Page 64 - Florida and the US Caribbean Isles
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BUTLER BAY WRECKS 20’-100’+ (6-30m+) Int. - Adv. Boat in from anyone who goes to St. Croix. This island is an unspoiled natural habi-
Frederikstead to a bay full of wrecks. Divers may explore the follow- tat surrounded more than 70% by a rich coral reef barrier, which is
ing: much comprised of elkhorn corals, and all kinds of tropical Caribbean
SUFFOLK MAID, a 123’ (37.5m) English trawler, which was smashed marine life. The Buck Island environment, including its surrounding
in a 1984 storm and sunk in 1985 at 45’ (14m) depth. waters, has been protected since 1948 and has been a National Monu-
VIRGIN ISLANDER, a 300’ (91m) oil barge sunk for reef in 1991. ment since 1961. Beaches are nesting grounds for hawksbill, leath-
Note: Fire coral likes the boat’s flat surfaces. erback and green sea turtles. The island itself is a nesting ground for
NORTHWIND (WISERVICE III), a 75’ (23m) ocean tug, which was Caribbean brown pelicans and other sea birds. The reef includes a ma-
sunk in 1986 at 50’ (15m) depth. rine garden “trail” with underwater signs for snorkelers to follow and
ROSA MARIA, a 177’ (54m) Venezuelan freighter, which capsized and learn about the tropical fishes, corals and sponges. Buck Island has a
was towed upside-down to 110’ depth and sunk in 1986, but it landed hiking trail to the 340’ (104m) peak, where the view of the turquoise
right-side-up on the bottom, and two people died in the sinking pro- waters below, as well as the Island of St. Croix, is absolutely stunning.
cess. Super-structure is at 70’ (21m) depth range. Large barracuda like Official concessionaires who take snorkelers, divers and explorers to
this wreck. Buck Island include Captain Heinz, out of Green Cay Marina, and
COAKLEY BAY, an 83’ (25m) oil tug sunk for reef in 1999. Encrusta- Dive St. Croix, from Christiansted. Excursions are half-day or full-day.
tion of marine life and corrosion is slowly overtaking this wreck. If you begin to read the other captions of things to see and do and
In addition to the sites around St. Croix, one cannot overlook the fabu- information about St. Croix that is all around this map you might just
lous mini Caribbean island called Buck Island, which carries a dis- start setting the goal to make your visit to this great Caribbean desti-
tinction of being a United States National Monument. This status, as nation. The more you study and look at this beautiful map, the closer
any visitor will attest, is deserved because Buck Island is so incredibly you are to your trip to St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. To help start
pristine both in and out of the water. The island is surrounded by you on your trip, if you don’t already have your Franko Map of the U.S.
shallow reefs, and any visitor to St. Croix simply must also visit Buck Virgin Islands, here are the non-dive site captions found on the map
Island. The description of Buck Island as found on my St. Croix map (Check out the Columbus Landing site on St. Croix – Did you know
is as follows: that Columbus actually landed on United States soil?):
Buck Island: This pristine little Caribbean island is a must visit for
