History comes alive when you walk through the grounds of Estate Whim Plantation and the St. George Village Botanical Garden.  At one point St. Croix was home to more than 250 plantations or estates and for 200 years the island was dedicated to the production of sugar. Drive around the island today and you can find ruins of these old plantations. You will also find a few plantation watchhouses.  These small 8′ x 10′ structures no longer exist on St. Thomas and St. John so you only find them on St. Croix.  There are a number of restored, mostly private, plantations including Sprat Hall, the oldest planation on St. Croix, Butler Bay, Estate Little Princess, Estate Mount Washington, Estate Whim, and Estate St. George.

About Centerline Car Rentals St. Croix’s “Wish You Were Here?” series:

We set out to offer tips and information designed to help readers enjoy and explore St. Croix. We always recommend that you obey all local laws, know your limits, explore responsibly and have as much fun as possible on our lovely island of St. Croix! Centerline Car Rentals is St. Croix’s largest locally-owned, independent car rental agency.

Of course, we recommend you keep it local when selecting your vehicle for your excursion. Reserve your car online at Centerline Car Rentals and choose from our diverse cars, minivans, trucks, and jeeps for rent and determine your pick up location. We’ll be there, guaranteed. So are you ready to start your road trip? Have a safe trip and remember, keep left.

We love the tranquil beauty of Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge. Because of the fragile eco system – it is home to one of only two significant populations of the St. Croix Ground Lizard – the island itself is closed to the public. While no one is allow on the island, kayaking and snorkeling around the island offers adventure and beauty for all ages.

Most often we head out from Green Cay Marina. Tamarind Reef Beach Resort rents kayaks at the Beach Shack – say hi to Mimi and tell her we sent you!

The trip across from the marina entrance is easier if you head out on light wind, calm sea day, but if you are more experienced in a kayak and up for a little workout the trip is manageable most any day.

Once you leave the marina entrance you will want to point your kayak northeast – toward Buck Island. If you are planning to circumnavigate the island, this route takes you upswell and upwind first. That ensures you hit the most challenging portion of the trip first, while you are still fresh.

Then, work your way around the island and enjoy the scenery. Some think the rock formations on the northern side of the island are reminiscent of the ancient Easter Island statues – just in shape alone though. You be the judge.

If you are feeling a little Cousteau and you would like to explore the snorkeling around the island – it is gorgeous. We do recommend discussing that with the folks at Tamarind Reef Beach Shack. The water conditions and your individual experience are key to developing a snorkel plan that best suits your needs.

We have circumnavigated the island by snorkel many times and the views include amazing underwater rock formations, huge sea fans and heaps of discarded conch shells.  Again, your individual aptitude and the prevailing sea conditions can make or break this expedition, so do check in with the experts at Tamarind Reef Beach Shack.

Remember, wherever you may roam on our lovely island of St. Croix, take only photos & leave only footprints…

Contact Us if you need a ride!

About Centerline Car Rentals St. Croix’s “Wish You Were Here?” series:

We set out to offer tips and information designed to help readers enjoy and explore St. Croix. We always recommend that you obey all local laws, know your limits, explore responsibly and have as much fun as possible on our lovely island of St. Croix! Centerline Car Rentals is St. Croix’s largest locally-owned, independent car rental agency.

Of course, we recommend you keep it local when selecting your vehicle for your excursion. Reserve your car online at Centerline Car Rentals and choose from our diverse cars, minivans, trucks, and jeeps for rent and determine your pick up location. We’ll be there, guaranteed. So are you ready to start your road trip? Have a safe trip and remember, keep left.

Thanks to Our Staff & Customers for Making Our Henry E. Rohlsen Airport Terminal Locations A Wonderful Success!!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

A Caribbean Elysian field. The place where the virtuous go to rest under shady, swaying palm trees and gentle breezes.

This spot is so special a lot of island residents don’t even know about it. Nestled in the slopes of St. Croix, USVI’s Buccaneer Hotel property, The Grotto is a lovely place for hotel guests (and sometimes their guests) to relax and enjoy the Caribbean at it’s finest. Excellent food & beverages are served poolside with wide smiles by Karim & Bobby.

Don’t miss the delicious Curry Chicken Sandwich!

Oh, and the crowd? What crowd. You’ll notice we didn’t include a map. 🙂 Many seem to people prefer the Larger Bucanneer Beach & restaurant – The Mermaid. But the small tidal pools, fun snorkeling and long expanse of soft, sandy beach draws us back time and again.

Remember, wherever you may roam on our lovely island of St. Croix, take only photos & leave only footprints…

Contact Us if you need a ride!

