Hi everyone! It great to see more people signing on.. Still a long way to go till we sail, but at least its less than a year now. Winter in colorado has gone on forever this year . . I need a beach! does anyone have any ideas/or heard rumors about St. Croix excursions?
I have a good friend who lives in St. Croix so I got the scoop from a "local" who lived in the states and recently moved to VI's.
I will paste her email below and then I will also post the information on family tings to do and the site I received it from.
I apologize in advance for the long email but I think you'll appreciate it.
- Big Beard's Buck Island Tour. It's out of Christiansted. You go to the beach at Buck Island, then go snorkeling, and then there's a BBQ lunch.
- St. Croix's Blue Water Adventures (SCUBA) West End Snorkel Tour. It's out of Frederiksted where the ship comes in. They take you to a couple of reefs and then you snorkel the cruise ship pier...not sure how it works when a ship is in.
- Tan-Tan Tours. Its a 4 wheel drive tour of the island. I haven't done this, but heard its fun. I've heard the 4 hour tour is the right length. They take you to the tide pools and through the rain forest on the west end of the island.
The website
www.gotostcroix.com is my favorite for info about things to do. You could also always take your kids fishing on the boat my husband work's on! Their website is
www.fishwithcarl.com.
Top Ten Family Activities on St. Croix
http://www.gotostcroix.com/top_ten/family_activities/index.php
With the hustle and bustle of your everyday world, family vacations are more important than ever for every member of the family to relax and have fun together. St. Croix has something to offer each family member on their vacation, from resort amenities, water-sports and of course great beaches. Several accommodations cater to families, offering a kids club and special programs for different age groups (MOVIE NIGHT!)
Just keep reading for our Top Ten Family Activities on St. Croix.
How about a kayak adventure the entire family can particpate in. Read our entire Top Ten Family Activities on St. Croix below.
How about a kayak adventure the entire family can particpate in. Read our entire Top Ten Family Activities on St. Croix below.
Kids having fun on a St. Croix Beach10. Just Beach It.
It's probably one of the biggest reasons you want to come to the Caribbean anyway: The Beach. If you havent already, we suggest you read our Top Ten Beaches. Our beaches really are for every member of the family. Kids can snorkel, beach comb and play in the surf. Mom, dad and the grandparents can lie in the shade of a coconut palm with their favorite reading material. Teens can start up a game of beach volleyball or Frisbee. Just remember to wear sunscreen, lots of it and re-apply often.
Fishing charter for for young and old family members.
9. Boat Charter.
Sailing, sunset or fishing
even snorkeling. Hop on the vessel of your choice for a full, half day or even just a short cruise through the harbor our in Frederiksted. Let the entire family unwind while you see St. Croix from a different point of view. Mix in a little excitement on a fishing charter, or explore our underwater world while snorkeling. Enlist the help of a caterer and make an evening of it with an afternoon sail and lunch on a deserted beach. The possibilities are really limitless, just use your imagination!
West Indians style bbq & floor show take place at a few restaurants through out the week.8. West Indian Style Dinner & Floor Show.
There are a few St. Croix restaurants that know how to put on a show! They host a traditional West Indian style dinner that includes food, drinks and entertainment. BBQ chicken, ribs, grilled fish, spice rice, beans, sweet potato casserole, & (rum) punch are usually on the menu. Entertainment includes fire eaters, glass walkers, steel pan music and Mocko Jumbies. Everyone in the family will be pleased! Where? Harbormaster Restaurant, located on Protestant Cay every Tuesday evening. Divi Carina Resort & Casino every Thursday evening; and the Pirates Buffet at Carambola Beach Resort every Friday night. We recommend you make reservations during season, and call ahead to make sure the show is still on during off season.
Crab races take place at Fort Christian Brew Pub. Pick your winning crab on St. Croix!7. Get Crabs.
Only in the Caribbean is this allowed, or even thought of. Crab races are held several times a week at different restaurants all over the island. Let the kids pick their own crabs at around $2 a piece. Youll recognize the crab names such as Mocko, Big Beard, Crazy Gecko, and Tim Duncan. Dont worry, you wont have to keep the crabs, just cheer them on in the races. Race authorities, Tito & Sue run a tight ship; so be on your BEST behavior; and if you cant, well, then off with your hand! Or, maybe at least it gets taped to your leg. At the sound of the Kazoo, the crabs are released and off they go
.and go
and go
some fast, some slow, but all silly to watch. Who wouldnt love this? Those who picked the winning crabs are awarded with prizes such as locally made bracelets, t-shirts, bottles of our famous Cruzan Rum (for the parents, not the kids!) and each kid is rewarded with a small prize for participation and good behavior! Races take place every Monday evening at Fort Christian Brew Pub on the Boardwalk in Christiansted, every Wednesday night at the Divi Carina Bay Resort & Casino & Friday Night at Tamarind Reef Hotel. Read about our winning night!
Horseback riding through the lush west endof St. Croix.6. Giddy Up & Go!
