Half day tour · St. Croix Half Day Buck Island Snorkeling Tour aboard Celebration
- 4.9 on Tripadvisor · 3,000+ reviews
- 3.5 hours · 9 am & 1 pm
- Up to 28 guests
- Authorized NPS concessioner
Half Day Snorkel Tour at a Glance
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- Group size
- Up to 28 guests
- Departures
- Daily at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm June–October: the 1 pm trip books online Mon & Thu only; call for other days.
- Meeting point
- The Half Day Snorkel departs from Christiansted. Your confirmation includes the exact meeting spot; questions? Call us at (340) 773-2628. Please arrive 30 minutes early.
- Boat
- Celebration, our 41 ft power catamaran
- Included
- Gear & lesson, park fees, water, music, rum punch
An Unforgettable Buck Island Snorkeling Adventure
Enjoy one of the best destinations for snorkeling in the Caribbean! Departing from our location in the Christiansted harbor twice daily at 9:00 am or 1:00 pm, you’ll arrive at Buck Island Reef National Monument aboard our power catamaran about 30 minutes later.
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At your first stop, Turtle Beach (“one of the world’s best beaches” according to National Geographic), you’ll get a snorkeling lesson with all the tips and tricks from your expert crew, plus time to relax, sunbathe, swim or enjoy the wildlife. Next, you’ll visit the underwater snorkel trail for a guided tour with your crew, followed by free time to explore: about an hour of snorkeling. This half day trip is great if you want to see Buck Island and fit in another adventure on St. Croix the same day.
- Snorkel world-renowned Buck Island Reef National Monument
- You don’t need to know how to snorkel to come on our tour
- Visit Turtle Beach, “one of the world’s best beaches”
Tour Itinerary
- 30 min before
Arrive 30 minutes early
The Half Day Snorkel departs from Christiansted. Your confirmation includes the exact meeting spot; questions? Call us at (340) 773-2628.
- 9:00 am / 1:00 pm
Depart Christiansted harbor
Board Celebration for the ride out to Buck Island, about 30 minutes.
- Turtle Beach
Snorkel lesson & beach time
Learn the tips and tricks from your crew, then swim, sunbathe or relax on the sand.
- Underwater trail
Guided reef snorkel
Snorkel the trail with a guide, then free time to explore: about an hour of snorkeling.
- Ride home
Back to Christiansted
Enjoy a Cruzan Rum Punch once we’re outside the park boundaries. About 3.5 hours in total.
What’s Included & What to Bring
Included
- Expert captain and crew
- Snorkeling lessons and gear
- National park fees
- Ice chest and water
- Music
- Cruzan Rum Punch (at the end of the trip, outside the park boundaries)
What to bring
- Reef-safe sunscreen (no oxybenzone) or a sun shirt
- Sunglasses and a sun hat
- Bathing suit and towel
- Camera or GoPro
- A reusable water bottle
- A cooler-friendly snack and any extra drinks
- Cash for your crew’s gratuity (20–25% is standard)
Sunscreens containing oxybenzone are prohibited: guests wearing them can’t enter the water. Reef-safe sunscreen and sun shirts are sold in our shop.
“Absolutely great time! Captain and crew made the whole trip enjoyable, educational, fun. We were a 3 generation group and everyone had a good time from the kids to the grandparents.”
“What a great way to see Buck island! The crew was great and so was the snorkeling. They gave us a short history of the island and you can tell they care a lot about the safety of you and the reef!”
Groups of 10+ save 10% automatically on half day trips. Compare our snorkel tours or plan a cruise ship day in St. Croix. Senior, military & local discounts available, call (340) 773-2628.
Half Day Snorkel Tour FAQs
How long is the half day Buck Island snorkel tour?
About 3.5 hours: roughly 30 minutes each way on Celebration, time on Turtle Beach and about an hour of snorkeling on the reef.
What time does the tour leave?
Daily at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm. Please arrive 30 minutes early. From June to October the 1 pm trip can be booked online on Mondays and Thursdays; call (340) 773-2628 for other days. When a cruise ship is in port at 8 am, the morning trip leaves at 9:30 am.
How much is the Buck Island snorkel tour per person?
Adults (18+) $95, Young Adults (3–17) $75 and Tiny Humans (0–2) free. Groups of 10 or more save 10% automatically when booking online. Crew gratuity isn’t included; 20–25% is standard.
Where do we meet?
The Half Day Snorkel departs from Christiansted. Your confirmation includes the exact meeting spot and arrival time; questions? Call us at (340) 773-2628.
Do I need to know how to swim or snorkel?
No. Non-snorkelers and non-swimmers are welcome: your crew will teach you the proper way to snorkel so you feel comfortable, with gear and lessons included.
What should I bring?
Reef-safe sunscreen (no oxybenzone) or a sun shirt, sunglasses, a hat, swimsuit and towel, a camera, a reusable water bottle, a cooler-friendly snack and cash for gratuity.
Is lunch included?
No, which keeps the trip more affordable. You’re welcome to bring your own food; the boat has ample cold storage and we can recommend where to pick up lunch.
I’m on a cruise ship. Can I do this tour?
Yes. The Half Day Snorkel departs from Christiansted, about a 40-minute taxi ride from the Frederiksted cruise pier. We don’t provide transport, so allow plenty of time and remember tours run on local time.
Is there a minimum number of guests?
Yes. Your booking is accepted and charged right away, and the trip runs once the minimum number of guests is reached. If it isn’t, we’ll contact you to reschedule.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancel 48 hours or more before your trip for a 100% refund, or within 48 hours for a 50% refund. Day-of cancellations and no-shows aren’t refunded. Our office closes at 5 pm, so a cancellation after hours the day before counts as day-of.
More Ways to Get on the Water
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Full Day Sail
6 hours · Up to 16 guests · Christiansted; Green Cay Marina from Nov 1, 2026
Adults 18+ $125 · Young Adults 0–17 $105
An hour-plus sail to Buck Island aboard Wave Dancer, a guided snorkel of the underwater trail, then the most time at Turtle Beach to swim, relax or hike to the top for the view.
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Private Charters
Six boats · your plan
Per boat · from $900 for up to 6 guests
Your boat, your crew, your plan: private Buck Island snorkels, sails and full-day trips.
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Sunset Cruises
2 hours · Family Friendly or Adults Only
Family: Adults 18+ $45 · Young Adults 3–17 $35 · Tiny Humans 0–2 free · Adults Only $45
Two ways to end the day aboard Celebration: a chill family friendly cruise or an adults only cruise with music. Both include a complimentary rum punch for adults and a cash bar.
Give the Gift of Buck Island
Gift certificates for our Buck Island tours, sails and private charters.
Any Questions? Contact Us Today!
Not sure which trip is right for your group? Call or email and we'll help you plan it.