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National Monument · U.S. Virgin Islands

Buck Island Reef National Monument

National Monument in U.S. Virgin Islands. No entrance fee.

By The Green Adventures · Updated · How we check

TypeNational Monument
StateU.S. Virgin Islands
Entrance feeNo entrance fee
CampgroundsNone
Nearest national parkVirgin Islands (37 mi)
Closest airportSTX (14 mi)
Snorkeler swimming by Elkhorn Coral at Buck Island Reef NM.
Snorkelers may view Elkhorn Coral at the Underwater Trail, Buck Island Reef NM Photo: NPS

Buck Island Reef National Monument is a national monument run by the National Park Service in U.S. Virgin Islands.

In the park service’s words

Welcome to Buck Island Reef National Monument, called “the finest marine garden in the Caribbean Sea” by President John F. Kennedy. Snorkel the famous underwater trail, explore endangered elkhorn coral reefs. Hike the trails on the 176-acre island to the observation platform for an unparallel view. Discover a vibrant world above and beneath the waves in this Caribbean paradise.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Daily, 7:00AM - 5:00PM. Buck Island Reef National Monument is open year-round, every day of the week. The current operating hours are 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. There is no overnight camping on the island; the park is closed at night to protect nesting sea turtles. Camping is not allowed on the island.

Getting there

Use one of our concessionaires to get to Buck Island!

Airport City Drive to the park Straight-line miles Type
Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) Christiansted, SC No road route 14 Regional
Cyril E. King Airport (STT) Charlotte Amalie, ST No road route 43 Large hub
Benjamin Rivera Noriega Airport (CPX) Culebra, A No road route 57 Regional

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

  • Buck Island Reef National Monument: Daily, 7:00AM - 5:00PM. There is no visitor center on Buck Island, and no visitor services on the island. Fort Christiansvaern at Christiansted National Historic Site serves as the point of information for the three national park units on St. Croix. Visit the fee booth at the fort for brochures, pamphlets, and guides. And be sure to check out our exhibits.

Weather

Welcome to the tropics!

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Virgin Islands, about 37 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

Last checked 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee at Buck Island Reef National Monument?

No entrance fee.

Where is Buck Island Reef National Monument?

In U.S. Virgin Islands. The closest airport with scheduled flights is Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, about 14 miles away.

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