropical and subtropical waters. Smaller, herbivorous fish eat the dinoflagellates and then the little fish are eaten by the larger carnivorous fish (like lionfish). By ingesting multiple infected fishes, the predatory fish accumulate the toxin in high levels in their flesh. When these fish are consumed by humans, they pass along the ciguatera toxin in levels high enough to cause gastrointestinal and neurological effects that can be misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis. Nasty stuff. Currently, there are no known treatments or antidotes. Most people eventually recover on their own but symptoms can last for weeks to a year with some long-term cases lasting as long as 20 years. For more information visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ciguatera

Here in the USVI and on St Croix Scuba divers are taking matters into their own hand with groups like The CORE Foundation The Caribbean Lionfish Response Program is unique proactive program designed to keep the invasion of the Indo-Pacific Lionfish from destroying our sea life, corals and reefs. The CLRP is collaborate effort comprised of Dive Shops donating boats at reduced rates, volunteer divers donating their time and money and Commercial Fishermen whose eyes and efforts throughout the waters of the Caribbean are invaluable. All these components are working together towards one common goal, keeping the Caribbean Lionfish Free.

LionFish (2) — The only good Lionfish, is a dead Lionfish! Image courtesy St Croix Ultimate Bluewater Adventures aka SCUBA

10 Reasons I love St Croix

December 8, 2011 by Cindy @ MyStCroix.VI 5 Comments

In December 2001, I got on a plane with my dog and two cats and took a giant leap of faith moving to the Caribbean. It was something I’d dreamed of since I was a little girl wistfully watching “Gilligan’s Island”, “Pipi Longstocking” and “The Swiss Family Robinson”. Yes, the thought of being stranded on a tropical island was enticing to me. So when I had the opportunity to move down with a start up travel company, I jumped at the chance. Unfortunately, the company that moved me to St Croix didn’t last, but I did and I haven’t regretted it for a single moment in these past ten years. So, to celebrate my milestone I’ve compiled a Top Ten list of reasons I love St Croix and the Virgin Islands and island life. Enjoy!10. The Weather

Originally from Canada and growing up in New England, you’d think that I would like snow, but the only powdery white stuff I like is the sand on our St Croix beaches! The weather here averages a balmy 85°F year round. And right now the weather is simply glorious with the Christmas winds (Trade Winds) picking up and offering a gentle breeze. The nights are cooler too in the winter, low 70’s on the hill where I live, perfect sleeping weather. Truly paradise.

Click for weather forecast

9. The Environment

Rolling green hills dot the island and the azure blue ocean is our backyard. I’m blessed to live on an island where most residents appreciate her beauty and there are many organizations that work to protect our environment. Recently, The Palms at Pelican Cove, along with three other beaches in the Virgin Islands, raised Blue Flags after the year long, intense application process. This means that some of our beaches are now internationally recognized as being some of the safest, cleanest and most beautiful in the world.

St Croix North Shore — A beautiful day on St Croix’s North Shore

8. Celebrations & Parades

No one could ever accuse St Croix of being a party pooper. When it comes to celebrating, Virgin Islanders have it down. We LOVE to come out and celebrate and will look for any excuse. And of course every celebration includes live music, great food and lots of Cruzan Rum. There is Jump Up four times a year which is a huge block party in downtown Christiansted where shops have sidewalk sales, restaurants serve streetside, the Mocko Jumbies parade in the streets and there is music on every corner, literally. This weekend we have the Christiansted Boat Parade which is the largest boat parade in the Caribbean. It’s a huge family-friendly celebration topped off with a spectacular fireworks display. It really kicks off the Crucian Christmas Carnival (I can’t wait for the Three Kings Carnival Parade). In February, we have the Agricultural Fair to look forward to (I always eat my way through it – so many great local flavors). In March, St Patrick’s Day Parade is a non-stop day of fun and green where the whole island comes out to celebrate St Croix’s Irish Heritage throughout the streets of Christiansted… there are so many fundraisers and celebrations throughout the year. To keep up, check out our St Croix Events Calendar.

