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MapSpeciesParksDiving
  1. Home
  2. Diving and snorkelling
  3. U.S. Virgin Islands
  4. Buck Island Reef National Monument
Barrier reefMarine Protected Area

Buck Island Reef National Monument

Depth: 3–20 mLevel: Open WaterAll year round
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One of the few mostly underwater national monuments in the United States. It has a marked underwater snorkelling trail through the barrier reef.

Depth

3–20 m

Recommended level

Open Water

Average visibility

25 m

A marine national monument with a marked underwater trail, ideal for both diving and snorkelling.

Protection status

Buck Island Reef National Monument, managed by the National Park Service

Location

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Buck Island Reef National Monument: 32 documented species

Ecosystem

Reef

Similar dive sites

Which other dive sites are like this one?

Same country: U.S. Virgin Islands

Same country: U.S. Virgin Islands

Same type of dive: Reef

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Based on what we already know about this dive site.

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Water temperature

27 °C

Current

Weak to moderate

Access

Boat

Best season

All year round

Recommended certification

Open Water

Approx. price

50 USD / dive

Plan your dive

Best season
All year round
Approx. price
50 USD / dive
See location

Same type of dive: Reef

U.S. Virgin Islands · St Croix, US Virgin Islands
See on the interactive map→
Common Sea FanNot Evaluated

Common Sea Fan

Gorgonia ventalina

Great Land CrabNot Evaluated

Great Land Crab

Cardisoma guanhumi

Atlantic Ghost CrabNot Evaluated

Atlantic Ghost Crab

Ocypode quadrata

Portuguese Man-of-warNot Evaluated

Portuguese Man-of-war

Physalia physalis

Queen ConchNot Evaluated

Queen Conch

Lobatus gigas

Grooved Brain CoralCritically Endangered

Grooved Brain Coral

Diploria labyrinthiformis

Elkhorn CoralCritically Endangered

Elkhorn Coral

Acropora palmata

Staghorn CoralCritically Endangered

Staghorn Coral

Acropora cervicornis

Branching Fire CoralNot Evaluated

Branching Fire Coral

Millepora alcicornis

Bottlenose DolphinLeast Concern

Bottlenose Dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

Long-spined UrchinNot Evaluated

Long-spined Urchin

Diadema antillarum

Azure Vase SpongeNot Evaluated

Azure Vase Sponge

Callyspongia plicifera

See all 32 species found here
Underwater canyon

Salt River Canyon

U.S. Virgin Islands

Up to 50 m · Advanced Open Water

Reef sharks · manta rays

See dive site
Wall

Cane Bay Wall

U.S. Virgin Islands

Up to 120 m · Advanced Open Water

Turtles · groupers

See dive site
UNESCO
Reef/Sardine Run

Cape Vidal

South Africa

Up to 25 m · Advanced Open Water

Dolphins · sharks and seabirds during the Sardine Run

See dive site
CountryU.S. Virgin Islands
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More places in the U.S. Virgin Islands
UNESCO
Tropical reef

Sodwana Bay

South Africa

Up to 30 m · Open Water

Tiger sharks · manta rays

See dive site
Ocean
Marine protected area