Frequently Asked Questions
54 answers about booking, Buck Island and your day on the water. Still stuck? Call (340) 773-2628.
Booking & cancellation
How do I book a tour?
Tap Book Now on any tour or charter page to see live availability and book securely online, or call us on (340) 773-2628 or email info@caribbeanseaadventures.com. Reservations are strongly recommended; walk-ins are welcome when space allows. Parasailing is booked on our partner Parasail Virgin Islands’ FareHarbor checkout.
How much is a Buck Island snorkel tour per person?
The Half Day Snorkel is $95 for Adults 18+, $75 for Young Adults 3–17 and free for Tiny Humans 0–2. Groups of 10 or more save 10% automatically when booking online. The Full Day Sail is $125 for adults and $105 for young adults; Snorkelers in Paradise is $125 / $105; Beach & Hike is $75 per person and Sunday Funday is $65 per person.
What is the cancellation policy for public tours?
Cancel 48 hours or more before your trip for a 100% refund; cancellations within 48 hours receive a 50% refund. No-shows are billed in full (on the Half Day Snorkel and Sunday Funday, day-of cancellations too). On the Half Day Snorkel, our office closes daily at 5 pm, so a cancellation made after 5 pm the day before counts as day-of. See the full cancellation policy.
What is the cancellation policy for private charters?
Every private charter has the same window: cancel 48 hours or more ahead for a 100% refund. Inside that window there’s no refund. The Wave Dancer, Inconceivable and Good Times private sunsets refund 50% inside 48 hours. No-shows are billed in full. Details by trip: cancellation policy.
What happens if you cancel for weather?
We always want to take you at your reserved time, but the weather doesn’t always allow it. If we cancel for weather, we’ll do everything we can to reschedule at a time that works for you; if that doesn’t work, you get a full refund.
Is there a minimum number of guests?
Our public trips run once the minimum number of guests is booked. Your booking is accepted and charged right away, and if the minimum isn’t reached we’ll contact you to reschedule.
Do you offer discounts?
Groups of 10 or more save 10% automatically on the half day trips and Snorkelers in Paradise when booking online. Senior, military and local discounts are available: call (340) 773-2628.
Do repeat guests get a discount?
Yes. Repeat guests get 50% off during the same vacation. 50% off applies to public Buck Island snorkel tours only for repeat guests during the same vacation. Does not apply to sunset sails or private charters.
Is gratuity included?
No. Gratuity isn’t included in your ticket or charter price. If you feel your crew did a great job, 20–25% is the recommended rate (15–20% is suggested on the Inconceivable and Good Times private sunsets). Don’t forget to tip your bartender on the sunset cruises!
How early should I arrive?
Please arrive 30 minutes before Buck Island tours (20 minutes for Snorkelers in Paradise and Beach & Hike), 15 minutes before the sunset cruises and 15–20 minutes before parasailing. Boats leave at the scheduled time.
What to bring
What should I bring on my trip?
We’re headed to an uninhabited island, so there’s no one there selling shade or drinks. We cover the necessities; bring snacks or lunch, adult beverages for after snorkeling, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a beach towel, a reusable water bottle, and wear your bathing suit. Don’t forget cash for tipping your crew.
Which sunscreen can I use?
Reef-safe only. Sunscreens containing oxybenzone are strictly prohibited, and guests wearing them can’t enter the water. Reef-safe sunscreen is sold in our shop on the boardwalk, or wear a sun shirt.
Do you provide snorkel gear?
Yes: gear, a lesson and a guided tour of the underwater trail are included on our Buck Island trips. You’re always welcome to bring your own.
Is food included?
Lunch isn’t included, which keeps our trips more affordable. Bring what you like to eat: all our boats have cold storage, and we’re happy to recommend where to pick up lunch. For private charters, email info@caribbeanseaadventures.com to ask about catering. Our full-day trips stay at Buck Island instead of leaving for a lunch stop, and bringing your own means you can pack the food you love and nothing you’re allergic to.
Are drinks included? Can I bring alcohol?
Drinking water is included, and Cruzan Rum Punch is served on the way back from Buck Island (once we’re outside the park boundaries). You’re welcome to bring adult beverages for after snorkeling. The public sunset cruises have a cash bar: cocktails $10, beer and rum punch $5, with one complimentary rum punch for adults.
What shoes should I wear?
Our sunset cruises are no-shoes cruises, so be ready to go barefoot. For the hike on the Full Day Sail and Beach & Hike, sneakers are recommended.
Where can I park in Christiansted?
