Buccaneer Resort Review: Luxury St. Croix Stay

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If you’re swooning over pictures of clear, blue water with an abundance of colorful fish and dreaming of island life, the Caribbean is calling your name. But. If you find the idea of international travel daunting or looking for an ultra-cool experience where you don’t need a passport. Here’s what will get you the very best of island vibes without technically leaving the U.S.A. Meet St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, and the Buccaneer Beach and Golf Resort.

The Caribbean always calls my name, by the way. “Jillllllllllll.”

This trip was hosted. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

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Overall Impressions

Ocean facing pool at sunset when the sun is behind the clouds. — The view from my patio on my last night. It was as if St. Croix was telling me, “Stay, stay! Look how pretty I am!” Photo credit: Jill Robbins.

The Buccaneer Resort vibe is a nice blend of homey and elegant, with an absolutely fantastic staff. Unsurprisingly, there’s quite a bit of repeat business here – at least half the people I spoke to were return visitors – so if you find yourself wanting to book a return stay, you’re not alone.

Who is The Buccaneer For?

Anyone who loves the beach and wants an easy tropical vacation.
Well-suited to active vacationers, including families,
The Buccanneer checks the box if a good beach read and a lounge chair is more your speed.
The included kids’ club makes this a sensible choice for parents or multi-gen groups.

More About The Buccaneer Resort

Old sugar mill, a towering structure made of stone, on the Buccaneer's grounds. — Today, the old sugar mill on the property is used for receptions and I’m sure it has been the backdrop of many vacation photos over the years. Photo credit: Jill Robbins

The Buccaneer dates back to 1653 and was once a sugar mill.
The Caribbean’s longest-running family-owned resort has been operated by the Armstrong family since 1947. Elizabeth Armstrong, the current owner, takes a very active role in resort operations and regularly leads nature walks around the property.

Rooms

Exterior of the Frigate Suite — The Frigate Suite is all about space and location. Photo credit: Jill Robbins

The Buccaneer has 138 rooms and suites. I stayed in the luxurious Frigate Suite, located directly over the pool with a sweeping view of the ocean. I had a separate living area, a patio, a king bed and the roomiest closet I’ve ever seen in a resort or hotel! The resort’s website lists the suite as having two day beds, which might be OK for a child to sleep on but they wouldn’t be comfortable for an adult, even as large as the suite is.

Large bedroom with king bed and marbel floors — The spacious bedroom was comfortable and I loved the marble flooring. The wall directly behind the bed is where the closet is – I’ve never had such a big closet in a hotel! Photo credit: Jill Robbins

Other Room Amenities

Daily breakfast buffet.
Super-fast WiFi.
Patios or balconies to bring the outside in.
Self parking.
General resort amenities include shaded beach seating plus water sports equipment.

Living room in Frigate Suite — The Frigate Suite’s living room is spacious and can be closed off from the bedroom. There’s also a hall bathroom and a separate TV. Photo credit: Jill Robbins.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Pack your comfy shoes! The resort is walkable but expect some hills! There’s courtesy transportation if you don’t want to walk or feel like wearing your fancy heels to dinner.

Beaches

Catamaran sailboat on calm seas with clouds in the sky above and golden beach sand — The beaches at the resort are awesome for lounging and water sports but don’t miss taking the trip to Buck Island Reef National Monument for some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean. Photo credit: Jill Robbins.

The property features three beaches for guests to enjoy – beach towels provided. I loved not having to leave the resort to experience great swimming beaches, although don’t miss nearby Buck Island Reef National Monument.

The Buccaneer Resort’s Three Beaches

Mermaid Beach – The resort’s main beach has lots of shaded seating, water sports – snorkel gear, paddleboards and kayaks are available from the beach attendant – and landlubber activities, like ping pong, frisbee golf and lawn games.
Grotto Beach – Swim, snorkel or laze in the sun with the latest beach read.
Whistle Beach – The resort’s most secluded beach, often used for private weddings. You won’t find amenities here but if you’re looking for sand and saltwater without other humans, here you go.

Dining

Wooden sailboat dish full of sushi on a beach — Probably one of the most memorable sushi presentations I’ve ever seen. Bring your appetite for this one! Photo credit: The Buccaneer Resort, St. Croix.

