Page 1587 - Dive the Seas and More-2
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some of the colonial houses still survive. Columbus Landing Site of St. Croix. It
Tourism is St. Croix's main industry, was here at Salt River Bay that
although it is less visited than its sister U. Christopher Columbus landed during his
S. Virgin Islands, St. Thomas and St. second voyage in 1493. This is the site of
John, 40 mi (65 km) to the north. The the first European confrontation with the
island is of mixed cultural descent, with Carib tribe. This is the only site under the
many descendants of African slaves, who flag of the U.S.A. where Columbus made
are the original "Cruzans,” as well as a landfall. However, Columbus still figured
large percentage of Spanish-speaking he was near India!
Puerto Ricans. St. Croix is progressing as
a visitor haven, and it is fortunate that it Judith's Fancy Named for 17th century
boasts world-class scuba diving and estate owner. 250 year-old Danish great
snorkeling, and Buck Island, a fabulous house was the largest plantation on St.
and pristine mini Caribbean island. Buses Croix.
operate between Frederiksted and
Christiansted. Guided tour operators take Point Udall This scenic point is the
visitors around St. Croix, and there are easternmost point in the United States.
guided hikes at Butler Bay, Salt River The Isaac Bay Trail here leads to a beach
National Historic Park, and other areas. with a coral reef. This remote point has a
Unfortunately, Hurricane Hugo smashed huge National Science Foundation
into St. Croix in full force in 1989, antenna observatory for exploring the
destroying the majority of homes and Universe.
buildings on the island. Fortunately
however, many of the historic buildings Grapetree Beach This white sandy beach
were so well constructed that they is remote and usually empty, although
survived. In 1995, Hurricane Marilyn Divi Resort has been repaired since being
bashed St. Croix and much of the wiped out by Hurricane Hugo in 1989.
rebuilding was demolished. The
wonderful green hills of St. Croix belie Great Salt Pond Bay Here there are salt
the fierceness of the hurricanes that have flats and ponds in what appears to be an
swept across the area over the eons. St. desert by the sea. This is a bird watchers
Croix is known as a scuba diver's delight.
paradise, with numerous incredible dive
sites. Dive shops on St. Croix boast that Cruzan Rum Distillery This is from
This is the only place in the world where where the famous
a diver can dive a wall, a pier, a reef and a
wreck all in one day. St. Croix's waters Cruzan Rum comes. Tours show the
are teaming 100's of species of fish and history of St. Croix sugar cane and the
invertebrates on it's colorful corals, rum-making process. Tourists may
sponges and rocks. sample rums in the tasting room.
