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Buck Island Reef National Monument was established by Presidential proclamation
in 1961, and expanded in 2001, in order to preserve "one of the finest
marine gardens in the Caribbean Sea." The park is now one of only a
few fully marine protected areas in the National Park System. The 176-acre
island and surrounding coral reef ecosystem support a large variety of native
flora and fauna, including several endangered and threatened species such
as hawksbill turtles and brown pelicans. The elkhorn coral barrier reef
that surrounds two-thirds of the island has extraordinary coral formations,
deep grottoes, abundant reef fishes, sea fans and gorgonians. At the eastern
most point of the reef is the famous underwater trail; both novice and expert
snorkelers will enjoy the passages through the reef. The island has an overland
nature trail and white coral sand beaches. Visitors can take daily trips
to the park for half or full day. Once there they can enjoy a leisurely
swim in the crystal clear waters, or snorkeling or SCUBA diving through
the fantastic reef to witness tropical marine life, or hike over the island
enjoying native flora and fauna while getting a birds-eye view of the reef
and sea below.
The park features the finest marine garden in the Caribbean, as well as
having coral grottoes, sea fans, gorgonias, and tropical fishes. The island,
which has a nature trail and beaches, is a rookery for frigate birds and
brown pelicans and is a nesting area for sea turtles.
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