worst time to visit st croix

10 Things You Should Know Before Planning A St Croix Vacation

• Published on May 3, 2023
• by The Mom Trotter
• in Caribbean , North America , Travel , Travel Destinations

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Our family recently spent a few amazing days in St Croix in January. It was our first trip of the year, and a St Croix vacation was the perfect place to start the year.

St. Croix is in the United States Virgin Islands and is a wonderful part of the Caribbean. If you’ve never planned a trip to the Caribbean or even St Croix, then you’ll find this list of 10 things to know before planning a trip to St. Croix vacation useful.

St. Croix is an island in the Caribbean and is the largest and most populated island in the US Virgin Islands. It’s also home to two national parks, Isaac Bay and Salt River Bay, as well as several smaller nature reserves. St. Croix is known for its beautiful beaches, which are protected by coral reefs.

Here are 10 things you should know before planning a trip to this beautiful tropical island:

Driving In St. Croix

Renting a car is the best way to see the entire island on your terms. Do note that they drive on the left side of the road like in The United Kingdom or New Zealand, however, the driver also sits on the left as the cars are American.

This can be a challenge, so keep this in mind when planning your St Croix vacation. You will have to decide whether to get a rental car or not. You can also rent a car only for day trips if you need to.

St. Croix which is one of the US Virgin Islands is a US territory so there is no visa or passport required to visit. However, to fly back into the mainland US, immigration must be able to verify that you are a US citizen.

So make sure to pack a copy of your birth certificate when heading on a St Croix vacation, or if you have a passport that works even better. The same applies to children as well.

Take All Your Necessities

There is no Target or Walmart on St Croix, however, there is a K-Mart. If there are any specific things that you like to use when home, make sure to pack them so you don’t have to go from store to store searching for what you need.

We stopped by a grocery store and the prices made me gasp. So, when on your St Croix vacation, definitely keep in mind that prices will be higher because a lot of items have to be necessary.

Island Time

Nobody is in a rush anywhere – remember this while on the island! There is no rush when driving, expect to wait a bit longer for your than usual and more.

I enjoyed the fact that for the first time, I didn’t feel like I had to rush everywhere while on vacation.

What To Pack

St. Croix is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and it’s also home to some of the most relaxing beaches. So if you’re headed there for vacation, you’ll want to pack light airy clothes so that you don’t overheat.

You should also bring along your pool and beach gear – swimming trunks, waterproof phone case, goggles, etc. And don’t forget sunscreen—St. Croix’s weather is hot all year round!

St. Croix is a beautiful island, and one of the things that make it so great is that the currency is U.S. dollars. This means you can travel to the island without changing your money, and you won’t need cash on hand other than tips!

Most businesses accept card transactions, so you won’t need to carry cash around unless you want to tip someone (and I highly suggest having some cash on hand for that!).

I was excited to learn that if I purchased alcohol, then I can check it in for free. I bought 4 bottles of alcohol as gifts for friends and family, and I was able to check it in for free on Spirit Airlines.

I picked it up from the Spirit Airlines baggage counter once I landed in Los Angeles, and the bottles were still in good shape although the box wasn’t.

Cell Service

If you’re heading to St. Croix, you may be wondering if your cell phone will work there.

The answer is yes! Your cell phone will work on St Croix just like it does when you’re home, so you can expect to be able to text and call without being charged any international fees as a result of your phone usage. I have Verizon and had excellent service the whole time on our St Croix vacation.

St Croix is very safe! At no point in time did I or my family feel unsafe while on our St Croix vacation. We didn’t hear of any theft or pick-pocketing stories.

I highly recommend a St Croix vacation for people who travel solo, with friends, and families too.

People from St. Croix are called Crucians, and they are some of the nicest and most friendly people you’ll ever meet. All of this just adds to the charm of the island making it a highly-rated destination, significantly.

Best Time To Travel To St Croix

The best time to visit is during the shoulder seasons, from May to June and November to mid-December, when the weather is still calm, there are fewer crowds, and prices are lower. The peak tourist season is December to April, with relevant price increases. Visitors can enjoy events such as the St. Croix Food & Wine Experience and the Crucian Christmas Festival. April to September is a great time to see sea turtles lay their eggs. Plan your trip to St. Croix during the shoulder seasons for the perfect vacation.

You’ll never worry about enjoying yourself in St. Croix if you prep yourself before the trip.

St Croix is a great choice for your next vacation and we hope this list of 10 things to know before planning a trip to St. Croix vacation has been helpful.

