St. Croix Island is the largest of the three islands on the western side of Algoa Bay. It is located within 8 kilometres of the Port of Nqgura and 4km from the nearest land. The islands are of critical importance to sea bird populations, including the endangered African penguin.
The island covers about 12 ha (30 acres) and is only 58 m above sea level at the highest point. It runs 700 m at its longest and 360 m at its broadest.
Bartholomeu Diaz was the first European to sail into Algoa Bay in 1488 on his quest to find the new sea route to the east. They landed on an island which they named Ilheu da Cruz, today known as St Croix. Here they celebrated Mass and erected a wooden cross. A replica of the cross was erected in 1988 to celebrate the 500th anniversary of his voyage. The two smaller islets near St. Croix were named Jahleel and Brenton after the British Vice Admiral at the Cape who was stationed there from 1815 until 1821.
Ever since the arrival of the 1820 British Settlers the natural resources of the bay and islands have been ruthlessly exploited. Prior to the settlers, ships from various nations supplemented their rations with eggs and birds from the islands.
In 1891, a Canadian Brig sailed into the bay with a load of passengers, some of whom had the dreaded smallpox disease. They were quarantined on St Croix for three months and hence its alternative name of Hospital Island.
St Croix falls within the Addo Elephant National Park Marine Protected Area (MPA). It used to be home to the biggest population of African Penguins in the world. The population’s modern history peaked in 1993, when 63,000 penguins lived there. Today there is an estimate of 1,350 breeding pairs left.
