Full day sail · St. Croix Full Day Buck Island Sail aboard Wave Dancer
- 4.9 on Tripadvisor · 3,000+ reviews
- 6 hours · 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
- Up to 16 guests
- Authorized NPS concessioner
Full Day Sail at a Glance
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Group size
- Up to 16 guests
- Departures
- Daily at 9:30 am, back about 3:30 pm June–October: books online Wed–Sat; call for other days.
- Meeting point
- Departs Christiansted; from Green Cay Marina starting Nov 1, 2026. Your confirmation includes the exact meeting spot; questions? Call us at (340) 773-2628. Please arrive 30 minutes early.
- Good to know
- Boarding Wave Dancer is by a boarding ladder, so this trip isn’t recommended for very young children or guests with limited mobility. Call us at (340) 773-2628 and we’ll help you pick the best boat.
- Boat
- Wave Dancer, our 32 ft sailing catamaran
- Included
- Guided snorkel & gear, park fees, water, soda, music, rum punch
Sailing the Bluest Waters of the Caribbean Sea
Depart at 9:30 am (Christiansted now; from Green Cay Marina starting Nov 1, 2026) and arrive at Buck Island Reef National Monument after a picturesque hour-plus sail, then enjoy a guided tour of the nation’s only underwater trail for an hour of snorkeling.
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Next, head to Turtle Beach, “one of the world’s best beaches” according to National Geographic: eat lunch (bring your own), relax, sunbathe, swim, or hike to the top of the island for the breathtaking view. This full day trip gives you the most time at the beach and on the reef. After a perfect day in the sun, sail back for an hour while sipping a Cruzan Rum Punch and looking for turtles and dolphins off the bow. Want to learn the ins and outs of sailing? Just ask your captain; you’ll be rubbing elbows all afternoon.
- Visit the first protected marine monument in America, Buck Island Reef National Monument
- Snorkel the nation’s first underwater trail with an experienced guide
- The most time on Turtle Beach: calm, clear water that’s perfect for swimming
Tour Itinerary
- 9:00 am
Arrive 30 minutes early
Wave Dancer departs from Christiansted now and from Green Cay Marina starting Nov 1, 2026. Your confirmation includes the exact meeting spot; questions? Call us at (340) 773-2628.
- 9:30 am
Set sail
A picturesque hour-plus sail to Buck Island.
- Underwater trail
Guided reef snorkel
A guided tour of the underwater trail: about an hour of snorkeling, with gear and lessons included.
- Turtle Beach
Lunch, swim or hike
Eat the lunch you brought, relax on the sand, swim, or hike to the top of the island for the view.
- 2:30 pm
Sail home
A relaxing downwind sail back with Cruzan Rum Punch, watching for turtles and dolphins. Back about 3:30 pm.
Why a full day with CSA
- We stay at Buck Island. Once we arrive, we don’t leave the park for a lunch stop, so you get more time snorkeling the trail and on Turtle Beach.
- Eat what you love. Lunch isn’t included, which keeps the price lower and lets you bring the food you want, and nothing you’re allergic to.
- Room to do it all. Snorkel, swim, relax on the sand or hike to the top of the island.
What’s Included & What to Bring
Included
- Expert captain and crew
- Snorkeling lessons, gear and a guided tour
- National park fees
- Ice chest
- Water and soda
- Music
- Cruzan Rum Punch (on the sail home, 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 lunch or snack
- Any additional 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.
“Took a Buck Island cruise with Captains John and Morgan and had an awesome time. Snorkeling was amazing and Turtle Beach is the best around! My son enjoyed the sailing especially. See you next time we are on the islands!”
“It was a great full-day experience sailing to Buck Island. Great crew, not crowded on the boat, and a great spot for snorkeling. Great drinks on the way back. Overall a really good day! Definitely recommended.”
Want Wave Dancer to yourselves? Private sails from $1,750, or compare all our St. Croix sailing charters. Senior, military & local discounts available, call (340) 773-2628.
Full Day Sail FAQs
How long is the full day sail to Buck Island?
Six hours: depart at 9:30 am (Christiansted now; from Green Cay Marina starting Nov 1, 2026) and return about 3:30 pm, with an hour-plus sail each way, an hour of guided snorkeling and the most time at Turtle Beach.
How much is the full day sail?
Adults (18+) $125 and Young Adults (0–17) $105. Crew gratuity isn’t included; 20–25% is standard.
How many guests are on the boat?
Up to 16 guests on the shared full day sail.
When does it run?
Daily at 9:30 am. From June to October it books online Wednesday to Saturday; call (340) 773-2628 for other days. Please arrive 30 minutes early.
Do I need to know how to snorkel or swim?
No. Non-snorkelers and non-swimmers are welcome: your crew will teach you the proper way to snorkel so you feel comfortable, and we’re happy to accommodate physical limitations to the best of our ability.
How do we get on and off the boat?
Wave Dancer has a 4-step dive ladder, the only way on and off once we leave the dock. It can be difficult for some people, so please make sure everyone in your party is comfortable using it before booking.
I’m arriving by cruise ship. Will this work?
Yes. It leaves at 9:30 am and is back at the dock at 3:30 pm, and from there it’s about 40 minutes by taxi to the Frederiksted pier. Always check your all-aboard time before you book. We meet in Christiansted (Green Cay Marina starting Nov 1, 2026), not at the cruise pier, so you’ll need a taxi (we don’t arrange transport). See cruise ship excursions.
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.
Is lunch included?
No, and that’s on purpose: leaving lunch out keeps the price lower and lets you bring the food and drinks you love, and nothing you’re allergic to. Our full days stay at Buck Island instead of leaving for a lunch stop, so you eat on Turtle Beach. There’s an ice chest on board, and we’re happy to recommend where to pick up lunch. Call (340) 773-2628.
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. If we cancel for weather, we’ll do everything we can to reschedule; if that doesn’t work, you get a full refund.
Is Wave Dancer a good fit for young children or guests with limited mobility?
Boarding Wave Dancer is by a boarding ladder, so this trip isn’t recommended for very young children or guests with limited mobility. Call us at (340) 773-2628 and we’ll help you pick the best boat.
More Buck Island Trips
-
Half Day Snorkel Cruise
3.5 hours · Up to 28 guests · Christiansted
Adults 18+ $95 · Young Adults 3–17 $75 · Tiny Humans 0–2 free
Snorkel Buck Island's reef on a guided tour of the underwater trail and relax on Turtle Beach aboard our power catamaran Celebration. Gear and lessons included; swimmers and non-swimmers welcome.
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Snorkelers in Paradise
5 hours · Up to 28 guests · Tue & Thu
Adults 18+ $125 · Young Adults 3–17 $105
Two snorkel stops on Buck Island’s reef with a guide, then Turtle Beach. Aboard Mile Mark from Christiansted at 10 am.
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Wave Dancer · Private Sail
6 hours · Up to 16 guests
$1,750 per boat · Christiansted; Green Cay Marina from Nov 1, 2026
32 ft custom-built sailing catamaran, all to yourselves.
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.