Adventure in the United Stated

St. Croix is the largest island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Christopher Columbus visited St. Croix on his second voyage to the New World in 1493 and named the island “Santa Cruz” (Holy Cross), which became a major export of sugar in the late 1700s. The ruins of over 150 sugar plantations are still visible along the hillsides of Christiansted and Frederiksted, the two major towns on St. Croix.

The island, which became a U.S. territory in 1917, is filled with a diverse assortment of plant life including giant cacti on the eastern side of St. Croix and rain forest on the western end, which features Blue Mountain. To help protect the islands’ unique ecology, St. Croix locals host several workshops and garden tours through the Virgin Islands Sustainable Farm Institute, a certified Organic and Green Globe forest farm. Many of St. Croix’s native plants are also found in the St. George Village Botanical Gardens, where tourists can stroll through a cactus garden and an orchid house.

Visitors can also explore the protected waters and lush habitat of St. Croix by kayaking through Salt River—the historical landing site of Columbus’ expedition—or snorkeling in the underwater National Park, Buck Island Reef National Monument.

This hotel is located on the waterfront, overlooking the harbor in Christiansted. Within walking distance are Saint Croix Aquarium, duty-free shopping at the Caravelle Arcade, and Pan Am Pavilion. Watersports include sailing, fishing, swimming, sunning, or snorkeling. A variety of scuba-diving packages are available with daily departures from the hotel dock. The hotel has a waterfront restaurant and bar. All rooms have cable TV, private baths, air-conditioning, direct dial telephones, refrigerators, and AM/FM radios. The price includes the property*s resort fee.

St. Croix is celebrating the New Year with the much-anticipated return of popular cruise lines to the Caribbean island destination after several years of little to no cruise ship activity.

A St. Croix dive shop offers scuba programs especially geared toward kids to help them learn about the wonders of the deep blue Caribbean Sea.

The Hibiscus Beach Resort is set on four acres of the most prestigious beachfront property, with white sandy beaches that stretch more than a third of a mile. Just 10 minutes from historic Christiansted, noted for shopping, dining and entertainment, and 15 minutes from the airport, the resort is perfectly located on the island.Besides a gorgeous sandy beach, the Hibiscus Beach Resort offers a fresh water pool, Elizabeths open-air bistro with the only late night menu on the island, complimentary snorkeling gear, meeting facilities and nearby golf and tennis.Each of the 38 non-smoking rooms has a private veranda overlooking the Caribbean Sea and features tropical rattan furniture and colorful accents. All rooms have a television, safe, telephone, air-conditioning and a ceiling fan. Two guestrooms are set up to accommodate handicapped guests and all bottom floor rooms are wheelchair accessible.

Chill on gorgeous beaches, ply Caribbean waters, tour historic attractions and shop duty-free on St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John—while leaving your passport at home.

The Hibiscus Beach Resort is set on four acres of the most prestigious beachfront property, with white sandy beaches that stretch more than a third of a mile. Just 10 minutes from historic Christiansted, noted for shopping, dining and entertainment, and 15 minutes from the airport, the resort is perfectly located on the island.Besides a gorgeous sandy beach, the Hibiscus Beach Resort offers a fresh water pool, Elizabeths open-air bistro with the only late night menu on the island, complimentary snorkeling gear, meeting facilities and nearby golf and tennis.Each of the 38 non-smoking rooms has a private veranda overlooking the Caribbean Sea and features tropical rattan furniture and colorful accents. All rooms have a television, safe, telephone, air-conditioning and a ceiling fan. Two guestrooms are set up to accommodate handicapped guests and all bottom floor rooms are wheelchair accessible.

Check out these top accommodations and activities for families planning a vacation to the U.S. Virgin Islands.

This hotel is located on the waterfront, overlooking the harbor in Christiansted. Within walking distance are Saint Croix Aquarium, duty-free shopping at the Caravelle Arcade, and Pan Am Pavilion. Watersports include sailing, fishing, swimming, sunning, or snorkeling. A variety of scuba-diving packages are available with daily departures from the hotel dock. The hotel has a waterfront restaurant and bar. All rooms have cable TV, private baths, air-conditioning, direct dial telephones, refrigerators, and AM/FM radios. The price includes the property*s resort fee.

St. Croix is home to over 20 world fishing records, many of them set with blue marlin catches. You can try to beat the record for blue marlin as well as sailfish, bonito, skipjack and tuna on a saltwater trip off St. Croix aboard a 38-foot powerboat, the Fantasy. Sodas and snacks are included in the price. You must reserve in advance.

This hotel is located on the waterfront, overlooking the harbor in Christiansted. Within walking distance are Saint Croix Aquarium, duty-free shopping at the Caravelle Arcade, and Pan Am Pavilion. Watersports include sailing, fishing, swimming, sunning, or snorkeling. A variety of scuba-diving packages are available with daily departures from the hotel dock. The hotel has a waterfront restaurant and bar. All rooms have cable TV, private baths, air-conditioning, direct dial telephones, refrigerators, and AM/FM radios. The price includes the property*s resort fee.

This must-see landmark sets the pace for all other St. Croix historical restorations. Operated by the non-profit St. Croix Landmarks Society, this plantation has as its centerpiece an oval-shaped stone antique-filled great house. Buildings include a windmill and cookhouse. Docents tell tales of the islands past as they explain who is who in the old photos that hang on the walls. The gift shop carries unique items, many of them made in St. Croix. The grounds are perfect for a picnic lunch.