Coral reef
Around the island.
Islanderin — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Islanderin — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cecil W. Stoughton — Public domain · National Park Service Digital Image Archives — Public domain
Buck Island Reef National Monument protects small, uninhabited Buck Island, about 71 hectares in size, about 2.4 km north of St Croix's north-east coast and some 10 km in a straight line east of Christiansted. The monument also takes in a wide stretch of sea around it. The island was first protected in 1948 to preserve «one of the finest marine gardens in the Caribbean Sea», became a national monument in 1961 and was greatly expanded in 2001. Brown pelicans and threatened least terns nest here. A coral barrier reef surrounds about two-thirds of the island, home to more than 250 fish species along with spotted eagle rays and harmless nurse sharks. Its eastern tip has a marked underwater snorkel trail with information plaques, one of only three underwater trails in the United States, and the island has a white beach and a hiking path. It is reached on paid boat trips from Christiansted, usually with snorkelling and a beach stop. Bring reef-safe sun cream, do not touch the coral, and calm morning seas are best for the trip.
Around the island.
For a break.
Nest here.
North-east of St Croix
On a boat trip from Christiansted.
Yes, with guided trips and life vests.