Buck Island Reef National Monument

Beaches and parks St. CroixLast verified October 28, 2026

Aerial view of Buck Island, a forested island edged with white sand beaches and surrounded by turquoise shallows and coral reef — Buck Island Reef National Monument

A small catamaran pulled up on the white sand beach at Buck Island, with a sailboat and motorboats anchored in turquoise water offshore — Buck Island Reef National Monument

Buck Island Reef National Monument protects Buck Island, about 1.5 miles off St. Croix, along with the reefs and waters around it. The island is a sail of about 5.5 miles from Christiansted and can be reached only by boat, either private or with one of the authorized concession operators that leave from Christiansted Wharf or Green Cay Marina. There is no entrance fee. The monument is open every day from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm and closes from sunset to sunrise to protect nesting sea turtles, so overnight camping is not allowed. Private boaters should read the park's current permit rules before going: the park describes an annual permit for vessels using its moorings or diving, and anchoring is limited to the West Beach area. Information is available at Fort Christiansvaern in Christiansted.

Services

Authorized concession boat trips from Christiansted Wharf and Green Cay Marina
Annual vessel permits for moorings and scuba diving (CHRI_Permits@nps.gov)
West Beach anchoring area

How we checked

Last verified on October 28, 2026. The business has not reviewed this listing.

Source: National Park Service website, https://www.nps.gov/buis/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm and https://www.nps.gov/buis/planyourvisit/hours.htm, accessed 2026-10-28. The basic information page gives conflicting statements on whether private vessels need a permit.

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Around St. Croix

Rooftops of Christiansted and its harbor seen from Recovery Hill, with the reef and open sea beyond — Christiansted, St. Croix

Arched sidewalk galleries along a street of colorful historic buildings in Christiansted — Christiansted, St. Croix

The red walls of Fort Frederik on the Frederiksted waterfront, with green hills rising behind the town — Frederiksted, St. Croix