Why the Water is Bluer in St. Croix
What do St. Croix residents love most about living in paradise? The tropical weather and the turquoise water. While the standard forecast is 88 degrees and sunny with only a ten percent chance of rain nearly every day of the year, the Caribbean Sea surrounding St. Croix is another main draw to those who call the island home. With impeccable clarity and a comfortable swimming temperature year-round, the ocean provides a perfect escape to float leisurely or stay active. A number of water sports are prevalent on-island including swimming; boating; snorkeling; scuba diving; kite surfing; stand-up paddle-boarding (SUP); fishing; kayaking; and jet skiing.
Beaches / Swimming
Visiting any favorite local beach, such as Sandy Point or Cane Bay, you’re sure to see many residents relaxing in the sand and surf or to use the local expression “limin.” Many families come prepared with boogie boards and toys for building sandcastles. For those who like to swim to stay in-shape, there are plenty of places for smooth, sandy shore-entries.
Boating
For boating enthusiasts, St. Croix has several marinas and a yacht club at which to dock or moor. The main draw for boaters is Buck Island, a national monument located 1.5 miles from St. Croix’s mainland. On the east end a snorkel trail is marked underwater, while on the west end Turtle Beach has been named one of the best beaches in the world by National Geographic. Several tour operators offer snorkel tours at Buck Island, including Caribbean Sea Adventures. For owners of larger vessels, St. Thomas / St. John and the British Virgin Islands are common destinations for weekend trips.
Snorkeling / Scuba Diving
Snorkeling and scuba diving are also popular sports on-island with a wide variety of dive sites to explore. St. Croix is truly a diver’s paradise offering reefs, wrecks and walls. Because of the nearby Puerto Rico trench, just 100 yards off-shore from a few locations on St. Croix, an underwater wall exists dropping more than 28,000 feet at its deepest point. Boat wrecks are scattered around the island, including a popular site at Butler Bay where three exist close by. The cruise ship pier in Frederiksted is also a popular macro dive, especially intriguing at night.
Kite / Paddle-Boarding
Other modern water sports are gaining popularity on St. Croix, including kite boarding and stand-up paddle-boarding (SUP). While the surf around island is rarely large enough for traditional surfing, the north shore is often ideal for kite-boarders. Kite St. Croix offers lessons to get started safely with this extreme sport. Paddle-boarding is ideal for the calm waters of the west end, relaxing for those seeking something slow-paced. Freedom City Surf Shop at Teres Veho Beach offers rentals, lessons and even paddle-board yoga classes.
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Written by Chris and Kerri Hanley on May 16, 2014. Categories: Island Praise, News & Info, Water Sports, Weather Tags: