St. Croix is one of the most underrated places in the Caribbean, and perhaps the most beautiful of the Virgin Islands! If you’re looking for the best beaches in St. Croix, this guide has the best places to spend the day in the sand and sun!
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There’s about a bazillion reasons why anyone should visit St. Croix. The unspoiled beaches are right about the top of that list!
But not all beaches on the island are swim-worthy. I spent hours and hours driving and visiting nearly every stretch of sand on the island, and I can say with confidence this travel guide will help you decide which beaches are worthy of your time!
Quick note: all the beaches on St. Croix are public beaches, but the access in getting there can sometimes be tricky. Check out the details for each beach below!
Map of St. Croix beaches
If you’re a visual person, this map will help you plan your time on the island.
Best beaches in St. Croix
Let’s get to it! You’re gonna love this list!
1. Shoys Beach
Talk about another beautiful beach! Shoy’s Beach is on the eastern part of the island, and is a bit more off the beaten path. To get there, you’ll have to enter through a private community.
Use your navigation to get to Shoys Beach, and head for the guard shack and gate.
Continue driving until you get to the large parking lot with shade and trash cans. Then, there’s a short walk-through a tree tunnel to the beach.
Shoy’s beach is a nice stretch of long, white sand. Parts of the beach have some reef close to the beach, but most of the access to the water is great for swimming.
There’s lots of shade, and with gentle waves, you could easily bring young kids there or just hang out and float in the ocean for the afternoon.
The only negative here is that there’s not really any amenities, so plan accordingly!
2. Cane Bay Beach
This, without a doubt, is one of the best beaches on the island. Cane Bay Beach is a long beach with plenty of spots to stretch out. It’s shallow entrance and gentle waves make it a great swimming beach.
Plop your beach towels down or rent a beach chair for the day. With palm trees and plenty of shade, it’s seriously one of the best beaches in St. Croix!
There’s also a great reef just about a 5 minute swim out into the bay, if you brought your own snorkeling gear or you rent some from the shack nearby.
With multiple restaurants nearby, a great place to spend the afternoon swimming and enjoying the sunshine.
The rolling hills nearby make it super scenic as well.
3. Sandy Point Beach
One of the very best beaches in St. Croix is Sandy Point Beach. Located at Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge, this beach can be difficult to get to but it’s so worth the effort!
It’s open seasonally from September through March, and only from 10:00am – 4:00pm on Saturdays and Sundays. It’s a sea turtle nesting area, so the area is very limited for visiting, which is great for the protected marine life!
Once you arrive at the gate, it’s another 10 minute drive to the parking lots. There’s a north, south and west beach. I found the north beach is the best for swimming! It has the calmest waters, not to mention the blue color is unreal!
Once you park, it’s just a short walk to the beach. Don’t plan to bring a tent or anything you’ll need to bury in the sand – it’s not allowed. Use sand bags to hold structures in place if you’re planning to bring a cover.
Sandy Point Beach is a great swimming beach, but the water gets deep pretty quickly and the waves can be pretty strong. If you’re traveling with young kids, there are better beaches with calmer waves that are better for them.
The stunning turquoise water blends to deep blue just off the sand. And from the North Beach, you can see up the coast to the Frederiksted Pier and the rolling hills beyond.
4. Monks Bath Beach
One of the hidden gems on the island, Monks Bath Beach is one of the most unexpected spots on St. Croix! Nestled on the northern side of the island in an area with not a lot going on, Monks Bath Beach is a definite must-see when visiting St. Croix!
Use GPS to navigate there, although there are multiple listings, so basically go to there but look for a small cove with palm trees and a private residence across the street. Parking is limited, and it’s a small beach, so I recommend getting there early in the day or relying on luck!
The sandy area is small, and so is the swimming area. But there is some shade, and beyond the rocks is great snorkeling. Just use caution because beyond the rocks the waves are powerful and you don’t want to get knocked into the rocks. Ouch.
Monks Bath Beach is pretty and picturesque!
5. Rainbow Beach
One of the best St. Croix beaches is Rainbow Beach! Located on the west end near Frederiksted, this is a great swimming beach.
Note: the days the cruise ship(s) are docked, the beach is super full so consider checking out the St. Croix cruise schedule and plan accordingly.
