St. Croix has the best golf in the U.S. Virgins. Guests staying on St. John and St. Thomas often fly over for a day's round on one of the island's three courses.

The Carambola Golf Course, on the northeast side of St. Croix (tel. 340/778-5638), was created by Robert Trent Jones Sr., who called it "the loveliest course I ever designed." It's been likened to a botanical garden. The par-3 holes here are known to golfing authorities as the best in the tropics. The greens fee of $100 in winter, or $56 in summer, allows you to play as many of the 18 holes as you like. Carts are included.

The Buccaneer, Gallows Bay (tel. 340/773-2100, ext. 737), 3 miles east of Christiansted, has a challenging 17,055-foot, 18-hole course with panoramic vistas. Nonguests of this deluxe resort pay $70 in winter or $30 off season, plus $15 for use of a cart.

The Reef, on the east end of the island at Teague Bay (tel. 340/773-8844), is a 9,300-foot, nine-hole course, charging greens fees of $22 including carts. The longest hole here is a 1,737-foot par 5.