Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge

Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge is located about 2 miles (4 km) south of the island of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands of the United States. Adjacent to the refuge is Capella Island, about half the size of Buck, owned by the territorial government. There is a second Buck Island just north of St. Croix that is the centerpiece of Buck Island Reef National Monument.

Not to be confused with Buck Island Reef National Monument.
Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
LocationVirgin Islands, United States
Nearest cityCharlotte Amalie, VI
Coordinates18.2757885°N 64.8870868°W / 18.2757885; -64.8870868[1]
Area45 acres (0.18 km²)
Established1969
Governing bodyU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Original lighthouse
Constructed1913 
Constructionsteel (tower), concrete (foundation) 
Height25 ft (7.6 m) 
Shapesquare frustum tower with balcony and lantern[2][3]
Markingswhite (tower), black (lantern) 
OperatorBuck Island National Wildlife Refuge 
Deactivated1990s 
Active lighthouse
Constructed1990s 
Height12 m (39 ft) 
Shapesquare prism metal skeletal tower with balcony and light[4]
Markingsunpainted (tower) 
Power sourcesolar power 
Focal height42 m (138 ft) 
Range8 nmi (15 km; 9.2 mi) 
CharacteristicFl W 4s 

The refuge is characterized by a thorn scrub habitat with rocky coastline surrounded by spectacular reefs. A lighthouse (still maintained by the United States Coast Guard) stands over 45 acres (180,000 m2) of cactus and grassland. The island was transferred to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service due to "its value for migratory birds." The U.S. Navy transferred some lands in 1969 and the remainder was received from the Coast Guard in 1981. The surrounding waters contain reefs and a shipwreck that attract large numbers of snorkelers, divers, and boaters.

The islands are surrounded by beautiful coral reef habitats and an artificial reef – a shipwreck.[5] The marine area is home to a variety of fish and animals, in particular endangered sea turtles. Visitors can see the islands from St. Thomas by boat, including snorkeling and diving trips from boats such as Heavenly Days Catamaran[6] and Stormy Pirates Boat Charters[7]

Turtle Cove, on the northwest side, is densely populated with sea turtles. Tours of Turtle Cove are available from St. John and St. Thomas.

Buck Island NWR is administered as part of the Caribbean Islands National Wildlife complex.

See also

References
  1. "Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
  2. Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of the U.S. Virgin Islands". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 2017-01-11.
  3. List of Lights, Pub. 110: Greenland, The East Coasts of North and South America (Excluding Continental U.S.A. Except the East Coast of Florida) and the West Indies (PDF). List of Lights. United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. 2016.
  4. List of Lights, Pub. 110: Greenland, The East Coasts of North and South America (Excluding Continental U.S.A. Except the East Coast of Florida) and the West Indies (PDF). List of Lights. United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. 2016.
  5. "The huge freighter Cartanza Senora is one of the most visited shipwrecks in Shipwreck Cove, Buck Island, St. Thomas". united-states-virgin-islands.greatestdivesites.com. Retrieved 2019-11-19.
  6. "Sail the Caribbean on our catamaran | St Thomas USVI - Bolongo Bay Beach Resort". Retrieved 2019-11-19.
  7. "Stormy Pirates Charters". Stormy Pirates Charters. Retrieved 2021-05-25.
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