Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve

Salt River Bay on St. Croix is the only place on what is now U.S. soil where a Columbus expedition demonstrably landed: in November 1493 his crews skirmished here with the Carib (Kalinago) people, the first documented violent encounter between Europeans and Native Americans. The bay's mangrove estuary is a bioluminescent treasure.

Kayak the glowing night waters and walk the shore. For a challenge, scuba dive the underwater canyon walls of the Salt River drop-off just outside the bay.