For the Love of Summer!
Hi everyone,
This is my summer update! We're about halfway through, and so far, so great. I've read some fun books, spent time painting outdoors, and we just returned from our summer vacation.
This year we spent two weeks in St. Croix. Our idea of a great vacation is exploring someplace new, and we were craving somewhere beachy and tropical. The Caribbean is only about a 3½-hour flight from us, so it was an easy choice.
We rented an Airbnb and stayed in one place for the entire trip. Our condo sat on a hill on the east side of the island with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a pool, and an incredible view. Ahhh... This gave us time to slow down and get to know the area.
St. Croix isn't a flashy or luxurious destination—it's laid-back, authentic, and wonderfully relaxed. Summer is the off-season, so the island was uncrowded. If you love beautiful beaches and snorkeling, it's a fantastic place. If you're looking for trendy shopping areas or sleek clean areas, it may not be the best fit.
The island has a fascinating history. It was originally inhabited by Indigenous peoples before Christopher Columbus arrived in 1493. Over the centuries, it changed hands between several European nations before Denmark purchased the island, developing its sugar industry and expanding the towns of Christiansted and Frederiksted. (The United States later purchased the Danish West Indies in 1917.)
That European influence is still visible today. Both towns have historic forts, colorful colonial architecture, gingerbread details, and charming cobblestone streets. Time, hurricanes, and the tropical climate have certainly left their mark, so much of the island feels weathered and imperfect.
One interesting surprise: they drive on the left side of the road, yet as a U.S. citizen you don't need a passport to visit. Since our condo was on the east end of the island, we spent quite a bit of time driving to beaches and destinations. It takes about 45 minutes to drive from one side of the island to the other. Thankfully, with two full weeks, there was never any need to rush. In fact, there are still places we didn't get to see.
The weather was nearly perfect—warm days in the mid to upper 80s, evenings in the 70s, and almost always a refreshing breeze.
We snorkeled almost every day, and it was absolutely amazing.
Many of the beaches have old concrete structures that have broken apart over the years, creating artificial reefs where marine life thrives. The best part is that you don't have to swim very far offshore to see incredible sea life, making it a wonderful destination for beginner snorkelers.
During our trip we saw countless tropical fish, sea turtles, stingrays, an octopus, an eel...and even a shark!
Like many Caribbean islands, St. Croix is a blend of cultures, histories, and communities. During conversations with locals, we were given the same advice you would hear in many travel destinations: trust your instincts and stay aware of your surroundings.
Because many buildings throughout the island are older or abandoned, it can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference between a historic area that's simply showing its age and one that's less inviting. We were mindful about leaving valuables in the car and paid attention to where we parked, but we never had a negative experience. In fact, everyone we met—both locals and fellow travelers—was friendly, welcoming, and eager to chat.
One thing we hadn't fully appreciated before visiting was how much the wind affects beach conditions.
When we first arrived, we snorkeled near our condo on the south side of the island. Midway through our trip, the winds shifted and brought in more sargassum (seaweed), so we spent the second week exploring Cane Bay and the beaches around Frederiksted instead. Sargassum has become a seasonal issue throughout much of the Caribbean, so it's worth checking current conditions before planning a beach vacation.
If we return—and I certainly hope we do—we both agreed we'd stay closer to Cane Bay Beach. It had everything we loved: gorgeous scenery, excellent snorkeling, beach chair rentals, and several great restaurants nearby for lunch.
Now my family is coming to visit around the Fourth of July, so I'm looking forward to having visitors. Mark and I are also hoping to squeeze in one more little getaway before it's time to head back to school.
Until then, I hope you're having a wonderful summer.
Thanks for reading to the end.
Cheers and hugs,