🏕️National Park Data
Snorkeler swimming by Elkhorn Coral at Buck Island Reef NM.
Snorkelers in formation departing the concessioner's vessel in route to the underwater trail.
Photograph of the trees and vegetation along the hiking trail on Buck Island
Photograph of snorkeler among the coral reefs at Buck Island
green sea turtle hatchling on beach heading towards the ocean
Photograph of rainbow at Buck Island
National Monument

Buck Island Reef National Monument

U.S. Virgin Islands

💰
Entrance Fee
Free
🕐
Hours
7:00AM - 5:00PM
📍
Location
Christiansted, St. Croix, VI
📞
Visitor Center
(340) 773.1460

Welcome to Buck Island Reef National Monument, called “the finest marine garden in the Caribbean Sea” by President John F. Kennedy. Snorkel the famous underwater trail, explore endangered elkhorn coral reefs. Hike the trails on the 176-acre island to the observation platform for an unparallel view. Discover a vibrant world above and beneath the waves in this Caribbean paradise.

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About Buck Island Reef National Monument

Buck Island Reef National Monument is a national monument located in U.S. Virgin Islands. Welcome to the tropics!

Use one of our concessionaires to get to Buck Island!

💰 Entrance Fees & Passes

Entry to Buck Island Reef is completely free. There are no general entrance fees or vehicle passes required to access this park unit.

🥾 Things to Do

Buck Island Reef National Monument offers visitors a diverse selection of outdoor experiences. You can participate in a wide array of activities, most notably Boating, Sailing, Hiking, Paddling, and 7 other recreational activities, depending on the season and weather conditions. Path options exist for both casual strollers and expert backcountry adventurers.

✅ Boating
✅ Sailing
✅ Hiking
✅ Paddling
✅ Kayaking
✅ SCUBA Diving
✅ Snorkeling
✅ Swimming
✅ Saltwater Swimming
✅ Wildlife Watching
✅ Birdwatching

📦 Recommended Gear & Packing Checklist

Custom items selected for activities at Buck Island Reef

0 of 10 packed

🎒 Trail Essentials

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🥾 Activity-Specific Gear

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🧥 Apparel & Layers

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💡 Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

📋 Visitor Planning Tips for Buck Island Reef

  • →Beat the Crowds: Arrive at the main gates or trailheads of Buck Island Reef before 8:00 AM. Parking spaces at popular locations fill up extremely fast, especially during warm peak season weekends.
  • →Verify Conditions: Weather and trail accessibility inside Buck Island Reef can change rapidly. Always verify the latest road conditions and local weather advisories before starting your trek.
  • →Leave No Trace: Help protect the delicate ecosystems of Buck Island Reef. Stay on marked trails, pack out all of your waste, and keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
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Welcome to Buck Island Reef National Monument, called “the finest marine garden in the Caribbean Sea” by President John F. Kennedy. Snorkel the famous underwater trail, explore endangered elkhorn coral reefs. Hike the trails on the 176-acre island to the observation platform for an unparallel view. Discover a vibrant world above and beneath the waves in this Caribbean paradise.

Frequently Asked Questions about Buck Island Reef

The entrance fee for Buck Island Reef National Monument is Free per vehicle. The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all 474+ NPS sites and pays for itself after just 2-3 park visits.

About the Author

🧗

James R. Mitchell

Founder & Lead Writer — National Park Data

James has visited all 63 designated US national parks and has been writing about outdoor travel for over 12 years. He spent 8 years as a wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains before founding National Park Data to help visitors plan better, safer, and more enjoyable park trips.

🏔️ 63 Parks Visited✍️ 12 Years Writing🧭 Wilderness GuideFull Bio →
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