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We are staying on St Croix soon and I have heard differing views on this board about the damage on the reefs at Buck Island. Is it really worth the trip out there? Or can we see as many coral varieties and as many fish around the reefs from shore on St. Croix?
Thanks for any info.
We were there in August and it was worth the trip to Buck Island. Maybe I was in awe of all the different types of fish, but didn't see any damaged coral reefs. The underwater trail at Buck Island is great. You will see some of the same fish along the shore, but at Buck Island, there are many different types of fish. I have not talked with anyone who said that Buck Island was not worth the trip.
Enjoy your trip to STX. It isa beautiful, calming island.
YL
Renee/YL,
Buck Island is DEFINITELY worth the trip. It was the first US underwater national park. That said, there is coral damage. However, unless you've been there many, many times before, or if you're a marine biologist, you will not notice most of the damage. So, take the trip.
"Until about 20 years ago, elkhorn corals—which resemble elk’s antlers—were primary reef builders in the U.S. Virgin Islands. But in 1979, Hurricane David and Tropical Storm Frederick decimated the islands’ elkhorn coral; those events were followed by an outbreak of deadly white band disease. At Buck Island National Monument, where some of the largest elkhorn stands were, live coral cover fell from 85 percent in 1976 to just five percent in 1988."
http://www.oceanconservancy.org/site/PageServer?pagename=bpm_feature1_4
So bleak FOG - so bleak!
Buck Island is one of the best places we have snorkled - other than the Great Barrier Reef - and the trip out there is so peaceful. The color of the water is awesome......Do IT!
there is no place more beautiful in the world to me at least i don't really like to snorkle but would never pass it up on buck island..if you go try to avoid crowded tours i highly reccomend llewyn who sails out of stx yacht club no more than 6 people an an island icon himself {just don't forget to bring him a 6 pack of heinekin} in our past trips along with the most beautiful fish we have seen baby sharks,sammy the sting ray and sea turtles mating
We certainly enjoyed our day to Buck Island while vacationing on St Croix - but it was almost three years ago. The snorkeling was great and it was nice enjoying the peaceful experience. We sailed on the Diva - not sure if it is still there but the website is still online: http://www.buckisland-diva.com/ It ended up being just hubby and I and one other couple about our age.
