If you are looking for a quiet, luxury getaway on St. Croix where you can literally hear the waves crashing right beneath your balcony, The Waves at Cane Bay needs to be on your radar. Between the insane ocean views, the incredible on-site food, and the ultra-intimate vibe, this spot quickly became one of my favorite stays in the Caribbean. Here is everything you need to know about staying at this oceanfront gem…
Location and How To Get There
The Waves at Cane Bay is located on the north shore of St. Croix, perched right on the oceanfront and just a stone’s throw from the main Cane Bay Beach. It sits on the quieter side of the island, and the stunning coastline views from the hotel are truly like nothing else on St. Croix.
Location-wise, it is an easy 20-minute drive from the airport and about 30 minutes from Christiansted. With at least three other bars and restaurants within walking distance, it really offers the best of both worlds. It feels quiet and private, yet it is close enough to town whenever you want to dive into activities before escaping back to your own peaceful side of the island.
Getting to St. Croix is pretty straightforward. The island has its own international airport and is served by the major US airlines, including American, United, and Delta, with regular direct flights to the mainland. If you are flying in from elsewhere, it is easy to connect through neighboring hubs like Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, or St. Thomas.
Arriving into St Croix 
Speaking of St. Thomas, if you are travelling from there and want the ultimate bucket-list experience, you can actually book a seaplane between the two islands. You do not have to travel all the way to the Maldives to experience a stunning 25-minute panoramic flight where you take off and land directly on the water. While I did not take the seaplane on this particular trip to the USVI, I have taken them in the Maldives before and can confirm they are 100% worth the hype. If you get the chance, you definitely have to try it at least once.
Check-in Process
Ahead of our arrival, the front desk reached out to see if we had any questions and to confirm our estimated arrival time. Reception is open until 4 PM, and luckily we arrived just before then, so we were able to get a quick orientation when we pulled up. The staff were all so friendly, and we even met the head of maintenance, who would be our go-to contact if we needed anything outside of regular front desk hours.
We signed the standard check-in paperwork before receiving our room keys. I gave the front desk my phone number, and the agent texted over a wealth of helpful information about the hotel, covering everything from restaurant opening hours to tips on operating the shower. She assured me that I could text her with any questions throughout our stay.
They also handed us a couple of vouchers for a complimentary cocktail at the hotel’s on-site sunset bar, which we naturally put to good use! When we walked into our room, we discovered a sweet little welcome gift waiting for us with a bottle of wine and some snacks. It was such a thoughtful touch that truly elevated the whole arrival experience.
Rooms
I was fortunate enough to stay in one of the King rooms featuring its own kitchenette, and I was completely blown away by the view from our balcony. These units are so well thought out in both design and functionality. The covered balcony not only has jaw-dropping views over the crashing waves below, but it is also surprisingly functional with lounge seats, a table, and chairs. It even has working outdoor power outlets so you can charge your devices, work outside, or stream a movie. Since the balcony is fully covered, you can still sit outdoors and enjoy the ocean view even if it rains.
As you walk through the door, the kitchenette sits off to the side with a full size fridge and freezer, an induction stovetop, a microwave, and a coffee machine. Having that full size fridge ended up being super useful for storing drinks, snacks, and leftovers. Had we wanted to, we could have easily cooked our own meals, but since our stay was on the shorter side, we had a long list of local restaurants and bars we wanted to try first. If we were staying for a longer trip, we definitely would have cooked in the room, though the fridge, freezer, microwave, and coffee machine still got plenty of use. There was also a small kitchen island with bar stools that turned into one of my main work stations, and it was actually very comfortable.
Moving into the main part of the room, there was a huge bed right in the center, and I have to say it was truly one of the most comfortable hotel beds I have ever slept in, which is saying a lot since I travel for a living and have tested my fair share of hotel mattresses. The room features some fun, quirky accents like a Marshall speaker and a Buddha hand chair. Most importantly, there are power outlets everywhere and a large smart TV positioned directly across from the bed. The air conditioning unit also worked exceptionally well, keeping the room super cool throughout our stay.
The bathroom features a clear window that faces into the bedroom, but it is fully frosted so you never have to worry about privacy with a travel companion. The space is beautifully designed with brass details and high end toiletries, including a rum body wash that is now officially at the top of my Christmas wishlist this year. The toilet, sink, vanity, and shower area are compact, but everything is wonderfully functional.
Food and Drink
The Waves is home to one of the best restaurants on the island, AMA, which boasts a drop-dead stunning location right on the water. Because it is an intimate spot with very few tables, you will definitely want to make reservations in advance. It is a high-end luxury restaurant that serves as the perfect setting for a special celebration, or simply an evening where you want to enjoy top-tier service and incredible views. They also have a Sunset Bar open in the evenings offering a fantastic cocktail menu with tables and chairs positioned perfectly to watch the sun drop over the water.
Facilities
The Waves is a far cry from those massive, cookie-cutter resorts where you get lost trying to find the lobby. It is super small and laid back, with everything positioned to keep you as close to the water as possible.
The coolest feature on the property by far is the natural ocean grotto. Tucked just below the restaurant, it feels like a little European tidal pool where you can sit and watch the waves crash against the rocks right in front of you. Just above that, you have the open-air Sunset Bar, which quickly became my favourite spot to grab a drink, listen to the water, and watch the sun go down.
As for the rooms, they feel like your own private hideaway. Every suite has its own balcony so close to the ocean that you occasionally catch a bit of sea spray, along with great kitchenettes, walk-in marble showers, and Marshall speakers for playing music in the room.
Activities
When you are ready to explore, Cane Bay is a great base because you are right in the middle of everything St. Croix has to offer. The main Cane Bay Beach is just a quick two-minute walk down the road, and it is hugely popular for shore diving. If you snorkel or dive, you can head straight out to The Wall, an underwater drop-off that plunges thousands of feet deep right off the shore.
If diving is not your thing, there is plenty else nearby like horseback riding along the coast or ziplining in the nearby rainforest. Plus, there are a few casual beach bars within walking distance if you just want to grab a quick pizza and a beer.
The hotel staff can also help book any tours or outings directly from the front desk, which makes organising your days super easy.
Service
Every single interaction we had with the staff was fantastic, and everyone was genuinely eager to help and chat with us. The bartenders we met were so much fun, genuinely interested in getting to know us, and gave us some great local recommendations for things to do around the island.
I also loved how easy it was to text the front desk whenever I had a question. They sent a quick text every morning just to check in and see if we needed anything. On our final day, they messaged us to let us know we could do a remote checkout, meaning we just needed to leave the keys in the room by 11 AM and send them a quick text when we were heading out. Super easy!
Closing Remarks
I truly loved my stay at The Waves. The property is so quiet and private, and it easily has some of the most stunning views on St. Croix. I could have sat and watched the waves crashing onshore all day. The covered outdoor deck was probably my favourite part of the room, especially because it felt like a real, usable living space and made for an incredible workspace. That being said, I am still dreaming about that bed, as it gave me some of the best sleep I have had in a long time.
With a stellar on-site restaurant and a location that sits just a short drive from all the best spots on the island, this place is a real gem, and I would not hesitate to stay here again.
Ready to book The Waves? Click here!
You can find out more about my stay on my “USVI” Highlights on Instagram @chase.the.rainbows.
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