Buck Island Reef National Monument

St Croix


For such a small landmass – 1 mile long by half a mile wide – Buck Island draws big crowds. It’s not so much what’s on top but what’s underneath that fascinates: a 19,015-acre, fish-frenzied coral-reef system, protected as Buck Island Reef National Monument, that surrounds the island. The sea gardens and a marked underwater trail create captivating snorkeling on the island’s east side. Most visitors glide here aboard tour boats departing from Christiansted, 5 miles to the west.

Note that in winter the trade winds blow hard at Buck Island, which can result in rough water for newbies to the mask and fins. On the island, pretty Turtle Beach is where endangered hawksbill and green sea turtles come ashore. A hiking trail circles the island’s west end and leads to an impressive observation point.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby St Croix attractions

1. Isaac Bay

4.07 MILES

This secluded beach off Rte 82 offers no shade or facilities, and you'll have to hike about 20 minutes through scrub to reach it, but you'd be hard…

2. Point Udall

4.11 MILES

Point Udall is the easternmost geographic point in US territory. As you face into a 25-knot trade wind, the vista from the promontory high above the surf…

3. Christiansted National Historic Site

5.95 MILES

This historic site includes several structures. The most impressive is Fort Christiansvaern (1749), a four-point citadel occupying the deep-yellow…

4. Protestant Cay

5.96 MILES

This small oval cay, located less than 200yd from Kings Wharf, is a little oasis. It’s the site of a mellow resort with a sandy beach and bar-restaurant…

5. Steeple Building

6.01 MILES

The white building with the Georgian steeple was St Croix' first house of worship. Lutherans erected the edifice between 1750 and 1753, adding the steeple…

7. Hibiscus Beach

7.65 MILES

Sand seekers hit palm-fringed Hibiscus Beach, 2 miles west of Christiansted off Rte 75/Northside Rd. There's good snorkeling at the beach's western end…

8. Salt River Bay National Historic Park

9.24 MILES

About 4 miles west of Christiansted, Salt River Bay holds prehistoric archaeological ruins and is the only documented place where Christopher Columbus…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "us-virgin-islands/christiansted/attractions/buck-island-reef-national-monument/a/poi-sig/1398897/1332963",
      "destination": "St-Croix",
      "continent": "Caribbean",
      "country": "US-Virgin-Islands",
      "region": "St-Croix",
      "position": "superzone"
    }