We have heard nothing but rave reviews for the Buck Island tour, so we knew we had to do it. A quick walk on the Christiansted Boardwalk led us to Caribbean Sea Adventures and their beautiful powerboat. Booking a tour to Buck Island was one of the best decisions of our trip yet.
I was sweating on the boardwalk. We were so thankful when the crew boarded us quickly. The boat was refreshingly cold and the cushions were nice and cozy. The drive over to Buck Island was an incredible cruise. You could close your eyes and take in the salty wind. Sometimes, the water splashed onto the boat, giving us a nice mist. Immediately we were refreshed from the hot island weather.
The views of St. Croix and its mountains were impeccable. I couldn’t take my eyes off the horizon as we neared Buck Island. The combination of the breeze and the views had me wishing the boat ride was longer. Plus, the crew had an awesome playlist that pumped up the vibes and excited our group for what was to come. With the fun music, friendly team, and gorgeous views, you could stay on the boat the whole trip and still have a good time.
Even though I said you could stay on the boat the whole time and be happy, the second we reached Buck Island, I was so thrilled. I had a great time jumping off the boat into the crystal clear water (don’t worry, there are also steps). The first stop on the tour was Turtle Beach, home to tons of sea turtle and bird nesting sites. Most of the island is not open to visitors right now because of the nesting season for the birds and turtles, but we still had a small area to get off the boat and enjoy one of the most immaculate beaches I have ever seen. I laid by the shore and let the gentle waves crash on me.
After relaxing on the island, the tour gathered back together and set sail for the other side of the island. While we reapplied sunscreen, the crew did a fantastic job giving us some history of Buck Island. Back in the 60s, the Kennedys visited Buck Island Reef. They became so infatuated with the reef that they made it a national park. What is really incredible, though, is that the Clintons then gave Buck Island the highest form of protection you can have by making it a National Monument. The reef cannot be touched or changed, which made the next part of our trip so spectacular.
The boat stopped near the Buck Island Reef National Monument. The crew passed out our snorkeling gear and ensured everyone felt comfortable snorkeling before we entered the reef. Dividing the boat into two groups, one for confident snorkelers and the other for beginners, we hopped off into the water and were instantly in awe of our surroundings. Even though Zane and I have gone snorkeling previously, we had never seen such a complex reef before. The variety of fish that inhabited Buck Island Reef was mind-blowing. The reef was teeming with life and bright color.
The trail through the reef only took about 20 minutes, which made it relaxing and exciting. We saw so many parrot fish, which was great because they are a sign of a healthy reef. Other groups on our boat saw lobster, nurse sharks, stingrays, and even squid! Buck Island is exceptional because the protected reef allows the sea life to be so outstanding and lively.
After our tour, we were allowed to free snorkel on the outside of the reef and see things that we didn’t get to notice before. One of the coolest things we saw was the barracuda surrounding the reef. While they may look menacing, we had a great time swimming past them and marveling at their size.
Once we were all satisfied with our snorkeling, we gathered back in the boat and started our journey back to St. Croix. Zane and I were stoked when the crew passed out the unlimited water and rum punch on the way back from the island. Side note: Caribbean Sea Adventures was the first company on the island that we’ve seen use reusable metal tumblers on their boat, which made my eco-friendly heart very happy.
Everyone from retired folks to the babies lying on the day bed enjoyed the tour. Caribbean Sea Adventures is perfect for everyone looking to have a great time exploring a gorgeous area of St. Croix.
For more information, visit Caribbean Sea Adventures’ website.
