What to Do in St. Croix from Cruise Ship: How to Spend the Day
- Polly Clover
- Apr 27
- 6 min read
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, is one of the best places for a vacation. There’s a lot to see and do, but this guide will help you narrow down which activities to enjoy on your cruise stop.
Below, we’ll share what to do in St. Croix from your cruise ship, whether you’re looking to relax, enjoy an adventure, or a bit of both. We’ll also answer common questions about spending a day on St. Croix, including how to get around and how far activities are from the cruise ship dock.
Where do cruise ships stop in St. Croix?
If you’re stopping in St. Croix, cruise ships dock at the Ann E. Abramson Marine Facility, usually called the Frederiksted Pier. The pier is on the west side of St. Croix in Frederiksted town and is the only cruise port on St. Croix.
Frederiksted is known for its beautiful beaches, historical buildings, and the historic Fort Frederik. The island is about 30 miles long, with various areas to explore and another popular town known as Christiansted.
When you get off the cruise ship, many vendors will be set up so you can enjoy shopping, eating, and drinking. From there, you can walk to or take a taxi to local attractions.
Can you walk to a beach from the cruise port in St. Croix?
Frederiksted Beach is the closest beach to walk to from the cruise port in St. Croix. You’ll walk less than half a mile up Strand Street, then left on King Street.
It’s a sandy beach with beautiful scenery, clear-blue water perfect for swimming and snorkeling, and plenty of space to spread out. There are also public restrooms and picnic tables.
Best Things to Do in St. Croix on a Cruise
There are so many fun things to do on St. Croix when you’re visiting on a cruise, like relaxing on the beach, kayaking the Salt River Bay, and going snorkeling or diving.
Below, we’ll share local and visitor favorites! Each activity lasts up to a couple of hours, so you can choose a couple to enjoy on your cruise day on St. Croix.
Walk Around Frederiksted
You'll be in Frederiksted town when you get off the cruise ship. If you want to stay nearby, you can walk around the area and easily entertain yourself for a few hours.
Around Frederiksted, you’ll find vendors on cruise ship days, restaurants, bars, and historic attractions. Some of our favorite places in Frederiksted are:
Fort Frederik - A historic European fort and museum from the mid-18th century
Molly’s Tropical Boutique & SCUBA - A quaint clothing boutique and dive shop where you can rent snorkeling and diving equipment
Polly’s at the Pier - A laid-back waterfront cafe that serves delicious drinks, breakfast, and lunch
Ruff Night Hair of the Dog Bar - An outdoor dog bar with drinks, dogs up for adoption, and outdoor games (all proceeds go to Ruff Start Dog Rescue)
Go to the Beach
One of the best things to do in St. Croix on a cruise is take advantage of the incredible beaches.
Frederiksted Beach is ideal if you want to walk somewhere close by. Rainbow and Dorsch Beach are also popular beaches in Frederiksted, each a little more than a mile from the cruise port.
If you want to explore the island, there are many great beaches away from Frederiksted town. Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge is a beautiful beach about 2.5 miles from the cruise dock, and Cane Bay Beach is a popular and fun area 10 to 15 miles away, depending on your route.
Take a Kayaking Tour
Kayaking the Salt River Bay National Historic Park and Ecological Preserve is one of the most fun and unique things to do in St. Croix from a cruise ship. It’s the perfect way to enjoy the natural beauty, relax, and learn local history.
Virgin Kayak Tours offers the Historical & Ecologica Day Tour, which is perfect for a cruise ship day. You'll spend about two hours kayaking the Salt River Bay and exploring its natural wonders, including lush mangroves and diverse wildlife. During the tour, your guide will point out native birds, sea turtles, iguanas, and more. You'll also learn where Christopher Columbus is believed to have landed on St. Croix during his second voyage to the Americas in 1493.
