TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums US VI and Puerto Rico St. Croix bound

We are returning to the Virgin Islands for our sixth sailing charter, and after cruising the Spanish, Virgin Islands and the US Virgin Islands we thought it was time to check out St. Croix. After scanning the forums here I don’t see a lot of practical information regarding this island. We are chartering a FP 47 three cabin catamaran with a crew of six and plan to spend 2 to 3 days on the island after starting from St. Thomas with an overnight on the south side of St. John prior to heading to St. Croix. We are looking for recommendations regarding overnight anchorages or moorings that would safely accommodate our vessel. Our trip is scheduled for late April into May, so I expect the wins will be less but even if we had to motor the approximately 40 nautical miles in the absence of wind, it seems like we could still make the island before nightfall.
Any local knowledge or other information regarding safe passages to St. Croix would be very helpful .
Regards.
Realmainiac call

We have gone there a few times and it is a great sail both directions. Last time was on an Island Packet 465. On a beam reach we made 8 knots with wind of about 15 kts and it took about 5 hours. On a cat you should be quicker. I would not do it in the absence of wind. A day and Buck Island and another day for an island tour was fine for us. There are also two golf courses should you wish to play.

Look up posts by "BardJ" from a few years ago. He has a trip report from a visit and it was helpful to plan an anchoring location as well as stuff to do. Make sure your GPS is functional as for a an hour or so you will not be able to see St. John or St.Croix..

Thanks for the reply tothedogs! Helpful advice. I did see the trip report you mentioned but was looking for more recent information.

St Croix Marine Center has a few moorings at Christiansted - reserve in advance. 340-773-0289.

I do not think that much changes fast there, Additional comments I have are:

The entry channel was well marked. Pay attention to the buoy numbers as there is a split in the entry channel.shortly after the outer markers.
Do not try the inner anchorage close to town, is is very busy and the moorings are all private. Anchor in the outer area mentioned by BaardJ. I did not see any mooring balls so be prepared to use the hook. Holding was good in sand. It is about a 10 minute dinghy ride from there to the town.
Check with the NPS in St Croix before you go to see if you need a permit for Buck Island. We needed to do this and it is best to get it in advance. They required some information on the boat. It as straighforward by email.
On weekends Buck Island can be busy with local boats.
On the way down and back, keep an eye out for fish pots near the south drop off St. John.

If you have specifics, feel free to PM.

On the weekends, best to avoid Buck Island or anchoring near the fisherman dock at southeast end of Christiansted harbor. Lots of local go-fast boats blasting music near the beach and then many return to haulout at the boat launch. While waiting to haulout, they race around the anchorage at full speed.

We just spent 2 days in St Croix. You do need an anchoring permit for Buck Island. Unfortunately you cannot stay overnight these days.
The ranger said this may change when they introduce a new system shortly.

The hike on Buck island to the observation deck is worthwhile, When we were there the winds were too strong to make the snorkeling trip,



Great dinner at Savant,

Cheers

Bob

Thanks for the Buck Island update. I'm sailing there later this month.