Jaunted - vi

St. Croix Travel: The Island's Best Dive Spot

David LaHuta — 2008-04-11T11:30:01-05:00

It's your last day on St. Croix and luckily you've been re-energized by the island-inspired dinner you had at Bacchus. You've also covered some of the sights, including the protected barrier reef at Buck Island, the pristine beach at Sandy Point and the beer-drinking pigs at the Domino Club.

Got time for one more adventure? Divers rejoice because St. Croix is home to some of the world's best underwater spots like the Wall at Cane Bay--a massive coral ledge that plunges to more than 3,200 feet.

St. Croix Travel: The Island's Best Wine List

David LaHuta — 2008-04-10T12:05:02-05:00

So you're nursing a hangover from yesterday's pit stop at the Domino Club--the laid-back rum shack in St. Croix's rainforest where you can feed pigs cans of beer--and you've already conquered the snorkeling at Buck Island and the waves at Sandy Point.

It's high time for a night on the town, Caribbean-style. If you're searching for island-inspired food and the longest wine list on St. Croix, then look no further than Restaurant Bacchus.

St. Croix Travel: The Island's Best Rum Shack

David LaHuta — 2008-04-09T10:48:38-05:00

It's day three on St. Croix and you've had way too much sun. After all, you spent the weekend on Sandy Point--by far one of the best beaches in the Caribbean--and the following day sailing on a catamaran before snorkeling the barrier reef at Buck Island.

It's time for a drink in the shade. Head to the Caldonia Rainforest on St. Croix's west end, where on Route 76--better known as Mahogany Road for the massive trees that flank each side--you'll find the Montpellier Domino Club, hands down the best rum shack on the island.

St. Croix Travel: The Island's Best Day Trip

David LaHuta — 2008-04-08T12:00:02-05:00

So your first few days on St. Croix were spent lying on the beach, preferably at Sandy Point. Now what's a sun worshipper to do? Consider a day trip to Buck Island Reef National Monument, a 176-acre island that's surrounded by nearly 20,000 acres of protected coral reef.

Located nearly two miles off St. Croix's northern coast, Buck Island was declared a part of the national park system by John F. Kennedy in 1961. Since then, its barrier reef--which encircles two-thirds of the island--has thrived with coral and marine life, making it one of the premier spots in all of the US Virgin Islands to go snorkeling. But first you have to get there.

St. Croix Travel: The Island's Best Beach

David LaHuta — 2008-04-07T15:02:29-05:00

The largest of the three US Virgin Islands, St. Croix is the often forgotten sister of cruise ship-friendly St. Thomas and nature-loving St. John. But just because it sees the fewest tourists in the VI doesn't mean it's not worth a stop.

In addition to the Cruzan rum distillery--which produces quite possibly some of the best rum in the Caribbean--St. Croix is home to pristine beaches, world-class diving, and a vibrant restaurant scene. Trust me, there's a reason why I called the island home for nearly two years.

Obamacation

djk — 2008-03-25T15:25:01-05:00

Perhaps he chose the U.S. Virgin Islands for the passport-free travel.

Senator Barack Obama is vacationing on St. Thomas, the most bustling of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Lots of shopping and cruise ship day-trippers there. He must want to be seen...we would have pegged him for a St. John/Caneel Bay sort of guy, ourselves.

CNN has some exclusive stalkercam footage of the senator lounging around and conducting business on his cell phone. Anyone recognize that pool chair? Could he be at the Ritz Carlton - St. Thomas?

Swimsuit Issue '08: Models in the US Virgin Islands

pbb — 2008-02-06T12:06:11-05:00

We just found out Marisa Miller, Oluchi Onweagba and Melissa Baker will show up in the 2008 SI Swimsuit Issue. A reliable source tells us the women were photographed on St. John at the Caneel Bay resort. They'll join Bar Refaeli, Brooklyn Decker and Carmella Garcia in the issue, which comes out Tuesday.

Miller is rumored to be a cover girl, and this isn't the first time we've followed her globe trotting. She was on-board a Virgin America charter flight back in November ahead of the in-flight PJ party the airline threw.

As for the island of St. John, it's a great place for some passport-free travel. Access is by ferry from St. Thomas, which should warm you up for the tranquil pace of life on the island. Once you're there, it's all about exploring Virgin Islands National Park.

Have any swimsuit issue tips?

Related Stories:
· Passport-Free Travel: St. John [Jaunted]
· Rockefeller Would Be Proud of Caneel Bay [HotelChatter]
· 2008 Swimsuit Issue coverage [Jaunted]