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Part 2: STX 6/16 - 6/23
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wheretonext?
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Mon Jun 04, 2007 12:06 pm
- Location: AZ
Part 2: STX 6/16 - 6/23
We were sad to leave STJ but, at the same time, happy that our adventure was continuing and that we'd get to know another island.
We originally planned to fly from STJ to STX on Cape Air. Two days before our flight, we found out from the island newspaper that Cape Air has cancelled all their flights for one week in order to do maintenance on their planes. That left us with two choices: the ferry or the sea plane. The ferry only goes twice a day, once very early and once a little later than we wanted, so we opted for the sea plane (20 min. flight). Always wanted to take a sea plane, anyway. The only problem is that they only allow 30 lbs luggage per person, then it's 75 cents/lb over that. We don't travel light, so we did have to pay. Ouch! Oh well, it was very cool to take off from and land on the water.
We were asked many times how we came to visit STX. (Funny, no one on STJ ever asked us that!) After traveling so far from AZ to STJ, we wanted to experience another island before going home. We chose STX because: it has great diving, a colleague of my husband had stayed at the Buccaneer last year and enjoyed it, we won an online auction and got a great deal at the Doubloons rooms, and the Buc has complimentary kids camp (and we figured the kids would be ready to play with some other kids after a week with us on STJ). The Buccaneer is like an old Southern Belle-showing her age, but still grand. The Buc definitely needs to invest in some major updating. On the plus side, though, the location is the best, the beaches are gorgeous, the service and staff are very good, a big buffet breakfast is complimentary, and my kids LOVED the kids' camp. There was great snorkeling off Mermaid beach. Saw an eel, lobster, starfish, two huge conch shells, lots of fish and coral in about an hour. Snorkeling is very easy there as it's shallow for a long way out. Overall, I guess if I had to pay full price, I'd feel I overpaid, but if you can get a discount, the Buccaneer is well worth it.
The view from our patio
E did two dives at Salt River and two shore dives off the wall at Cane Bay. STX is the best diving he's done so far.
We did a half day Buck Island tour, which was very enjoyable. I'd like to do it again, but next time will check out the Teroro, a trimaran we saw from our boat. It had a smaller group and looked very fun. After snorkeling the underwater trail at Buck Island, we went for about an hour to the sandy beach there at Buck Island. Truly the most incredibly beautiful water and beach I've ever seen. The color of the water looked fake, it was that beautiful.
We did a drive around the island one day, through the "rain forest" and to see the beer-drinking pigs. It was enjoyable and took only 1/2 day. The kids enjoyed the tour through the old fort in Christiansted.
On a recommendation from a local resident, we ate at Elizabeth's at the Palms at Pelican Cove. The setting was right on the beach, had a varied menu and very good food. Also, the night we were there they were running a special: buy one entrée, get one 1/2 off.
Overall, we enjoyed STX and would go back, but I think we'd return first to STJ.
Just want to say thanks to everyone who's posted in the last few months and shared their experiences and knowledge. It was a great help in planning this trip. So now I guess it's time to start planning for next year...
wheretonext?
We originally planned to fly from STJ to STX on Cape Air. Two days before our flight, we found out from the island newspaper that Cape Air has cancelled all their flights for one week in order to do maintenance on their planes. That left us with two choices: the ferry or the sea plane. The ferry only goes twice a day, once very early and once a little later than we wanted, so we opted for the sea plane (20 min. flight). Always wanted to take a sea plane, anyway. The only problem is that they only allow 30 lbs luggage per person, then it's 75 cents/lb over that. We don't travel light, so we did have to pay. Ouch! Oh well, it was very cool to take off from and land on the water.
We were asked many times how we came to visit STX. (Funny, no one on STJ ever asked us that!) After traveling so far from AZ to STJ, we wanted to experience another island before going home. We chose STX because: it has great diving, a colleague of my husband had stayed at the Buccaneer last year and enjoyed it, we won an online auction and got a great deal at the Doubloons rooms, and the Buc has complimentary kids camp (and we figured the kids would be ready to play with some other kids after a week with us on STJ). The Buccaneer is like an old Southern Belle-showing her age, but still grand. The Buc definitely needs to invest in some major updating. On the plus side, though, the location is the best, the beaches are gorgeous, the service and staff are very good, a big buffet breakfast is complimentary, and my kids LOVED the kids' camp. There was great snorkeling off Mermaid beach. Saw an eel, lobster, starfish, two huge conch shells, lots of fish and coral in about an hour. Snorkeling is very easy there as it's shallow for a long way out. Overall, I guess if I had to pay full price, I'd feel I overpaid, but if you can get a discount, the Buccaneer is well worth it.
The view from our patio
E did two dives at Salt River and two shore dives off the wall at Cane Bay. STX is the best diving he's done so far.
