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There are many
things of interest to be found on St. Croix for lovers of nature. Tourists
visiting the islands will find that it is one of the best locations in the
Caribbean for those looking for Eco-tourism.
St Croix Heritage Trail
- This 72-mile driving tour connects our Caribbean island's historic sites and
attractions and includes many significant natural areas. Historic marker road
signs with the trail's brown and white sugar mill symbol guide visitors along
the route which runs between Frederiksted and Christiansted, primarily along
Centerline Road, extending north to Hamm's Bay in the west and Point Udall in
the East.
Rainforest
around St. Croix Leap
A 15 acre natural wonder that is privately-owned but open to the
public.
St. George Botanical Gardens
A 16-acre complex that has the ruins of a 19th century sugar cane
village and rum factory. There are more than 1,500 varieties of
plants here.
http://www.sgvbg.org/
Hiking
Try hiking around the east end beaches beyond Cramer Park Beach ( Caribbean
Dream is just 15 from here) or the rainforest and hills surrounding Blue Mountains, which at
1,096 feet is the islands second highest point (Mt. Eagle is the
highest, with 1165 feet).
Caribbean Adventure Tours - PO Box 5588 S.I. · St. Croix, USVI 00823
Toll-Free 1-800-532-3483 · St. Croix 340-778-1522
Olasee Davis conducts group hikes (30-person maximum) on Sundays
and holidays at a charge of US$15 per person. The itinerary
changes regularly. Contact him at 778-9491 or 772-0325.
The St. Croix Environmental Association (SEA) offers guided hikes
into the Caledonia rainforest and in the Salt River National Park
on a request basis. Salt River is where Columbus landed on
November 14, 1593. This hike concentrates on describing the
mangrove system and other ecological communities. Rainforest walk:
the SEA rates the rainforest walk as strenuous because of the
boulders and fallen trees. For more information call 773-1989.
The charge is US$20 for adults and US$12 for children 12 and
under.
St. Croix Heritage Tours (guided) - 340-778-6997, 719-9079 -
Experience
and enjoy the unusual! Let St.
Croix Heritage Tours customize a tour for you or your group through the
mysterious plantation ruins, lush tropical vegetation, picturesque historic
towns, stately sugar mills and imposing defensive forts.
Virgin Island Department of Tourism (self guided)
Christiansted -340-773-0495
Frederiksted -340-772-0357 (and info booth on Frederiksted Pier).
Safari Tours
Monday through Saturday, St. Croix Safari Tours offers a wealth
of information on island history and botany: also environmental,
political and cultural details. Photography opportunities. $25
per person,
St. Croix Safari Tours (Safari Van) - 773-6700, fax 73-3206
Also giving tours:
* Travelers Tours (Safari Van) - (340)778-1636, fax 778-7522
Turtle Nesting Sightseeing
Leatherback turtles, the largest of all turtles and endangered
throughout the United States range (federal register, June 2,
1970), have a nesting place in St. Croix. A nesting area was
discovered in 1977 on the western end of St. Croix, USVI .
Nesting can be found at the Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge
(call them for details, tours, etc). The turtle nesting occurs at
night. The United States nesting is restricted to St. Croix USVI,
Florida, Culebra, and Puerto Rico.
(Click
here for more information on Leatherback turtles)
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