Its vegetation ranges widely from rain forest on the west end to desert out east. It's Danish ancestry is reflected in the island's architecture. First colonized in the the-1700s, St. Croix is now home to about 50,000 permanent residents.
Nightlife also offers pleasant surprises.
Its historic buildings, shops, restaurants and hotels are well worth a visit for land travelers, too. St. Croix is well-endowed with beaches, reefs, and recreational watersports opportunities. Sandy Point, on the southwest end of St. Croix, is known as a nesting ground for endangered sea turtles. A day sail to beautiful Buck Island National Park is a must. Salt River, a National Park and nature preserve, is a recent addition to the attractions list.