Mocko Jumbie Jump Up Christiansted St Croix — You’ll find Mocko Jumbies at many Virgin Islands Celebrations

St Croix Christmas Boat Parade is fun for the whole family

7. Quelbe – the Music of the Virgin Islands

A big part of celebrating in the Virgin Islands is listening to live music. My personal favorite is the light and cheery folk music born of the Virgin Islands when it was a Danish colony – Quelbe. To me Quelbe embodies everything pure and good about the Virgin Islands. It’s the persevering human spirit that even amidst hardship finds joy and shares joy. When you listen, you can’t help but smile and dance. It reminds me of my grandparents for some reason and that always makes my smile even bigger. Below is a short clip of the documentary “The Jamesie Project” which offers an amazing glimpse into the world of Quelbe. Jamesie is a living legend in the Virgin Islands and has worked hard to pass on the tradition of Quelbe, the official music of the Virgin Islands. Another favorite is Stanley & the Ten Sleepless Knights whose Quelbe renditions of traditional Christmas songs really gets me in the holiday spirit!

6. Buck Island

Nothing says “St Croix Vacation” more than a trip out to Buck Island. Whether its spending a Sunday on a friend’s boat limin’ in the water at Turtle Beach on the West End or jumping aboard one of the many National Park certified Tour Operators for a snorkel trip through the East End Reef, Buck Island Reef National Park is not to be missed. The 176-acre island is less than a third of the protected marine park, most of it is underwater. The East end reef and marked snorkel trail is actually an underwater National Monument and home to a fantastical array of fishes and marine life. When I first moved to the island, I was lucky enough to spend weekends crewing with Big Beard’s Adventure Tours and developed a deep love for this incredible resource in my back yard. Hmm its been awhile, I think I need to take a trip out there soon!

Big Beard's Adventure Tours — Spend the day with Big Beard’s Adventure Tours at Buck Island. Photo by Jerry Merten of www.mjsvisionsvi.com

5. Scuba Diving

What can I NOT say about Scuba Diving on St Croix?! We have some of the best diving in the Caribbean and possibly the world. With reefs, wrecks and walls just a short boat ride or an even shorter shore dive, its easy to get spoiled here. I’ve certainly become addicted to the peace and tranquility I feel when I’m underwater peeking into the marine world. My favorite dive site is still the Frederiksted Pier where I can meander slowly among the pylons and observe the dynamic life that exists under the feet of cruise ship passengers. If you’re lucky and patient, you may even spy a seahorse or two. If you’re not a certified diver, you can try a “Discover Scuba Dive” at one of our many excellent PADI-certified dive centers like St Croix Ultimate Blue Water Adventures better known as SCUBA, the Friendliest Dive Shop on Earth. In just a couple of hours, they’ll get you diving in up to 40-feet of water. Warning, once you try it, you’ll get addicted. I did.

St Croix SCUBA — St Croix Ultimate Bluewater Adventures aka SCUBA

4. The Food!

In the ten years that I’ve lived here, in culinary terms, St Croix has really made a name for itself. The St Croix Food & Wine Experience has put us on the culinary map with some of the top chefs in the food industry and they are taking notice! The festival itself was named one of the Top Ten Food & Wine festivals in the WORLD by Forbes Travel a few years back and it just keeps getting better year after year. The reason, it highlights the culinary artists that work in our local restaurants year-round. So, even though the event happens in April – you can sample their fare any time. Our restaurants offer just about everything: local West Indian food like Roti, Doubles, Kallaloo and Goat Stew; Caribbean Fusion; Sushi (and we have the FRESHEST locally caught fish brought in almost daily); Mediterranean; American Bistro; French Continental; Thai; and much more. Check out our St Croix Dining Guide organized by area and style which is constantly being updated.

Want to take home the taste of St Croix? You can purchase the cookbook produced by The St Croix Food & Wine Experience with over 100 recipes by both local and stateside renowned chefs. You’ll find celebrity chef contributors like Govind Armstrong, Michael Ferraro, Betty Fraser, Anita Lo, Tim Love, Kevin Rathbun, Gabriel Rucker, Liza Shaw, Ana Sortun, Roberto Trevino, and Just Desserts judge Dannielle Kyrillos. Island chef contributors include Elvet Carty, Jill Dedinsky, Patrick Gribbin, Leslie Gumbs, Patrick James, Jane Lansiquot, Camisha Lynch, Diane Mohammed, Angela Morales, Negust Kaza, Lance Lowman, Burton Peterson, Frank Pugliese, Joseph Stiles, Mat Vacharat, and many more. Makes a great holiday gift. Bon Appetit!

