Jack and Isaac Bay Preserve

St. Croix’s best secluded beaches are located side by side in the 300-acre Jack and Isaac Bay Preserve (340/773-5575, www.nature.org) on the southeastern end of the island. These pristine, quiet beaches are part of a coastal wildlife reserve managed by the Nature Conservancy and protected by local law. Goat Hill rises more than 600 feet above the bays, providing awesome views of St. Croix, Buck Island, and Point Udall. Hiking trails at the reserve cut through a dry, open landscape dominated by guinea grass, wild frangipani, and manjack trees. The beaches are important nesting sites for green, hawksbill, and leatherback turtles.

Jack Bay, a broad crescent of white sand shaded by sea grape trees, is the farther west of the two bays. Isaac Bay is longer, straighter, and equally inviting. Many people like to bathe in the nude here, although the practice is illegal in the U.S. Virgin Islands. There are no facilities here, so bring plenty of water and don’t forget to carry your trash out with you.

Hiking is the only way to access Jack and Isaac Bays. The best (but longest) way is to park at Cramer Park and follow the dirt road immediately east of the gravel driveway leading to the Very Long Baseline Array Telescope. It’s a half-mile hike up to the saddle of Goat Hill, where you can turn right to hike the mile down to the beaches or turn left to hike a half mile to the top of Goat Hill. There are trail markers after you enter the reserve along the saddle of the hill.

The other way to get to the preserve is to hike through East End Bay from Point Udall. Look for the track, which has now been blocked by large boulders to prevent people from driving down. Parking is limited at this entrance.