Virgin Territory

Pristine anchorages and secret fishing spots draw cruisers to St. Croix–full-service marina facilities and low fuel prices keep them there.

Its sibling islands of St. Thomas and St. John some 40 miles to the north have long overshadowed the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Yet for yachtsmen, St. Croix is a hidden treasure–anchorages are beautiful and uncrowded, marina facilities are full-service and expanding and the fishing is excellent. And thanks to the presence of the HOVENSA–the largest petroleum refinery in the western hemisphere–cruisers will find fuel rates are among the cheapest in the northern Caribbean.
Amerindians, Arawaks and Caribs migrating north from South America were the first to call this 28-mile long island home. Christopher Columbus encountered Caribs when the explorer sailed into Salt River on November 14, 1493. Today, this site is the locale of both the 1,015-acre Salt River Bay National Historical Park and the Ecological Preserve–where you’ll find an informative visitor’s center, kayak tours and an incredible scuba diving site offshore at the Salt River Canyon. Salt River Marina, a small facility that serves as an excellent hurricane hole if you draw less than six feet, is home to several live-aboard cruisers. ...

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