3. Community Organizations

When you live on an island that’s 26-miles long and 6-miles wide at its thickest point, life gets cozy with your neighbors. I think that’s why we have so many Community Organizations and so many of us are active participants. Its not only easy, but chic to support these crucial groups who offer social services and the arts. Almost every weekend there is a fundraiser of some sort adding to our festive culture. There are too many great organizations to list, but a few of my favorite community and non-profit organizations are: Sunshine Foundation, Caribbean Community Theatre, The Boys and Girls Club of the Virgin Islands, CASA of the Virgin Islands, and VICARE. Make it a point to choose something here or in your own community and lend a helping hand – volunteering is good for the soul!

2. Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge

When I was little and fantasized about my own personal deserted tropical island, I’m pretty sure it was a premonition of Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge that I saw. This pristine wildlife refuge is only accessible from roughly October through April and only on the weekends until 4pm during those months. Why? It is listed as critical nesting habitat for the endangered Leatherback Sea Turtle. Leatherbacks, hawksbill and green sea turtles nest there undisturbed and in abundance during the summer months. Endangered Least Terns (shore birds) place their eggs in the sand. For this reason, it is closed to the public the majority of the time and carefully monitored. And because of the light impact humans have, it remains one of the most pristine beaches in the Caribbean. There are no facilities, but they have recently paved the once treacherous road out to the beach. Pack a cooler and spend the day – you won’t be disappointed! But remember to carry out what you carry in – Leave only footprints behind. The turtles thank you.

1. Island Family & Friends

Now that I’ve been on St Croix for ten years, I feel I can say with a bit of an expert opinion that St Croix attracts some of the warmest, kindest and adventurous people I’ve ever met. In fact, I’ve lived here now longer than any other place in my life and there’s a reason… my island family and friends. Many of us have packed up and moved away from the safety net of our family. However, once on island you will find so many open hearts. We choose our family here and I’m blessed to have one of the best. I cherish watching my friends’ kids growing into kind-hearted, polite children who have been “raised by a village”. They are respectful of others and aren’t materialistic. They say “please” and “thank you”. They aren’t afraid to fall down because they know they have twenty plus “aunties” and “uncles” right there to pick them up. And we are there to pick up each other when needed too. So, the Number 1 Reason I love St Croix is you my island family and friends and I wouldn’t trade you for the world! Here’s to the next 10 years of adventures together!!

… So these are just 10 reasons I love St Croix, there are so many more. Keep reading my blog to find out all about them. And let us know below what YOUR favorite things about St Croix are!!

Shane Untamed Unwinds

September 26, 2011 by Cindy @ MyStCroix.VI 6 Comments

In June of this year, I had the absolute pleasure of hanging out with and getting to know the REAL Shane Reynolds of Nat Geo Wild’s Shane Untamed and his beautiful wife and professional photographer Romona Robbins Reynolds. They had come down to chill out after a busy year of globe trotting and producing their new show and to celebrate the premier of the “Giants of the Sea” episode that featured their search for whale sharks in Djibouti and was filmed in part by their friend and mine – St Croix’s Jerry Merten of MJS Visions (Jerry also filmed and edited our debut video and has filmed several weddings for me with SunCelebrations). I have to say that my favorite part of watching the Shane Untamed season is that IS the real Shane Reynolds you see on screen, making him the perfect travel guide. And as you’ll see below, Romona is his perfect match illustrating their adventures through her stunning photography. I’m honored to now call them friends and to have them as guest bloggers giving their perspective on St Croix. Enjoy!

All Photos Courtesy Romona Robbins Reynolds

Shane: Man, it’s quite remarkable how much faster 5 hours of programming goes by on TV than it does in the field/edit bay. Shane Untamed season one has officially had its domestic run on Nat Geo Wild (yep, it went by that quick). It will be rerun in the states and continues to debut around the world, but I won’t be seeing any new episodes air in the coming weeks on my TV, so now’s the time to reflect. Technically it was a good run. Ratings were respectable, and demographics were spot on. Critics were impressed and feedback was virtually 100% positive, so I feel good about the possibility of a second season, but until that contract gets dropped on my desk I’ll assume I’ve been let loose on the world of freelance lifestyle once again. This time, however, I will make sure to appreciate the down time…soak it in, so to speak.

