Hi - we are thinking about a spring break trip, DH, me, and two teenage sons. We chose St Croix for the diving, and it seems that some of the best is on the North shore, over by Cane Bay. So, I have a few questions - do we really need to stay near there? How hard is it to get around? We will be renting a car. I have stayed at dive resorts before, and the convenience is wonderful, but with a captive audience, they can sometimes skimp on food and lodging. Frederiksted also looks nice with good diving round the pier. So, my main question is, any suggestions on moderately priced, < $200 a night, lodgings? Either the Frederiksted area or the north shore?

You are right - the best diving is on the North Shore. But there aren't a whole lot of places to stay. You might want to check out private villas (there are a few in the area), but the main places I can think of in the North Shore/Cane Bay area are Carambola, The Waves, Gentle Winds and the cottages at the Cane Bay Dive Shop. If you can get a good rate, the Carambola would work well for you (great resort and it is the spot on the island that the wall is closest to shore). You could get away with one room there, since every room has a king bed and a queen size sofa bed. Their prices are a little high now that they are a Marriott, but if you can get a deal I think it is a good choice. Otherwise, The Waves is a nice little hotel right by Cane Bay, with rooms right on the water, but each room only has a king bed so you would need 2 rooms (which price-wise would probably work out to about the same as Carambola), and there isn't a whole lot of socializing room (but each room has a private balcony right over the water). I’ve also heard decent things about the cottages at the Cane Bay Dive Shop, but I’ve never tried them. They are on the property next to the dive shop, which puts them across from the beach at Cane Bay and within walking distance of at least 3 beach bars/restaurants. I think they are one bedroom cottages with a separate sofa bed, so you could sleep 4 in the unit. Another option is Gentle Winds condos next to Salt River. There are a lot of 2 bedroom condos there that are rented by the week, and they have a good beach and a big pool, plus they are close enough to Salt River to use Anchor Dive at the Salt River Marina as your dive shop (their boat can easily get you to all of the north shore sites, plus they have kayaks for kayaking Salt River that are really nice), and you are a shorter drive to Cane Bay than if you were to stay in F'sted, so you can get over to the beach bars and restaurants pretty easily, and wouldn't have any trouble using Cane Bay as your dive base, either. Gentle Winds might also be a good idea because it is also a little closer to Christiansted, making it a little easier to explore that section of the island.

The last time we were down there (only 10 days ago!) we ran into a lot of people on the west end that were staying in Frederiksted, and they really liked it, but I don't have a lot of informatino about good places to stay on that end. I used to be uneasy in F'sted after dark, but now that the cruise ships are back they have really cleaned up the place, and locals now say that it is safer than Christiansted after dark. But you will still need to drive 20-25 minutes to the North Shore for decent diving. The diving by the pier is lovely, but that is just about the only dive on the West End that is worth doing (but the beach bars on that side are great because the water is smooth as glass). I'll try to do some research on F'sted for you, but my first thought is that you would probably have a good time at either Carambola or Gentle Winds.

late replying, but Thanks, tejana! as it turns out we will be at the Colony Cove. Carambola is out of our price range, and Gentle Winds is booked for part of our time there . Anyone have any experience with Colony Cove? Chenay Bay also has room, we might switch there. Has anyone stayed there recently?

How much time should we allot to getting around? For example, how long will it take to get from Christiansted to Fredericksted?

And, what are some must go to restaurants?? we like all kinds of food - what should we try there?

changed again - I don't like Colony Cove's location, and the kids want to be in Christiansted so we are trying to choose between Hotel on the Cay and Pelica Cove Condos (not hotel).

Never stayed at Hotel on the Cay but I know people who have. They really liked the beach there, the rooms are a little "tired" but not bad, and I think the kids would get a kick out of having their own private ferry to the center of town whenever they want. I'm not sure what arrangements they make for you to park your car securely on the mainland, but I'm sure they have a plan. I'm glad you decided against Colony Cove -- "condo row," as that string of condo complexes on the beach is known, is not exactly in a great neighborhood. I know absolutely nothing about Pelican Cove - I think it is near Judith's Fancy, which would make it a good location for exploring North Shore and still very easy to get to C'sted for supplies, but it is NOT in the center of town like Hotel on the Cay. Still, it looks like a lot of room for the four of you, and it would probably make a great base and would be very similar to Gentle Winds. Either one would probably be a good choice. For me, I'd probably lean toward Pelican Cove for the extra space and a little more peace and quiet in the evening, but you need to weigh how much freedom you want the kids to have to explore on their own. If you want them to be able to get out and about in C'sted, you can't get any more central than Hotel on the Cay. But I don't think the Cay has full kitchens (nothing more than a fridge and a microwave), so you will probably be limiting yourselves to all meals out, if that makes a difference. Decisions, decisions!

We stayed at Chenay Bay about 4 years ago on our honeymoon and really liked it. We found it peaceful and quiet yet easy to get to other places. Not sure if kids would appreciate it as much as we did, but the accommodations were lovely with beautiful views.

You can find great affordable family-friendly vacation rentals near the scuba diving venues of Frederiksted, US Virgin
Islands. All have websites with prices listed, and with great swimming/snorkeling beaches and/or pools:

www.SugarHillbytheSea.com

Cottages by the Sea

Sandcastle on the Beach, with Beachside Cafe and daily pass for beachclub membership.

Most of their rental units have furnished kitchens so you can fix your own meals comfortably .... or walk to the Beachside Cafe or lounge... or a longer walk into Frederiksted.

That's Frederiksted in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands ... for very affordable vacation rentals (see prior post).