Sea Glass Hunting on St. Croix
By Elizabeth Smith
Have you been dreaming of a trip to the Caribbean to do some sea glass hunting without leaving the United States? Well, St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands is your destination! There’s nothing like seeing the lovely green, teal, and amber colors catch the light on the sand and in the water.
Rainer Lesniewski/Shutterstock.com
St. Croix is one of the three islands in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is a laid-back island where you can find sea glass on many of its beautiful beaches. The easiest places to find sea glass are on the island’s west end, with beaches known for their calm, waters, and soft sand.
Fort Frederik (Nancy Pauwels/Shutterstock.com).
One of the most popular beaches for sea glass hunting is located on the west side of St. Croix in Frederiksted. The beach by red Fort Frederik is shaded by trees and also has public restrooms. Locals call it Fort Frederick Beach, of course, and on it, I have found the largest variety of colors of sea glass that I’ve ever seen.
If you are visiting St. Croix by cruise ship, this beach is the most easily accessible—a very short walk from the pier—and it’s easy to find if you are staying on the island. Look for the sea glass on Fort Frederik beach, hidden in the pebbles that wash ashore or underwater just off the beach. Don’t forget to walk the high tide lines—I have found most of my lavender sea glass doing just that.
Rust Op Twist Sugar Mill, St. Croix (Danita Delimont/Shutterstock.com).
Another favorite spot is Dorsch Beach. This beautiful beach is just south of downtown Frederiksted. The shoreline is mostly sandy here, but there are a few rocky spots. This is where you can find an abundance of mermaid tears along with some larger pieces of sea glass.
The best way to find perfectly tumbled beauties is to snorkel around rocky spots. Don’t be afraid to dig. Some of the best pieces are hidden under the layers of sand and rocks. It’s a great all-around beach for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, and beachcombing, with a bar and restaurant accessible nearby.
Rainbow Beach is a busier beach on the west end of St. Croix, with available food, drinks, and jet ski rentals. It is also a great beach for people-watching, especially on weekends or days when a cruise ship is in port.
Many people find sea glass on the west side of this beach where you can see the rockier spots. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available to rent.
While sea glass hunting on St. Croix, don’t forget to check out black “rocks.” Hold them up to the sun to see if they are actually black sea glass. St. Croix has an abundance of black sea glass, and it usually goes undetected. Another thing to note is that collecting sand, coral, and shells is prohibited in the Virgin Islands, so please leave those behind.
Sea urchin test (Zina Seletskaya/Shutterstock.com).
Tips for collecting sea glass
- Keep a zip lock bag, plastic cup, or sea glass hunting bag in your beach bag so you have something to use to collect your mermaid tears.
- It is sometimes easier to find sea glass by snorkeling right along the shoreline as opposed to just walking the beach.
- Use a colander strainer to uncover tiny mermaid tears, much like panning for gold.
- Beaches with rocky areas are great places to find sea glass.
Happy hunting!
All photos courtesy of Elizabeth Smith except as marked.
Learn more about the best beaches and destinations for sea and beach glass, seashells, fossils, rocks, and more beach finds around the world. Articles ›
This article appeared in Beachcombing Magazine Volume 47 March/April 2025.