A bit of a slower pace, but oh so beautiful! Each family member can be atop their own horse, or the younger ones can double up with the older ones for a trail ride through our west end rain forest. Look for larger than life millipedes, termite balls and learn about the rich history in the hills out west. Safety is of utmost importance; and even if you have never been on a horse, a quick lesson is all you will need on this trip through the rain forest. Read about our afternoon trail ride here.
Beachside Cafe at Sandcastle on the Beach + The Palms Restaurant ; one is west and one is east!5. A Hikin' We Will Go.
Exploring the land by foot is hands down the easiest and cheapest way for the family to spend time together. Pack a picnic lunch, plenty of water, wear a hat and plenty of sunscreen and make your way down one of the hidden trails. Jack & Issac Bays, Annaly Bay Tide Pools, Creque Dam and the Hams Bluff Light House are just a few well known St. Croix hikes. The St. Croix Environmental Association & The St. Croix Landmarks Society sponsor regular hikes (for a small fee) where you can also listen to an ecological & historical interpretation of the land. There is even a hiking association on island. Click here to read about our local hikes.
Mocko Junbies are a hit with the crowd at Jump Up on St. Croix.4. Jump Up.
Pretty much a hodge podge of St. Croix culture in one easy, safe location in downtown Christiansted. Jump Up is a large street party that occurs four times a year (November, February, May, July). Shops offer great sales and each Jump Up has its own theme. What remains the same is this: steel pan, quelbe, soca, calypso, traditional quadrille dancers in the street dressed in authentic madras costumes. The aroma of fried fish, salt fish, shrimp, pate, Johnny cakes, roti fill the air from the road side vendors. Vendors offer local drinks (with or with out Cruzan Rum) and you can even have a coconut cut open right before your eyes to drink the sweet coconut milk. The highlight of the evening are the Mocko Jumbies who begin dancing around 7pm at the end of Queen Cross Street. These impressive stilt walkers are derivative of African folklore and are believed to be good spirits that keep away the bad. In our modern world, to be a real life Mocko Jumbie is quite an honor and discipline that young men & women work very hard at. Jump Up is a delight for all senses and all members of your family! Just take a look at our photo album!
These young swimmers are having a great time swimming and playing on the beach at Buck Island.3. Buck Island Reef National Monument
One of our Top Ten Things you must do on St. Croix, Buck Island is also a must for families because it is sooooo easy! You can take a power boat, catamaran or private sailboat to Buck Island, all accommodating every member of the family no matter the age. The boat ride is relatively short and youre in protected waters the entire time. Let the kids run and play in the sand on Turtle Beach, while the parentals stroll hand in hand and re-connect on a different level. Let one of the boat crew give the family a refresher course in snorkeling and then head over to the snorkel trails and explore together. Give the kids an underwater camera and see what develops! Start by looking at our Buck Island Photo Album.
Kayak with the entire family through the tranquil waters of Salt River.2. The Family That Kayaks Together, Kayaks Together.
Pretend you are pirates for the day and explore historic Salt River by kayak. Youll be in the same waters as many well-known 17th century explorers, including Christopher Columbus. Salt River is an ecologically sensitive area which is home to an abundance of St. Croix wildlife. Kayaks seat 2, making it easy for all ages. Life jackets are provided, but the water is calm. Follow your guide as you paddle through old boat wreckage listening to their (not-so) haunting stories. Make your way to the shallows of the mangroves looking for osprey, egrets, pelicans and iguanas. The kids will LOVE it. Take a dip and cool off in the water along the beach before it is time to head back. Salt River Kayak tours are available in the morning, afternoon and evening (which is a terrific opportunity to see the bio-luminescence in the water). The day we did a morning kayak tour, a large family group from grandparents to a 5 year old all participated with ease. Read about it
Ivy's Ice Cream & Deli in Christiansted, St. CroixPack the entire family for a smooth island tour in an open air safari bus.1. Open Air Island Tour.
The number one way to see the entire island and the number one activity the entire family can participate in is taking an island tour in an open air vehicle. Chosse from two different styles: four wheel jeep or open air safari bus. Chose the jeep if you are looking for something a bit more adventurous. A local tour guide can take you to all the traditional St. Croix site-seeing spots, as well as some unique, off the beaten path locations not accessible by regular vehicles. Pack a lunch, plenty of your favorite beverages, wear sunscreen and get ready for a good time. See our jeep tour photos here. Jeeps seat 4-5 but multiple jeeps can be used to accommodate all family members. (Not recommended for toddlers).
The open-air safari bus is a good option for those looking for a less bumpy ride. Sweeny Toussaint, a Danish descendent, guides you to all the terrific St. Croix landmarks while reciting history and folklore. Have lunch on the beach in Frederiksted, then take a quick dip to cool off in the Caribbean sea. This is a perfect option for larger families, and any member, regardless of age, as he can accommodate up to 25 people on one tour just like one big happy family! Riding in a comfortable open-air safari bus is truly a relaxing way to see St. Croix. Read about our island tour with Sweeny .
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