St. Croix Climate

Climate

St. Croix's climate is typically tropical and sunny with an average daily temperature of 79°F. The evening temperatures hover in the mid-70's on an average. Brief showers of rain (most last only minutes) provide a total annual rainfall of about 45 inches. Trade winds gently blow across the island, keeping the humidity low.

The Land

The island is from one extreme to the other, topographically. The driest part of the island is the east end with its cactus, yucca, scrub vegetation and hills. As you travel westward, you will see a gradual increase in the tropical vegetation until you reach St. Croix's Rain Forest or Frederiksted with its old plantations, great waters for diving, and beautiful beaches.

Flora and Fauna

Many species of birds make their home here including frigate birds, pelicans, the brown booby, parakeets, mockingbirds, ground doves, the mangrove cuckoo, the sparrow hawk, and the banana quit (yellow bird or sugar bird), which is the national bird. There are also blue-winged teal ducks during the winter, as well as ospreys, the kingfisher, the spotted sandpiper and warblers. During spring and summer, St. Croix is visited by laughing gulls, plovers, terns and barn swallows.

Tropical flowers and plants abound and include hibiscus, bougainvillea, pink and white oleander, frangipani, flamboyant in summer, poinsettia at Christmastime, jasmine, orchids (both wild and cultivated), the Ginger Thomas (the national flower), lush tropical foliage, arid island cactus and acacia scrub, periwinkles, bird of paradise, ixora, plumbago, cup of gold, many other flowering plants and bushes, sea grapes, palms and mangrove trees. Some plants and bushes are known by interesting local names such as Catch-and-keep, monkey-don't-climb, jump-up-and-kiss-me, nothing-nut, pink-shower, crown-of-thorns, jumbi cutlass, clashie melashie, eye-bright and cock-a-locka. Fruits grow everywhere and include summer mango, pineapple, banana, genip, soursop, mammee apple, plantain, guava, and passion fruit.

Under water, the reefs are alive with brain corals, sea fans, five-pointed sea stars, sea urchins, and antler coral. Parrot fish, sergeant majors, jewel fish and angelfish are commonly seen by snorkelers.

St. Croix Guide

About St. Croix

The largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix is a picturesque escape, with rolling hills, charming Old World towns, and a dense, 15-acre tropical forest. more

Island Views