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

The locus of Buck Island Reef National Monument, this beach is beautiful, but its finest treasures are those you can see when you hop 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 beach. A hike leads uphill to an overlook for a bird's-eye view of the reef below. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

When you need a break from sightseeing, stop at this shady park on the street side of Fort Christiansvaern. It's named for a famed labor leader, judge, and journalist who started the first newspaper not under the thumb of the Danish crown (his birthday, November 1, is a territorial holiday celebrated with much fanfare in St. Croix). Public restrooms are available.

At this 17-acre estate, fragrant flora grows amid the ruins of a 19th-century sugarcane plantation (the former overseer's house has been left open to the elements as a habitat for native fruit bats). There are miniature versions of each ecosystem on St. Croix, from a semiarid cactus grove to a verdant rainforest, along with walking trails, a small museum, and a collection of seashells. The garden's orchid and bromeliad blooms are impressive.

On the island's breezy North Shore, Cane Bay does not always have gentle waters, but the scuba diving and snorkeling are wondrous. You can see elkhorn and brain corals, and less than 200 yards out is the drop-off called the Cane Bay Wall. Make Cane Bay an all-day destination by combining a dive with food and drinks at the casual bars and restaurants that line the waterfront. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

The molasses-based Captain Morgan rum is made at this massive, industrial-scale distillery. The 25-minute "experience" (it's not a factory tour) includes exhibits on island and rum history. An extensive gift shop—really the heart of this operation—sells branded clothing and keepsakes as well as rum. You can taste several varieties of Captain Morgan rum (the original spiced, white, aged, dark, and fruit-flavored) in sips and cocktails.

Located on the pier, Frederiksted's welcome center has brochures from numerous St. Croix businesses, as well as a few exhibits about the island. It's only open when cruise ships are in port. When the welcome center is not open, visitors can check with the tourism office (open weekdays only) in the old Custom House at 321 King Street (Suite 7).

For a trip back in time, tour this circa-1750 farm in a valley at La Grange. Guided and self-guided tours take in the lovely two-story house, aqueducts once used to transport water and cane juice, and the Little La Grange Farm, which produces organic crops for sale through the Ridge to Reef program. The great house includes the four-poster mahogany bed 19th-century owner Carl Lawaetz shared with his wife, Marie, the china Marie painted, family portraits, and the fruit trees that fed the family for several generations. Initially a sugar plantation, the farm was subsequently used to raise cattle and grow produce.

At approximately 1,160 feet, this is St. Croix's highest peak. Determined hikers can follow a dirt path to the summit. Route 78 (Scenic Road) climbs the shoulder of the mountain to the trailhead; use your GPS to locate the exact trailhead (it's at 17.7581944 by -64.8043056).

Built in 1830 on foundations that date from a century earlier, the historic building, which is near Fort Christiansvaern, originally served as both a customs house and a post office. In 1926 it became the Christiansted Library, and it's been a national park facility since 1972. It's closed to the public, but the sweeping front steps make a nice place to take a break.

This rocky promontory, marked by a large stone sundial sculpture, is the easternmost point in the United States and about a ½-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. Make the most of your trip here by hiking down to the pristine beach below. The marked trail is easy to navigate for adults and children.

Built in 1749, Christiansted's former post office was once the Danish West India & Guinea Company warehouse. It now serves as the park's administrative building.

Located at the western tip of St. Croix, this 383-acre wildlife sanctuary provides critical habitat for leatherback, green, and hawksbill sea turtles, which nest on the refuge's long, sandy beaches. Guided turtle-hatching walks are offered. The beaches are open to visitors when not occupied by turtles (closed April to August). The mangrove-fringed West End Salt Pond, which lies partly within the refuge's boundaries, is a bird-watcher's delight.

This 1856 building on the Christiansted waterfront was once where goods passing through the port were weighed and inspected. You can see an old Danish scale on the ground floor.

Located inside the entrance to The Buccaneer Hotel, Shoys Beach is a quiet and secluded beach on the island's east end. Enter the shaded entrance encircled by sea grape trees and go swimming in the calm waters, or bring your snorkel gear to catch a glimpse of lobster, small eels, and tropical fish. You’re almost always likely to have the beach to yourself. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; relaxing.

Take a tour at this local distillery to learn about the Caribbean's original Island Vodka made from breadfruit, Mutiny Island Vodka. Try a flight tasting of the different infusions like Ginger Lime, Smoked Hot Pepper, and the turmeric-ginger blend, or their best-selling Painkiller cocktail. The food menu features a wide variety of Caribbean-inspired options like guava roast pork, stuffed plantain, and coconut shrimp. Tours are provided to walk-in guests every hour on the half-hour, unless active distilling and bottling is taking place.