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Buck Island Reef National Monument: St Croix
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Published: November 14, 2006
Visitors of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands regularly take a daytrip to the popular Buck Island Reef National Monument to visit this historic marine wonder. A popular spot for boaters, divers and tourists alike, the Reef National Monument has attracted visitors for several decades.
Located 1.5 miles north of the northeast coast of St. Croix, this monument is a popular destination for any vacationer looking to view the 176 acres of beautiful marine and plant life. The majority of the island is underwater with the remaining sections made up of sedimentary rocks rising 328 feet above sea level. The high altitudes allow for visitors to view the pristine blue ocean and surrounding Elkhorn barrier reef. The island is home to many endangered species including sea turtles, Least Terns, Hawksbill turtles and brown Pelicans.
As part of a Presidential Proclamation, the Buck Island Reef National Monument began in 1961 and was expanded in 2001. It currently is administered by the National Park Service. The Buck Island Reef National Monument is not to be confused with the Buck Island National Wildlife refuge on a different Buck Island two miles south of St. Thomas. This is a separate island also containing beautiful reefs, rocky coastlines and a thorn scrub habitat also known to attract many visitors.
The impressive reefs and profound grottos of the Buck Island National Monument make it a popular stop for snorkel and scuba enthusiasts of all skill levels. Divers can swim through the underwater trail near the Eastern tip of the island and observe the marine life and spectacular reefs up close. For those more interested in sun bathing, the white sands beach on the western edge of the island is perfect. With temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and 80 to 90 degrees in the summer, sunbathers cannot find much to complain about. The beach is also a popular docking spot for boaters, although you must have a docking permit to dock there overnight.
The Buck Island Reef National Monument is open year round free of charge from sunrise to sunset. The island is closed at nighttime to allow the sea turtles to come ashore. For boaters docking overnight, intense lights are prohibited during nighttime hours. It is recommended to dress for the warmth with light cotton clothing and a light jacket at night during the winter.
Contact:
Buck Island National Reef Monument:
2100 Church Street #100
Phone (340) 773-1460
Sources:
Buck Island Reef National Monument. US National Parks and Monument Travel Guide. 2000. US-Parks.com. 14 November 2006.
http://www.us-parks.com/buck_island/index.htmlBuck Island Reef National Monument. Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia.com. 14 November 2006.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buck_Island_Reef_Na tional_Monument
Buck Island Reef. National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior. 31 July 2006. nps.gov. 14 November 2006. http://www.nps.gov/buis/
Located 1.5 miles north of the northeast coast of St. Croix, this monument is a popular destination for any vacationer looking to view the 176 acres of beautiful marine and plant life. The majority of the island is underwater with the remaining sections made up of sedimentary rocks rising 328 feet above sea level. The high altitudes allow for visitors to view the pristine blue ocean and surrounding Elkhorn barrier reef. The island is home to many endangered species including sea turtles, Least Terns, Hawksbill turtles and brown Pelicans.
As part of a Presidential Proclamation, the Buck Island Reef National Monument began in 1961 and was expanded in 2001. It currently is administered by the National Park Service. The Buck Island Reef National Monument is not to be confused with the Buck Island National Wildlife refuge on a different Buck Island two miles south of St. Thomas. This is a separate island also containing beautiful reefs, rocky coastlines and a thorn scrub habitat also known to attract many visitors.
The impressive reefs and profound grottos of the Buck Island National Monument make it a popular stop for snorkel and scuba enthusiasts of all skill levels. Divers can swim through the underwater trail near the Eastern tip of the island and observe the marine life and spectacular reefs up close. For those more interested in sun bathing, the white sands beach on the western edge of the island is perfect. With temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and 80 to 90 degrees in the summer, sunbathers cannot find much to complain about. The beach is also a popular docking spot for boaters, although you must have a docking permit to dock there overnight.
The Buck Island Reef National Monument is open year round free of charge from sunrise to sunset. The island is closed at nighttime to allow the sea turtles to come ashore. For boaters docking overnight, intense lights are prohibited during nighttime hours. It is recommended to dress for the warmth with light cotton clothing and a light jacket at night during the winter.
Contact:
Buck Island National Reef Monument:
2100 Church Street #100
Phone (340) 773-1460
Sources:
Buck Island Reef National Monument. US National Parks and Monument Travel Guide. 2000. US-Parks.com. 14 November 2006.
http://www.us-parks.com/buck_island/index.htmlBuck Island Reef National Monument. Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia.com. 14 November 2006.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buck_Island_Reef_Na tional_Monument
Buck Island Reef. National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior. 31 July 2006. nps.gov. 14 November 2006. http://www.nps.gov/buis/
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