St Croix – STX –**note: island was severely damaged during 2017 hurricanes and is actively rebuilding.  Island has electricity & water service restored – tv service still lagging.  Tourism returning—cruise ships are back on regular schedules** Good for: non-passport holders, someone wanting American-island/language experience, someone willing to drive/explore/tour on their own.  Cons: crime rate is high, no gated resorts, not the typical resort experience tho’ Tamarind & Buccaneer are pretty close & VRBO very extensive here.  Part of the USVIs, no passport required, eastern most point in the US. Daily ferry service between St Croix & St Thomas, $50 pp.  Small island.  Definitely need a rental car – but drive on the left.   Only 50 inches annual rainfall on avg, no converters needed, US dollar is standard, water is treated and safe, in eastern time zone, +1 hour in winter. Duty free. Water is crystal clear-great snorkeling & diving.   EP properties & rentals.  The only AI (Divi Carina) was destroyed during the hurricanes.  Two small towns – Old Christiansted (central north coast) and Frederiksted (west coast.)  Old historic forts in each. Dutch influence. LGBTQ-friendly – & have an adults only LGBTQ-owned property in Frederiksted. Sand Castles on the Beach.    Cruise ships dock in Frederiksted and bus into Christiansted.  Frederiksted has a beach & Christiansted does not unless you take a 2-min water taxi to an island in the harbor. Friend of mine water sports rental - https://www.facebook.com/stcroixwatersports/  Both have small town areas tho’ Christiansted’s is larger.  The only National Underwater Park – Buck Island. You snorkel thru it. Good snorkeling and nice beaches all around.  Cruzan Rum & Capt Morgan distilleries w/tours.  Island has a rainforest, beer drinking pigs, botanical garden, Point Udall (monument- popular to watch sunrise here since it’s the easternmost place in the US), a bit of hiking leading to tide pools.  There is a radio telescope for astronomers.  A good reference site:  http://www.stcroixtourism.com/aboutstcroix.htm   Where to stay:  Sand Castles (adults only, LGBTQ), the Buccaneer (inn & rental homes) Cottages by the Sea, Colony Cove (condo/home rental) Sugar Beach & a handful of budget properties.  The Renaissance to re-open in late 2018/