Shane Untamed Shane Reynolds and Romona Robbins Reynolds — Shane Untamed’s Shane Reynolds and Romona Robbins Reynolds

So what’s the best way to do that? Well, for me it’s not much different than clocking in for my regular job…but it’s nice to carry a bit less equipment with me. So the wife and I struck off for the Virgin Islands in search of a more “relaxing” adventure.

We began in St. Thomas, which basically served as a springboard to the other islands we really wanted to see. First was St. John, which is the quintessential island vibe. I expected more of a high-end resort style, but this little island was a pleasant surprise. Mostly undeveloped and entirely beautiful, this is the perfect one or two day getaway (if that’s all the time you have). We rented a car and drove every road we could. A lone turtle beckoned us onto a beach on the east side of the island that we had all to ourselves. On St. John, snorkeling, hiking and sunsets are a welcome cliché. The food is spectacular and I could even stand shopping for more than 5 minutes (but not MUCH more).

From there we did a day trip on the Stormy Petrol to Virgin Gorda, part of the British Virgin Islands. This beach looked like something you’d find on a pirate ride at Disney World…in a good way. Hiking through and snorkeling these unique stone structures was the real deal. But the best was yet to come.

After making our way back to St. Thomas we took a quick flight with Seaborne Airlines over to St. Croix, my favorite Virgin. This is a much larger island without the touristy vibe of St. Thomas but still has the conveniences that St. John lacks.

Romona: After a hectic, yet exciting, year of hard work and play, my husband and I were more than eager for some R&R. My most fond memories of this trip, however, are from St. Croix. From lush rainforests to gorgeous white sandy beaches, this island offers bountiful activities for tourists and locals alike. Tucked away on a hilltop overlooking the ocean, we settled ourselves into a cozy romantic room at the Villa Greenleaf. This was the perfect place to start our vacation. We never had to worry about a thing. We wanted to ride horses in the rainforest and on the beach, and our host took care of it. Our stay here was tremendous!

Shane: While adventure lies around every corner, it’s the diving that brought us. So after decompressing a few nights in the peaceful-picture-perfect villa, we moved closer to the water (Hotel Caravelle) for easier access to the dive boat.

Romona: Hotel Caravelle is located right on the bustling harbor filled with fantastic restaurants and laid back bars. Best of all, our dive boat awaited us each morning at the dock. All we had to do was go down to the first floor! Everyday was a new adventure out in the warm and inviting ocean. The water is teaming with life; we saw an abundance of sea turtles and fish…including an eight-foot hammerhead! Simply AMAZING!

Shane: The diving was better than we could’ve hoped for. While the visibility wasn’t reaching it’s full potential, the debris was bringing in some interesting marine life. While you’d think an 8 foot hammerhead would be the highlight, we couldn’t top having Capt. Ed renew our vows on an underwater shipwreck. St. Croix knows how to have a good time! Not only was it the perfect place to enjoy some downtime after a hectic production year, but this place would make a good adventure show on it’s own! Like I said, we never stop working.

vow-renewal-underwater-romona_robbins (500x334) — Shane and Romona Renew their Vows Under Water

Romona: My most memorable and cherished moment on this island is that my hubby and I renewed our vows…underwater! Captain Ed of St. Croix Ultimate Blue Water Adventures made all this possible. Thanks, Reverend Ed! If you are looking for adventure (on land or by sea) and/or a quite retreat in paradise… St Croix is the place to be!

My Absolutely Bio-rific Week

August 26, 2011 by Cindy @ MyStCroix.VI 1 Comment

Last week I took the plunge and conquered my fears and after 10 years of SCUBA diving, I experienced a night dive. What drew me in finally was the possibility of witnessing the coral spawning. I’m still not sure if I saw it, but what I did experience was something surreal and out of this world … the nighttime, magical world of bioluminescence.

Perhaps its that I watch too much “Shark Week” and have a healthy fear of the dark/unknown, but diving at night where all I can see is within the small field of light emanating from my flashlight didn’t appeal to me. In fact, it invoked a bit of terror and anxiety. I’ve been boating at night with halogens glowing off the stern and saw that the small fish are attracted to the light and the bigger fish (aka predators) lurk just outside. Watching. Waiting. F-R-E-A-K-S me out. But, I am all about conquering (most) fears and with the added lure of coral spawning, I decided it was now or never.

