History of Turtle Beach Buck Island in St. Croix USVI
History of Turtle Beach Buck Island in St. Croix USVI
People have been coming to Buck Island St Croix for over 2000 years to enjoy its amazing beaches and marine life. More recently, when the Kennedys visited St. Croix in the ’50s they stopped over at Buck Island and were so impressed with the island that they wanted to preserve it for future generations .
Returning home, they put in motion the steps which would eventually result in Buck Island becoming a protected National Park as well as Buck Island Reef National Monument is now one of only two Underwater National Monuments in the United States. History buffs can read the actual Buck Island legislation here which President Jon F. Kennedy introduced in 1961.
Being a National Monument protects a complete coral reef ecosystem and many endangered species. Size-wise, the island is a mile long and and a quarter-mile mile wide. It hosts the breeding grounds of a number of protected animals as well as a protected marine area of 19,000 acres. The beach is a nesting ground for Hawksbill sea turtles and the island a nesting ground for endangered brown pelicans and other wildlife.
Fun fact: although Buck Island’s size is over 19,000 acres, only two hundred acres are above the water!
The only way to get to Buck Island is by boat and there are a number of official companies licensed to make the trip. Or come in your own boat if you have one!
The island is 5 miles from the harbor at Christiansted and is heavily vegetated with 180 species of plants and trees. Round-trip takes about 60 minutes. Other than that the touring is by walking along a beach or by boat, scuba or snorkel.
It's from sunrise to sunset but no camping is allowed. Boats with permits can anchor overnight in the designated area but noise and lights are to be kept to a minimum in order to not adversely affect any sea turtles or other marine life in the area.
All private vessels entering the monument are required to have a permit which you can get through the NPS website. It takes around five days to process the application so plan ahead!
