2. Buck Island Reef National Monument, St. Croix
Beautiful Buck Island and its surrounding sea gardens are one of the most visited attractions on St. Croix. Lying 1.5 miles off the northeast coast of St. Croix, in the center of a vast marine sanctuary, Buck Island Reef was guaranteed protection when U.S. President John F. Kennedy named it the first U.S. underwater national monument in 1961.
The reef here features elkhorn coral grottoes and is one of the best dive sites in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Along the marked trail, snorkelers and divers can spot many tropical fish, such as blue tang and barracuda. Wreck dives are found off the north coast.
Buck Island also offers protected beaches, picnic sites, and cooking grills, as well as a hiking trail through a forest of giant tamarinds to the island's scenic ridge.