Caribbean Sea Adventures has a plethora of boating options and ways to enjoy Buck Island including sunset sails, full day sailing trips, and power boat excursions starting at $75. My friend Sarah and I got to experience a half-day private charter aboard the Smooth Recovery with Captain Dave, the owner’s father, and first mate Key during our trip to Saint Croix in August. They are both absolutely delightful boating company. Included with the half-day private charter is snorkel gear, water, drinks, Cruzan rum punch, a guided snorkel tour, and your park fees for visiting Buck Island. Keep reading this review to see why Caribbean Sea Adventures is one of the best things to do on your Saint Croix vacation!
Watch our excursion:
Cruising Around
If you’re staying at The Buccaneer like we were, you can get picked up byCaribbean Sea Adventures at the dock on Mermaid Beach. I was thrilled to see Starbucks frappuccinos on board for our 10:30 am pickup. We enjoyed our coffee while cruising along the coast as Captain Dave pointed out various landmarks, sugar mills, beaches, and houses. He’s lived on the island for 28 years and is extremely knowledgeable about all things St. Croix, including the history of rum and restaurant recommendations.
Snorkeling Buck Island Reef
When we got close to Buck Island, we hopped right in the crystal-clear lagoon with Key as our guide. We saw a ton of beautiful parrot fish, a whole school of Dory fish, and a barracuda. Key explained that they don’t have problems with barracudas in the Caribbean because the water is so clear, they can see that you’re human and won’t bother you. About this time he exclaimed, “Oh look! A shark!” Sarah and I instinctively got behind Key but never did see the shark. He said it was 5-6 feet long and likely a lemon shark. He steered us away and kept a sharp eye on the perimeter for the duration of the tour.
I particularly enjoyed seeing all of the different types of coral found in Buck Island’s surrounding waters. The Buck Island Reef was named a National Monument by President John F. Kennedy shortly after he visited Saint Croix. It is the only underwater national monument in the United States. Pretty cool! Much like jogging trails, there are mile markers under water as you snorkel along the path. If you love snorkeling and marine life, Buck Island Reef is a must-see. The coral alone is some of the best I’ve seen.
P.S. My avid readers know that I tried to get underwater footage but alas, my waterproof camera decided not to work the minute we got to the Caribbean. Next time! Shout out to Captain Dave for snapping these amazing photos of us snorkeling.
Buck Island
We anchored at Buck Island’s beach and enjoyed a picnic lunch, which the fine folks at The Buccaneer packed up for us. The sand is a fine white powder and the sea is deceptively deep right off the beach. You can hike up to the top of the small, uninhabited island but we didn’t have the proper shoes so we opted for rum punch on the beach and noodles in the sea.
Watch the Facebook live:
Final Thoughts
Sarah and I agreed that the snorkeling was some of the best we’d seen but the waters were also a little rougher than other snorkeling excursions we had experienced, so its’ something to consider if you aren’t a strong swimmer. Caribbean Sea Adventures also floats a life saver behind the guide in case you get tired. Your guide will happily pull you along the trail. How great is that? The underwater monument is truly not be missed. It’s an absolute must if you’re visiting Saint Croix. The sun is NOT a joke so if you’re fair like me, consider wearing a long-sleeve water shirt. I wish I had. Captain Dave saved me be tossing me a long-sleeved shirt for the boat ride back to the hotel! Learn from my mistakes and cover up as much as you can! Learn more about Caribbean Sea Adventures here. Don’t forget to tell them you heard about them from The Rose Table!
Want more Saint Croix? Read about The Buccaneer Hotel next!
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Disclaimer: This article is intended to be a general resource. Any recommendations are based on personal opinion. A portion of this trip may have been compensated but opinions are my own, always. I’m not a fan of negativity so if I don’t like something, I don’t write about it. I’m here to tell you about the best of the best!