St. Croix Overview

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. It features top-notch beaches, exceptional recreational activities, wonderful dining, and unique attractions like Buck Island Reef National Monument and Whim Plantation, a cultural landmark that was once a Danish sugar plantation.

St. Croix has both suffered and prospered at the hands of many nations and privateers since 1493, when Christopher Columbus made his landfall at Salt River on his second voyage to the new world. The flags of Spain, England, Holland, France, Knights of Malta, Denmark, and the United States have all flown over the island. Consequently, St. Croix has had many different names. "AyAy" was the name given to it by the Caribe Indians around 900 A.D. The Spaniards then renamed it Santa Cruz. The French changed it to Saint Croix when they occupied the island. The English reverted to Santa Cruz during their short occupation. And the Danes, again, called it Saint Croix- the name has held since the 18th century.

Capital

Christiansted; Charlotte Amalie (pronounced Ah-MAHL-ya) is the capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands and is located on the island of St. Thomas.

Official Language

English (Many locals speak with a Caribbean accent). Spanish and Creole are also spoken.

Politics

The U.S. Virgin Islands is a U.S. territory. The Organic Act of July 22, 1954 gives the U.S. Department of the Interior jurisdiction over the U.S. Virgin Islands. Limited legislative powers have been granted to a democratically elected legislature of 15 senators. A new constitution recently approved by Congress allows for greater home rule.

Population

Approximately 60,000. Crucians (inhabitants of the island), represent a diverse mix of ethnicities. Generally, the people of St. Croix consist of four major groups: Puerto Ricans, French who have migrated from French islands, African descendants, and transplants from the United States and the United Kingdom. The island has an estimated adult literacy rate of 90 - 95%.

Industry

As with many other Caribbean islands, tourism drives the economy of St. Croix. Other industries that impact the economy include agriculture and oil.

Money

As with the rest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, the US dollar is official currency in St. Croix. The island has modern banking facilities, including several ATM machines. Most major businesses, hotels and restaurants accept major credit cards and travelers' checks, although it's a good idea to call ahead and ask just to be sure. Also, note there is no sales tax anywhere on USVI.

Sunrise and Sunset

Sunrise: Between 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.

Sunset: Between 6:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

*Depends on time of year.

Electricity

110 Volts alternating at 60 cycles per second

Time

Like most of the Caribbean, St. Croix is in the Atlantic Time zone, four hours behind Greenwich Mean Time and one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time.

Water

The water is potable; for those who want to exercise caution, however, bottled water is available throughout the island.

Religions

Among a number of religions of represented on St. Croix, Christianity is the most prevalent. The most common denomination is Protestant, followed by Roman Catholic. Judaism, Islam, and Rastafarianism are also lightly represented.

Telephone Calls

The country code for St. Croix is 340. Public pay phones and pre-paid phone cards are available throughout the island, and most calling cards work. For mobile phones, Sprint, Cingular, and Innovative Wireless provide roaming service.

Media

The St. Croix Source is the local newspaper on the island, and St. Croix This Week is a visitor’s guide filled with maps and useful traveling information. Also, the Pulitzer Prize-winning Virgin Islands Daily News is the only independent newspaper on the islands. Cable television service that carries basic cable channels and three local channels is available in St. Croix, and, reaching nearly 1 million people, WRRA 1210 AM is an eclectic local radio station.

Postal Service

The United States Postal Service provides service in St. Croix, and the postal rates are the same as they are on the U.S. mainland. Several post offices populate the island, including one at the airport. Hours of operation vary, but the outlets are generally open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; a few are open during the morning hours on Saturday. Courier services, including DHL Worldwide Express, UPS, and Federal Express, are also available on the island.

Library

St. Croix has several public libraries, including The Regional Library For the Blind & Physically Handicapped and The Florence Williams Public Library, named after the first native librarian in St. Croix.

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.

Fauna and Flora

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 Christmas time, 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, 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.

Watch the Sun

During the midday hours, the tropical sun can be very dangerous. During the first few days, use a good sun block, and only spend about 20 minutes a day in the sun.

Shelling and Seashore Creatures

There are not very many specimens of shells in the Virgin Islands, but you can find some interesting bits of coral washed up on the shore. Removing shells from the sea is frowned upon. It is against the law to remove sea fans and living coral. In areas where there is less traffic, beware of sea urchins. They are round, black (or sometimes white) spiny chinoderms lying on the ocean floor. If you touch one, the sting is very painful, but not dangerous. A quick dousing of vinegar applied to the skin surface will stop the pain and help get rid of the barbs. A doctor should examine most cases. Endangered sea turtles utilize many beaches for nesting sites. These nests are found near the surface of the sand. Please be careful not to harm them. The "gardens" of the Caribbean lie within the protected reef waters off St. Croix beaches. There you can find sea fans, elkhorn and black coral, brain coral, and five-pointed sea stars as well as a expansive variety of reef fishes. A water-proof guide helps identify all of the different kinds of fish and sea creatures.  

Money Matters

In the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, the U.S. dollar is legal tender and credit cards are usually accepted. Some establishments will add a surcharge for some credit cards or travelers checks. Be sure to inquire!

Banking Hours

Many major banks have branches in St. Croix. Business hours for most are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.

Manners and Dress

Virgin Islanders are reserved, but friendly. All speak English. Virgin Islanders appreciate a genuine "good morning" or "good afternoon" as a prelude to a conversation. Dress is casual; however, bathing suits, unbuttoned shirts, and short shorts are not looked upon favorably in town and shopping areas. If you find yourself in need of appropriate clothing, or if you just love to shop, there are some fabulous boutiques to help you to complete your wardrobe. Year round, simple cottons are preferred as it is much cooler. A jacket and tie are seldom required for men--neither are raincoats or sweaters. A wide-brimmed hat is recommended for protection against the sun.

What to Bring

Not much is needed! No adapters are needed for U.S. made electrical appliances such as irons and hair dryers. As always, any prescription medication should be hand carried - replacements may be difficult to fund.

Post Offices

Christiansted Main P.O. Christiansted Downtown Gallows Bay Kingshill Sunny Isle Frederiksted St. Croix is part of the U.S. postal system, therefore, first-class mail is the same as the U. S. mainland.

Churches

Moravian, Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, Episcopal, Jewish. For a complete listing of churches, consult the Yellow Pages of the Virgin Islands telephone book.

Communications

Local calls are 25 cents for each five minutes on coin-operated phones. Dialing direct is available and there are many AT&T direct dial phones. For cellular service press "O Send" from cellular phone. The local area code is 809. (Sometime in the near future, the area code for the U.S. Virgin Islands will be changing to 340.

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

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