RAINBOW SWIM | RED DRESS | PALM SWIM | WHITE DRESS | GOLD WEDGES
A WEEKEND IN ST CROIX
After all 2020 threw our way, I think it’s safe to say we could all use a drink in our hand and our toes in the sand. It had been months since I’d gotten to connect with my out of town girlfriends, so I knew a girls trip was a must. As travel restrictions started lifting, we searched for the perfect weekend destination. The Virgin Islands checked all our boxes! Short flights, living on island time and no passport needed? Sign us up! Come see how the island of St. Croix made for the best getaway with girlfriends.
WHERE TO STAY
If you’re looking for spacious rooms, onsite eats and an authentic St. Croix feel, Tamarind Reef Resort is right up your alley! I honestly don’t know that I’ve stayed anywhere with such large rooms before, which was perfect for a group of girls that love to overpack. Each room has a patio or balcony with picturesque ocean views. The beaches here were so authentic and didn’t have the man-made feel you get at a typical hotel in Florida or at a tourist destination. Instead of perfectly grated sand, the beach is lined with gorgeous rocks and sand dollars. If you’re like me and prefer listening to ocean instead of jumping in for a swim, this is a great location.
WHAT TO DO
RAINBOW SWIM | FLORAL DRESS | PALM SWIM
PLAN A BOAT DAY. If I could only pick one activity for the entire trip, there’s no doubt it would be our trip to Buck Island with Caribbean Sea Adventures. I’ve never seen clearer waters or had a more relaxing day than we did out on that gorgeous beach. The team was so kind and made sure we had the best day. Their cautions on keeping the reef safe are so commendable and I loved how the team shared so many insights with us while we rode out to the island.
EXPLORE DOWNTOWN. Christiansted has the cutest downtown area. The buildings are a rainbow assortment of pastels and lined with tons of adorable shops. We had the best time snagging authentic St. Croix hook bracelets and other tourist finds while wandering around the area. The boardwalk is lined with unique restaurants, coffee spots and dreamy views. I could sit and watch the boats in this area all day.
TRY OTHER BEACHES. We loved the authentic feel at Tamarind Reef, especially because we weren’t crowded. The Buccaneer, a dreamy resort just up the road, has a mix of exposed rock and perfectly groomed sand. This was ideal for taking a dip in the ocean, getting Instagram-worthy photos and lounging with your girlfriends. It was busier than Tamarind Reef, so get there early to secure your beach seats.
WHERE TO EAT
CAROLINE’S CAFE – I can’t think of a more Instagram-worthy spot than Caroline’s! They have a fairly extensive breakfast menu with cute cocktails and delicious coffees.
DEEP END BAR AND GRILLE- This spot is located onsite at Tamarind Reef and has something for everyone! I couldn’t wait to hop out of bed for their breakfast/weekend brunch each morning. Highly recommend the home fries and breakfast quesadilla.
BLUEWATER TERRACE – This spot might have been my favorite! The girls all raved about the fresh lobster and fish options. I opted for gluten-free veggie pizza, spinach-stuffed mozzarella sticks and a massive salad. Everything was delicious and so reasonably priced. If we were in Florida or another tourist destination, the meal would have been at least double the cost!
THE GALLEON – If you’re looking for upscale, fancy and dreamy views, look no further! This is located onsite at Tamarind Reef near the docks and gives picturesque views overlooking the boats at bay. Once again, the fresh seafood here was a hit! This spot is the most pricey of all that we tried over the weekend, but there were still tons of options at a reasonable price.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
PINK LUGGAGE | LEGGINGS | SPORTS BRA
NO PASSPORT NEEDED! Since the Virgin Islands are a US Territory, you can live the island life without the hassle and expense of getting your passport. You do pass through US Customs on your way back to the mainland, but that was the extent of this travel experience being “different” than any other spot I’ve traveled in the US.
IT’S AFFORDABLE! I can honestly say this is the most affordable destination vacation I’ve taken. Usually I have a little sticker shock seeing how much our dinner bill is when we’re traveling, but not here. Maybe it’s because it’s less focused on tourism, but everything just felt so affordable!
DRIVING IS DIFFERENT… aka, on the left side of the road. As a permanent back seat driver, this was quite the adjustment. Anytime I looked up from my phone while in the car, I had a mini panic attack seeing cars coming at us on the “right” side of the road. It took a few days to get used to it, but I never actually drove. Speed limits and traffic cautions are fairly similar, so we were never nervous because of the driving itself.
RENT A CAR! Even with the driving situation being a little different, Uber isn’t an option in St. Croix. A few friends had told us that getting cabs in the area takes a while, plus it’s pretty expensive. The car rentals being housed in the airport made the pickup and drop off process a breeze! I can’t thank my Kali girl enough for driving us around the entire weekend!
GET TO THE AIRPORT EARLY FOR YOUR FLIGHT HOME. We waited in line to get through security for about 2.5 hours, so I’m really grateful we got there so early. The airport is also under construction, so I’m sure that played a role in how long we had to wait.
Alright sister girls, I hope you’re schooled in all things St. Croix! In case you’re wanting more, I shared a full video roundup of our weekend, including videos of the resort, here. I had the best time with my girlfriends, but this would be a dreamy destination for a family vacation, too.Pack your bags, nix the passport and get ready to live on island time!
