Buck Island
Cruise Ship Crowd Forecast
High Risk
1 ship in port today carrying 2,431 passengers
Best time to visit: 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Today's Hourly Forecast
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High Risk
Buck Island
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Ships Contributing to Crowds Today
Rhapsody Of The Seas
at Frederiksted
2,431 passengers
How to Read the Hourly Timeline
Each box below represents one hour. The color tells you the expected crowd level from cruise ship visitors at that time.
Low
Few or no cruise ship visitors expected.
Moderate
Some cruise ship visitors, but you'll still find space.
Busy
Noticeably crowded. Fine if you don't mind sharing the beach.
High
Expect large crowds. Consider going early, late, or picking another day.
Past forecast — viewing data for October 27, 2026.
See today's forecast →
Tue
27
October 27, 2026
No ships scheduled
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Wed
28
October 28, 2026
1 ship, 2,860 passengers
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Thu
29
October 29, 2026
1 ship, 2,431 passengers
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Fri
30
October 30, 2026
No ships scheduled
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Sat
31
October 31, 2026
No ships scheduled
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Sun
1
November 1, 2026
No ships scheduled
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Mon
2
Today
November 2, 2026
1 ship, 2,431 passengers
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About Buck Island
Buck Island Reef National Monument is a protected island off St. Croix's northeast coast with an underwater snorkeling trail. Cruise excursion boats typically depart from Frederiksted or Christiansted, arriving about an hour after the ship docks.
Crowd estimates are based on published cruise ship schedules, passenger capacity, and arrival/departure times. Real crowd levels depend on weather, excursion bookings, and actual occupancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do cruise passengers visit Buck Island?
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Via excursion boat from Frederiksted or Christiansted. Trips typically take 45 minutes each way, with 2-3 hours snorkeling the underwater reef trail. Book through the cruise line or an NPS-authorized concessionaire.
What is Buck Island Reef National Monument?
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Buck Island is a protected islet off St. Croix's northeast coast with a coral reef ecosystem. It has the only underwater snorkel trail in the US National Park System.
Is Buck Island crowded today?
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Today 1 ship in port carrying 2,431 passengers, so Buck Island crowd risk is high. Best time to visit today: 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM. Excursion boats typically arrive about an hour after the cruise ship docks at Frederiksted.