Rainbow Beach is a long stretch of sand, perfect for pulling up beach chairs and watching the waves. You can also enjoy food at Rythms restaurant, grabbing drinks and listening to the waves crash along the shore.
I do recommend water shoes for Rainbow Beach, as the ocean floor here is pebbles and rocks.
From here, you can also rent jet skis, snorkel gear, and more, which is super convenient, too!
6. Issacs Bay Beach (a favorite on this list of best beaches in St Croix)
Talk about a gorgeous spot on this earth! Possibly one of my favorite beaches in St. Croix, this one is often completely empty, so you might just have the place to yourself!
Located on the very east end of the island, you’ll access Issacs Bay from Point Udall. You’ll want water shoes for the trek down to the beach, as it’s about a 1/2 mile hike from the parking area to the beach.
Once you’re there, the beach is incredibly deep, with white sand and such a wide area to stretch out and enjoy. And in the off chance there is someone else at the beach, just walk far enough away that you’re not crowding each other – there’s plenty of space!
You’ll also find a few fun wooden formations to sit and relax or hang a beach towel to dry.
Issacs Bay is a great swimming beach. It does have some areas where the reef system touches the shore, but most of the beach is very swimmable with soft sand under toe.
7. Cottongarden Bay Beach
This beach easily makes the list of the best beaches in St. Croix, USVI! This locals-style beach has a ton of parking and lots of picnic tables, pavilions and white sand.
The beach itself isn’t that deep, but it’s one of the only beaches on the island with a lifeguard shack, rinse stations and this level of amenities.
If you get there early or use your luck, you’ll grab some shade on the beach and enjoy the great swimming beach with gentle waves!
Cottongarden Bay Beach is a great spot for families and little kids, too!
8. Hay Penny Beach
Located on the south side of the island at basically the middle of nowhere is Hay Penny Beach. To get there, you’ll drive down a gravel bumpy road to find a large, white sand beach!
Hay Penny Beach is great for swimming. There’s essentially no amenities, but secluded is what you’re going for, then this is the spot for you!
Walk down the beach further to try to find shade. There are patches of seaweed and coral reef, but mostly it’s a clear swimming beach.
More of the best beaches St Croix USVI
These beaches are sooo great, right?! Well, just when you don’t think it can get better, it does. Let’s keep going with the list!
9. Grapetree Beach
Located on the southeast side of the island, Grapetree Beach is a long stretch of white sand, great for swimming. The Grapetree Bay Hotel and Villas is the best place to access the beach, whether you stay there or are just visiting the beach for a day.
This is one of the longest stretches of sand on the south shore, and with views that are swoon-worthy! With the surrounding hills and water clear of coral, it’s an amazing beach to spend the day!
10. Chenay Bay Beach
Gah! Talk about the perfect spot to spend a week in the US Virgin Islands! Chenay Bay Beach is home to a little community of picture-perfect Bungalows on the Bay, with direct beach access.
Add in palm trees, luxurious sand under toe, a beach bar and food truck, and you’ve got yourself an awesome day at the beach! Whether you’re staying on the eastern side of the island or just beach-hopping, be sure to add Chenay Bay Beach to your must-see list when visiting St. Croix.
One of the things that makes this spot unique is that there’s a small island just off the beach. It’s close enough to kayak or paddle board to it, which would be a fun adventure for a beach day!
11. Mermaid Beach (one of the most fun St Croix beaches)
Well I cannot create the best beaches in St. Croix USVI list without Mermaid Beach! Home to the Buccaneer Beach & Golf Resort, this picturesque beach is full of palm trees and plenty of parking.
The beach itself is somewhat small, but its gentle waves create the perfect swimming environment. There’s also a restaurant, and if you want to pay to use the beach chairs, you’ll get chair service, too!
To get to Mermaid Beach, you’ll have to enter the Buccaneer Beach Resort entrance. Just go to the guard shack and let them know you’re going to the beach. They’ll take down your name and wave you through.
12. Rick’s Secret Beach
Alright, I have no idea how this beach got it’s name, but it really is kind of a secret. This northern part of the island is pretty remote, and the beach is usually pretty vacant and quiet.