Christiansted has street parking: look for signs and park where your car won’t be towed. The Christiansted Parking Lot (the Government lot, corner of Strand St and King Cross) is free for the first 15 minutes, then $2 from 16 minutes through 1 hour and $2 for each additional hour, with a $10 daily maximum (cash only); if you’ll be back before 6 pm, paying in advance is appreciated. The free Fort Parking Lot on Hospital Gade is open daily 9 am to 4:30 pm, and cars still there after 4:30 pm are towed.
Kids & ages
How do your age categories work?
On most trips: Adults 18+, Young Adults 3–17 and Tiny Humans 0–2, who ride free. On the Full Day Sail young adults are 0–17 ($105). Beach & Hike and Sunday Funday are one price for all ages. The Adults Only sunset cruise is 18+, and parasailing is for ages 6 and up.
Are kids welcome?
Yes. The Half Day Snorkel, Full Day Sail, Family Friendly sunset cruise and all our private charters welcome kids, and Tiny Humans 0–2 ride free on the half day trips and the family sunset cruise.
Do you have life jackets for children?
All our vessels are equipped in line with U.S. Coast Guard regulations. The life jackets we provide may not be comfortable for young children, so we recommend bringing your own that you know your children are comfortable in: they’re required to wear them for most of the tour.
Can my kids snorkel?
Yes. Our crew teaches the proper way to snorkel, and a guide is in the water with you. Not-so-strong swimmers can hold on to a safety ring while the guide swims them along the underwater trail.
Accessibility
Can you accommodate guests with physical limitations?
We’re happy to assist guests with physical limitations to the best of our ability. Boarding and facilities differ by boat and dock, so please call (340) 773-2628 before you book and we’ll help you choose the right trip.
I can’t swim. Can I still come?
Yes. Non-swimmers and first-time snorkelers are welcome: we’ll teach you, a guide is in the water with you, and you can hold the safety ring while they swim you through the trail. You can also stay on board or relax on Turtle Beach. Watch our free Virtual Snorkel Lesson with Captain Key on YouTube before you go.
Which boat is easiest to get on and off?
Celebration, our power catamaran on the Half Day Snorkel and sunset cruises, has easy boarding stairs for the snorkeling trail and beach, a freshwater shower and a full bathroom. Mile Mark has a stern-mounted dive platform for easy access to and from the water.
Is there a bathroom on board?
Celebration has a full bathroom. Ask us about the other boats when you book.
Weather & seasons
What if the weather is bad on my tour day?
Each day our U.S. Coast Guard licensed captains assess the conditions. If we cancel for weather, we’ll do everything we can to reschedule; if that doesn’t work, you get a full refund.
Do you run tours year-round?
Yes, we’re here 365 days a year. From June to October some trips run on fewer days online (the 1 pm half day books online on Mondays and Thursdays, and the Adults Only sunset is by phone). Call us for other dates. Parasailing closes in September and October.
What time do the sunset cruises leave?
Sunset departures follow the sunset, so the time changes through the year: pick a date on the booking calendar to see the exact time.
Cruise ship guests
Where do cruise ships dock in St. Croix?
At the Ann E. Abramson Pier in Frederiksted, on the west end of the island. We’re on the boardwalk in Christiansted, about a 40-minute taxi ride away. See our cruise ship excursions.
Do you pick up from the cruise ship?
No, we don’t provide transportation from the port. Allow time to get off the ship, find a taxi and get to your departure point; see gotostcroix.com for taxi rates.
Which tour is best on a cruise ship day?
The Half Day Snorkel. When a cruise ship is in port at 8 am, the morning trip leaves at 9:30 am instead of 9 am, and you’re back in Christiansted at about 1 pm. The Full Day Sail works too: it’s back at the dock at 3:30 pm, about 40 minutes by taxi from the Frederiksted pier, so check your all-aboard time. We don’t suggest afternoon or evening trips on a ship day. See cruise ship excursions for the trips that fit.
Will I make it back to my ship?
Plan for it: check your docking and all-aboard times before you book, and remember we run on local time, not ship time. If you’re not sure which trip fits, call (340) 773-2628.
Which trips don’t run on cruise ship days?
Snorkelers in Paradise and Beach & Hike don’t run on days a cruise ship is in port.
Buck Island & the National Park
Is there a ferry to Buck Island?
No. Buck Island Reef National Monument is accessible only by boat, either a private boat with a National Park Service anchoring permit or an authorized concessioner like us (the National Park Service lists Caribbean Sea Adventures as a concessioner). Our tours leave from Christiansted and Green Cay Marina.
How long does it take to get to Buck Island?
It depends on the boat. Your booking confirmation has the details for your trip.
What is Buck Island Reef National Monument?
A National Park Service site just off St. Croix, where a coral reef surrounds the north, east and south sides of the uninhabited island. You can snorkel the marked underwater trail, relax on Turtle Beach and hike to the overlook.
What is Turtle Beach?
