My Island Life: Beaches

My adventures living on a Caribbean island. Welcome to my monthly, or not so monthly adventures. We try not to commit too soon here on island.

Impression #8

One of the benefits of living on a Caribbean island, to my way of thinking, is that there are beaches. Lots of beaches. And my impression was right, at least as I’ve seen so far. I haven’t exactly explored them all. That will take years. 

But I have explored a few and to my surprise, they are all very different. From the shape, to the vegetation to the entry into the water to the water itself, despite being on the same island, they offer a variety of experiences. This makes sense as the Eastern end of St. Croix has almost a desert climate while the western end is home to a rainforest. So basically, there is a beach for anyone’s preferences.

Cane Bay

On the North Shore is Cane Bay beach.  This is a long beach with the requisite white sand and gradual entry.  It can be rough which is good for body surfing and there is not a lot of shade, but then again, there is Spratnet Bar right there on the beach and Eat at Cane Bay right across the road, so taking a break from the sun is easy on the palette.

Just east of the center of the north shore is Green Cay. This white sand beach is smaller, but well protected and boasts the Deep End bar as well as a hotel, so one can literally stay there for days. Further east on the way to Point Udall (the most eastern point of the United States) is Cramer's Park, a public beach with lots of trees and grass, plus public baths and changing rooms. A nice break from the busier beaches.

Sandy Point

But I have to say the best beaches reside on the West end.  For those who are The Bachelor fans, you saw one of our exquisite beaches, Sandy Point.  This beach has the most beautiful, soft white sand of any beach on the island.  It has no facilities and takes a bit of a trek to get to, but it is rarely crowded, with people that is.  However, it is closed down during turtle season. Yup, turtles return every year to lay their eggs on Sandy Point. A turtle hatching is always a reason for celebration as so many of these gentle creatures are endangered.

Rainbow Beach

But if a person prefers a beautiful white sand beach with a local bar and a pick-up sand Volleyball game then Rainbow Beach is the place to go, especially Sundays. It has live music and Jet Ski Rentals plus the entry into the water is deep, soft sand and there is even a proper parking lot across the street. Of course, I don’t have to park because it is a 5 minute walk from my house.

The last beach I need to talk about is my own. When I moved into this place it was perfect, lots of sand, sandy bottom and it came right up to the house! Since then I have learned that beaches change shape . . . daily! A couple hurricanes off shore and some storms that came from the south took most of the sand away beneath the water, but the beach all the way to the house is still nice and the two coconut trees provide just enough shade if I want it. The best part about my beach is that it takes 3 seconds to get to and that is walking barefoot :-)  So it may not be perfect, but it is perfect for me.

My Backyard

Lesson #8

Every beach is different. I may make time to explore them all, but my own will always be the best :-)

Stay warm,

Alexis