With easy-to-use, comfortable foot-pedal kayaks, a kayaking experience with Virgin Kayak Tours is ideal for all skill levels. All you have to do is move your feet back and forth to go while your hands are free to take pictures. And if you prefer to explore on your own instead of the guided tour, you can also rent kayaks or stand-up paddleboards for a self-guided adventure.
Visit St. George Village Botanical Gardens
The St. George Village Botanical Gardens is about five miles from the Frederiksted Pier in the rainforest. It covers 16 beautiful and historical acres. There are over 1,000 Caribbean and pan-tropical plants and trees growing around ruins and repurposed buildings of an 18th-century Danish colonial sugarcane plantation.
The St. George Village Museum at the gardens is in a restored colonial-era worker's cottage that was originally part of the enslaved workers' village. There's also a gift shop to buy local goods, including art and souvenirs.
Explore Downtown Christiansted
Christiansted town is in the center of the island, about 11 miles from the Frederiksted Pier. It's a fun area to walk around if you want to see another popular part of the island.
There are many places to stop for shopping, eating, and drinking in Christiansted. Some of our favorite spots in Christiansted are:
Eden South - A quaint local store with art and other Crucian gifts
Sonya’s Fine Island Jewelry - A local jewelry shop that sells the original hook bracelet and other unique pieces
Christa’s Art Gallery - A gallery and store with cultural art, home decor, and gifts
Mitchell Larsen Studio - A large store with locally made glass art pieces, including dishware, ornaments, picture frames, and more
Jump Up Deli & Dem Tings - A delicious deli with a Caribbean-inspired gift shop
Shupe’s - A bar and grill on the boardwalk with picture-perfect scenery of the Christiansted Harbor
Zeny’s Restaurant - A local food spot with a Caribbean and Latin-inspired menu
Go Diving or Snorkeling
Diving and snorkeling are some of the best St. Croix excursions because you can see diverse marine life, including vibrant coral reefs, fish, turtles, and more.
You can go diving or snorkeling at the Frederiksted Pier and rent gear or join a guided tour at Cane Bay Dive Shop or SCUBA dive shop at Molly’s. If you want to go at Cane Bay, Sweet Bottom Dive Center also offers rental equipment and tours. You can also go snorkeling at almost any beach on St. Croix.
Tour the Cruzan Rum Distillery
Take a guided tour of the Cruzan Rum Distillery and see how St. Croix’s famous rum is made.
The distillery is about a mile and a half from the Frederiksted Pier, and the tour lasts about half an hour. Afterward, you can sample rum and cocktails at the tasting bar. There's also a gift shop where you can buy Cruzan Rum Distillery's unique merchandise.
Visit Leatherback Brewing Company
If you enjoy craft beer, you’ll love visiting Leatherback Brewing Company. The brewery is about four miles from the Frederiksted Pier and offers cruise day tours so you can see what the brewing process is like.
Visit Leatherback Brewing to enjoy delicious Caribbean-crafted beer and lunch. They also serve cocktails for the non-beer drinkers! Before you leave, be sure to check out their shop for local merch.
How do I spend a day in St. Croix?
With so much to see and do on St Croix for a day on a cruise, we recommend choosing two or three activities you can fully enjoy.
Our perfect day on St. Croix looks like this:
Get brunch and a coffee at Polly’s at the Pier
Take a guided kayaking trip with Virgin Kayak Tours
Spend the afternoon exploring Christiansted or relaxing on the beach
How to Get Around St. Croix from Cruise Ship
While you can explore the area around the cruise ship dock on foot, we recommend planning for transportation to explore the island.
When you arrive at the Frederiksted Pier, there will be taxis and shuttles that can take you to other parts of the island. You can also plan ahead by scheduling a ride with VI Hail.
What to Do in St. Croix from Cruise Ship: Conclusion
We hope you found this article helpful and are excited to explore St Croix for a day on your cruise stop! There are so many fun things to see and do, whether you want to relax on the beach, enjoy a fun kayaking experience, or go shopping.
Ready to start planning your cruise ship day on St. Croix? Book your kayaking experience with Virgin Kayak Tours!
Kommentare