2 Best Sights in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

Part of Buck Island Reef National Monument, this is a must-see for anyone in St. Croix. The beach is beautiful, but its finest treasures are those you can see when you plop off the boat and adjust your mask, snorkel, and fins to swim over colorful coral and darting fish. Don't know how to snorkel? No problem—the boat crew will have you outfitted and in the water in no time. Take care not to step on those black-pointed spiny sea urchins or touch the mustard-color fire coral, which can cause a nasty burn. Most charter-boat trips start with a snorkel over the lovely reef before a stop at the island's beach. A hike leads uphill to an overlook for a bird's-eye view of the reef below. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

This rocky promontory, marked by a large stone sundial sculpture, is the easternmost point in the United States; it's about a half-hour drive from Christiansted. A paved road takes you to an overlook with glorious views; it's an especially popular gathering spot on New Year's Day for those who want to be the first to greet the first sunrise of the year. Adventurous visitors can hike down to the pristine beach below. On the way back to town, look for the Castle Aura, an enormous Moorish-style mansion. It was built by the late Nadia Farber, the former Contessa de Navarro, and an extravagant local character.