Is St. Croix (U.S. Virgin Islands) Safe? Travel Advisory 2024

Yearning for a Caribbean vacation where you can go diving, snorkeling, partying and golfing? Look no further! Take a 3-hour flight from the US East Coast and visit this astonishing US Virgin Island. 

With temperatures in the 70’s and 80’s year-round, St. Croix is also fairly safe to visit. Although crime can occur, it mostly happens on isolated beaches or at night. 

Be surrounded by traditional sugar plantations, Instagram-worthy beaches and an amazing coral reef that’s quite popular among adventure seekers.

LATEST NEWS from St. Croix:

March 25 – V.I.P.D. Arrests Two People on a St. Croix Murder Case

After a few years of investigation, the V.I. Police Department has finally managed to arrest Darren Bess and Ian Benjamin Jr. regarding the murder of 30-year-old Kevin Jerome.

On February 26, 2021, authorities found Jerome dying after being shot on Main Street in Williams Delights. He was rushed to the hospital but, unfortunately, he couldn’t survive.

Benjamin was taken into custody on March 1, but he was released on March 3 under the custodianship of his mother. Meanwhile, Bess was arrested in California where he’s waiting to be extradited to the Virgin Islands.

Local authorities have urged citizens to contact Crime Stoppers or the VIPD tip line at 340-778-4950 if they have any information regarding this case. 

Crime Statistics in St. Croix: 

St. Croix has a crime rate of 73.15 points which is considered high when compared to other Caribbean destinations. Here are some other key crime statistics of St. Croix.

Areas to Avoid

Wandering around St. Croix is not dangerous but it is not completely risk-free. The island is made up of two cities, Christiansted and Frederiksted. 

While Christiansted has better facilities and nightlife, Frederiksted has better lodging options and better beaches.

Both cities are safe, but it’s recommended to exercise increased caution when visiting Frederiksted after dark.

St. John in Christiansted has also had an increase in crime in recent years.

Official Travel Advisories

UK Travel Advisory

Considering that St. Croix is a US territory, the UK government doesn’t provide its citizens with specific advice about traveling to this island.

Instead, it informs British people about traveling to the US as a whole. This foreign office has few reports of citizens falling victim to violent crimes. But it does advise its nationals to avoid visiting isolated areas and keep themselves posted about terrorism and mass shootings.

Canada Travel Advisory

Take normal security precautions when traveling to St. Croix, says the Canadian government. This means the island is considered very safe.

However, petty crime can happen. To avoid being a victim of pickpocketing or bag snatching, make sure you have your belongings and travel documents protected at all times.

Canada also recommends sticking to reputable hotels, well-known beaches and tourist areas, particularly after dark.

Safety Tips for St. Croix

It’s very possible that you will never feel unsafe when visiting St. Croix. However, follow these general recommendations to enjoy a safer trip.

• Americans don’t need a visa to enter the island but they might need their passports to re-enter the US mainland. So make sure to bring it with you.
• Purchase travel insurance and make sure it covers recreational activities such as diving, sailing or swimming.
• Make sure you are healthy enough to engage in adventure tourism.
• Keep your family and friends posted about your whereabouts.
• Don’t hesitate to take public buses on the island. They are pretty safe.
• Roads are not in the best condition – Refrain from renting scooters since it’s a common cause of death.
• There’s no need to carry large amounts of cash since most local businesses accept credit and debit cards.
• Follow the warnings of local authorities regarding swimming – Some coastal currents can be dangerous.