Centerline Car Rentals included an “Explore St. Croix” crossword puzzle in the December/January issue of St. Croix This Week. You’ll find the answers below!
4. bananaquit
6. Udall
7. Annaly
9. Isaac
10. mango
11. Keep Left
13. Buck Island Reef
14. Christiansvaern
1. Sandy Point
2. Domino Club
3. Leatherback
4. Botanical Garden
5. Salt River
8. hook
12. Frederik
Clean off those grills, stock up on some hotdogs and sunscreen – Memorial Day is fast approaching! Whether you are a local gearing up for the long weekend or a visitor enjoying a relaxing break on our island, we hope you enjoy the official start of summer!
In case you’re looking for things to do and see over the holiday weekend, we’ve put together some of our top picks:
Coconut Cup SUP Festival: May 21st – 24th
The 2nd Annual Coconut Cup Festival is a three-day Stand Up Paddleboarding festival consisting of several WPA point races. You can register for the event at Paddleguru.com!
Reef Jam if an annual music fundraiser at Rainbow Beach that features all local artists, guest speakers, community organizations, a Reeftivity Zone where children can play tons of fun reef-related games, and can learn how to snorkel, and of course tons of information about our reefs and why they are so important. Funds raised at the annual event are given back to the community in the form of Mini-Grants for projects that support the Reef Jam mission.
Centerline would like to join in on the fun with our very first social media photo contest! Simply post a picture of how you are celebrating the Memorial Day weekend, tag any of our Centerline pages on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and include the hashtag #MemorialDaySTX. Photos with the most likes will win a $25 gift certificate on your next rental with Centerline!
Finally, as a closing, it is important to note that Memorial Day is much more than a sun-tanning, barbequing day off – it is a holiday to remember and honor those that have bravely fought and gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms. In memory of many, in honor of all – we thank you.
Richard Rossi for his lovely rainbow over Protestant Cay image! Thank you Richard for your entry. We hope you enjoy your winnings. Look for Richard’s image in next month’s Wish You Were Here? feature!!
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!
Imagine the largest seagoing vessel you have seen is a dugout canoe. Then, one day you see this:
Photo credit: The Columbus Foundation
That’s exactly what happened in Salt River Bay in November 1493. But that fateful meeting between Columbus’ sailors and the Taino indigenous war party at Columbus Landing, was far from the beginning of the history of the Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve.
“Every major period of human habitation in the Virgin Islands is represented: several South American Indian cultures, the 1493 encounter with Columbus, Spanish extermination of the Caribs, attempts at colonization by a succession of European nations, and enslaved West Africans and their descendants. More than a dozen major archeological investigations since 1880, together with historical research, reveal this remarkable story. Few places engage the imagination so completely, drawing visitors into the spirit of the place and its beauty and sanctity.” — according to the US National Park Service website for the St. Croix park.
The only Tainan ceremonial ball court or plaza found in the Lesser Antilles is at Salt Bay River. Both ceremonial and recreational, the ball game originated in Mesoamerica. The ball court was excavated by a Danish archaeologist, Gudmund Hatt in 1923. – also from the US National Park Service website
Today, Salt River serves visitors and locals alike as an entry point to the Caribbean sea for fishing, kayaking and oceanic exploration. The area is home to the Virgin Islands most well-known “bio bay” locations. Kayak tour operators like Caribbean Adventure Tours lead amazing guided kayak tours day and night. The evening tours feature the bio bay – where millions of tiny organisms light up underwater as your kayak glides atop.
To get there from Christiansted, follow the Northside Road (Rte 75) West to Sidney Lee Road/Northshore Road (Rte 80) and turn right. Follow Rte 80 until you see a marina on your right, turn right and the marina and Caribbean Adventure Tours are inside the marina on the right or you can proceed to Columbus Landing and the National Park Service visitor Center by proceeding straight past the marina entrance. Note: the National Park Service Visitor Center is open part of the year by appointment only. Explore the online information before setting out on your historical adventure!
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!
Save 10% on your St. Croix Summer Vacation Rental Car! This is a Limited time offer so make your reservation now and enter VINICE14 to receive 10% off your reservation May 15 – Oct. 31, 2014.
We are offering this special in conjunction with a summer promotion by the Department of Tourism, featuring the Virgin Islands’ own Pressure Busspipe. This reggae star has emerged as an international sensation with hits like Love and Affection and his tribute to the Virgin Islands: Virgin Islands Nice. Applies to new reservations (made after May 6, 2014) only. Not valid with any other offers.
If you have a chance to view Christiansted town from the harbor, don’t miss it!
