About St. Croix ► Island Information

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St. Croix's history spans the rule of seven nations, each influencing the customs, character, language and architecture of the of the island. Even today, with modern conveniences, St. Croix retains the old world charm that has vanished on many other islands. The pace is slower, and everyone takes time to stop and smell the frangipani!


The island is 1700 miles south of New York, 1100 miles south east of Miami, near the eastern tip of the Caribbean island chain. On the same latitude as Acapulco and Hawaii, just below the Tropic of Cancer, it is eternal summer caressed by cooling tradewinds. The average temperature is in the mid-80s, and there's just enough rain to keep the ixora, hibiscus and bougainvillea in bloom. The island is 22.7 miles long, and at its widest only 8 miles, but in this stretch there are great varying landscapes. The eastern end is dry, with giant cactus and yucca clusters. The middle is flat fertile land, once the site of massive sugar cane plantations. The western end rises to a height of 1,096 feet on Blue Mountain, culminating in a rain forest of giant mahogany, saman and tibet trees.

The beaches are unique, some quiet coves, some, like Cane Bay, a world renown dive site. Snorkeling is easy, for abundant sea life and coral reefs are close to shore. The high salt content of the Caribbean Sea makes you more bouyant so snorkeling here is easy.

Christiansted: One of two towns on the island, and a National Historic Site, Christiansted was once the Capital of the Danish West Indies, and was founded in 1734. The architectural quality of the town is remarkable, with cobblestone walkways shaded by large arched galleries. The Danes discovered how to adapt 18th Century-style buildings in the West Indies to reduce heat, maximize breeze, and withstand tropical storms. Trey ceilings let warm air rise in the days before ceiling fans and air conditioning, and cross ventilation is enhanced by rectangular shaped buildings. In fact, even today, many buildings and homes on St. Croix are not air conditioned thanks to this ingenious pratcical design. The buildings were constructed from cut coral blocks (look closely, you'll wonder how they were ever harvested!) and Danish brick brought as ballast. Thick walls keep the interiors cool, and courtyards and arcades provided shaded retreats. Narrow streets were wide enough for the mule carts of the 1800s! This area, once prestigious residences and mercantile shops of the wealthy Danes, today forms the shopping and restaurant district. Ongoing interest continues and plans are underway for the historic restoration of old buildings on the outskirts of town.

Frederiksted: Victorian Gingerbread, wide streets, and a picturesque waterfront the full length of the town make Frederiksted one of the most beautiful in the Caribbean. Freedom City, as it is known, has a rich history. Smugglers and pirates of the mid-1700s necessitated the construction of Fort Frederik in 1752. The city was destroyed by fire in 1758, and rebuilt in the Victorian style of the era. Time seems to have passed the city by, but the beautiful park, and open air vendors mart comes alive on the days the sleek cruise ships dock at the new pier. On those evenings, Harbour Night turns Strand Street into a festival, with mocko jumbie stilt dancers, steel pan bans, and street vendor offering local food and drink. Navy ships and subs from the US and foreign fleets dock here often for R&R and frequently give tours of the vessels.

ARRIVAL: US citizens don't need a passport or visa. Departing Visitors require proof of citizenship with photgraph.   CLIMATE: Sunny, year-round temperatures range in the 80's during the day, 70's most nights with summer somewhat warmer. Easterly trade winds blowing gently across the islands keep the humidity low. Most island showers are quick, tropical, over in minutes. Average annual rainfall is 50 inches with September and October less dry than the winter months. As there are few wells, residents collect rainwater from rooftops into household cisterns. Salt water distillation plants help the supply. But at best, water is scarce, so use sparingly.   TIME: Atlantic Standard, one hour ahead of Eastern Standard in the winter, same time as Eastern Daylight in the summer. WHAT TO WEAR: Island dress is casual, but bathing suits, short shorts and unbuttoned shirts in town or grocery shopping are frowned upon. Boutiques can fill in or add to your holiday wardrobe. Simple cottons are preferred year round. Men seldom wear ties or jackets. Nobody bothers with raincoats, nor is there much call for sweaters, even at night. Wide-brimmed hats, however, are often required sun protectors. WHAT TO BRING: Not a lot (see above). American travelling irons, hair dryers, razors do not require adapters.   LOCATION: St. Croix lies 18 degrees north latitude and 65 degrees west longitude, close enough to the equator so that twilight comes quickly with, almost always, a brilliant sunset. The Virgin Islands are part of the Antilles chain which forms a long curve from the Bahamas near Florida to Trinidad, off the coast of South America. St. Croix is surrounded by the Caribbean Sea. VIRGIN ISLANDERS: Virgin Islanders are a friendly people but they are reserved. A smile and "good morning" go a long way to starting the day off right. Everyone speaks English, or a lilting version thereof. Defined linguistically as Creole, commonly called Calypso, it is spoken throughout the West Indies with speech variations from island to island. Creole began in the early days of the slave trade and was influenced by Portuguese, French, Dutch and English mixed with African.

SERVICES & ORGANIZATIONS Alcoholics Anonymous (for meeting schedule) 776-5283 Al-Anon/ACOA 773-0372 American Red Cross 778-5104 National Park Service 773-1460 St. Croix Environmental Assoc 773-1989 Tourist Information - Frederiksted 772-0357 Tourist Information - Christiansted 773-1404 x 4801 Toll Free, not from mainland 800-372-USVI U.S. Customs 773-5650 Cruise Ship Arrival Information 772-0357 FBI 773-7922 FBI - after hours (San Juan) 787-754-6000 LIBRARIES Athalie Petersen Library, Frederiksted 772-0315 Florence Williams Library, Christiansted 773-5715 HISTORIC St. Croix Landmarks Society 772-0598 Fort Frederik Museum 772-2021 St. George Village Botanical Garden 692-2874   ARTS Caribbean Dance Company 778-8824 Caribbean Museum Center 772-2058 Island Center 778-5271 Pointe Dance Academy 778-0435   BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL Chamber of Commerce 773-1435 St. Croix Hotel Association 773-7117 St. Croix Hotel Association - Toll Free 800-524-2026   AIRLINES American Airlines 800-474-4884 American Eagle 800-433-7300 Cape Air 800-352-0714 Coastal Air 773-6862 Delta 800-221-1212 LIAT 778-9930 Seaborne Airlines Seaplane 773-6442 U.S. Airways 800-622-1015 Vieques Air Link 778-9858   EMERGENCY NUMBERS Police, Fire, Ambulance - Land Line 911 Police, Fire, Ambulance - Cell Phone 772-9111 Divers Alert Network 919-684-8111 V.I. Territory Emergency Management (VITEMA) 773-2244 V.I. Search and Rescue 787-729-6770 St. Croix Hospital 778-6311 Information provided by www.stcroixthisweek .com

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