Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve
Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve
Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve
4.5
About
Dedicated in 1993, this national, ecological preserve and park features the largest remaining mangrove forest in the U.S.V.I., a submarine canyon, plus objects of cultural significance such as a prehistoric ceremonial hall and burial site.
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4.5
239 reviews
Excellent
135
Very good
61
Average
29
Poor
10
Terrible
4
Robert B
Richmond, VA49 contributions
Mar 2020
On our last day at St. Croix, we decided to go to this park and preserve, to take a look at it and to see the spot where Columbus landed. There was no good directional signage and no marker of any kind to commemorate Columbus's landing. We met a couple from Canada who had gone one way and then another at the beach looking for something of consequence too. No luck. It appears that the hurricane from a few years ago washed away whatever was there. The St. Croix tourism office should no longer promote a visit to this site.
Written 9 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ShadestnNashville_TN
Nashville, TN30 contributions
Four of us (2 tourists & 2 locals) and a guide took the Caribbean Adventure Tours Moonlight Tour so that we could experience the Bioluminescence once the sun set. This is an awesome tour! We started before the sun set at the Salt River Marina. You can have a 1-person or 2-person kayak. You will get wet from the waist down from the water running down your paddle as you are moving through the water. Wear your bathing suit or bring clothes to change into after the tour. You will see and learn about the Mangroves, egret hatchery, brown pelicans, Spanish skirmish, Cape of Arrows, Salt River, Sugar Bay, Triton Bay, etc. By this time of the tour you have witnessed a beautiful sunset and are heading towards the area to best see the bioluminescence. Bioluminescence is a primarily marine phenomenon and is best described as fireflies underwater. It really glows and is one of the most amazing things that I’ve seen. Try to go on a dark night when there is a new moon so that the sky is as dark as can be. Our guide, Adrienne, was very knowledgeable and humorous and kept the 3 hour tour very interesting. Call ahead to make reservations.
Written 5 October 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dkmr
St. Louis, MO51 contributions
We took a half day kayak trip from Caribbean Adventure Tours located at the Salt River Marina. The kayaks were fun and easy to use; they had singles and doubles. Two tour guides took a group of about 20 out on the Salt River. We saw lots of birds and stopped a couple of times on shore to see the mangroves and other plants and some fascinating jellyfish, crabs and other sea life. This was a great trip that we highly recommend. Caribbean Adventure Tours runs a first class operation.
Written 31 December 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elizzyk
Burlington, IA4 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
A group of friends and I visited St. Croix early in September, We heard about the Sea Thru Kayak tour that was located at the Salt River Bay Historical Park. We were so impressed by the beauty of the bay. It truly is a wonderful place to visit if you are in St. Croix. However, be warned if you are looking to do a bio-luminescent tour at the bay with Sea Thru Kayaks. The experience was very scary, The kayaks are unsafe and the staff are unprofessional and unfriendly. Many of the group had to turn back due to the unsafe weather conditions and one guest's kayak sank in open water. Craig, Owner of Sea Thru Kayaks was unstable and I believe under the influence of alcohol. We couldn't see any of the bio-luminescent due to the unsafe water. Please use another tour group for kayaking if visiting Salt River Bay.
Written 22 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lew S
Massachusetts94 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
All the write-ups of the Park rave about the natural beauty and wonderful opportunities to explore the big Preserve. We found the entrance but drove in and couldn't find parking. All of the kayaking companies are located elsewhere and drive there equipment and you there (that's what they said). Without paying for a guide and equipment we did not find the beauty and special opportunities to explore.
Written 14 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
laurapoint
seattle339 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
We decided to take an evening kayak guided tour. It was relaxing but do not expect the adventure and the bright bioluminescence that you find in Puerto Rico at Fajardo lagoon.
The two main companies that offer the bioluminescent guided kayak tour are Virgin Kayak for $50.00 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm using pedal kayak with back rest, no rowing, faster and easier if there is current, with optional swim and Clear Kayak $60.00 6:15 pm to 8:00 pm with completely sea through kayaks, normal rowing, no swim allowed. They both want to be paid cash. Virgin kayak meets at Cane Bay where they drive you to their kayak spot in the lagoon, instead Clear Kayaks meets you on the side of the road ready to jump in the kayaks.