The lovely row of pastel buildings lining the newly redone boardwalk is simply Gorgeous. The Old World charm carries back through town as small roads and brick alleyways meander up the hillside.
Once a playground for the likes of John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara and recently a holiday stop for Martha Stewart, Seth Green and Vice President Joe Biden.
Christiansted town’s eastern waterfront is graced by a well-preserved collection of historic Danish buildings including Fort Christiansvaern and the Steeple building. All managed now by the US National Park Service, these pieces of history offer wonderful insight to St. Croix’s colonial past to visitors and residents.
Definitely a walking town, you can stroll from the Fort (Free Parking until 4:30 pm) into the main business district. There you will find stunning art work in the numerous galleries, quaint restaurants tucked into 18th century brick courtyards and clothing shops offering everything from simple island styles to haute couture. As you make your way through town, remember it is customary to greet people throughout the island with “Good Morning” or Good Afternoon.” This sign of respect for the Crucian culture is always appreciated by residents and vendors throughout Christiansted as well.
Don’t miss a stroll along the Christiansted boardwalk. Dotted restaurants and SCUBA diving operators in action, there is always plenty to do and see along that walkway. Watch for Seaplanes taking off and landing and check out the tarpon in the shallow harbor waters while you grab a leisurely lunch. Or, enjoy the harbor lights and moonrise as you dine, surrounded by Danish Caribbean history.
Out Christiansted location also rents vehicles year-round at the western end of the Christiansted boardwalk – right by the seaplane dock.
Throughout the year a variety of activities light up Christiansted including: Movies at the Fort, Jazz at the Fort, Christiansted Restaurant & Retail Association Jump Ups, Art Thursdays and the Christmas Boat Parade to name a few.
This special town offers a perfect backdrop to any outing. Explore it your way when you visit St. Croix next!
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!
As THE OFFICIAL CAR RENTAL SPONSOR of the 2014 St. Croix Ironman 70.3 Triathlon Centerline Car Rentals would like to welcome all triathletes and their supporters to St. Croix. As part of our warm welcome we would like to extend a 10% DISCOUNT off our low season rates. To book, visit Online Reservations and enter “IRONMAN70.3” in the “DISCOUNT CODE” field while selecting a vehicle. Please present verification of your race entry.
Centerline is the largest independent car rental company in the Virgin Islands allowing us to offer a wide selection of late model vehicles and to better serve you WE WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE OUR NEW ON-AIRPORT LOCATION. PLEASE LOOK FOR OUR NEW COUNTER IN THE AIRPORT TERMINAL NEXT TO THE BAGGAGE CLAIM AREA.
ALSO PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR SEAPLANE SEAPORT LOCATION IN DOWNTOWN CHRISTIANSTED ON THE BOARDWALK RIGHT NEXT TO THE SEABORNE AIRLINES.
Also: We can deliver the vehicles to some hotels or offer free pick up anywhere on St. Croix.
Thank you and GOOD LUCK on May 4th!
Thanks to Our Staff & Customers for Making Our Henry E. Rohlsen Airport Terminal Locations A Wonderful Success!!Note to Our Customers with Pending Airport Pickup Reservations: Your Reservation will be transferred automatically! Just meet us at our new counter to get your car!
When you hike to Jack’s Bay, it is easy to envision St. Croix in the days of Captain Black Sam Bellamy, aka the Prince of Pirates. Bellamy, based his pirating operations out of St. Croix in the late 1600s. Considered the wealthiest and most generous of the pirates captured in the lore of the time, historians have labeled him the “Robin Hood” of pirates.
Photo: purepirate.com
Access to this gorgeous beach begins at the Eastern-most point of the United States, Point Udall. We are grateful to the St. Croix Hiking Association for these very clear directions:
– From Christiansted, go east on Route 75 / Route 82 / East End Rd. for about 3 miles until the T-intersection with Route 82 and Route 60.
– Turn left at T-intersection and continue for about 7 miles more on Route 82 east.
– Turn left at sign for Cramer Park and continue for about 2 miles more on Route 82 east, going past Cramer Park. After the road bends sharply to the left, go 100 yards further, and turn into the small roadside parking area on the right side. If you pass it, the road ends about 2/10 of a mile later at Point Udall, so just loop around and come back. Do not leave any valuables in your car.
The trailhead is at the parking area and leads down to the water. After walking for 10 minutes, the first beach you reach will be on East End Bay. At that point, turn right (west), go to the west end of the beach, and take the connecting trail west to the beach at Isaac Bay. Go to the west end of the beach at Isaac Bay and find the connecting trail west. After a few minutes, turn left on the side trail to the beach at Jack Bay.
Latest conditions reported for this hike:
December 2013: Walkable, with some high grass in sections.
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!