Buck Island Reef National Monument is a must for every visitor, whether you snorkel the underwater trail or just enjoy the cruise. Proclaimed a National Monument by President John F. Kennedy in June 1962, uninhabited Buck Island sits off St. Croix’s North East coast and consists of approximately 18,000 acres of sea and land. It’s main beauty lies in the fantastic reefs and a unique underwater trail which have been referred to as “one of the finest marine gardens in the Caribbean Sea.”
Buck Island itself is 167-acres and as a National Park site is uninhabited except for the daily visitors. There are no facilities or restaurants on the island, so when making plans to visit Buck Island its a great idea to pack a lunch and snacks or opt for one of the full-day excursions that include a lunch stop back on St Croix.
At the reef on the East end of the park, you’ll moor in about 12-15 feet of water and will first be guided by one of the crew members through the marked underwater trail. This is a requirement of the park service, along with wearing brightly colored flotation vests for safety. The guided tour through the trail lasts only about 10 minutes and then you’ll have up to an hour and a half to snorkel and explore the reef. Here you’ll find some of the most diverse marine life on St Croix. Expect to see schools of brilliant blue tang (remember Dory from ‘Finding Nemo’?), surgeonfish, doctor fish, parrotfish, yellow striped french grunts, angelfish, squirrelfish and many, many more brightly colored tropical fishes. Often, you’ll also run into playful juvenile hawksbill turtles meandering through the reef. With close observation, you may also spy Caribbean lobsters and an octopus or two.
Help us to preserve and protect our coral reefs at Buck Island, throughout the Caribbean, and across our world’s oceans by only wearing Reef Safe Sunscreen when in the islands – Learn more about Reef Safe Sunscreen
Who do we Love? Buck Island Snorkel Charters
Big Beard’s Adventure Tours
Join Big Beard on either a full day sail or a half day excursion to one of the world’s most beautiful beaches and snorkeling destinations – St Croix’s Buck Island National Park! Trips leave 3 times a day. Full day tours sail on 42ft catamaran, Renegade , and include a beach BBQ at Big Beard’s “private” beach hideaway. Half day trips cruise out on 42′ green power catamaran, Adventure. Evening sunset sails aboard Renegade their 42′ Sailing Catamaran. Includes complimentary Rum Punch.
Jolly Roger Charters
The Jolly Roger is a 42-foot sailing catamaran that departs from Christiansted Harbor for full and half-day snorkeling trips to Buck Island. They also offer private charters and sunset sails.
Buck Island Charters
Enjoy the ride to Buck Island under full sail aboard Teroro II or Dragonfly with Captain Heinz or Capt Carl at the helm. Family owned and operated since 1968. Trips depart from Green Cay Marina.