The two main companies that offer the bioluminescent guided kayak tour are Virgin Kayak for $50.00 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm using pedal kayak with back rest, no rowing, faster and easier if there is current, with optional swim and Clear Kayak $60.00 6:15 pm to 8:00 pm with completely sea through kayaks, normal rowing, no swim allowed. They both want to be paid cash. Virgin kayak meets at Cane Bay where they drive you to their kayak spot in the lagoon, instead Clear Kayaks meets you on the side of the road ready to jump in the kayaks.
Written 8 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
C L
Washington DC, DC139 contributions
Sept 2014 • Family
If you come to st croix you have to come here and do the clear kayak bioluminece bay tour. It is absolutely amazing. I don't think we ever experienced anything like it. We've been skydiving, scuba diving, rock climbing, helicopter rides over places and this one really stands out.
Warning on the tour. You will have to kayak out to the spot to see it. The water was very calm and flat when we did it so it wasn't bad. My girlfriend decided to stop paddling on the way back and enjoy the night and I was able to paddle all the way back on my own, so it's not too bad. Wear long sleeve shirt and pants as you can't use bug spray bc it will ruin the kayak. The bugs will eat you alive while you wait for the tour to start and will continue to do so until you get out into the water.
You have to time it right to get an extra show of the worms mating in the water, I think the guide said it happens with the moon so email them ahead of time and find out when that it. You see these explosions in the water as you see them mate.
If you can't time the mating you can still see the other light show in the water. I forget what they are called but they light up if you disturb them. If you paddle and look down, it looks like you are going into warp speed/hyperspace. Our guide jumped out and swam around and you saw the water around him light up. He also swam under our kayak.
After seeing this I really hope this place is still around after we have kids as I really want to share this with our kids. It's just one of those places that should be on everyone's bucket list.
Warning on the tour. You will have to kayak out to the spot to see it. The water was very calm and flat when we did it so it wasn't bad. My girlfriend decided to stop paddling on the way back and enjoy the night and I was able to paddle all the way back on my own, so it's not too bad. Wear long sleeve shirt and pants as you can't use bug spray bc it will ruin the kayak. The bugs will eat you alive while you wait for the tour to start and will continue to do so until you get out into the water.
You have to time it right to get an extra show of the worms mating in the water, I think the guide said it happens with the moon so email them ahead of time and find out when that it. You see these explosions in the water as you see them mate.
If you can't time the mating you can still see the other light show in the water. I forget what they are called but they light up if you disturb them. If you paddle and look down, it looks like you are going into warp speed/hyperspace. Our guide jumped out and swam around and you saw the water around him light up. He also swam under our kayak.
After seeing this I really hope this place is still around after we have kids as I really want to share this with our kids. It's just one of those places that should be on everyone's bucket list.
Written 17 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kate L
Gilbert, AZ4 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
I saw where someone said to choose the sea thru kayaks and I just wanted to say that the sea thru kayaks are pointless for the night time kayaking and the instructors are so stiff and bossy. Not how I want to vacation. I was with another group Kayaking and the lady leading the sea thru group cut us off and we almost collided with her kayakers. It was extremely rude.
Written 28 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rayjam71
Naperville, IL23 contributions
Jan 2015 • Family
If you go take the tour with Virgin Kayak. They are the best anywhere. The tour will include history, local culture, local political issues and the science behind bioluminescence. This is a can't miss.
Written 21 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dcyonce
Frisco, TX550 contributions
July 2017 • Family
This isn't a park !
It's a rancid swamp !
Don't waste your time. If you do go. Take LOTS of insect repellent.
It's a rancid swamp !
Don't waste your time. If you do go. Take LOTS of insect repellent.
Written 11 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are there historic homes to look at in St Croix?
Written 17 January 2019
Any idea when the park will be fully developed with services (ie, a visitor center that is staffed full time, trails, ect.)?
Written 5 February 2017
Although the website doesn't say it, they are open full time, but with volunteers. The visitor's center is a former "mansion" for a local doctor. Worth a visit. Also a nice beach at the Columbus landing site. Not much of the eceoligical preserve yet.
Written 6 February 2017
As a Timeshare staying there on an exchange, what will be the daily cost per person for the meal plan, taxes, gratuities for an arrival on April 18th, 2015?
Written 20 February 2015
I didn't have a meal plan. Our meals cost about the same as they do in the U.S.
Written 21 February 2015
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