West St Croix Attractions
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Most of St Croix's popular resorts, good diving sites and dramatic scenery are found in the west end. The mountainous north shore features several wild beaches while the coastal plain south of the mountains was once host to numerous sugar plantations. Today, the region is a commercial and residential zone.
Estate Whim Plantation House Museum
The Estate Whim Plantation Museum is one of St Croix's premium attractions reflecting the glory days of the sugar cane industry. Built in the 1790s, the estate originally stood on 150ac/61ha of land and was built in the neoclassical architectural style.At the heart of the museum grounds stands the fully restored and furnished great house that is built from coral, limestone and rubble walls bonded with molasses mortar. The house is 95ft/29m in length and 35ft/11m in width.The museum grounds feature steam engines, wind and animal mills, a bathhouse and cookhouse, caretaker's cottage and slave quarters. Other buildings function as the museum shop and exhibit galleries.Also on the grounds is the tombstone of Anna Heegaard, the black companion of Governor von Scholten. The estate is listed on the National Registry of Historic Landmarks.
Salt River National Historic Park & Ecological Preserve
In 1993, 700ac/283ha of land surrounding the Salt River Bay estuary was designated as a national historical park and ecological preserve. Salt River is the only documented site of Christopher Columbus landing on U.S. soil, and on November 14, 1493 a group of Native Americans called the Carib struck back at European invaders.French, English and Danish colonies also attempted to settle along the bay. Today, many yachts moor in the bay, and the park and mangrove canals are best toured by kayak. Birds in the area include roseate terns and peregrine falcons.
Lawaetz Family Museum
Listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks, this plantation house, now the Lawaetz Family Museum, sits amid steep hills and thick vegetation. The rustic plantation became the Lawaetz family homestead in the late 1800s and has changed little since that time.Family heir Irene Lawaetz gives tours of the home and grounds. Various hiking trails are found on the grounds, and several species of birds can be spotted.
Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge
This wildlife refuge covers 400ac/162ha of land at the extreme end of St Croix and features 3mi/5km of vacant beaches. In the 1980s the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service purchased the beaches and peninsula at Sandy Point in order to preserve the nesting grounds of the mammoth leatherback sea turtle, as well as green and hawksbill turtles.Night tours are offered to watch the turtles come ashore, and by day several bird species can be seen, including terns and the endangered brown pelican.
Caledonia Rain Forest
The Caledonia Rain Forest covers 15ac/6ha and is comprised of mahogany, silk cotton, yellow cedar and Tibet trees. Mango, papaya and genips grow wild in the forest, which is not technically a rain forest but looks the part with dripping trees and muddy trails to hike along. Bananaquits, mountain doves and parakeets can be spotted.
St Croix Leap
In the center of the Caledonia Rain Forest among steep hills is the St Croix Leap, an unusual woodworking and sculpture studio. "Cheech", a master sculptor, leads a group of apprenticing woodworkers in sculpture from fallen mahogany trees.
Cane Bay
Found along the north shore of St Croix is the beach at Cane Bay, one of the best snorkelling and scuba locations on the island. The beach bordered by steep hills is popular with adventure travelers and water-sport enthusiasts who come to dive a wall that drops more than 12,000ft/3,659m.Cafés and restaurants can be found here, as well as a full moon beach party hosted by local islanders every month.
Estate St George Village Botanical Garden
The St George Village Botanical Garden covers 16ac/6ha of land over the ruins of a colonial plantation and Indian settlement. The gardens feature over 1,500 species of tropical plants such as orchids and hibiscus and a cactus garden.A self-guided tour along the garden trails leads through ruins of the rum factory and great house. Hummingbirds and bananaquits are commonly spotted in the gardens.
La Grange, Rainbow & Sprat Hall Beaches
La Grange, Rainbow & Sprat Hall Beaches are actually one continuous strand offering good swimming and sunbathing. Several clubs and restaurants are found on the southern end.
Hibiscus Beach
Good snorkelling is found at the west end of Hibiscus Beach, as well as swimming and sunbathing. Located on the beach is the Hibiscus Beach Resort.
Salt River (Columbus Beach)
Columbus beach at Salt Bay is the site where Christopher Columbus and his men landed in 1493, the only place in the United States where he is known to have landed.