Coral reefs are home to more than 25% of all marine life found on earth. Many reefs can be aged at 5,000 to 10,000 years old! The critters who inhabit the coral reef ecosystem in turn are eaten by larger predators who visit for a meal. Reefs also play an important role in the symbiotic relationship with coastal seagrasses which filter runoff and feed seaturtles and other marine life. The predatory fish that rely on the reefs are consumed by a huge portion of the human population. These are just a few reasons that corals are a critical part of our ocean environment. And thus, the annual spawning is not only exciting but crucial to its survival. [click here for more information on coral]

So, I guess you could say they had me at “coral spawning”. I posted a shout out on Facebook to my local friends that dive and in the end coerced a couple to join me (thanks Jerry & Chris for not making me face the dark alone!!). We headed out that Friday night with St Croix Ultimate Blue Water Adventures aboard their boat Reliance and headed for “Blue Chute”, a dive site just outside of Christiansted harbor. Keeping us safe and entertained was the dynamic duo of Captain Jon & dive master Lauren. And then we waited. For the sun to go down. Eek!! When I finally rolled off the boat into to the inky dark ocean I was in search of coral spawn, but what stole the show that night were the underwater fireworks.

St Croix Ultimate Blue Water Adventures SCUBA Reliance — SCUBA’s Reliance

It wasn’t the first time I’d experienced marine bioluminescence. In the 90’s I was an educator at the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, CT where I taught classes ranging from Shark Behavior to Jellyfish to Marine Conservation and crewed on the Marine Life Study cruises. In one of our classrooms, we had a small bag of dinoflagellates that we kept in the refrigerator. We would turn out the lights and shake them up to the “oohs” and “aahs” of the elementary school kids. On a trip to St Maarten in 1994, I’d seen a little glow while swimming at night. And at the beginning of this bio-rific week I got to experience one of only a handful of bays in the entire world that light up like a glow stick, the phosphorescent Bio Bay in Vieques aka Mosquito Bay. While sitting in the clear canoes you can actually see fish swimming by, their bodies illuminated by the tiny dinoflagellates that luminesce when disturbed by motion. But I’m not going to lie, the night dive was the grand finale of my “bio week”.

Vieques Bio Bay Clear Canoes — Vieques Adventure Co Clear Canoes on Bio Bay

I’ll admit it, I never expected what I saw. In fact, when a friend told me that we would turn our lights off during part of the dive I said “Hell no!”. Then when Lauren mentioned it as part of the dive brief, I thought “Ok you do that… I’m keeping mine on!” But once I was below and focused on the critters of the night, I started to relax. About a half-hour into our dive it happened… I saw lights starting to go out. I didn’t hold my breath (that’s a no-no in diving) but I wanted to as I clicked my torch off. It took a minute (what seemed like an eternity) for my eyes to adjust and THEN… magic. Dive Master Lauren described it best when we surfaced – it was like the night scene in the forest from Avatar. No lie. It looked just like the illustration below. I can still see the water all around us twinkling like a million little stars. It was like I was a constellation sitting in the middle of the milky way. Suspended all around us were glowing “Strings of Pearls”. These are actually Ostracods which are sesame-seed-sized crustaceans that live on the reef. The males, when courting, put on a dazzling light show to attract females and it looks like little strings of pearls (thus the obvious name). The reef itself was also brightly lit with the glowing eyes and bodies of other tiny creatures and floating particles. I thought to myself, why did we even bother with the flashlights?! I can see just fine!

Avatar’s Bioluminescent Forest

All-in-all it was a spectacular end to an exciting week. One that left me smugly satisfied that I am not just a visitor to these incredible islands – I live here and am appreciative of that every day. And while I may never experience quite that dramatic of a dive again – I’m certainly hooked on night diving now. Next stop, the Frederiksted Pier at night. I hear there’s quite the after-hours party going on there.

If you would like to try a night dive – or maybe you’re inspired to try your very first SCUBA dive we highly recommend our friends at St Croix Ultimate Blue Water Adventures or for diving at the Frederiksted Pier (an easy shore dive) contact our friends at N2 The Blue in Frederiksted. Both shops also offer West End wreck dives, as well as other great dive sites.