Buckin' Marvellous

Buck Island at Last!: 12 Jun 09

Buck Island Marine Wildlife Park. Breathe in...hold that pose!

Finally, we managed to dodge reefs and shallows to anchor in the lee of Buck Island.  A short 4½ nm from Christiansted, this small island and surrounding reef system make up an 880 acre marine sanctuary.  We landed in pristine waters off a small beach.  The waters were turquoise and the sand - pure white!  This, we thought, was what we had been hearing about but not seeing.  Finally, a little Caribbean magic!  Just gorgeous!

As an aside, the beach scenes in “The Shawshank Redemption” were filmed in St Croix.  Can we live here?  Only nasty PWC (personal water craft -those buzzy water scooters) broke our quiet reverie – now, where’s that trip wire?

Lucky find on Buck Island

The marine park is a designated National Monument.  It’s easy diving and wonderful snorkelling – hello there Mr Barracuda and Mr Grouper…  Safe in their little playground, they potted about rather too self-assuredly.  Later, we managed to find a gap in the reef (the underwater signage helped – well this is the US!) and came face to flippers with a young turtle going about his daily schedule – finding food.  I could feel the need for an underwater camera coming on!!

As you can see, our Cap'n Charming won the heart of a delightful local.  She must have recognised him from his photo shoot?  Anyway, he couldn't bring her home, even for one of the boys, because nothing can be removed from marine parks.  WJ3 and GS seconded that! 

From: Christiansted, St Croix Lat/Long: 17 45N  64 41W  Date/Time: 12/6/09: 0700

To: Buck Island, St Croix  Lat/Long: 17 47N  64 37W  Date/Time: 12/6/09: 0800

Time Taken: 9nm (2hrs) return  Distance (this year): 591nm (129.5hrs)

Distance Total (since 2008): 1441nm  (297.5hrs)   Fastest Speed: Not noted**

Weather: Winds SE 16-18kts; 5ft seas; ESE swell;

(**Conditions made snorkelling a bit of an adventure on E side of island)