Booking choice: The Turtle Cove catamaran, from $119 per person. Check dates Tour details
Most St Thomas snorkel trips sold as "Buck Island" go to the same place: the waters of Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge, a short sail from the south coast. Viator listings often call it Little Buck Island, which helps tell it apart from the much better known Buck Island off St Croix.
Below: what the refuge is, why the trip is all in the water, what you can expect to see and which boats go.
The quick answer
Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge is a 45-acre island off the south coast of St Thomas, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service since 1969. It is closed to the public, so tours anchor at Turtle Cove and you snorkel around the island. The VI Cat's Turtle Cove sail is from $119 per person for about three hours.
What is Buck Island in St Thomas?
A small, uninhabited island off the south coast of St Thomas that has been a national wildlife refuge since 1969.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages the 45-acre island. The refuge boundary covers the land only, not the reef or the water around it, which is where every tour spends its time.
Can you go ashore on Buck Island?
No. The Fish and Wildlife Service says the refuge is closed to the public and has no visitor facilities.
The refuge page adds that no visitor services programs exist there. That is why every listing describes the trip as a sail and snorkel. If you want sand under your feet as well, pick a trip that adds a beach stop, such as the small-group boats that continue to Honeymoon Beach.
Happy to stay in the water? The Turtle Cove sail includes the gear, snacks and drinks.
Check dates for the Turtle Cove catamaranWhat will you see at Turtle Cove?
Coral, reef fish and, on most days, green sea turtles grazing on the seagrass, as the VI Cat's listing describes.
Guests also report rays, barracuda and sea urchins. Turtles are wild and come and go. Most recent reviews mention them; several guests counted two or three, and a few saw only one.
How do you get to Buck Island?
By boat on a tour: the VI Cat sails from Marriott's Frenchman's Cove, and the small-group boats leave from Havensight, by the cruise dock.
The VI Cat's sail lasts about three hours dock to dock. The Seas the Day boat pairs Buck Island with Honeymoon Beach in four hours, and a Westin departure adds Water Island in five. None of these includes hotel pickup.
| Trip | Leaves from | Length | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turtle Cove catamaran | Marriott's Frenchman's Cove | 3 hours | $119 per person |
| Buck Island & Honeymoon Beach | Havensight | 4 hours | $160 per person |
| Buck Island sail from the Westin | Westin Frenchman's Reef | 5 hours | $119 per person |
| Two-stop catamaran | Yacht Haven Grande | 4 hours | $129 per person |
Is Buck Island the same as Buck Island Reef National Monument?
No. Buck Island Reef National Monument is a National Park Service site off St Croix, a different island to the south.
The St Croix monument has the famous marked underwater trail and a beach you can visit. None of that applies to the St Thomas refuge. See Buck Island St Thomas vs St Croix for the full comparison.
What are the rules in the water?
Look, do not touch: NOAA asks snorkelers to keep a respectful distance and not to touch, chase or feed sea turtles.
The NOAA viewing guidelines apply to every marine animal you meet out there.
Stand on sand, never on coral, wear the snorkel vest the crew hands out, and use mineral sunscreen: the U.S. Virgin Islands ban sunscreens with oxybenzone, octinoxate or octocrylene.
Which Buck Island tour should you book?
The VI Cat for a price about $40 lower and an open bar, a 12-person boat for a quieter snorkel and a beach stop.
The VI Cat rates 4.8 from 2,316 reviews and takes up to 65 guests. Seas the Day rates 4.7 from 725 reviews with a 12-person limit. Compare them all in St Thomas catamaran prices.
Want Buck Island and a beach on a small boat? Seas the Day caps the group at 12.
Explore Buck Island and Honeymoon Beach Tour detailsFrequently asked questions
Is Buck Island St Thomas worth it?
For most visitors, yes: it is a short sail to a snorkel spot where turtles are seen on most trips. Just remember it is a snorkel stop, not an island visit.
How long is the boat ride to Buck Island?
Short: the island lies just off the south coast. The VI Cat's whole trip, including about two and a half hours at the island, takes about three hours.
Is there a beach on Buck Island St Thomas?
You cannot land on the refuge. For beach time, choose a trip that adds Honeymoon Beach or Water Island.
Ready to book
Choose your boat
Every option here can be cancelled free up to 24 hours before on Viator. Prices are per person, in USD, and move with the season.
Buck Island Turtle Cove Catamaran Sail
- Sail to Turtle Cove at Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge (you snorkel; nobody lands on the island)
- Snorkel gear: mask, snorkel, snorkel vest and fins
- Snacks and unlimited drinks; alcohol only after the in-water part
Semi-Private Buck Island & Honeymoon Beach
- Snorkel stop at Little Buck Island, then Honeymoon Beach
- Snorkel gear, soda, bottled water and alcoholic drinks
- Group limit 12; infants ride on laps
Buck Island Sail from Frenchman's Reef
Buck Island, a wreck when calm and Water Island beach time; few, mixed reviews
