Buck Island snorkeling adventure?

[Molly]

It's so good to see this forum is still alive! I found the forum invaluable five years ago when planning our first visit to StJ to celebrate our 10th anniversary. We are so excited to be heading back for our 15th anniversary in May!

We spent our entire first trip (eight days) to StJ snorkeling much of the island. This year we are considering a day trip to Buck Island to spend the day snorkeling. Is there anyone out there who can clue us in as to what ferry or puddle jumper we should take to get there and if the trouble is worth it? Where should we start snorkeling? What is there to see? Details?!! We have heard some good things but I found very little in the forum archives.

Anyone been? What can we expect? Tell me more!
Molly

[Genral]

Hi Molly. My thought is that it's just not worth it. If the ferry is running (big if) it's about $90 per person round trip. It would take about an hour and a half each way. And the ferry leaves from STT, not Cruz Bay. If it's not running, you'd have to take a sea plane over and that's about $100 per person EACH WAY, again leaving from CA Harbor. Then the cost of the boat ride to and from Buck. All of that for what I have heard described as "almost as good as snorkeling off the beach at STJ." We went to STX a couple years ago and looked into the Buck Island trip. You only get to snorkel for a couple hours and (not sure) but I think they said you can't even set foot on the beach - could be wrong on that point, anybody else know? One of the big reasons the snorkeling is so much better on STJ is the National Park - bless their hearts. Fishing off the shore of STX has decimated the fish populations - especially the bigger fishies. We talked to a STX resident who went to STJ on vacation (!?!) and just could not believe how big (and tame) the fish were.... My advice is to revisit the beaches you liked last time and try to find an 'out of the way' one this time. Enjoy STJ, it really IS the best. Genral

[bobcside]

Which Buck Island are you refering to? I think you are suggesting the one outside of C.A.Harbor-STT, on the South side of the Island. If you are, we went there and did the B.O.B. thing and it was really nice however I think Norman Island was as good if not better. We did not go all around Buck Island and were only in the somewhat protected cove like area.There is a smaller wreck in the same general area.

[Molly]

Hi Bob, I didn't know there was more than one Buck Island! The one I was considering was near St. Croix. We would first need to get to St. Croix and then find a way to Buck. Perhaps we will rent a dinghy this time and get ourselves a little further out from St. John. Thanks for your input - Molly

[neisy]

Although the only place I have snorkeled on St. John was at Trunk Bay, day trip from Tortolla, we have done alot in the British Virgin Islands. We stayed on St.Croix last year and did the Big Beards snorkel trip to Buck Island. Way too many people!It was just OK. We HAD to take a 10 minute lesson from the crew before going on our own. We only got to snorkel about an hour. The color wasn't all that great, but there was some nice caves and fish. But overall, it didn't compare to what we saw at the Indians,Dogs? Monkey Point, Mountain Trunk Bay and some other places.

We did get to spend about half an hour on the beach there before snorkeling. It was by far prettier than any beach we saw on St.Croix.

I just don't think it would be worth the time and hassle of getting there when you have access to much better snorkeling right at your front door.

Have fun!

Denise