Cane Bay Beach
Cane Bay Beach is one of the most popular beaches on St. Croix’s north shore and a favorite with both locals and visitors. It is especially well known for its excellent snorkeling and shore-access scuba diving. Just offshore lies the famous Cane Bay Wall, where the reef suddenly drops into deep water, making it one of the island’s most celebrated dive sites.
Unlike many beaches on St. Croix, Cane Bay is also very convenient. Several restaurants and beach bars sit directly along the sand, so it’s easy to spend the entire day here swimming, snorkeling, relaxing, and enjoying the view.
See also: For a full comparison of swimming and snorkeling conditions around the island, see our guide to the best beaches in St Croix.
Cane Bay Beach Quick Facts
Location: North Shore of St. Croix, about 15 minutes from Christiansted
Best for: Snorkeling, scuba diving, and relaxed beach bars
Water conditions: Usually calm with good visibility for snorkeling
Famous feature: The Cane Bay Wall, a dramatic drop-off just offshore popular with divers
Amenities: Beach bars, restaurants, dive shop, chair rentals, and parking
Good for families: Yes – shallow water close to shore and easy beach access
Where to Stay Near Cane Bay
Visitors who plan to spend time snorkeling or diving at Cane Bay often prefer staying on St. Croix’s north shore so they can easily return to the beach for sunset or evening drinks at the beach bars.
Two nearby accommodation options include Villa Margarita, a private beachfront villa located a short distance from Cane Bay, and The Waves at Cane Bay, a small boutique hotel.
Staying in this area makes it easy to enjoy early morning snorkeling, relaxed beach afternoons, and the restaurants and bars along the shore.
The Famous “Cane Bay Beach Cowboy”
One of the most unusual sights at Cane Bay is the “Cane Bay Beach Cowboy.” Local horseman Stephen O’Dea often rides his horse along the shoreline and even into the water, creating a memorable photo opportunity that has become a favorite for visitors.
The beach is also known for its relaxed, social atmosphere. Families like Cane Bay because it is a true “one-stop” beach with everything nearby: restaurants, bars, snorkeling, paddle boarding, and easy water access.
Snorkelers can explore the reef close to shore, where you may even spot “Sea Biscuit,” a whimsical underwater horse sculpture that looks like it came straight off a merry-go-round. For divers, the Cane Bay Wall begins roughly 300 yards offshore and drops dramatically into very deep water.
What Makes Cane Bay a Great Beach Day
Cane Bay Beach is easy to enjoy for a full day. Visitors can swim, snorkel, play beach volleyball, rent chairs, or simply relax with a book while listening to the waves. The water is often calm and shallow close to shore, making it comfortable for families and casual swimmers.
On weekends the beach can become lively, especially on Sundays. Restaurants and beach bars often feature live music, pig roasts, and local gatherings that give Cane Bay its distinctive island atmosphere.
One of the most fun annual events here is the Mardi Croix celebration, a colorful parade and beach festival inspired by Mardi Gras and loved by locals and visitors alike.
Great video on Cane Bay Beach St Croix. Watch it!
Amenities
- Street parking
- Clean beach
- Restaurant and bar
- Dive shop
- Water sports rentals
- Chair rentals
- Family friendly
- Horseback riding nearby
- Hotel nearby
Restaurants at Cane Bay Beach
A popular open-air restaurant located directly across from the beach. The Landing serves Caribbean-influenced American cuisine with a seafood focus and a strong craft beer selection. The relaxed setting, beach views, and frequent live music make it a favorite stop after swimming or snorkeling at Cane Bay.
Whenever possible, the kitchen sources fish, produce, and ingredients from local St. Croix suppliers. The result is a menu that blends classic beach bar favorites with fresh island flavors.
Hours
MONDAY: 11am–8pm
TUESDAY: Closed
WEDNESDAY–SATURDAY: 11am–8pm
SUNDAY: 10am–6pm
View the menu (pdf) — view reviews (pdf) on TripAdvisor (pdf)
A classic small beach bar located right next to the sand at Cane Bay. Spratnet serves casual food such as burgers, wraps, sandwiches, and appetizers along with cold drinks and tropical cocktails.
Visitors can sit at the bar or grab food and relax at colorful picnic tables right on the beach. The friendly local atmosphere and ocean views make it one of the most authentic beach bars on St. Croix.
Spratnet often hosts live music and events, including a popular Sunday Reggae Brunch.
A longtime Cane Bay favorite known for its casual outdoor setting and spectacular sunset views over the Caribbean Sea. Off the Wall serves burgers, pizzas, calzones, and classic beach bar food, with plenty of bar seating and picnic tables.
It is a popular gathering spot for locals and visitors looking to relax after a day at the beach. The bar frequently hosts food specials and community events, including its well-known bingo nights.
Tel: (340) 718-4771
A delightful oceanfront sustainable seafood restaurant, fine wines & craft cocktail bar. They work with local farmers and environmentally responsible fisherman and divers to produce amazing meals and memorable experience.
