How is the snorkeling on St. Croix - compared to St. John?

[sueoz]

Hi - We are St. John fans but have wondered if St. Croix would be fun to try for a change. How does the shore snorkeling compare? Any other pros or cons?
Thanks,
sue

[CariBert]

Hi Sueoz,

Honestly, nothing can compare to Buck Island off of St. Croix for snorkeling. However, there are not as many off beach snorkeling sites on St. Croix. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of places to snorkel off the beaches on St. Croix, just not as many as on St. John.

I think the Big Sister Island gets a bum rap sometimes. We have been a couple of times between the St. John/St. Thomas vists, and have enjoyed every minute of it. You should go! Explore, have fun!

-Bert

[sueoz]

Thanks Bert. Is Buck Island really close? Could we kayak to the island or do we need an excursion?
sue

[CariBert]

Having never kayaked before, I couldn't say if you coud do it or not. It is a couple of miles off the St. Croix coast. I do know that it is a protected government property and you have to have special permission to go there, that's why we always took an excursion. An all day outing with lunch is really fun.

There are a number of people that offer the trips, but we went with Big Beard. It is a catamaran, very comfortable, and you sail most of the way. Lunch is a cook out on a lonely beach, feed the Mongoose dem, swim, snorkel some more, it's just a real pleasant day trip.

-Bert