Southgate Coastal Reserve

Parks and historic sites St. Croix East EndLast verified October 31, 2026

Visit the website Call 340-773-1989

Around East End

Angled stone slabs of the Millennium Monument on the grassy headland at Point Udall, St. Croix's eastern tip, with the open sea behind — Point Udall, East End, St. Croix

Waves breaking over the reef in Boiler Bay below the scrubby slopes of Point Udall, with the East End shoreline curving away and Buck Island on the horizon — Point Udall, East End, St. Croix

Sailboats moored in Teague Bay beside a golf course and white villas on the green hills of St. Croix's East End — Teague Bay, East End, St. Croix

Southgate Coastal Reserve is a 100-acre nature reserve owned by the St. Croix Environmental Association (SEA) and open to the public, a little over 3 miles east of Christiansted. Created in 1999 and enlarged in 2000, it takes in a coastal salt pond, mangrove forest, beach forest and upland grassland. SEA counts over 100 bird species there, and three species of sea turtles nest on its beach berm. Trails with benches lead to a bird-viewing hide overlooking the salt pond. The driveway is off East End Road between Green Cay Marina and Chenay Bay; park on the grass at the entrance and find the trailhead sign about 20 yards west. Taking the left fork, the pond is about 0.3 miles in. Paths can flood in the rainy season, so wear suitable shoes and bring water, insect repellent and binoculars. Stay on the trails and leave nesting birds alone.

Services

Trail network with benches
Bird-viewing hide overlooking Southgate Pond
Parking on the grass at the driveway entrance

How we checked

Last verified on October 31, 2026. We checked it against the sources below.

Source: St. Croix Environmental Association, https://www.stxenvironmental.org/southgate-coastal-reserve (created 1999 and expanded 2000, 100 acres, a little over 3 miles east of Christiansted, habitats, more than 100 bird species, three nesting sea turtle species, trails, benches, bird-viewing hide, driveway between Chenay Bay and Cheeseburgers, parking on the grass, trailhead sign 20 yards west, 0.3-mile walk by the left option, flooding in the rainy season, what to bring, SEA phone); GoToStCroix, https://www.gotostcroix.com/discover/points-interest/southgate-coastal-reserve/ (copyright 2026; developed by SEA, between Green Cay Marina and Chenay Bay, bird blind overlooking Southgate Pond, birding guidelines: stay on trails, do not disturb nesting birds); Friends of the St. Croix East End Marine Park, https://eastendmarineparkfriends.org/ (owned by SEA and accessible to the public); all accessed 2026-10-31. Neither SEA nor GoToStCroix gives hours or fees. Map point: GNIS feature 2575373, 'Southgate Pond' (Lake).

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