Buck Island Reef National Monument

Another birthday and family history vacation was spent on Saint Croix exploring Buck Island Reef National Monument. Like many of our family trips, the destination combined celebration, adventure and another opportunity to experience one of the unique places preserved within the National Park System.

Buck Island is unlike many national parks we have visited over the years. This monument protects an underwater world of coral reefs, tropical fish, sea turtles, and crystal-clear Caribbean water. Reaching the island by boat is a big part of the adventure as the turquoise water stretches in every direction and the small island rises out of the sea.

Floating above the coral reef and following the underwater snorkeling trail gave us the chance to experience a national park from an entirely different perspective. We drifted quietly through a protected marine ecosystem alive with color and movement. The rocky shoreline and white sand beaches added to the experience.

Established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, Buck Island Reef National Monument was created to preserve one of the finest marine gardens in the Caribbean. It remains one of the most beautiful and unique units in the National Park System.  

Sharing the experience together as a family was the best part of this experience. Like so many of our travels, the memories became tied not just to the place, but to the people with whom we explored it.