About
Rainbow Beach is on the west side of the island of St. Croix. That location makes it ideal for watching the sun go down over the water. The sand at Rainbow Beach can be a little bit on the rough side, so water shoes work best here. Also, you’ll be more comfortable in a beach chair than lying on a towel for the same reason. But don’t let a few pebbles throw you. Rainbow Beach is stunning. The view from the beach outward is spectacular as far as the eye can see. Just crystal blue waters. For the most part the water is calm, but weak swimmers and kids should still stay near the shoreline because Rainbow Beach is not in a cove or a bay.
The westerly direction makes this an especially hot beach, even with the island breeze. Be sure to bring a sun hat, UV-rated sunglasses and, above all, your sunscreen. Yes, you hear this all the time about beaches, but this time, make sure you slather on the sunblock or wear sleeves. You don’t want to wreck your holiday because of a wicked sunburn.
There’s a shop where you can get sunblock and other gear. It’s right on the beach and it’s called West End Water Sports. As you’re facing outward, it’s gonna be on your left. You passed it on your way in if you came from Frederiksted. You can also rent beach chairs and umbrellas at the shop.
Getting There & Parking
From Frederiksted: Rainbow Beach on St. Croix is just over 2 kilometers north of Frederiksted. Getting there couldn’t be easier. You just hop onto route 63 going north. You’ll know you’ve arrived when you pass the Rhythms at Rainbow Beach bar on your left.
From Christiansted: Rainbow Beach is worth traveling to from Christiansted, especially if you’re just in the area tooling around Frederiksted or seeing what the other side of the island is like. It’ll take you about half an hour from downtown Christiansted. Just follow Melvin H. Evans Highway going east. When you get to Queen Cross Street, hang a right. Then take the left onto Centerline Road just past Estate Whim Sugar Mill. Make a right onto Concordia Road and just follow that all the way to Rainbow Beach. Concordia Road turns into Highway 63 along the way, so don’t be alarmed about that. Once you see the water in front of you, you’re going to want to turn right, and Rainbow Beach is just past the Rhythms at Rainbow Beach bar on your left.
Parking at Rainbow Beach: Public parking is available on a lot at no charge. You can also park almost anywhere along the road as long as you pull well away from the berm. Now, this beach does get busy because it’s so much fun and so close to Frederiksted, so be prepared to encounter a packed parking lot. It’s not like a Walmart parking lot, after all! You also have to remember that Rainbow Beach is only a mile from the cruise ship dock, so you might be competing with a lot of cruise ship passengers for parking spots. The earlier you can get there, the better chances you’ll have of getting a good spot.
Activities
Pop into West End Water Sports to get yourself some snorkeling gear. The water is so clear it’s easy to spot fish and coral. Lots of people kayak around Rainbow Beach because the water is so calm and clear. You can bring your own, or rent one from the water sports shop. They also have paddle board rentals, water scooter rentals (you’ve gotta try this!), and even jet ski rentals. And yes, if you want to be a beach bum, you can just rent a chair and umbrella at the water sports shop, too.
Now let’s say you’d like to try jet skiing, but you’ve never even been up close to one. No worries, or “irie,” as they say on St. Croix, which is basically a way of saying “cool” or “alright.” As long as the renter is at least 18 and the driver is at least 16 with adult supervision, it’s all good.
If you know how to handle a jet ski, consider taking a jet ski guided tour. It’s called an Adrenaline Tour, and you’ll love it. They also have an Extreme Tour, which is equally awesome. But again, these are for experienced drivers only.
What’s Nearby
Nearby is a place called the Barefoot Beach House. This is a basically a small hotel right on the beach. Book well in advance if you’re interested in a room. If you’re thirsty for a rum punch or something similar, you’ll want to visit Rhythms at Rainbow Beach. This is a cool little bar and restaurant right on the beach next to West End Water Sports. They have tons of fun drinks and also a surprising selection of non-alcoholic beverages. The food is super affordable and highly delicious. Choose from seafood dishes to vegetarian fare and even classic hot dogs and hamburgers.