If you have any questions about planning a trip to the Caribbean or even St Croix, then please reach out and let us know in the comments section below!

This post was sponsored by Visit St. Croix, however, all opinions are my own.

Hey Fam, I’m so glad you’re here! I am an entrepreneur and travel enthusiast who is passionate about sharing an alternate way of living surrounding travel, homeschooling, parenting and financial independence, with a mission to inspire other families.

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The Best And Worst Times To Visit The U.S Virgin Islands

By: Author Martin Soto

Home » USVI » The Best And Worst Times To Visit The U.S Virgin Islands

No matter what months you decide to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands, you can expect warm weather. However, if you want to avoid the rain, you can visit them during their dry season. The best time to visit the U.S Virgin Islands is the months of December all through May, as that’s considered the dry season.

On the other hand, the worst times to visit the U.S Virgin Islands are June through November since that’s the rainy season and also the start of hurricane season. The rain can end up ruining some of your plans, as it did with mine when we had to stop ziplining in the middle of the course due to a storm with a chance of thunder.

Overall, the weather for St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John tends to be the same since  they’re so close in proximity .

Best Time: The Dry Season (December – May)

Most people decide to visit the U.S Virgin Islands during the dry season, as you’re guaranteed warm sunny weather, and the threat of hurricanes is minimal during this time.

The vast majority of tourism on the island occurs during these months, and it peaks at its highest in March due to spring break. There is very little rain during this time, with the average being only 1-2 inches per month. 

Between December and May, you get temperatures that average between 85-86 degrees Fahrenheit, which tend to be lower than the temperatures during the rainy seasons. Regardless, swimming in the water is always comfortable during any month.

You luckily do get some winds during this time, which keep you feeling cool at times. At night the weather cools down a bit, lowering down to an average of 71-78 degrees, according to the  National Weather Service . The beaches also have calm and tranquil water during this time, making them pleasant to swim in. 

Worst Time: The Rainy Season / Hurricane Season (June – November)

The hurricane season in the U.S Virgin Islands starts in the month of June and ends in November. Hurricanes are a real threat in the islands, making these months an unpopular time to visit.

That doesn’t mean you need to cancel your plans if you have arrangements for visiting during these months, but you just need to be aware of what the weather will be like during this time. You can find a general  overview of the current weather forecast here . 

According to the National Weather Service, you get average temperatures between June and November that range between 86-89 degrees Fahrenheit but sometimes reach as high as the ’90s. At night it lowers down a bit to an average of 75-78 degrees Fahrenheit.

There are reasons to visit the USVI outside of the dry season, specifically regarding prices and crowds. Since the vast majority of tourists tend to visit during the dry season, prices for items on the islands increase, and crowds gather up in many places.

You can avoid those two things by visiting after the dry season is over. If you visit during the rainy season, you’re almost guaranteed to pay a lot less than you usually would, but you just need to watch out for the threat of hurricanes.

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• 8 Day St. Croix Itinerary: An Island Full of Surprises!

by Nichole | Last updated Apr 22, 2024 | Caribbean Itinerary , St. Croix

When you think of the U.S. Virgin Islands, most people think of St. John or St. Thomas. St. Croix is often overlooked. After spending a week there, I am surprised! It has amazing food culture, beautiful hikes, some spectacular snorkeling sites, and very unique attractions. Follow my St. Croix itinerary to discover all these gems.

* Some of the links in this post contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. All recommendations are from first-hand experience that I feel will deliver value to you! Thank you for your continued support.

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DAY 1: TRAVEL DAY TO ST. CROIX

Day 2: annaly bay tide pools, day 3: buck island + ziggy's, day 4: frederiksted pier + rhythms + monks bath, day 5: mt. eagle hike, day 6: cane bay + rainforest + sandy point + sand castle, day 7: hike to isaac & jack bay + christiansted, day 8: relaxed morning at the villa + fly back home, who will like this st. croix itinerary, best time to visit st. croix, accomodations, airlines & lounges, car rental & how to get around, tour operators, lunch/dinner reservations, what i would have changed, related content.

We arrived at the airport in St. Croix (STX) at 1:30 pm.  

We rented an SUV from Centerline Car Rental. The check-in process was seamless, and we picked up the car on-site at the airport. We drove for about 25 minutes to our villa rental. Once we arrived, we dropped off our suitcases and headed to the local grocery store.

4 pm: Grocery run at Plaza West.

Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner: Today was a travel day, so breakfast/lunch was eaten at the airport/plane. We ate at the villa for dinner.

Overnight: The Pearl . The villa was perched on the cliffs, so every night we were lulled to sleep listening to the crashing waves. We loved our rental and will stay here on future trips to St. Croix.

1:30 pm: After our morning adventure, we elected to make our own cocktails and relax in our private pool for the afternoon.

Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner: At the villa

Overnight: The Pearl

1:45 pm: Visit Point Udall, which is marked by a giant sundial known as the Millenium Monument.

2 pm: We checked out another tide pool called Monks Bath. Interesting but not as spectacular as Annaly Bay Tide Pools.

Breakfast/Dinner: At the villa

1 pm Lunch: Rhythms at Rainbow Beach. This beachfront restaurant is the “Original Home of the Lima-N-Da-Coconut” tropical drink. We had a few of these and also enjoyed some delicious, fresh Mahi tacos.

4 pm: Martinis by the pool. FYI: St. Croix is home to Sion Farm Distillery , which produces the local Mutiny Island Vodka made from breadfruit. You can visit the distillery for a tasting or buy it at the local grocery store.

9:30 am: We snorkeled at the beautiful Cane Bay. We saw turtles and schools of fish. You can also dive “The Wall,” a vertical steep cliff.

11 am: We drove through the rainforest to see the beer (nonalcoholic) drinking pigs. Unfortunately, they were closed when we went.

11:45 am: Next we checked out Sandy Point Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean.

12:30 pm: Next stop was snorkeling at Sand Castle, where we saw some beautiful brightly colored starfish and many tropical fish.

2 pm Lunch: La Reine Chicken Shack. Best BBQ chicken ever! 

11:30 am: Once we arrived at Isaac Bay, we decided to cool off and go snorkeling. We saw some tropical fish and even a lobster.

2:30 pm: We checked out the colorful town of Christiansted and had some ice cream at What’s Da Scoop.

We slept in, had a late breakfast, and got one last swim in. A rainbow appeared before we had to drive off at 12 pm. Incredible! It was so hard to leave! 

3:35 pm: Flight back home.

Breakfast: At the villa

12:30 pm Snack: We swung by Thomas Bakery for some local coconut sweets and then headed to the airport.  

• Beach lovers
• Snorkeling & hiking enthusiasts
• Foodies (St. Croix definitely has a great food culture)
• Avoid hurricane season from June-November. If you go during that time, buy travel insurance.
• April and May are ideal due to better temperatures, little rainfall, and slightly fewer crowds.
• December – March is also a nice time to visit, but it is peak season so prices will be higher. Also, “Christmas winds”  occur during this time which can make snorkeling difficult or impossible.
• The Pearl (7 nights) 

American Airlines

• We had a layover in Miami both ways. Total flight times from the east coast + layovers were about 6-7 hours.

Amex Centurion Lounge Miami

• Beautiful lounge but crowded!

St. Croix is large and spread out. I would highly advise renting a car.

We used Centerline Car rental. I highly recommend them.

• Buck Island Tour
• None. All of the restaurants we chose did not require reservations.
• We went during the pandemic at Christmas, and a lot of the food establishments we wanted to visit were either closed or had reduced hours. Places on our list to check out when we go back are Ital in Paradise, Savant, AMA at Cane Bay, 40 Eats & Drinks, Nidulari (food truck in the rainforest), and Singh’s Fast Food for local food.
• Cruzan Rum Distillery was closed when we went, but I would have loved to have done a tour and a tasting. Instead, we settled for buying bottles of rum at the grocery store and did our own rum tasting back at the villa rental.

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Questions about our St. Croix itinerary?

Let me know in the comments below!

We are going to StX this coming week and are so excited! Your blog is the best organized, most clearly written, and illustrated that I’ve ever seen! Thank you for your advice. Question, do you use a light when snorkeling to get those colorful photos? (Like Fred. Pier)

Thank you so much for the very kind feedback.

Great question. I don’t use a light, but there are three things you need to make those underwater photos pop.

1. You have to be close enough to the subject. 2. You need some natural light filtering in. For example, it’s really dark under Frederiksted Pier. Go on a day when it’s sunny. The light will come in at an angle which illuminates the pylons, where all the brightly-colored coral is growing. The coral is really that colorful! 3. The third trick is to have a dive filter . I use a GoPro for all of my underwater footage. I pop the filter on to help pick up those vibrant colors underwater.

Hope this helps! Happy to answer any other questions. Enjoy your trip!

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