Even on vacation, everyone has a day of slow rising and sleeping in. Ours was today. Taking our time to get up, we had no clue what the day had in store for us. We may not have had a plan, but sometimes, planless days become the best days. Looking for inspiration on late start activities, we remembered that a friend had recommended Rainbow Beach for a day of relaxation and recovery. With our bags packed, we took off down the road to see what the day had in store for us.
If there’s one thing to know about me, I can be a bit strong-willed. When Google Maps revealed that a walk to Rainbow Beach would be 30 minutes, I was determined to make the walk to save a little money. Zane, being the supportive guy he is, agreed to ditch the taxi and get a little exercise in.
Everything was going great… until my trusty flip flops decided not to be so trustworthy anymore. About 20 minutes into our walk, my shoe completely broke. Zane and I screeched to a halt, scrambling to figure out what to do. The roads were scalding, the sand equally as hot, and we still had a third of the way to go. Set on reaching the beach, Zane and I decided to take turns burning our feet until we made the trek.
Miraculously, within minutes of the situation, a taxi driver pulled up next to us and offered us a trip to Rainbow Beach. We had no cash, but the friendly man helped us anyway because he was “already heading that direction”. I couldn’t believe that we were saved. Our charred feet were so grateful when we stepped in the car. Thank you so much, Eddie, for showing true island kindness when we needed it most.
It was such a relief when our 10-minute walk turned into a two-minute drive. Finally, we made it to Rainbow Beach! The calm waves and crystal-clear water made it all worth it. Zane took our GoPro out to the rocks and got phenomenal videos of the tropical fish. I stayed by the shore, read my book, and collected gorgeous rocks and shells. Rainbow Beach was lovely because it offered something for everyone to enjoy. Next time, we want to bring a volleyball for the sand volleyball court and maybe rent out a jet ski.
After soaking up the sun and sea, we started to get hungry. Luckily, Rhythms at Rainbow Beach, a beachside restaurant, was right next door! Our sun-kissed faces were immediately refreshed as we sat at our table in the shade. We also got a great view right by the water. When our server brought over a menu, we were ecstatic to see our favorite drink: a bushwacker. The sweet, ice-cold drink, topped with whipped cream, was like a chocolate milkshake! I could have sipped on them all day long.
We inhaled our food (the calamari was delicious!) and talked about all the creatures Zane saw in the water. Considering the neat stories he told me, I want to bring my mask and go snorkeling with him next time. Rainbow Beach has all the qualities of a beach that we were looking for. The smooth water, soft sand, and little tide pools made it a stellar location for relaxation. Even those with little kids can enjoy it at Rainbow Beach because they’ll know their kids can safely play and explore.
Rainbow Beach was perfect for a chill day in St. Croix. It takes little to no planning to go, there is food right on the beach, and the calm waters make it fun for people of all ages. What could’ve been a disaster, thanks to my broken flip flop, ended up becoming a great day (Next time, maybe we will write about the best place on the island to buy new shoes). We will definitely be heading back to Rainbow Beach sometime soon.
