The ferry only runs Friday-Monday, and I would double check that too. The ferry isn't $200, it's $90.

I had found $50 per each way... so for 2 people $200 total trip. $180-200. still a lot of money.
is it worth it? to walk around?

do you think there would be any small independent boat companies going out to Buck island? The ferry doesn't arrive in enough time to make a 9:30 departure with the bigger companies.

I live on STX and love it here but, no, I wouldn't come over for the day. The crossing can be rough and, if the seas are too high they can cancel with little notice. So you'd spend 4 hours - 2 coming and 2 going - on a rough trip. Since you are already planning trips to Tortola and Virgin Gorda if you do come to St. Croix I would suggest a 4 hour island tour to give you feel for the Island. That would be a better way to spend your time here.

But again, a long hard trip for little payoff, imo.

Thanks LInda J, thats what I was looking for, an honest answer.

It's not worth it to "walk around." However, the ferries do leave early and late enough to get a full day in, and there's always Cape Air and the Seaplane which are about $150-175. Instead of walking around town, which would only take a couple hours max, I would rent a car and explore the island. I believe you can pick up rental cars at the Seaplane dock if you rent with Avis.

You can take Sea Flight for $70 each way per person, and save yourself a few hours. You'd have to check their schedule by calling 340-714-3000 or 340-776-3000, but their schedules are definitely more flexible than the ferry. Just the flight itself is an adventure, because the view is so gorgeous.

There's more to do in St Croix than Buck Island. Sea Flight goes into the airport, so you're midway Christiansted and Frederiksted, so it's easy to get to either. You can take an adventure tour, go horseback riding, visit the botanical garden, tour historic plantation ruins, etc. Downtown Christiansted has more architecturally interesting buildings in Danish colonial style than STT, the fort is a national park, and you can take a ferry to the beach on the Cay.

I look at it this way - you either go while you're here, or spend a few thousand to go to St Croix on another visit. I think you should do more research on St Croix to see what else you might want to do if you can't make Buck Island, and then decide.

Hi,

Try these boats service that goes to Buck Island:

Caribbean Sea Adventure
340-773-2628

Big Beard's Adventure Tours
340-773-4482

To tour around the Island of STX you can use:

AirVentures in Paradise (Flight Seeing Tour)
340-719-5529 or 340-277-1433

STX Safari Tours
340-773-6700

Tan Tan Tours (Wave Open Air Jeeps)
340-473-6446

Paul & Jill's Equestrian Stables
340-772-2880

Cruzan Rum Distillery
340-692-2280

STX Heritage Trail
340-772-0598

Beach Shack on the Cay
340-772-7060

Water Drop Tours
340-244-1455

Kayak Salt RIver
Caribbean Adventure Tours
340-778-1522

KITE St.Croix
340-773-9890

Roseway Historic Schooner
340-626-7877

Bilinda Charters
340-514-2270

How big an issue is seasickness on the ferry from St. Croix to St. Thomas at this time of year?

Thanks.

I would say it's a pretty big issue. I would wait for a day that is VERY calm, otherwise, barf city, for me at least.

They pass out "barf bags" before you take off on the ferry. I've taken it and as a person who works on boats, wouldn't recommend it for both time and sea-sickness reasons. I would go with the sea plane idea myself if you're going to go. I actually work for Miles at Caribben Sea Adventures (mentioned above by Bae) and have worked on his boats to Buck Island, St. Croix (I also work on his boat that goes to Buck Island, St. Thomas). If you are going to go to STX, I cannot recommend enough that you take the trip to Buck Island. The snorkeling is second to none and the beach (where they take you after) is the most beautiful I've ever seen.

That said, I also agree with the car rental idea. You can walk around Christiansted, but you'll be over it in a couple of hours. (Although there is also the Fort Christiansted Museum which I've heard is great). But there is so much to see throughout the island including beautiful beaches, lush landscapes, tropical rainforrests and even a beer-drinking pig. It's a long way to go to get to the island, so just weigh what you'll get out of it versus the time and money spent. If it helps at all, when my friend visited last week, I decided our time and money would be better spent at STJ, VG and Jost.... Good luck!

thanks for the advice.
I think we will pass on St Croix, after reading all the advice. We will have our days pretty full with the island hopping we plan to do.
I do appreciate all the honest advice!