Resort dining can sometimes be a hit-or-miss experience, where you sacrifice flavor for the convenience of not leaving your comfortable vacation haven. That’s not true here!

Cheese pizza with dollops of pesto on top — The pizza at The Mermaid is the real deal. Photo credit: Jill Robbins.

A daily hot breakfast buffet is included in the price of your room. For lunch and dinner, try:

The Terrace
Beauregard’s on the Beach
The Mermaid
The Martel Lounge
In-Room Dining

Six tacos on a rustic, painted table. — Although I loved the sushi at Beauregard’s on the Beach, I loved the tacos almost as much. Photo credit: Jill Robbins.

SheBuysTravel Tip: The resort’s calendar will give the hours of the various restaurants. I loved everything but the standouts were the fresh sushi at Beauregard’s and the pizza at The Mermaid.

Other Things to Do at The Buccaneer Resort

Caribbean fire dancing performing at a beach restaurant. — There’s always something to do at The Buccaneer. Check the schedule when you get a check-in and make sure you don’t miss the fire dancers! Photo credit: The Buccaneer Resort, St. Croix.

If you want to do a whole lot of nothing beyond basking in the sun and deciding what fruity concoction you want to drink next, this is the perfect place to do just that. But if you’d like to be more active, you’ve got options.

Almost Endless Options for Fun and Leisure

Arial view of blue tennis courts located near a beach with turquoise waters. — Tennis is a big deal at The Buccaneer. The resort is home to many tournaments. Photo credit: The Buccaneer Resort, St. Croix.

Guests receive an event schedule upon check-in with all of the resort offerings, including entertainment, arts and crafts options and:

Golf at the onsite 18-hole course and enjoy dreamy ocean views while you play.
Tennis anyone? The resort has world-class courts, instruction, and workshops to help you improve your racquet skills.
Kayaks, standup paddle boards and snorkel gear are complimentary for guests to use.
Available beach games include frisbee golf, cornhole and ping pong.
Free Kids Camp for children ages 4-12 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.

Exploring Nearby Christiansted

Deserted and remote beach with clear blue water surrounded by vegetation — The early bird catches the best beach views! Jack & Issac Bay hike. Photo credit: Jill Robbins

Christiansted is a fun, walkable waterfront town with a boardwalk over the ocean and lots of restaurants, bars and shops.

Visit Christiansted National Historic Site, a well-preserved fort built during the island’s Danish occupation. Free to explore.
Check out the St Croix Art District and get to know the work of local artists.
Hike Jack & Issac Bay Preserve. This ocean-view hike was a good workout and provided access to pristine, remote beaches. Go early – there’s little shade and it will be warm!
Visit during Jump Up, Christiansted’s four times yearly outdoor festival which happens in May, July, November and February.

Mustard yello historic fort buildings surrounded by palm trees — Christiansted National Historic Site consists of the fort, which overlooks the ocean, and several outbuildings. Photo credit: Jill Robbins.

Getting to St Croix USVI

The U.S. Virgin Islands are an unincorporated territory of the United States, which means U.S. citizens traveling from the United States can visit without a passport. Additionally, your phones will work without an international plan.

The local currency is U.S. dollars and the time zone shift is only an hour off from Eastern Time. Americans get a trip that feels like international travel with the ease of domestic travel. Ready to buy your ticket?

Options

Several U.S. cities offer direct flights to St. Croix’s Henry E. Rohlsen Airport – Atlanta, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando.
The following airlines currently offer service into St. Croix: American, Delta and Spirit.
Other airlines may offer service from St. Thomas, USVI and San Juan, PR, so if you’re exploring multiple Caribbean hotspots, you may find more flight options.
I flew from San Antonio to Miami and then from Miami to St. Croix. The flight from Miami was easy, less than three hours.

Getting to The Buccaneer Resort

St. Croix has two main towns: Christiansted and Frederiksted. It takes about 30 minutes to drive from the airport, near Frederiksted, to The Buccaneer Resort, near Christiansted.
Commercial taxis are available at the taxi stand located outside the baggage claim area.
You can rent a car at the airport or at The Buccanneer to drive around the island, which I recommend. It’s easier to have your own wheels.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Have cash in U.S. dollars for the taxi drivers and clarify the rate before you start your trip. Most won’t have a credit card reader or accept payment through CashApp or Venmo.