Saint Croix

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Saint Croix: A quick guide

Saint Croix is the largest island in the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), a Caribbean group that is an unincorporated territory of the United States. It sits in the Leeward Islands and is part of a U.S. free-port area. As of the 2020 census, about 41,000 people live on the island.

What Saint Croix is like
- Nickname: Twin City, because of its two main towns, Frederiksted on the western side and Christiansted on the northeast.
- Size and topography: About 84 square miles (roughly 220 square kilometers). The island is hilly in the east and along the north coast, with a broad plain toward the south. Its highest point is Mount Eagle, 1,165 feet (355 meters) high.
- Climate: Tropical to semi-arid. Year-round trade winds keep temperatures comfortable, typically in the mid-70s to high-80s Fahrenheit (mid-20s to low 30s Celsius). Rainfall ranges from about 25 to 50 inches per year, depending on where you are on the island. The wet season is roughly August to November.

People and language
- People are called Crucians. The population on Saint Croix is diverse, with many families tracing roots back to enslaved Africans, European settlers, and later migrants from across the Caribbean.
- Language: English is the official language. Virgin Islands Creole English is widely spoken in everyday life. Spanish is common among migrants from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, and other languages are spoken by immigrant communities.
- Religion: Christianity is the dominant faith, with many churches from Protestant denominations and a significant Roman Catholic presence. Other faiths are also represented.

A brief history
- Indigenous presence dates back to pre-Columbian times, with groups like the Taíno and earlier peoples.
- Christopher Columbus landed on Santa Cruz in 1493. Over the centuries, the island changed hands among Europeans and was part of the Danish West Indies for about 200 years.
- Saint Croix became part of the U.S. after the 1917 treaty that transferred the Danish West Indies to the United States for $25 million in gold. The inhabitants gained U.S. citizenship in 1927.
- The island’s economy was once dominated by sugar plantations and enslaved labor. Slavery was abolished in 1848.
- In the modern era, Saint Croix faced economic challenges and natural disasters, including the 1989 Hurricane Hugo and the 2017 Hurricane Maria. A large oil refinery operated on the island for decades, with shutdowns and partial resuming in the 2010s and early 2020s.
- In 2022, Saint Croix and the surrounding area were designated as a National Heritage Area to help preserve and promote the island’s historic and cultural sites.

What people do there
- The island’s economy today centers on tourism, which accounts for a large share of the U.S. Virgin Islands’ economy. Tourism is driven by cruises, beaches, water sports, resorts, and local culture.
- Other industries include oil refining (at times), rum production, and services. The Cruzan Rum Distillery on Saint Croix is well known, with a history dating back to the 18th century.
- Agriculture has been making a slow comeback, and local markets feature fresh fruit, vegetables, and other goods.

Getting around and getting there
- Transportation: Cars are left-hand drive, but people drive on the left side of the road, which can be tricky for visitors from places with right-hand traffic.
- Getting around: The island has a public bus service (VITRAN), taxis, and private “taxi buses” that run on flexible routes. Taxis are more expensive for city trips. There are ferries between Saint Croix and nearby islands like St. Thomas, and a regional airport (Henry E. Rohlsen International Airport) serves flights from the U.S. mainland, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean.
- Customs: Even though Saint Croix is part of the U.S., travelers from the continental U.S. and Puerto Rico clear U.S. customs when visiting. U.S. citizens typically don’t need a passport to enter the USVI, but proof of citizenship may be requested on departure.

Places and activities to enjoy
- Historic towns: Frederiksted and Christiansted each offer historic streets, colorful architecture, shops, and dining. Fort Christiansværn in Christiansted is a popular historic site, and Frederiksted features a lively waterfront and centuries-old buildings.
- National and natural sites: Buck Island Reef National Monument is a popular snorkeling and diving destination off the north coast. Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve preserves an important historical site from Columbus’s era and features mangroves, estuaries, and marine life. Green Cay is a nearby island with reefs for divers.
- Bio bays: Saint Croix has two bioluminescent bays where tiny organisms glow when the water is disturbed — Salt River Bay and Altona Lagoon — offering magical nighttime kayaking experiences.
- Outdoor fun: Snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, and golf are all popular. The water around Saint Croix is warm year-round, perfect for water sports.
- Festivals and events: The Crucian Christmas Carnival is the island’s biggest festival in late December and early January. Other events include the Agricultural and Food Fair in mid-February and regular cultural happenings like Jump-Up in Christiansted and Sunset Jazz in Frederiksted. The annual St. Croix Half Ironman Triathlon is held in May, featuring a challenging course that runs up a famous steep hill nicknamed “The Beast.”

A note on culture and identity
- Saint Croix has a long history of immigration and mixing of cultures. Many families can trace their roots back to different Caribbean islands, Europe, Africa, and beyond. This mix influences language, food, music, and daily life, creating a rich, diverse community.

Saint Croix is a place of history, landscapes, and sea adventures, with friendly towns, deep cultural roots, and plenty of sunshine for visitors and residents to enjoy.