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GOOD EVENING! So I see jet skies are NOT allowed there. I also heard there are no boat rentals around STX mainly because of the coral reefs???? Either way, does anyone have any recommendations to get to Buck Island other than using a "tour"??? I would like to try to do it on my own, is that even possible??? We are not really kayak people, plus I think I read that is way too dangerous anyway??? What would happen if I managed to get a jet ski over there? Would I get arrested or something??? In short, just looking of ways to get to the turtle beach area without being on a tour. Anything really, even crazy ideas other than swimming, lol. THANKS!
You cannot do it on your own and will have to take one of the tours.
No Jet Ski renter will allow you to take his equipment there, possibility of confiscation.
Well, if I was going to do that I would use like a stole tourist credit card and would not tell the company I am renting it from where I am going. However, seeing how that is not environmentally good for the precious island I scratched that idea. I see it is under 2 miles across in distance, shoot, I can swim that and I don't care if a humpback happens to try and swallow me up. As long as I do not have to go potty on my swim across, excreting bodily fluids into the gorgeous water, I am certain a swim would be the best way to protect the little island from a preservation standpoint. I will make sure I use the bathroom before I make this incredible journey.
Unless you find a friend with a boat, there is no other way to get out there other than the tour. The whole are is National Park land. Private boats are only allowed to anchor in front of the beach on the west side of the island. Only boats with permits can moor or anchor anywhere else around the island. The area is very environmentally sensitive--one of the largest habitats for the threatened elkhorn coral in the territory.
It's not a pleasant swim. The water can be rough and there is enough boat traffic normally to make swimming to buck unsafe.
How about kayaking ? Is it allowed or do-able ? If it's under 2 miles, it's not that bad.
We have friends who have done in. Young and fit, they still said it was a long, rough ride.
