Snorkeling St. Croix: Buck Island, Frederiksted Pier and 8 more spots
St. Croix's best snorkeling, from the Buck Island underwater trail to seahorses under the Frederiksted Pier and the Cane Bay wall, with directions, levels and tours.
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St. Croix is the largest and quietest of the US Virgin Islands, and it has some of the most varied snorkeling in the Caribbean: an underwater national monument, a pier full of seahorses and a shore reef that drops into a 3,000-foot wall. Here are the ten best spots and how to reach them.
Map of St. Croix snorkel spots
Buck Island Reef National Monument
Buck Island Reef National Monument
1.5 miles off the northeast coast
- Level
- 2 of 5
- Entry
- Boat only
- Depth
- 3–30 ft
- Visibility
- 50–80 ft
- Best months
- Year-round; calmest April to August
- Facilities
- Restrooms and picnic area at West Beach
- Fees and permits
- National park fee, usually in the tour price
- What you'll see
- Elkhorn coral, turtles, rays, an underwater marked trail
How to get there
Licensed boats leave Christiansted harbor and Green Cay Marina. Most trips stop at the underwater trail on the east end and the beach on the west end.
17.789° N, 64.620° WDirections
Buck Island's barrier reef protects a lagoon with an underwater snorkel trail marked by plaques on the seabed. Most half-day trips snorkel the trail, then stop at West Beach for a swim. Full-day trips add more reef stops and lunch.
| Tour | Leaves from | Time | Group | From | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buck Island private charterViator: private, park fees included | Christiansted | Half day | Up to 6 | — | Check availability |
| Buck Island Reef toursViator: the classic trip | Christiansted | Half to full day | Varies | — | See all tours |
| All US Virgin Islands toursViator: turtle and pier snorkels | USVI | Varies | Varies | — | See all tours |
West End: Frederiksted
Frederiksted Pier
West End, Frederiksted
- Level
- 2 of 5
- Entry
- Shore, sandy beach next to the pier
- Depth
- 10–35 ft
- Visibility
- Good
- Best months
- Year-round; avoid cruise days
- Facilities
- Restaurants in town
- Fees and permits
- Free
- What you'll see
- Seahorses, frogfish, octopus, turtles, tarpon at night
How to get there
Enter from the beach just north of the pier in Frederiksted. Snorkeling under the pier is not allowed when a cruise ship is docked; check the schedule. Popular at night with a light and a guide.
17.715° N, 64.885° WDirections
Rainbow Beach
Near Frederiksted
- Level
- 1 of 5
- Entry
- Shore, sandy
- Depth
- 3–15 ft
- Visibility
- Good
- Best months
- Year-round
- Facilities
- Beach bar, chairs
- Fees and permits
- Free
- What you'll see
- Reef fish along the rocks, turtles
How to get there
A mile north of Frederiksted on Route 63. Calm, family-friendly beach with a bar.
17.734° N, 64.881° WDirections
The Frederiksted Pier is one of the best macro snorkels in the Caribbean. Look closely at the pilings for seahorses, frogfish and sponges. When a cruise ship is docked, snorkeling under the pier is not allowed.
North Shore
Cane Bay
North Shore
- Level
- 2 of 5
- Entry
- Shore, rocky beach
- Depth
- 5 ft to the wall drop-off
- Visibility
- 50–80 ft
- Best months
- Calm days; north swell in winter
- Facilities
- Bars, dive shops
- Fees and permits
- Free
- What you'll see
- Turtles, eagle rays, the Cane Bay Wall
How to get there
On North Shore Road (Route 80). Park along the road by the beach bars. The reef drops off about 100 yards out; stay over the shallows unless you are a strong swimmer.
17.774° N, 64.811° WDirections
Davis Bay
South of Cane Bay
- Level
- 2 of 5
- Entry
- Shore, sandy
- Depth
- 5–30 ft
- Visibility
- Good
- Best months
- Calm days
- Facilities
- Resort nearby
- Fees and permits
- Free
- What you'll see
- Reef along the points
How to get there
Next to the Carambola resort; use the public access. Waves can be strong; snorkel only on flat days.
17.766° N, 64.836° WDirections
Salt River Bay
North Shore
- Level
- 3 of 5
- Entry
- Boat or kayak
- Depth
- Varies
- Visibility
- Variable
- Best months
- Calm days
- Facilities
- None
- Fees and permits
- Park area
- What you'll see
- Mangroves, bioluminescence at night (kayak)
How to get there
A national historical park and ecological preserve. Best seen on a kayak tour; the bay is better for bioluminescence than snorkeling.
17.778° N, 64.758° WDirections
Christiansted and the East End
Protestant Cay
Christiansted harbor
- Level
- 1 of 5
- Entry
- Shore, sandy
- Depth
- 3–15 ft
- Visibility
- Fair
- Best months
- Year-round
- Facilities
- Hotel beach bar
- Fees and permits
- Small ferry fare
- What you'll see
- Reef fish, rays
How to get there
Short ferry from the Christiansted boardwalk to the tiny island. Good for a quick swim.
17.748° N, 64.703° WDirections
Shoys Beach
East of Christiansted
- Level
- 2 of 5
- Entry
- Shore, sandy
- Depth
- 3–20 ft
- Visibility
- Good
- Best months
- Calm days
- Facilities
- None
- Fees and permits
- Free
- What you'll see
- Reef fish, turtles
How to get there
Through the Shoys estate gate near The Buccaneer; tell the guard you are going to the public beach. Snorkel the reef at the east end.
17.761° N, 64.677° WDirections
Chenay Bay
East of Christiansted
- Level
- 1 of 5
- Entry
- Shore, sandy
- Depth
- 3–15 ft
- Visibility
- Good
- Best months
- Year-round
- Facilities
- Beach bar, rentals
- Fees and permits
- Free
- What you'll see
- Reef fish, seagrass, turtles
How to get there
Off East End Road (Route 82). Calm and shallow, good for beginners and kids.
17.764° N, 64.663° WDirections
Jack and Isaac Bays
East End Marine Park
- Level
- 3 of 5
- Entry
- Shore after a hike
- Depth
- 3–20 ft
- Visibility
- Excellent
- Best months
- Calm days
- Facilities
- None
- Fees and permits
- Free
- What you'll see
- Healthy reef, turtles, rays; turtle nesting beach
How to get there
Hike about 30 minutes from Point Udall or the Isaac Bay trailhead in the East End. Bring water and shade; there are no facilities.
17.727° N, 64.590° WDirections
Practical tips
- Rent a car. St. Croix is spread out and taxis are expensive.
- Check the cruise schedule before planning a pier snorkel.
- North shore in winter: north swells reach Cane Bay and Davis Bay; go to the West End instead.
- Sunscreen: the USVI bans oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene. Use mineral sunscreen; see best reef-safe sunscreen.
- Getting there: direct flights from several US cities land at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport. A seaplane links Christiansted with St. Thomas.
Visiting more than one island? See snorkeling St. Thomas and St. John and our ranking of the best Caribbean snorkeling.
