One Of The Caribbean's Most Underrated Islands With Stunning Beaches And Tide Pools

The three main U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) —  St. John, St. Thomas, and St. Croix — sit in a swathe of turquoise ocean at the border between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic. The islands share similar geological and cultural characteristics, but each has distinct features, too. St. Thomas, for example, is home to the USVI capital city of Charlotte Amalie, while St. John boasts one of the region's premier natural attractions, Virgin Islands National Park. 

St. Croix, meanwhile, is the USVI's southernmost and largest island. At 84 square miles, it's more than twice the size of St. Thomas (though with a similar population) and more than four times the size of St. John. Compared to the other two islands, it remains somewhat of a hidden gem. In 2025, CNN included it on its list of "America's best underrated islands."

With less cruise ship traffic than the other two islands, St. Croix feels less touristy and is often easier on the wallet. It also offers an abundance of unspoiled nature: long, white-sand beaches, where you might see sea turtles rather than other humans, and glorious tide pools filled with marine life. Other highlights include pristine parks showcasing the island's unique ecosystems and a multifaceted island culture with colorful towns and neighborhoods, interesting historic sites, and delicious local cuisine.  

Some of the most gorgeous Caribbean beaches flying under the tourism radar are scattered around St. Croix. The most spectacular of them all, though, has to be Sandy Point Beach, a 3-mile-long strip on the island's southwest corner that's the longest beach in the USVI. It was also named the world's seventh best beach by Beach.com. You won't find facilities or crowds here, just endless sand and exceptionally clear and blue ocean water.  The beach is part of the Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge and is an important nesting area for endangered leatherback turtles.  

Drive a few miles north from Sandy Point Beach to another lovely stretch at Rainbow Beach. This energetic spot often has live music and is great for beach volleyball, swimming, and other water sports, including paddleboarding, snorkeling, and jet skiing. But this beach's biggest draw is Rhythms, the most famous beach bar on the island, which serves tasty fish tacos and other bites and drinks on a deck overlooking the ocean.

For a wildly different coastal experience, visitors can explore one of the island's most wondrous seascapes, located on its beautiful North Shore: the Annaly Bay Tide Pools, part of the Maroon Sanctuary Territorial Park. These are a series of spectacular natural pools carved by the ocean where you can wade and swim. They are also home to colorful tropical fish, crabs, sea urchins, and other underwater creatures. Getting to the tide pools requires a 5-mile hike on a rugged trail through a rainforest and tall grasses, with panoramic views of the coastline and the Carambola Beach Resort.

The Taino, Arawak, and Carib Indigenous peoples were responsible for St. Croix's early culture, which was then shaped by French, Spanish, Dutch, Danish, and American colonizers, enslaved Africans, and other immigrant groups. These days, the island is a true melting pot, its traditions, architecture, cuisine, and local Crucian language reflecting this diverse set of influences. To learn about the island's past, visit some of its historic sites. The Estate Whim Plantation Museum and the Cruzan Rum Distillery, are a good place to start, along with the Salt River Bay National Historic Park and Ecological Preserve, where Columbus' sailors briefly landed to scout for water during his 1493 expedition. 

St. Croix is sometimes called "Twin City," as it has two main towns located on opposite sides of the island: Frederiksted on the western coast and Christiansted, 15 miles to the east. Frederiksted is known for its historic sites and "gingerbread" Victorian buildings, while Christiansted features cobblestone streets, arches, and Danish-style architecture. Christiansted is also the island's largest town and port. 

The island's main air hub, Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX), is located 8 miles east of Christiansted. It receives flights from other U.S. Virgin Islands, several U.S. cities, and charter and private flights. Other top Caribbean destinations worth visiting are the Dominican Republic, Curaçao, the Cayman Islands, Saint Lucia, and Aruba.