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: May 24^th

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.

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!

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.

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:

In line with our tradition of providing our customers with the best and most updated vehicles available, we recently unwrapped several brand new additions to our fleet!

Explore St. Croix with these brand new rental vehicles from Centerline:

• Ford Fiesta

• Ford Focus

• Ford Fusion

• Ford Taurus

• Ford Escape

• Ford Explorer

• Jeep Wrangler

• Caravan

• Ford E-250

• Ford E-350

Centerline Car Rentals is St. Croix’s largest locally-owned, independent car rental company. Our experienced, friendly staff is proud to offer personalized and professional service. We operate seven days a week and meet ALL FLIGHTS. Visit our new location at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport Terminal, just before baggage claim.

Check out our fleet and submit your booking online!