Most guests find AMA’s food amazing and full of flavor, the service excellent and attentive, and the ambience of the ocean waves and sunsets unforgettable. Added details like tiki torches give AMA a special atmosphere worth the cost and wait. You will need a reservation here because it’s often very busy, especial in-season
Check out their delicious menu here. Or download the menu here (pdf)
Email: INFO@AMACANEBAY.COM
FOR RESERVATIONS, CALL 340-227-3432 — reviews on TripAdvisor (pdf)
Sunny Shore Up food truck
Sunny Shore Up food truck is a great place for a quick bite when you’re at Cane Bay Beach. It’s a local-run, laid back, and fairly-priced food truck serving coffee, cold drinks, burritos, sandwiches, and other light fare. A nice “go-to” breakfast place if you’re spending the day at the beach.
Works on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday, so plan your visit to not be disappointed that it’s closed. Some say it has the best breakfast sandwiches on the island, while other like its great coffee, latte and cappuccinos (and they’ll add your favorite liquor upon request). And the gorgeous ocean views come for free 😎
It’s a good breakfast option if you’re diving The Wall, with Sweet Bottom dive shop nearby. Guest reviews recommend the breakfast burritos, egg sandwiches, and smoothies. It’s also a good option if you’re staying at The Landing Resort because the restaurant there is not open Tuesdays and only has brunch on Sundays.
St Croix Webcam at Cane Bay Beach
Check out current conditions at this St. Croix webcam at The Landing restaurant at Cane Bay Beach.
Weather at Cane Bay
Check the current weather at Cane Bay St Croix here.
Things to do at Cane Bay
Horseback riding — Try Equus Rides — view prices (pdf)
Snorkeling — view St Croix snorkeling guide (pdf)
Scuba diving — try Cane Bay Scuba. View their dive packages and prices (pdf)
Carambola Zipline — a short drive. View zipline prices & hours (pdf).
Cane Bay Beach FAQs
Cane Bay Beach is very popular for scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming and horseback riding. There’s a number of great nearby restaurants, beach bars and food trucks to enjoy a lazy lunch with live bands, dancing, beers & tropical drinks. Weekends see a lot of family gatherings and cookouts, and there are regular events and festivals.
Cane Bay Beach gently slopes out for about 130 yards to 40 feet depth, and then suddenly plunges to over 13,000 feet (4000 meters) in one of the most stunning dive sites called “The Wall”. It’s world famous and attracts top divers from around the globe. Below you’ve find amazing scuba videos of this impressive super-deep Cane Bay wonder.
The Wall at Cane Bay St. Croix drops dramatically to 13,000 feet (4000 meters) just 130 yards from shore. If you’re a diver, The Wall must be on your bucket list of dives.
Snorkeling in Cane Bay is very enjoyable because the water is very calm and clear with high visibility. You’ll see many large schools of tropical fish, sea turtles, the occasional reef shark, sting rays and manta rays, and bright coral and colorful sea fans. Be sure to find the famous “Sea Biscuit”, an underwater horse from a merry-go-round. And watch the Cane Bay snorkeling video below!
Yes, Cane Bay Beach is known for its small waves and calm waters. This makes it popular for families with small children.
Cane Bay Beach Resort in St. Croix
People often refer to The Landing Beach Resort at Cane Bay as the “Cane Bay Beach Resort”, since it’s located right there. The Landing has eight separate cottages set on over 100 acres of land that offers great views, easy access to Cane Bay Beach, hiking trails to Mount Eagle, plus it’s located right next to the popular Landing restaurant & bar.
Treehouse Cottage at Cane Bay Starfish Cottage
Parrotfish Cottage at Cane Bay Old Wife Cottage
Mountain Side Cottage Jellyfish Cottage
Barracuda Cottage at Cane Bay Beach Resort Angelfish Cottage at Cane Bay Beach resort
Cane Bay Beach cottages descriptions:
Starfish Cottage: beachfront views and a recently renovated with beautiful stone tile flooring and a walk-in shower. Considered one of the best cottages at the Landing Cane Bay Beach Resort.
Angelfish Cottage: beachfront views and a recently renovated with beautiful stone tile flooring and a walk-in shower. Also a favorite unit at the Cane Bay Beach Resort.
Parrotfish Cottage: this is an end unit of the “longhouse”. It has a patio offering great views of both the ocean and views of Mount Eagle.
Old Wife Fish Cottage: this is an end unit of the “longhouse”. It has a patio offering great views of both the ocean and views of Mount Eagle.
Jellyfish Cottage: near an end unit. On the front side you get great views of Mt. Eagle, and on the back side there is a shared terrace with nice sea views. Plus it’s close to laundry facilities and an outdoor shower.
Barracuda Cottage: 2nd unit from an end unit of the “longhouse”. On the front side you get great views of Mt. Eagle, and on the back side there is a shared terrace with nice sea views. Plus it’s close to laundry facilities and an outdoor shower.
Treehouse Cottage: this cozy unit is up the hill a bit and is built around the trunk of an old tree. You’ll experience panoramic views of the lush green hills nearby, but still close enough to the beach to hear the waves! This unit features its own washer and dryer. Very popular unit at the Cane Bay Beach Resort.
Mountainside Cottage: this cozy unit is up the hill a bit. You’ll experience panoramic views of the lush green hills nearby, but still close enough to the beach to hear the waves!
More Videos
Youtube playlist of Cane Bay videos
2025 photos
So get on down to Cane Bay Beach St Croix in 2025!
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Bungalows on the Bay St. Croix
St. Croix Property Management USVI
Yelp reviews of Cane Bay restaurants
photo credits: Vinow.com
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