The western end rises to a height of 1,096 feet on Blue Mountain, culminating in a rain forest of giant mahogany, saman and tibet trees. Instead of counties, the island is divided into estates harkening back to the plantation period. More than 300 planters' mansions once flourished here, and their ruins and the remains of sugar mills are among the most extensive anywhere in the Caribbean. Restored plantations and estate museums take visitors back in time. The beaches are unique, some quiet coves, some, like Cane Bay, a world renown dive site.
Snorkeling is easy, for abundant sea life and coral reefs are close to shore.
The high salt content of the Caribbean Sea makes you more bouyant so snorkeling here is easy. Since 1917, the island has been a territory of the United States, with special status as a duty-free port. Although U.S. citizens here cannot vote for the President, they elect a non-voting delegate to Congress, and elect a local governor and territorial Senate of 15. A Caribbean jewel under the U.S. flag, St. Croix is laid back, quiet, restful and not crowded. It's what you always hoped a Caribbean island would be.