About Centerline Car Rentals St. Croix’s “Wish You Were Here?” series:

We set out to offer tips and information designed to help readers enjoy and explore St. Croix. We always recommend that you obey all local laws, know your limits, explore responsibly and have as much fun as possible on our lovely island of St. Croix! Centerline Car Rentals is St. Croix’s largest locally-owned, independent car rental agency.

Of course, we recommend you keep it local when selecting your vehicle for your xcursion. Reserve your car online at Centerline Car Rentals and choose from our diverse cars, minivans, trucks, and jeeps for rent and determine your pick up location. We’ll be there, guaranteed. So are you ready to start your road trip? Have a safe trip and remember, keep left.

Into the Mystic at the Will’s Bay Tide Pools

Magic. Impossibly blue, crystal clear, immaculately secluded … magic.

The tidal pools at Will’s Bay stir a peculiar dynamic tension within most who trek to them – to tell or not to tell?

Pretty much the same thing happens at other uncommonly beautiful spots across our fair isle. St. Croix’s 82 square miles are speckled with vistas so beautiful it almost hurts. And, as you take it all in with a deep, soulful breath, you realize – I am completely alone.

There is no petulant, impatient guy in a too-small t-shirt behind me fruitlessly laying on his horn to speed his passage through the entrance gate. There are no park fees. No exhaust fumes. No lines. No-thing. Just me and this extraordinary sampling of Mother Nature’s best work.

So, it’s no surprise that St. Croix residents and visitors feel like shouting out to the world what they have seen, but then reconsider. Perhaps I will keep this little waypoint a secret, one thinks conspiratorially, so when we return we will re-live this same exclusive, private moment.

Then they post all of the photos on Facebook and that conspiratorial moment passes in a blaze of Facebook friend vacation envy. The Will’s Bay tide pools are too incredible not to share. As you can see from the photo, not telling your friends they have to go their would be like finding a 1911 Ty Cobb baseball card in mint condition and saying, “Meh, I’ll just keep this to myself.”

So, you clicked the image for directions and (somewhat reluctantly 🙂 ) here they are. Hiking attire with a swimsuit and sturdy hiking sandals are recommended.

1. Set your GPS to the Marriott Renaissance Carambola Beach Resort on St. Croix’s North Shore, park above the guard gate.

2. With plenty of water, sunscreen and a light snack, walk up the hill until you see an overgrown road veering toward the right.

3. About 50 yards ahead on the right, you will see a trailhead leading into the bush. Follow that path – it’s gorgeous, too – for about 15 minutes, until you come to a fork in the path. Keep left and head up the hill.

4. Pause at the top to take in the view, be thankful that life has put you in this particular spot today, and continue forward on the path until you reach even more magnificent North Shore views from a knoll top of tall guinea grass.

5. Take copious photos.

6. Carry on the path, veering toward the left and generally heading downhill. You will reach a clearing and a small, dirt road.

7. Turn right on the dirt road and follow that to the Caribbean sea.

8. Turn left on the pebble-encrusted beach until you reach the rocks.

9. Make a careful, but light scramble over the rock and voila! Note: the safest bet is to choose a day when the sea is calm. Always remember, waves can wash over the outer wall of the tide pools. If you choose to climb on them, keep an eye on the incoming swells.

10. You have arrived at your destination. Submerge yourself in the soothing waters and soak up the sensory treats!

If you prefer to skip the hike, contact your local adventure tour guide, Tan Tan Tours, and they will drive you down that mildly harrowing dirt road to the same destination. If you want to experience the tide pools majestically alone with your travel companions, you might want to check the tour schedule anyway to make sure you miss their small group trip, if they have one planned.

Either way, prepare yourself for a life moment. Leave early enough to soak in the tide pools and hike back before dark. And, know that Centerline Car Rentals is pleased to have helped get you there!

Contact us if you need a ride!

Centerline Car Rentals’ “Wish You Were Here?” series offers tips and information designed to help readers enjoy and explore St. Croix. We always recommend that you obey all local laws, know your limits, explore responsibly and have as much fun as possible on our lovely island of St. Croix! Centerline Car Rentals is St. Croix’s largest locally-owned, independent car rental agency.

Of course, we recommend you keep it local when selecting your vehicle for your Northshore excursion. Reserve your car online at Centerline Car Rentals and choose from our diverse cars, minivans, trucks, and jeeps for rent and determine your pick up location. We’ll be there, guaranteed. So are you ready to start your road trip? Have a safe trip and remember, keep left.