Hello Everyone!
Summer is here and you’re on vacation or staycation. The sun is hot, and you just need to get wet. Here on the island of St. Croix, the beautiful beaches have summer sun splash activities/events at beaches and pools around the island. Many places on the island have beaches or pools that include lounge chairs, live music, food and drink.
Why suffer in the heat when you can lay out at a pool or the beach? The moment you decide to join a summer sun splash at the pool or beach, you will be thankful you took the time to do so. Enjoying “fun in the sun” is a relaxing and enjoyable time to just chill and listen to the sound of the Caribbean. Enjoy the sound of pan music or any other relaxing music of your choice. The relaxation of a vibrant, sensational sun splash event can also hype up the fun. Get ready, summertime is here!
Here are several enjoyable Summer Sun Splashes that occur on St. Croix.
Local Fundraiser Events. Keep a weekly guide to help you find officially listed sun splash events. These events typically have open business invitations. A fundraiser might launch a business export to buy their product or help raise funds to brand their products and raise awareness of their service. Most fundraisers will launch a sun splash at the beach, with grills, blow-up water floats, games, and music. Check our local newspaper for information on when these events take place.
Government Birthday Parties are a fun way to get invited to a sun splash at the beach. Some parties are open to anyone, and some are private, but it is not rude to ask if you can join the celebration at a birthday party or a government official birthday party, which is significant to a senator or executive. The birthday event is to give back to the community and have a fun, friendly sun splash birthday party. The birthday party will have food, drinks, and music. You can visit the legislature and ask when they are having a summer sun splash.
Retirement Sun Splash Party is an invitation from someone that has resided on the island for several years and the community is having a surprise sun splash retirement party at the beach. If you’re walking by the beach and the party seems inviting, just ask and you might be invited to celebrate and learn the purpose of this important person or people that help in the community. You can check the newspaper or radio announcements to find a retirement sun splash party. There will be food, music, and fun at the beach or poolside.
Entertainers Summer Sun Splash Bash are popular bands, artists, musicians, and more. Celebrating a fun time at the beach or poolside. Most of these events have paid entries. To find out more, check for flyers at a gas station, radio announcements, Facebook listings, or a friend of a friend. The artist will likely perform with live music. Vendors will sell food, drinks, logo t-shirts, and items. Stay tuned for these events for the summer.
Hotels, Resorts, and B&B are welcoming to summer sun splash, most places will require a day pass fee to stay and enjoy the poolside or beach. Most include umbrellas, chairs, tables, towels, and purchased food and drinks. Sometimes they are free entry to come and enjoy live music, and cultural entertainment such as Moko Jumbies, fire dancers, and live bands. To know more, visit the hotel lobby and check the bulletin board. Ask the front desk person or visit the website for more details on dates and times for these events.
Personal Party Summer Sun Splash, some party planners will purchase a splash pool, slip, and slide and lay them out at the beach. While others might get a water pump that seeps water into a funnel to create their own fun splash fest. You can get more creative when it’s in your own backyard. If you get an invitation to a neighborhood party, remember to bring a potluck and/or drinks. Most personal summer sun splashes are only for family and friends. Ask if you can be invited by a friend of a friend or neighbor. Be sure to bring something to the party, don’t show up empty-handed.
Your Own Private Summer Sun Splash is a perfect way to be in the water enjoying a splash at the beach or pool. You can buy/rent water sports, jet skis, snorkel gear, paddleboards, kayaks, or a boat for your splash party. Make sure to walk on the beach, splash your feet in the water, paddle your feet at the pool, or dive in; participation is a must. It’s a cool way to relax and enjoy the warm sunny weather.
Here are some things you can take to a Summer Sun Splash Party
- Towels
- Sunglassses
- Swimsuit
- Mosquito/Bug Spray
- Flip-flops or Water Shoes
- Reef Safe Sunscreen
- Hat or Waterproof Cap
- Cell Phone and/or Camera
- Beach Umbrella
- Beach Chair
Some quick facts about the Sun and other cautions…
Smart Healthy Sun Reminder: When is it too much sun? Too much sun is not good for you, 1 hour of direct sun is healthy, get all that vitamin D, but take time to cool out under a tree shade or umbrella. A good rule is to take 20 minutes in the water, then shade for 30 minutes, again 20 minutes in the water equal to the total water splash time of 40 minutes in the water. Then cool off under shade for most of the day. If you’re planning to hang out all day at the beach or poolside, remember to splash in the water and cool off regularly. Don’t be sorry and get too much sun. Also, you can get shade by wearing a large hat and sunglasses. Remember to bring plenty of cold drinks in the cooler. Over 10,000 heat strokes happen per year on the islands. To avoid this, be cautious of how much sun you need. St. Croix is an island, surrounded by a large body of water, it takes less than an hour to feel the salty heat. Stay sun protected and have a safe summer sun splash time!
Do not go swimming on a full stomach. Allow your stomach to settle before you go back into the water. If you can’t swim well, please wear a life jacket. Be cautious because food not properly digested can cause muscle cramps. If you decide to swim out far, make sure to have proper water gear on, such as a floating device, fins, and a guide. Sometimes a rope can help, so you can pull your way back to shore or if needed, someone can easily pull you in. Better to be safe than sorry.
Be aware of sea urchins, it is best to wear protective slippers when swimming. Sometimes you will be snorkeling, and drift waves can move you to where the sea urchin lives. You can step on urchins, and it is painful. It is a problem getting the prickles out. Some people are allergic to them. It can cause swelling and you will need medical attention. These urchins may be hidden in the water under the sand. Be careful where you step. Be sure to pack a sea urchin kit, a pair of tweezers, and peroxide/rubbing alcohol to help you take those prickles out.
It is important to be aware of rocky corals. It’s so easy to bang your foot on a rock, especially your toes and heel. Those are the easiest parts of your foot that can get cut, also watch your hands, while trying to balance on the rocks and sand. The rocks can be a bit slippery at times.
Planning for the unexpected your Emergency Kit should include:
- Bandage
- Peroxide
- Alcohol
- Tweezer
- Rubber Band
- Gauze
- Ice pack
- White 100% Cotton fabric/t-shirt
- Pain Meds
- Antiseptic ointment
Most of the time Sun Splash Parties are on the weekends. Sunday is the most popular time. Be sure to ask if the party is an open invitation and bring drinks to share. You can check the community guides, newspapers, and flyers and ask friends where you can have fun at a sun splash party. Hotels have fun facts of information for activities and events.
Here are some links you can check for Sun Splash Parties/Events:
St. Croix Calendar
Go To St. Croix
https://www.gotostcroix.com/events/
St. Croix This Week
https://www.gotostcroix.com/events/
To Visitors, Have Fun and Stay Safe.
The warning about waiting to swim after eating has been debunked. No increased risk of muscle cramps after eating. Also, to avoid skin cancer, depending on skin tone, sunscreen is a must for any time over 10 minutes in the sun.
The ocean current in the Caribbean waters is serious. Why take the risk.? You can chill under a shade after a meal, take about 30-1hr to digest. If you choose to have a snack like an apple, it’s ok! But if you have a large plate of food and go out swimming, caution please. AND depending on skin tone is another risk. Please take care of your skin and protect it from the sun.