West Beach on Buck Island, also known as Turtle Beach, rated by National Geographic as one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Our half day, full day and Sunday Funday trips all stop there.
What is the Buck Island underwater trail?
A marked snorkel trail over the reef inside the national monument, reachable only by boat. On our Buck Island trips a guide takes you along it, with gear and a lesson included.
Can you hike on Buck Island?
Yes. There’s one moderately strenuous footpath from the beach to the overlook and back, about an hour round trip. On a clear day you can see from Puerto Rico to Virgin Gorda, and it’s common to spot turtles in the reef below. The Full Day Sail and Beach & Hike include time for it.
Will we see sea turtles?
Often, though wildlife is never guaranteed. Turtles are commonly seen from the overlook and in the shallows around Turtle Beach.
Are national park fees included?
Yes, national park fees are included on our trips.
Is Caribbean Sea Adventures an authorized NPS concessioner?
Yes. Caribbean Sea Adventures is an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service, Dept. of the Interior, and is authorized to provide snorkel tours and private charters within Buck Island.
Private charters
Are there private yacht tours around St. Croix?
Yes. We have six boats for private charters: Smooth Recovery from $900 (3 hours, base rate covers a small group with +$100 per additional guest up to 12), Inconceivable and Good Times from $1,650 (4 hours, up to 12), the Wave Dancer full day at $1,750, Mile Mark from $1,800 and Celebration from $3,420 (3.5 hours, up to 30). Private sunsets are $750 per boat, or $1,500 on Celebration.
Can I rent a boat in St. Croix?
Our private charters are the captained way to do it: the whole boat with a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain and crew, snorkel gear and park fees included, so you can enjoy the day while we handle the boat.
Which boat is best for my group?
Up to 12 guests: Smooth Recovery (32 ft Boston Whaler 320 Outrage), Inconceivable (42 ft Leopard sailing catamaran) or Good Times (42 ft Leopard power catamaran). Up to 16: Wave Dancer, our sailing catamaran. Up to 30: Celebration, with a walk-up bar and full bathroom (31 on a private sunset). Up to 40: Mile Mark, our classic boat with lots of shade. Call (340) 773-2628 and we’ll help you choose.
Where do private charters leave from?
Smooth Recovery, Inconceivable and Good Times leave from Green Cay Marina, east of Christiansted. Celebration departs from Christiansted. Wave Dancer departs from Christiansted now and from Green Cay Marina starting Nov 1, 2026. On Mile Mark you choose the pickup spot (Christiansted by default). With several boats departing from both Christiansted and Green Cay Marina, please check your confirmation for your departure point, or call us at (340) 773-2628 with any questions.
Can we choose what we do?
Yes: it’s your charter. Snorkel, beach time or both. We’re happy to accommodate any request that doesn’t violate a National Park Service regulation.
Do you do dinner cruises?
We don’t serve dinner on board, but you’re welcome to bring your own food and drinks on a private sunset, and we can arrange provisioning with 48 hours’ notice on Smooth Recovery and Wave Dancer. Many guests take a sunset cruise before dinner in Christiansted.
Can you host big groups or private events?
Yes. We host private group outings and catered events, and for groups of 100+ guests we put several of our boats on the water together. Call (340) 773-2628 or email info@caribbeanseaadventures.com for a quote.
Gift cards
Do you sell gift certificates?
Yes. Buy a gift certificate online for our Buck Island tours, sunset cruises and private charters.
How do I use a gift certificate?
Call (340) 773-2628 or email info@caribbeanseaadventures.com with your certificate details and the trip and date you’d like, and we’ll book it for you.
Getting here
Where do we meet?
The Half Day Snorkel always departs from Christiansted. Other tours depart from Christiansted or Green Cay Marina, so please check your confirmation for your departure point, or call us at (340) 773-2628 with any questions. Smooth Recovery, Inconceivable and Good Times charters leave from Green Cay Marina. Wave Dancer departs from Christiansted now and from Green Cay Marina starting Nov 1, 2026.
Where is Green Cay Marina?
East of Christiansted. Smooth Recovery meets in front of the Galleon Restaurant, Good Times at Dock C, and Inconceivable at C Dock, Slip 32. Your charter page and confirmation show the exact spot.
Do you offer parasailing?
Yes, with our partners Parasail Virgin Islands, from the Christiansted Boardwalk: $95 per parasailer (ages 6+) and $70 per observer. See parasailing.
Ready to Get on the Water?
Half Day Snorkel, $95 per adult Full Day Sail, $125 per adult Private charters from $900 Sunset cruises $45 per adult
Groups of 10+ save 10% on half day trips. Senior, military & local discounts available, call (340) 773-2628.
Any Questions? Contact Us Today!
Not sure which trip is right for your group? Call or email and we'll help you plan it.