Rainbow Beach
 

Rainbow Beach is positioned on the western coastline of the Virgin Islands. St. Croix is home to a wide variety of activities, from a popular duty-free shopping area to wonderful snorkeling offshore, it is an extremely diverse island in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

There are plenty of advantages to visiting a beach that isn't surrounded by thousands of hotel rooms, like being able to enjoy the scenery without the"scene" and Rainbow Beach offers just those rewards.

White sands and perfect waters for swimming and snorkeling make Rainbow Beach a great family hangout area. Just north of Frederiksted on St. Croix, this beach is also a favorite for scuba divers because of the spectacular dive sites nearby.

If you'd rather steer clear of the extremes, stop in and see what Rainbow Beach has to offer. Without going too far from civilization but not in the midst of a big city either you can experience a pleasing balance in the Virgin Islands.

Even though Rainbow Beach is not particularly secluded, you'll find this beach is more secluded than other of the Virgin Islands' beaches. This means that, although it may not be right for a romantic stroll, you'll find this beach is a great alternative to more popular or urban beaches.

Visitors should keep in mind that, although Rainbow Beach is by no means secluded, it remains one of the beaches in the Virgin Islands furthest from civilization. This makes it an excellent choice for vacationers who would like to make the most of their time at the beach but choose to avoid the crowds.

For some visitors a beach's amenities and attractions are particularly important attributes. For others, getting the chance to spend a day in the sun and experience seclusion is extremely important. With so many beaches to enjoy the Virgin Islands has plenty to choose from, and travelers may find some to enjoy at Rainbow Beach.

In comparing beaches, location makes all the difference. The Caribbean is known for its many beaches, so Rainbow Beach is not your only choice. By studying the information that follows, you can determine if this specific beach is right for you.

Food

It doesn't matter what the meal, a great way to start or end a day at the beach is often enjoying a local food establishment, where you'll be able to sample local cuisine without having to go far.

The following table provides a list of food choices near this beach.

Restaurants Near Rainbow Beach
Restaurant NameCuisine TypeMeals ServedDistanceDirection
Sunset Grill American lunch & dinner 0.3 mi. NW
Comanche Club Caribbean lunch & dinner 1.4 mi. SE
Pier 69 American breakfast, lunch, dinner 1.6 mi. SE
Le St. Tropez French lunch & dinner 1.6 mi. SE
The Mahogany Room International dinner 4.3 mi. NE
Off the Wall Eclectic lunch & dinner 5.6 mi. NE
The Hideaway American breakfast, lunch, dinner 10.3 mi. NE
Cormorant Beach Club Restaurant International breakfast, lunch, dinner 10.3 mi. NE
Breezez Eclectic lunch & dinner 11.3 mi. NE
Board Walk Inn International breakfast, lunch, dinner 12.2 mi. NE
Indies Caribbean breakfast, lunch, dinner 12.3 mi. NE
Restaurant Bacchus Contemporary dinner 12.3 mi. NE
Kendricks Contemporary dinner 12.3 mi. NE
Tivoli Gardens International lunch & dinner 12.3 mi. NE
Luncheria Mexican lunch & dinner 12.3 mi. NE
Paradise Cafe Deli breakfast, lunch, dinner 12.4 mi. NE
Fort Christian Brew Pub Brew Pub lunch & dinner 12.4 mi. NE
Cafe Christine French lunch 12.4 mi. NE
Stixx on the Waterfront American lunch & dinner 12.4 mi. NE
Harbormaster Restaurant American breakfast, lunch, dinner 12.4 mi. NE
The Bombay Club International lunch & dinner 12.4 mi. NE
Top Hat Scandinavian dinner 12.4 mi. NE
Tutto Bene Italian dinner 12.4 mi. NE
Marina Bar and Grill Caribbean breakfast, lunch, dinner 12.4 mi. NE
Savant Caribbean dinner 12.5 mi. NE
The Chase Place Seafood lunch & dinner 12.7 mi. NE
Golden Banana Cafe International breakfast, lunch, dinner 12.8 mi. NE
Morning Glory Coffee and Tea Coffee Shop/Diner breakfast & lunch 13.2 mi. NE
South Shore Cafe American dinner 14.8 mi. NE
The Galleon Eclectic dinner 14.9 mi. NE
The Terrace Restaurant International breakfast & dinner 15.3 mi. NE
Villa Madeleine Restaurant Contemporary dinner 19.2 mi. NE

There are many types of dining experiences that vacationers can enjoy in the Virgin Islands, but eating at the beach can be especially fun. Check with your hotel to see if they will pack a picnic lunch for you, or you can pick up some food en route to the beach.

