Protestant Cay facts for kids
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 Protestant Cay
Location in Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Protestant Cay
Location in the U.S. Virgin Islands
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Christiansted Harbor |
| Coordinates | 17°44′59″N 64°42′10″W / 17.74972°N 64.70278°W |
| Archipelago | Virgin Islands |
| Area | 4 acres (1.6 ha) |
| Administration | |
| Territory | Virgin Islands |
| District | District of Saint Croix |
| Sub-district | Christiansted |
Protestant Cay is a small, triangular island in the Christiansted Harbor. It is only four acres in size. This tiny island is located about 200 yards north of the town of Christiansted.
Protestant Cay is home to a resort called the Hotel on the Cay. This hotel has a protected sandy beach, a small shop, and a beach bar. It is also the closest beach to Downtown Christiansted, making it easy for visitors to reach.
Getting to Protestant Cay
You can reach Protestant Cay by taking a short ferry ride. The ferry runs every ten minutes from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. The trip only takes about two minutes! After 4 p.m., the ride is free. It is also free for guests staying at the Hotel on the Cay. To catch the ferry, just stand near the boardwalk in front of the King Christian Hotel and wave to the boat captain.
The Story Behind the Name
There's an interesting local story about how Protestant Cay got its name. Long ago, in the late 1600s, the French rulers of the area were Roman Catholic. Legend says they wanted people who were not Catholic to be buried on this small island. At that time, only Catholics were allowed to be buried on the main island of Saint Croix. So, people of other faiths were buried on Protestant Cay.
Amazing Local Wildlife
Protestant Cay is a special place for a rare animal. The Saint Croix ground lizard used to live all over Saint Croix and other nearby islands. But now, you can only find this unique lizard on Protestant Cay and Green Cay. These two small islands are located off the northern coast of Saint Croix. They provide a safe home for this threatened species.
