After a long school year, I think we’re all pretty excited that it’s summer; It’s finally that time to trade in our textbooks for bikinis and soak up the sun. With all the free time you might have over the summer, it can honestly be a hard time deciding how – or where – you want to spend your days. If you’ve been itching for a tropical getaway, look no further, because I have the perfect spot for you. St. Croix is located in the US Virgin Islands and is actually near and dear to my heart because it is where most of my family is from. Not only is it filled with gorgeous beaches and welcoming locals, but the atmosphere is like no other. If you need a little convincing on why you need to visit, let me help you out.

Hotel on the Cay

This hotel is home to one of my favorite beach spots in St. Croix. You don’t have to stay at the hotel to enjoy it’s beach; in fact, you can catch a boat ride over to it at almost any time of day. From its clear waters and white sands, this spot is perfect for just relaxing or enjoying a drink at the bar. 

Snorkeling

Like I said before, the water in St. Croix is so crisp and beautiful. If you wanted to explore it further than just taking a dip, there are tons of options for snorkeling services. No matter which you decide on, you will get the same wonderful experience of getting to glide through the water with the tropical marine life.

Buck Island

Buck Island is a gorgeous reef filled with flourishing coral and marine life, so this excursion is super fun and like nothing else you can find in St. Croix. Something really exciting that I actually haven’t tried there yet is wall diving! You can dive along the large Cane Bay wall and explore all the clear ocean has to offer, especially the beautiful, colorful reef. 

Mt. Pellier Hut Domino Club

This spot is really unique for one reason in specific – beer drinking pigs. Don’t worry, the beer is non-alcoholic! This little bar is tucked away in a rainforest of St. Croix; if you’re not grabbing a drink or a bite to eat, you can pay a small price to feed the resident pigs a can of beer, and watch them crush the cans open and drink it. It’s definitely a fun experience and a landmark!

Christiansted 

There are only 2 towns on the beautiful island – Christiansted & Frederiksted. Though I love and have great memories at both, I think I love Christiansted just a bit more. It’s filled with so many shopping opportunities, from jewelry shops filled with native jewelry to delicious restaurants. If you’re in the market for some local jewelry, be sure to check out Sonya Ltd. Sonya’s is the home of the classic and very popular hook bracelet that you can spot people wearing all over the world.

This is just a little taste of all the treasures that this lovely island I call home has to offer. There are so many more things to discover and enjoy on the island, and I highly encourage everyone to visit and explore for themselves! Along with all of its landmarks, it comes with an amazing history as well. If you’re interested in learning a bit more about its riveting backstory, I would highly recommend checking out Fireburn by Angela Golden Bryan. It’s a short but interesting read that will give you a bit more insight!