ST. CROIX TRAVEL GUIDE
EXPERIENCED BY KYLE SCHWARTZ
St. Croix Travel Guide: How I Spent 3 Perfect Days In The Us Virgin Islands
Day 1: Checking-in to The Buccaneer
When I landed on St. Croix, I was not entirely sure what to expect, and by the time I left three days later, I understood exactly why my clients who’ve been to all three US Virgin Islands still say St. Croix is the one that surprises them most.
My ride from the airport wound straight through Christiansted, the island’s old Danish port town and the boyhood home of Alexander Hamilton. Seeing all the pastel buildings, boutique shopping, and a boardwalk I knew I’d be back to explore it properly. I checked into The Buccaneer, a family-run resort dating back to the 17th century that claims the title of the Caribbean’s longest continuously running hotel. The Buccaneer with it’s iconic pink buildings, wears that history well. This hotel always takes care of my clients — from the front desk to housekeeping, the whole staff treats guests like they’ve been coming for years, even on their first visit. My first night ended with dinner at The Terrace, The Buccaneer’s open-air restaurant set inside the historic Great House, with views straight out over Christiansted Harbor. I took in the views while trying Caribbean-inspired seafood I still think about.
Day 2: Exploring Buck Island
Day two was the day I tell all my clients to build their whole trip around: Buck Island. This is always a favorite activity and after doing it myself I finally get why. I sailed out with Big Beard’s Adventure Tours on their half-day trip, and they took real good care of us from the dock to the reef. Buck Island Reef National Monument is a small, protected island just off St. Croix’s coast, and it’s home to the nation’s first underwater snorkeling trail — an hour of gliding through it with a guide pointing out everything I would have missed on my own. From there we anchored at Turtle Beach, which National Geographic has called one of the best beaches in the world, and I could see why. Back on land, I headed back to The Buccaneer for lunch at Beauregard’s on the Beach. I had sushi and tacos served right next to Grotto Beach, one of The Buccaneer’s three beaches. I spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing on the beach, which felt like exactly the right call, before heading to Hamilton’s in Christiansted for dinner, a St. Croix institution for hand-cut steaks and Caribbean-American plates that did not disappoint. My favorite bite was actually the last one. Their housemade ice cream was delicious.
Day 3: Beach Yoga and Island Tour
Day three started slow, I enjoyed beachfront yoga at Mermaid Beach then grabbed at cup of locally sourced bush tea at The Terrace. I headed out for an island tour that started at Point Udall, the easternmost point in the entire United States. Lunch was non-negotiable: La Reine Chicken Shack, a roadside spot outside Christiansted where locals, bikers, and travelers all show up to this local gem. When I book clients in St. Croix, I always tell clients not to skip La Reine Chicken Shack. I had the coal-roasted chicken and a fresh Johnnycake. I mean it when I say it might be the best chicken I’ve had in my life. From there I swung by the Cruzan Rum Distillery for a tour and tasting — they pour generously, and the fruity flights went down dangerously easy for early afternoon. I closed out the trip with dinner at The Mermaid, The Buccaneer’s beachfront restaurant, timed perfectly for the Monday night fire show that lights up the beach after dark.
Honestly, three days on St. Croix felt like both plenty and not nearly enough. It’s slower than St. Thomas, more substantial than St. John, and entirely its own thing. Just go — and if you want help planning a trip like this one, I’m just a message away. Contact Kyle for totally customized travel planning.
THE INSIDE SCOOP
VIBE // Laid-back, perfect for slowing down and exploring on your own terms
WELLNESS // Wellness at The Buccaneer is interwoven with the property. Beachfront yoga at Mermaid Beach, hiking down to Whistle Beach, and snorkeling right off the sand.
CULINARY SCENE // There are a variety of dining experiences at The Buccaneer in St. Croix is impressive. I loved breakfast at The Terrace every morning, great sushi beachside at Beauregard’s on the Beach, and breezy dinners at The Mermaid
BEST FOR // Independent explorers, food lovers, and anyone who wants a US Virgin Island trip that doesn’t feel like a corporate resort.
HOW DID THIS HOTEL MAKE ME FEEL // Staying at The Buccaneer on St.
Croix makes you feel like a regular. The staff remember treats you like you are being invited into their home and the property’s history gives the whole stay a sense of place.
IF I DID THE SAME TRIP AGAIN, HERE’S WHAT I WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY // I’d carve out a full afternoon to hike down to Whistle Beach. I’d also come back to golf. St. Croix is the only island in the United States Virgin Islands that has a golf course.
COMPLIMENTARY VACATION CONSULTATION
Contact Kyle to start planning your next getaway, and she’ll schedule a complimentary call to answer your questions, explore ideas, and walk you through how we design seamless, custom vacations. What sets us apart is that we work as one highly experienced team and are part of the world’s largest network of vetted travel providers, giving you unmatched access and peace of mind.