You will also find a restaurant at this beach.

Amenities and Ambience

Extremely popular with families, this beach has a beach volleyball court and a beach bar for guests. The shore's rocky bottom is still good for swimming and snorkeling, and there are also prime dive sites offshore. On busy days, a rental stand leases out beach chairs, snorkeling equipment, and more to guests.

The crowd at the beach will vary according to several factors, including the time of day and the time of year. Some of the Virgin Islands' beaches may rarely be crowded, while others are often crowded particularly during the high season. When planning a beach outing a key factor to consider may be the size of the crowd you'll encounter. While some like a crowded beach with plenty of people and activity, other beach bums like a quieter oceanfront setting.

Like everything else about the Virgin Islands this beach has a distinctive personality which will appeal to certain visitors. The atmosphere of this beach is somewhat different from what you'll discover at the other beaches in the Virgin Islands. Rainbow Beach is the hangout spot for locals, especially families on the weekends, while tourists also add to the congested atmosphere.

Attractions

If you're like most travelers, you hope to see plenty of incredible sights during your stay and also relax. A beach outing can help you relax during your vacation, but natural wonders, like Sandy Point Wildlife Refuge (located 4.0 miles to the south of Rainbow Beach) can be a great addition to your vacation experience.

Historical attractions like Alexander Hamilton House provide a great complement to the sands of Rainbow Beach, giving vacationers the chance to learn more about the Virgin Islands without having to stray to far from the beach.

There are plenty of close-by activities so you won't get bored. Attractions close to this beach can found in the following table.

Attractions Near Rainbow Beach
Attraction NameDistanceDirectionType
Equestrian Stables 0.5 mi. N Tourism Oriented Business
Paul E. Joseph Stadium 1.2 mi. SE
Fort Frederik 1.3 mi. SE Historical Site
Customs House 1.4 mi. SE Historical Site
Visitors Center 1.4 mi. SE
Carl and Marie Lawaetz Museum 1.5 mi. E Historical Site
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 1.6 mi. SE Church
Athalie MacFarlane Peterson Library 1.7 mi. SE Historical Site
Apothecary Hall 1.7 mi. SE Historical Site
Boat Ramp 1.8 mi. SE Watersport

Location

You'll find this sunny section of sand on the Virgin Islands' western coast, 1.3 miles from Fort Frederik. Rainbow Beach is close to Frederiksted, so you can explore the town after your visit to the beach.

Nearby Hotels

Whether or not you encounter a lot of other visitors will vary depending on the time of day, particularly in the high season. There are no major hotels next to this beach but you may meet guests from smaller hotels in the general area. Those who would like to stay in this neighborhood have some viable options to consider.

Other Beaches

The Virgin Islands is blessed with many beaches, so Rainbow Beach is just one of the options. You might also enjoy a visit to Isaac Bay Beach; it is located 21.1 miles to the northeast. Guests must hike through the island's natural foilage in order to reach the extremely secluded Isaac Bay Beach on the east side of St. Croix, whose tropical barrier reef is great for snorkeling.

But, if you're interested in a more active beach, you might enjoy people watching at West End Beaches. It is located 0.4 miles to the northwest.

Another location you may want to try is La Grange, located 0.4 miles from Rainbow Beach. La Grange beach, off of St. Croix, is a good beach where swimmers and snorkelers enjoy the sparkling blue waters, and beach loungers love the soft sands and complemetary chairs.

The Virgin Islands is home to plenty of variety in their activities, no matter which of the beaches, even Rainbow Beach, you choose to visit.

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