Key takeaways
- Don’t miss Buck Island: the half day snorkel is $95 per adult and takes 3.5 hours.
- For an evening, the Family Friendly (Tuesdays) and Adults Only (Fridays) sunset cruises are $45 per adult.
- Parasailing ($95 per flyer, ages 6+) and fishing charters ($1,000 per boat for 4 hours) round out the water.
- On land, Christiansted’s fort, Salt River Bay and the Point Udall sunrise are local favorites.
St. Croix rewards people who mix time on the water with time on land. These are the excursions our crew recommends to friends, with prices, timing and a few tips on when to book. We run some of them; for the rest, we tell you where to look.
Our picks at a glance
| Excursion | Best for | Time | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buck Island half day snorkel | Everyone, first-timers included | 3.5 hours | $95 per adult |
| Full Day Sail to Buck Island | Sailing and long beach days | 6 hours | $125 per adult |
| Sunset cruise | Families (Tue) or adults (Fri) | 2 hours | $45 per adult |
| Parasailing | Thrill seekers 6+ | 8–10 min flight | $95 per flyer |
| Fishing charter | Anglers, up to 6 per boat | 4, 6 or 8 hours | $1,000 per boat |
| Private boat charter | Groups and celebrations | 2 to 6 hours | $900 per boat |
1. Snorkel Buck Island Reef National Monument
If you book one thing, make it this. President Kennedy protected Buck Island’s reef in 1961, and today you can snorkel its marked underwater trail with a guide (NPS). Our Half Day Snorkel aboard Celebration leaves Christiansted daily at 9 am and 1 pm: a lesson at Turtle Beach, the trail, about an hour of snorkeling and a complimentary rum punch on the way back. Adults $95, Young Adults 3–17 $75, Tiny Humans 0–2 free. Compare every option on our snorkeling tours page, or read is Buck Island worth it?
2. Sail there instead
The Full Day Sail aboard Wave Dancer turns the ride into part of the day: an hour-plus sail, a guided snorkel and the most time on Turtle Beach. Adults $125, Young Adults 0–17 $105; bring your own lunch. For your own group, see our private sailing charters.
3. A sunset cruise
Two hours from the Christiansted Boardwalk aboard Celebration: the Family Friendly Sunset Cruise on Tuesdays ($45 per adult, $35 ages 3–17, under 3 free) or the Adults Only Sunset Cruise on Fridays ($45). Both include a complimentary rum punch, plus a cash bar. Private sunsets start at $750 per boat. Details: St. Croix sunset cruises.
4. Parasailing over Christiansted harbor
An 8–10 minute flight from the Christiansted Boardwalk with our partners Parasail Virgin Islands. $95 per flyer (ages 6+), or $70 for an observer who rides along. See parasailing in St. Croix.
5. Fishing or spearfishing
Private charters for up to 6 guests from Green Cay Marina with our partners Day Break Charters: $1,000 for 4 hours, $1,300 for 6 and $1,600 for 8, per boat, gear and bait included. See fishing charters.
6. A private boat for your group
Six boats for 12 to 40 guests, from $900 per boat for 3 hours on Smooth Recovery. You choose the time and the plan: snorkel, beach, hike or all three, within National Park Service rules. Compare them on private boat charters or catamaran charters.
7. The best of St. Croix on land
- Christiansted National Historic Site. Fort Christiansvaern and the Danish-era buildings behind the boardwalk (NPS).
- Salt River Bay. A national park unit where guided kayak trips paddle a bioluminescent bay at dusk; the glow is easiest to see around the new moon (NPS nearby attractions).
- Point Udall. The easternmost point of the United States, and a classic place to watch the sun come up.
- Rum distilleries. Cruzan runs a guided tour of its working distillery at Estate Diamond; reservations are required (Cruzan).
More ideas: things to do in St. Croix and St. Croix on land.
When to book
- Book the morning half day early. It’s our most popular trip.
- June to October, some trips book online on fewer days; call (340) 773-2628 for other dates.
- Weather: hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30 (NPS weather). Our captains check conditions every day, and if we cancel for weather you can reschedule or get a full refund.
- Cancellation: on our public trips, cancel 48 hours or more ahead for a full refund. See the cancellation policy.
On a cruise ship day?
Ships dock in Frederiksted, about 40 minutes by taxi from Christiansted, so choose trips that get you back in time for all-aboard: the morning half day snorkel, the Full Day Sail (back at the dock at 3:30 pm), parasailing, a private charter timed around your ship, or a 4-hour fishing charter with an early start. Booking direct also leaves you time to explore Christiansted’s boardwalk, shops and restaurants before heading back. See St. Croix shore excursions from Frederiksted.
Capt Matt RidgwayOwner and captain of Caribbean Sea Adventures, born on St. Croix. CSA has taken guests to Buck Island since the 1970s, and the Ridgway family have run it since November 2015. Our U.S. Coast Guard licensed crew has 200+ years of combined experience on the water.
Sources
- NPS: Buck Island Reef National Monument
- NPS: Christiansted National Historic Site, plan your visit
- NPS: Nearby attractions
- NPS: Basic information (weather)
- Cruzan Rum: Tours & experiences
- Prices, times and policies: Caribbean Sea Adventures tour pages and booking system, October 8, 2026.
