This Caribbean Island Has The Only Underwater National Park In The U.S.

Have you ever booked a destination based on a picture you saw online, on a postcard, or in a movie? Or because you heard that A-List celebrities frequent the location? And then it didn’t live up to its photo-shopped promises? Well, Buck Island in the Virgin Islands will not disappoint. This Caribbean Island has the only underwater national park in the U.S. — Buck Island National Park.

Well, the first thing you’ll notice when you arrive in the Virgin Islands is that they’re absolutely everything you expect them to be — the beaches have white sand and the surrounding waters have some of the best snorkeling opportunities because, yes, the water really is that clear. At this not-so-typical beach destination, you’ll also find plentiful hiking trails, eclectic dining establishments, and bottomless glasses of rum. These islands are also the home of the only U.S.-based aquatic national park.

Buck Island National Park

From St. Croix, it is about a 30-minute drive to Christiansted, and from there you either need your own boat or to charter a vessel going to Buck Island. Private boats require a permit that can be obtained from the National Park Service, or you can find no-frills boat charters. There are several tours that take visitors to the island for half- and full-day excursions to explore the underwater national park. There’s one “moderately strenuous” hiking trail on the island that takes about an hour round-trip.

Depending on whether you opt to sail to Buck Island or go by motorized boat, part of planning your time accordingly — especially if you’re only briefly stopping in St. Croix on a cruise — is to factor in the drive time from St. Croix to Christiansted and the travel time from there to the island. A motorized boat can get you to the island in about 40 minutes, whereas sailing can take as long as an hour-and-a-half.

And don’t forget to plan time for the most quintessential activity in the Caribbean: heading to the beach! The one on Buck Island is quite possibly the most perfect beach: it’s not heavily frequented, it’s rather large, and it’s edged entirely by coconut palm trees.

Enjoy your next vacation to this Caribbean Island that has the only underwater national park in the U.S. — Buck Island National Park.