Heading down to Carambola Resort for five nights next week. Have rental car and we plan to snorkel, dive, and generally just lounge around. Would appreciate any feedback on the following (or anything else we should know):

1. Top three restaurants frequented by locals.
2. Top three areas on the island to avoid.
3. Top three must do while on St. Croix.

We generally prefer the BVI or St John, this is our first visit to STX.

Thanks.

I can't help you much, as I have never been, but the place that is at the top of my list is the Domino Club. Although Buster is long gone, there are new beer-drinking pigs!

Avoid Fredricksted. Although it has been many years since we were there, Fredricksted was pretty rough. Great snorkeling at Buck Island.

We have visited STX at least 6 or seven times both as a land vacation and also by bareboat. It is often overlooked as it is further away from the other Virgins but it is one of our favorites and has much to offer.
Good that you will have a car as Carambola is at the far end of the island and is somewhat remote. Feels crazy to say that when the island is only about 30 miles long! It is a lovely spot and you should enjoy your time there.
As far as eating out there are MANY good choices. Closest to you is [email]eat@canebay[/email] and they have wonderful food and a view to die for and right across from world class diving and good snorkeling as well as a pretty beach. In Christiansted our favorite is Savant and on the east end Duggan's Reef (this will be a bit of a ride for you). Frediericksted is not to be avoided in my opinion these days. I understand it was quite run down but they have the cruise ship dock there and on the ocean block there are many good and fun places to eat to watch the sunset. Also very nice beaches all along there. You can avoid crusie ship days, though many leave for excursions on other parts of the island.
Things to do: It depends what you like! A trip to Buck Island is a must for snorkeling. There are several providers from Christiansted and we love going out with Lewellyn who is a local guy (he goes out of STX YC) and does not have a website and only a phone number is 430-773-9027. A visit to the downtown boardwalk area is fun and there are some fun restaurants there as well as a walk aournd the downtown to some of the various shops that sell locally made jewelry (we love IB Designs) but there are many others (Crucian Gold and Sonya's). Also love the Jan Mitchell gallery. Went to the Domino club once and it was an experience. It is rather run down and you have to pay extra to see the pigs which only drink non-alcoholic beer. It is not too far from where you are staying and a legend in STX. Hope this is helpful. Keep an open mind and ignore the oil refinery (near the airport and you don't have to see it unless you are coming and going) and a few American fast food places and find the real island. We have loved our time there and find the people and expericnes we have had there to be amazing. Enjoy!

Forgot to say that you will find locals at most places and there should not be many tourists on island at the time you are going. Places to avoid would be the Divi Resort (kind of run down and not good service when we were there for lunch 2 different times). The west end may be kind of hot due to the breeze not being as strong typically this time of year. There is world class diving on STX if that interests you. Also snorkeling the cruise ship pier is supposed to be nice but have not done it myself. Point Udall is pretty (and usually nicely breezy) and there are some hiking trails that go off from there but bring water and do not leave valuables in the car as this is a remote area. Should probably not leave valuables in the car anywhere including where most of us live!
Another great place to eat (also on the East End) is Blue Water Terrace. Pick up a welcome magazine upon your arrival at the ariport. Also Curzan Rum if you like it. Can tour the Rum factory. Interesting and often can meet one of the family owners.

Spent a great six days on STX. Stayed at the Renaissance Carambola which was a perfect property and location for us. We basically never left the North Shore other than to make a grocery run. Got in several dives with Sweet Bottom which is located on the property. Highlight of the trip was a night dive at the Frederiksted pier; arguably one of our best dives ever. All in all, was pleasantly surprised with our trip to STX and look forward to returning in the future.

Thanks for the update. Another place to put on the bucket list.

Glad you had such a nice time. The North Shore is beautiful. STX is often overlooked but is a very worthwhile destination!

If you are going to Fred. beaches for the day stop at Turtles deli for HUGE sandwiches to take to the beach. The The chicken shack at La Reine is a must. lots of locals eating at lunch time but great people to visit with. everyone sits on tables outside. You get a half chicken, rice, hush puppies for about 5 bucks! It is hooked on to a bar. It is just across the road from the LaReine shopping center on the road heading to the North beaches and Christiansted. lots of great restaurants right in town in Christiansted. too many to list here. Nathans we love. Also Cheesburger in Paradise (not the chain) is off the road East of the town heading out to the East end going toward the Buccaneer. Lots of island homeowners from the states there. Burgers are great as is the mahi. They often have music.
Also a must is Pizza at Cane Bay beach on the North end where they often have music, and trivia night is lots of fun. My wife reminds me there is a neat little local evening snack place right downtown Fred. that has great blackened mahi sandwiches and fries for a late evening when other places are closed. We have never had any problems on the West end. There are a couple of neighborhoods in Christiansted where you don't want to go in the evening. If you are right downtown you are fine.

Don't miss the white sand at Sandy Point beach. It is sometimes closed in turtle season. It is where they filmed the last boat scene in Shawshank Redemption where Andy is working on his boat. A few years ago they put in a cruise ship dock at Frederickstad but they are off the radar still to a lot of traffic. On non cruis ship evenings the pier is a great place for an evening walk and to talk to the locals who are fishing there. It is well lit and lots of families with there kids. The beacdhes just North of town (La Grange, Sprat Hall and Rainbow have some fun beach bars and the calmest water on the island. Way down on the East end is Cramer Park beach on the way to the East end overlook. It is a city park with shelters and a nice beach, changinng rooms etc. Lots of local barbecueing (the smells will get you) on the weekends but a fun group. It has lifegaurds . 3 or 4 nice restaurants on Cane Bay. One right at the intersection by the LaVallee store is really nice. We had a nice New Year's eve dinner there but I forget the name.