Theodore Roosevelt Presidential LibraryPublic Lands Directory

Alerts and conditions

All clear. The managing agency, the National Weather Service and wildfire reporting show no current alerts.

Overview

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

History

The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.

What to see and do

Activities

  • Boating
  • Sailing
  • Hiking
  • Paddling
  • Kayaking
  • SCUBA Diving
  • Snorkeling
  • Swimming
  • Saltwater Swimming
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Birdwatching

Browse hiking, biking and paddling routes on AllTrails

Plan your visit

Hours

Buck Island Reef National Monument: 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.

Buck Island Reef National Monument: 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!

Visitor centers

Weather

Welcome to the tropics!

Phone: (340) 773.1460

Whose lands these are

These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.

Photos

Snorkelers in formation departing the concessioner's vessel in route to the underwater trail.
Buck Island Reef NM Underwater Trail · Susan Duke
Photograph of the trees and vegetation along the hiking trail on Buck Island
Tropical dry forest, Buck Island · Photo by S. Corsaut, Digital Island
Photograph of snorkeler among the coral reefs at Buck Island
Snorkeling at Buck Island · NPS Photo
green sea turtle hatchling on beach heading towards the ocean
Green sea turtle hatchling · NPS
Photograph of rainbow at Buck Island
End of the rainbow · Cori Lopazanski
the forest meets the sandy beach and waves
Beach at Buck Island · S. Corsaut, Digital Island

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