Buck Island Reef National Monument

The park was created to preserve one of the finest marine gardens in the Caribbean Sea. The elkhorn coral barrier reef that surrounds two-thirds of the island has extrodinary coral formations, deep grottoes, abundant reef fishes, sea fans and gorgonians, and the occasional sea turtle. At the eastern most point of the reef is the famous underwater trail; both novice and expert snorkelers will enjoy the passages through the reef. The island, which has an overland nature trail and white coral sand beaches, is a rookery for endangered brown pelicans and a nesting area for three species of sea turtles. Seasonally Buck Island Reef supports one of the last remaining protected nesting populations of endangered hawksbill sea turtles in the eastern Caribbean. Visitors can take daily trips to the park. Once there they can enjoy the tropical island its extraordinary array of marine life and tropical flora and fauna while leasurely swimming in the crystal clear waters, or snorkeling or SCUBA diving through the fantastic reef or hiking over the island while getting a birds-eye view of the reef and sea below.

Danish Custom House, Kings Wharf
2100 Church Street #100
Christiansted, St. Croix, VI 00820-4611
340-773-1460 - Visitor Information

By Plane
American Airlines, US Air, and Delta all fly into the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix, Virgin Islands.

By Car
Travel by car to downtown Christiansted or to Green Cay Marina east of Christiansted. There are six concession companies that provide transport by boat to Buck Island Reef NM from these locations. REMEMBER WE DRIVE ON THE LEFT IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS!

By Plane
Buck Island Reef National Monument is accessible by park licensed concessionaires or private boat and is a 5.5 mile (8.8 km) sail from Christiansted on St. Croix. Concession boats are available at Christiansted Wharf or Green Cay Marina. Privately operated boat must abide by park regulations and maneuvered slowly through Monument waters and watch out for snorkelers at all times.

Getting Around
The only way to get to Buck Island Reef NM is by boat; private or park licensed concession operation which has daily trips, full or half day. The trip is between 40 minutes to 1 1/2 hour depending on whether you sail or motor boat to the park. Once at Buck Island Reef you continue to move between the beach and reef by boat. There is only one foot path on the island which takes 45 minutes from beach to the reef overlook and back down to the beach. All other sites can be seen by walking, swimming, or snorkeling.

Light weight clothing for hot temperatures is suggested. Long sleeves, pants, sturdy shoes, and bug repellant are recommended for hiking. Visitors should take necessary precautions to avoid sunburn. A sunblock of SPF 30 or higher is recommended. Remember to drink water regularly.

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.

• Boating
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Swimming
• Wildlife Viewing
• Bird Watching
• Nature Walks
• Scuba Diving
• Snorkeling

Recommended Activities
There are a variety of activities for park visitors to enjoy while at the park, including swimming, snorkeling, SCUBA diving, daily boat trips, hiking, bird watching, sunbathing and picnicking. Visitors should always be cautious around the reef. Use caution in the water and avoid contact with any unknown marine life. Cuts from coral abrasions can be painful. Long-spined black sea urchins are a particularly sharp hazard. Jellyfish, Portugese man-of-war, bristle worms, and fire corals sting and burn. Treat all underwater creatures with respect. It is recommended that visitors practice snorkeling in shallow water at the beach before going to the underwater trail and reef.