We did a half day Buck Island tour, which was very enjoyable. I'd like to do it again, but next time will check out the Teroro, a trimaran we saw from our boat. It had a smaller group and looked very fun. After snorkeling the underwater trail at Buck Island, we went for about an hour to the sandy beach there at Buck Island. Truly the most incredibly beautiful water and beach I've ever seen. The color of the water looked fake, it was that beautiful.
We did a drive around the island one day, through the "rain forest" and to see the beer-drinking pigs. It was enjoyable and took only 1/2 day. The kids enjoyed the tour through the old fort in Christiansted.
On a recommendation from a local resident, we ate at Elizabeth's at the Palms at Pelican Cove. The setting was right on the beach, had a varied menu and very good food. Also, the night we were there they were running a special: buy one entrée, get one 1/2 off.
Overall, we enjoyed STX and would go back, but I think we'd return first to STJ.
Just want to say thanks to everyone who's posted in the last few months and shared their experiences and knowledge. It was a great help in planning this trip. So now I guess it's time to start planning for next year...
wheretonext?
Nice pictures - I don't see a lot of reports from St. Croix, so it's nice to see one now and again.
By the way, if you enjoyed the Buck Island beach that much, you may want to check out Anguilla. The island is flat and scrubby, but the people are so friendly and the beaches are astounding - definitely the best I've seen in my 9+ trips to the Caribbean. Doing a St. Martin (French side only)/Anguilla/St. Bart's trip is a great way to see a lot of islands at once, and each has its own flavor... since your name is "wheretonext", thought you might be interested in, well, where to go next!
(or, switch out one of those places with Saba, which has exceptional diving)
By the way, if you enjoyed the Buck Island beach that much, you may want to check out Anguilla. The island is flat and scrubby, but the people are so friendly and the beaches are astounding - definitely the best I've seen in my 9+ trips to the Caribbean. Doing a St. Martin (French side only)/Anguilla/St. Bart's trip is a great way to see a lot of islands at once, and each has its own flavor... since your name is "wheretonext", thought you might be interested in, well, where to go next!
(or, switch out one of those places with Saba, which has exceptional diving)
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wheretonext?
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Mon Jun 04, 2007 12:06 pm
- Location: AZ
I too apprecaite the STX report! Wondering if you have a picture album from STX Croix that you would post - I saw from your STJ report you don't like to put your children's photos on the net - completely understandable - but if you do have some favorite pics of STX without them...would love to see STX through someone else's eyes!
Thanks for the report.
Thanks for the report.
Thank you for the report and the beautiful pics especially the family on the beach in STJ. It was nice to have a report from STX too. I have never heard about the beer-drinking pigs. Where can we find them? We ourselves will stay on STJ and then travel to STX – with Cape Air- Hopefully they will fly again on the 14th of July.
Linne
Linne
Thanks for posting something about STX – I always wonder about that island. I like the idea of splitting your vacation among 2 islands – very cool.
Did you scuba dive on STX – if so and you PM me how it was. I’ve been scuba diving for over 30 years and always looking for something new.
Thanks again.
Did you scuba dive on STX – if so and you PM me how it was. I’ve been scuba diving for over 30 years and always looking for something new.
Thanks again.
FlaGeorge
"Swim Against The Current - Even a Dead Fish Can Go With The Flow"
"Swim Against The Current - Even a Dead Fish Can Go With The Flow"
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wheretonext?
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Mon Jun 04, 2007 12:06 pm
- Location: AZ
Hi linne:
Here's a link to some information and directions about the beer-drinking pigs:
http://www.stcroixtourism.com/places.htm
Here's another link with pics:
http://www.st-croix.net/fun/pigs/index.html
Honestly, I don't think I'd go just for the pigs, but the drive is very pretty. We wanted to drive over to Fredericksted anyway and explore the island a little, so it was worth it. We were only with the pigs about five minutes (boy, those pigs can suck down that beer FAST!!) but I think it's a memory that will bring smiles to our faces when we see the pics in years to come.
They charge 1$ for each adult (kids are free), 3$ if you want to videotape (no charge for pictures), and each can of non-alcoholic beer is $2.
Let me know if you have any more questions.
Here's a link to some information and directions about the beer-drinking pigs:
http://www.stcroixtourism.com/places.htm
Here's another link with pics:
http://www.st-croix.net/fun/pigs/index.html
Honestly, I don't think I'd go just for the pigs, but the drive is very pretty. We wanted to drive over to Fredericksted anyway and explore the island a little, so it was worth it. We were only with the pigs about five minutes (boy, those pigs can suck down that beer FAST!!) but I think it's a memory that will bring smiles to our faces when we see the pics in years to come.
They charge 1$ for each adult (kids are free), 3$ if you want to videotape (no charge for pictures), and each can of non-alcoholic beer is $2.
Let me know if you have any more questions.