Located at Ham Bay, this is a good stop if you’re looking to hike to Hams Bluff Lighthouse.
The sand is mostly soft, with no reef system near the beach entrance so it makes for good swimming. Although the sand isn’t very deep, you can still find shade and enough space for a towel or beach chair.
If you’re looking to get off the beaten path but without much effort, Rick’s Secret Beach might just be the right spot for you!
13. Jack A. Beach (AKA Jack Beach)
This is absolutely one of my favorite beaches in St Croix, because it’s so rare to see another person visiting while you’re here.
Located on the east end of the island, you can access Jack Beach by hiking from Point Udall, past Issacs Beach. Alternatively, you can park to the west of Jack Beach and hike the 1/2 mile to the beach from the trailhead.
Navigate to Jack Beach Parking, which is just outside the residential area, about a five minute walk to the official trail start.
Jack Beach is another sea turtle nesting area so it’s protected. But the beach itself is rarely visited, considering the hike to get there.
With a long white stretch of sand, there are some spots great for swimming better than others, with just a little bit of shade on the far east side of the beach. The waves are the calmest on the east side of the beach.
There are no amenities, so bring water and snacks and plan ahead.
14. Carambola/Davis Beach
When you think of the US Virgin Islands and see a gorgeous coastline with white sandy beaches and palm trees, then this is the beach you’ll want to visit!
Davis Beach is located at the Carambola Beach Resort. Because all beaches on the island are public, there’s a guest parking lot and walkway to the beach.
Of course hotel amenities are for guests, but you can definitely take advantage of the beachfront restaurant and foot rinse station.
This is a large resort and beach but it has plenty of sand. It’s also one of the only beaches in St. Croix with a sand volleyball court, which is so fun!
15. Teague Bay
Another small but fun beach is at Teague Bay. I don’t think the beach has an official name, but just navigate to Duggan’s Reef (which, by the way you’ll want to make a reservation for and dine there – it’s spectacular!)
There’s a short boardwalk to the beach and it’s perfect for swimming!
With a few (free) beach chairs and even a few hammocks, it’s quite literally a perfect way to spend an afternoon.
Just note there aren’t any amenities here, so bring enough water, snacks, and plan accordingly.
16. Dorsch Beach (AKA Sand Castle Beach)
Dorsch Beach is another great one for swimming and snorkeling! Located near Frederiksted and sharing the beach with the Sand Castle on the Beach hotel, it has plenty of great swimming with smooth, sandy bottom ocean floor. Further out and to the west, is great snorkeling as well!
The hotel on the beach also sells day passes, which gets you access to the pool and shower amenities, plus beach chairs and service. It does sell out quickly on cruise ship days though, so keep that in mind.
Beach Side Café at Sand Castle on the Beach is the restaurant, and it’s also one of the best places to eat in St. Croix. So you literally can spend the day here and enjoy that #islandlife!
Beach essentials for St. Croix
Before this travel guide is wrapped up, I’ll share a few things that will make your beach days go smooth. These are the specific items I took to St. Croix…
- Mineral sunblock. Traditional sunblock kills the reef system and harms marine life. This is my favorite mineral sunblock. A little goes a long way!
- Water shoes. While some beaches are super soft, others not so much. I love these water shoes for swimming or hiking, and they go with me everywhere!
- Beach hat. Keep the sun off your face with this adorable beach hat.
- Beach towel with hidden zipper pocket. I bought this years ago and it’s been with me to the best beaches in Turks and Caicos, to the Black Sand Beach in Puerto Rico and quite literally every other beach since.
- Long sleeves for swimming. I love my long sleeve swimming suit and swim shirt to reduce the amount of time I have to spend sunblocking.
- Bug repellent. My favorite is this Picardin lotion, and then this natural bug spray. Just remember to re-apply after swimming.
- Bug bite thing. In case you don’t remember to re-apply, this insanely good tool helps remove the venom if you catch it soon after a bite. It’s seriously like magic.
Here’s a complete beach packing list and free download as well!
Best beaches in St. Croix – that’s a wrap!
Gah! Can you believe this list?! There’s so many unspoiled beaches in St. Croix! Such a stunning destination, and one you’ll love.
Whether you visit 2 beaches in St Croix or all 16, I hope you have a fabulous trip!
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