Villa Margarita St Croix USVI

Where to Stay on the East End, St. Croix (2025 Local Guide)

Where to Stay on the East End, St. Croix (2025 Local Guide)

Last updated January 2025. The East End of St. Croix is the island’s most dramatic landscape — rolling green hills, secluded coves, and the easternmost point of the United States at Point Udall. It’s also home to some of the island’s best luxury resorts and private villas. Travelers come here for privacy, sunrise views, and uncrowded beaches. If Christiansted is lively and Frederiksted relaxed, the East End is exclusive and quiet.

Why Stay on the East End

The East End feels remote yet sits just 15–20 minutes from Christiansted. The drive along East End Road (Route 82) reveals coral bays, small marinas, and panoramic sea views. It’s ideal for couples, sailors, and anyone wanting space to unwind. You’ll find golf, hiking, and snorkeling within a few miles — but little nightlife. For peace and scenery, this side of the island is unmatched.

Best for

  • Couples and honeymooners seeking privacy and high-end stays.
  • Travelers who prefer morning light, sea views, and quiet beaches.
  • Golfers and sailors — the East End hosts St. Croix’s main golf course and several marinas.

Where to Stay

The Buck Island View corridor has hillside villas with sweeping ocean panoramas. The Buck Island Reef National Monument lies just offshore, visible from many properties. The Buccaneer Beach & Golf Resort sits at the western edge of the East End — a historic resort with three beaches, an 18-hole golf course, and full-service spa. Further east, small villas in areas like Shoys, Green Cay, and Cotton Valley provide seclusion without isolation.

Vacation rentals dominate beyond the Buccaneer. Platforms list modern hillside homes with pools, decks, and sunrise views toward the Caribbean Sea. Because inventory is limited, book early for winter months (December – April).

Beaches and Outdoor Activities

  • Shoys Beach – calm water, ideal for swimming and kayaking; part of a gated community but open to the public with easy parking.
  • Isaac Bay and Jack Bay – two remote coves reached by a short hike from Point Udall. Excellent snorkeling, no services, carry water.
  • Cramer Park – family-friendly, shaded picnic area and one of the best sunrise beaches on the island.
  • Point Udall Monument – the easternmost point of the United States with a stone sundial and 270-degree ocean views.

Outdoor options extend inland: hike to Goat Hill for panoramic photos or visit the East End Marine Park Visitor Center (official DPNR site) for reef-protection exhibits and trail maps. Kayaking tours operate from nearby Green Cay Marina, and Buck Island boat charters depart daily from Christiansted.

Dining & Nightlife

Restaurants are scattered and close early, so plan ahead. Popular spots include The Terrace at The Buccaneer, Blue Water Terrace (casual seafood with harbor views), and Duggan’s Reef for fine dining by the sea. For groceries, stop at Seaside Market & Deli in Gallows Bay before heading east.

When to Stay

December through April brings the most pleasant weather with light trade winds. May through November offers lower prices and greener hillsides. The East End’s micro-climate stays drier than the rainforest interior, so even summer showers pass quickly. Temperatures hover around 85°F / 29°C year-round.

Getting Around

A rental car is essential. The area’s villas and resorts are spread across hillsides, and taxis rarely patrol this far east. Drive times: Christiansted 15 min, airport 25 min, Frederiksted 50 min. Roads are well paved but narrow and winding in places; drive cautiously at night.

Local Tips

  • Bring reef-safe sunscreen and sturdy sandals for beach hikes.
  • Cell coverage is strong near Shoys and Green Cay, weaker past Point Udall.
  • Plan dinners early or eat in; many restaurants close by 8:30 p.m.

Explore Other Areas

For historic streets and boat tours, stay in Christiansted. For calm swimming beaches and sunset views, visit Frederiksted. You can also compare all five regions in our Best Places to Stay in St. Croix (2025 Guide).

FAQ: East End

Is the East End windy?

Trade winds are steady but comfortable. Breezes keep mosquitoes away and make evenings pleasant.

Do I need a 4×4 vehicle?

No. Roads are paved, though steep in spots. A regular car handles fine year-round.

Can I visit Point Udall at sunrise?

Yes. It’s open 24 hours and considered one of the most spectacular sunrise spots in the Caribbean. Bring water and sun protection.

Visitor information: USVI Tourism – St. Croix