Last reviewed: January 2026
St. Croix: Where Danish History Meets Caribbean Soul
The biggest of the U.S. Virgin Islands hides 40 miles south of its sisters St. Thomas and St. John, and that distance has made all the difference. While those islands developed into cruise industry giants, St. Croix remained the road less traveled — larger, less crowded, and richer in both history and authentic Caribbean culture. The Danes ruled here from 1733 to 1917, and their architectural legacy persists in two remarkably preserved colonial towns: Frederiksted on the west coast where cruise ships dock, and Christiansted on the east where the real heart of the island beats.
This is an island of contrasts. A rainforest covers the northwest heights while cactus-studded dry lands stretch across the east end. Sugar plantation ruins dot the countryside — haunting reminders of an economy built on enslaved labor, dramatically ended when General Buddhoe led an uprising in 1848 and Danish Governor Peter von Scholten, from Fort Frederik's ramparts, declared emancipation. That history is palpable here, woven into the island's identity in ways that go deeper than any tourist attraction.
The Cruise Port
Ships dock at the Ann E. Abramson Pier in Frederiksted, on St. Croix's western coast. The small town of Frederiksted is immediately walkable — Fort Frederik (the emancipation site) stands at the pier's entrance, and the town's pastel-colored Danish buildings stretch a few blocks inland. This is a quiet town, historically the island's commercial center but now overshadowed by Christiansted.
For Christiansted, plan ahead. The island's main town lies 17 miles east (30-40 minute taxi ride, $25-30 each way). This is where you'll find the best restaurants, the Christiansted National Historic Site (Fort Christiansvaern, the old Scale House, and Danish West India Company buildings), and the waterfront boardwalk that captures the island's energy. Most visitors choose either a beach day from Frederiksted or a historic town day in Christiansted — doing both justice in a single port call is challenging.
Buck Island: Underwater Paradise
Buck Island Reef National Monument floats 1.5 miles offshore from Christiansted — an uninhabited island surrounded by one of the Caribbean's finest reef systems. The underwater snorkel trail here predates the more famous one at Trunk Bay; interpretive signs guide you through elkhorn coral formations teeming with tropical fish. Sea turtles are common sightings.
Half-day catamaran trips from Christiansted run $70-100 and include snorkel gear, the sail to Buck Island, beach time, and usually rum punch. These tours typically depart from Christiansted, not Frederiksted — factor in taxi time if your ship docks at the west end. Full-day trips allow more beach and snorkel time and are worth it if your schedule permits.
Rum, Ruins & Rainbow Beach
Cruzan Rum has been distilled on St. Croix since 1760, making it one of the oldest rum producers in the Caribbean. The distillery offers tours ($12-15) with tastings of their various aged rums. Located centrally between Frederiksted and Christiansted, it's an easy addition to almost any island itinerary.
Rainbow Beach, near Frederiksted, offers the closest quality beach to the cruise pier — calm waters, beach bar, chair rentals, and excellent snorkeling along the adjacent pier pilings (yes, the pier itself is a marine habitat). Cane Bay on the north shore is legendary among divers for its wall dive starting just 100 yards offshore.
The Whim Plantation Museum preserves a restored sugar estate with great house, sugar mill ruins, and exhibits on plantation life. The St. George Village Botanical Garden occupies another former plantation, transforming 16 acres of ruins into tropical gardens. Both offer sobering and beautiful windows into the island's past.
Port Map
Tap markers to explore St. Croix
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do cruise ships dock?
Ships dock at Ann E. Abramson Pier in Frederiksted on the west coast. Christiansted, the larger town, is 17 miles east ($25-30 taxi each way).
Do I need a passport?
No. St. Croix is a U.S. territory — U.S. citizens travel domestically with no passport required. U.S. dollars are the currency.
Should I go to Christiansted or stay in Frederiksted?
Depends on your interests. Christiansted has more restaurants, shops, and the Buck Island tours depart from there. Frederiksted has Fort Frederik, Rainbow Beach nearby, and requires no taxi. Choose one focus rather than rushing between both.
Is Buck Island worth the trip?
Yes, if you love snorkeling. The underwater trail and protected reef are exceptional. But it requires getting to Christiansted first, so factor in transportation time and cost.
Until I have sailed this port myself, these notes are soundings in another's wake. This guide draws from published accounts, fellow cruisers, and careful research — but it does not yet carry the weight of my own anchor.