Welcome to St. Croix!
St. Croix is truly a unique subtropical island with bountiful natural beauty and a wide range of human activities. The largest of the 4 US Virgin Islands, St. Croix is also the only completely surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and holds the distinction as the easternmost point in the United States. Its rich human history ranges back over 5,000 years from the first wandering people from Central and South America. Since Columbus’ monumental landing in 1493, the island has been managed under 7 different flags, and has always been characterized as the “agricultural” Virgin Island due to its varied topography and limestone soils. Today, the sounds of Reggae and Calypso backdrop the easy-going island, as many stakeholders search for ways to balance economic success with maintaining their natural and cultural character.
Where is St. Croix?
The island of St. Croix where VISFI is located is in the Caribbean, about 70 miles south-east of Puerto Rico.
What is the spoken language?
English is the official language and most used, but Spanish is also very popular. St. Croix is a U.S. territory, as is Puerto Rico. You’ll need a government issued photo I.D. (driver’s license) to enter and leave St. Croix from the mainland U.S. and NO PASSPORTS ARE REQUIRED FOR US CITIZENS. You CAN practice your Spanish with a lot of people on St. Croix but English is the official language, and of course our currency is the U.S. dollar. We also have the US Postal Service, just the same as in the States however more relaxed;)
What’s it like?
St. Croix is sometimes called ‘The Sleeping Giant’ for its quieter atmosphere of the Virgins, its historic sites, and hundreds of windmills left from the colonial Danish sugar plantations of the 1700s.
St. Croix has tourist activities to do like snorkeling, SCUBA diving, deep-sea fishing, golf, and great beaches, but isn’t as “hyped up” and commercialized as other Caribbean islands. There is a lot of local culture and flavor (what is called “callaloo” i.e. “mixed up”) from a very mixed population of around 50,000: among others you’ll meet Dominicanos, down-islanders, Puerto Ricans, continental snowbirds, rastafarians, studious marine biologists, oil refinery workers, French kite-surfers, and old time Crucians.
St. Croix boasts chickens roaming the streets of our two towns and everything is laid back and slow-moving, island-style. You’re in a new place, so between classes, take the time to enjoy the slow pace. if you greet those you encounter with a smile and a polite “good mooooooahnin’ ” til noon, “good AHfternoon” thereafter and after 6pm “good night,” before any human transaction, you will feel the friendliness of the local population.
How’s the weather?
The surrounding sea regulates the temperatures to the 70s and 80s all year round. Bring: sunblock, a good sunhat, long sleeve shirts and pants for cover, and a light jacket to stay warm in the evenings when the temperature might dip as low as the mid 60s in the dead of winter.
Information and News on St. Croix
FAQs about St. Croix
Videos of St. Croix
Local St. Croix news – The St. Croix Source
More local news – The VI Daily News
Local events on St. Croix – St. Croix Happenings
Things to do and Planned Excursions for VISFI Students
Buck Island Reef National Monument
Salt River National Historic Park
Big Beard Tours
Virgin Kayak
St. Croix’s Heritage Trail
the Lawaetz Museum
Estate Southgate Farms – organic growers
University of the Virgin Islands – Agricultural Experiment Station
Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture
Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge
East End Marine Park, St. Croix
Jack and Isaac Bays, St. Croix
How do I get to St. Croix?
St. Croix has its very own tiny airport, where one feels a refreshing change from the mega-modal centers of the continents with the first step onto the tarmac. The airport code is STX. Flights usually stop in Miami (MIA) or Puerto Rico (San Juan=SJU) before continuing on to St. Croix. However, a new route from Delta flys non-stop from Atlanta.
The major airlines that fly to St. Croix are American (often as American Eagle) (www.aa.com, 800-433-7300), Delta (http://www.delta.com), and US Airways (www.usairways.com, 800-428-4322), although that is subject to change. We usually fly American and they often have “web specials” on their site. You’re likely to find fares from $400 to 600. We recommend calling as well as looking on their websites.
It is also possible, but more trouble and not necessarily cheaper, to fly into St. Thomas (STT) and then take a seaplane or ferry service to St. Croix. There are also small planes that fly routes between Old San Juan and other neighboring islands, including St. Croix. Try Seaborne Airlines (seaborneairlines.com) or Cape Air.
We will post specials as we hear of them here on this page. Know of one? email us a link or describe how others can access it!
We will arrange transport from the airport to VISFI for all registered program students, teachers, interns, apprentices, and others.
Happy and safe travels. We look forward to seeing you here!
