Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve
Salt River Bay
Where Columbus landed in 1493, a mangrove bay good for kayaking, and a bioluminescent bay at night that is St. Croix's signature experience.
Salt River Bay lies on the north shore. In 1493, during his second voyage, Columbus landed here and had the first recorded clash with the Indigenous people, and Taino archaeological sites remain on the bay's west side. Today it is a conservation area where mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs meet. By day, guided kayak tours offer birdwatching. At night, paddling through the bioluminescent bay is the most popular activity, as the water glows blue-green with every stroke. The bay is also near the famous deep-sea canyon dive sites. Night kayaking must be booked in advance with a licensed operator and takes about 2 hours. It is about 8 kilometers from Christiansted.
Opening hours
Daytime open; night paddling by group schedule
Nearby sights
- Cane Bay
- Protestant Cay
- Christiansted Boardwalk
- Christiansted National Historic Site
- Captain Morgan Visitor Center
- Annaly Bay Tide Pools
- St. George Village Botanical Garden
- Mt. Pellier Domino Club