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Big Beard's Adventure Tours

Review Highlights

“ It is one of the 5 companies that have licenses to tour the Buck Island so they know what they are doing. ” in 85 reviews

“ I particularly enjoyed the incredible marine conservation information, snorkeling , drinks, and music on board. ” in 38 reviews

“ The picnic lunch was just so-so, but the rum punch was delish and free-flowing for the rest of the afternoon! ” in 26 reviews

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44A Queen Cross Street

St Croix, Virgin Islands 00820

Serving St Croix Area

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About the business.

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Offering half day or full day guided snorkeling trips to Buck Island as well as sunset cruises and wedding services. …

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184 reviews

Crew was fantastic. So entertaining and filled with knowledge about the island. It was a beautiful experience.

Full Day snorkeling tour to Buck Island on January 5, 2024. Captain Greg was informative and kept us on time! Crew members Cayman and Sydney were accommodating and helpful. Snorkeling equipment was in great shape. We're divers and repeat Buck Island snorkeling customers, have to say the weather was great, seas were calm and saw more fish life than we expected. Coral reef isn't the greatest but for a first time visitor, it's awesome! Even as experienced divers, snorkelers, there was plenty to see, well worth the trip! Motored to Buck Island, about an hour of practice time, then moved over to the snorkeling area. Crew was patient and made sure guests were comfortable before sending us off on our own. After snorkeling the included Mutiny Vodka Punch was flowing as we motored to Big Beards private beach for burgers, dogs, mahi, chips, and more Vodka Punch Spent some time hanging out on the beach, then enjoyed a leisurely sail back to Christiansted. Not a lot of wind so had to engage the motor about half way back, still an overall great experience and highly recommend!

See all photos from Mark S. for Big Beard's Adventure Tours

What a great adventure! Big Beard's has the best crews and ships on the island. I particularly enjoyed the incredible marine conservation information, snorkeling, drinks, and music on board. Zoe and Jackie were beyond accommodating and Captain Curtis is as funny as he is navigator through the protected reefs.

Buck Island

Super fun snorkeling trip. Finding them was really easy right on the boardwalk. The first snorkel site wasn't great, but it was really just to get accustomed to our equipment. The island was beautiful. The second snorkeling stop was amazing with an underwater snorkeling trail. The coral was amazing to see. They then bring you to the beach for a hotdog/hamburger/veggie burger/fish lunch. The rum punch was great, it was just really sweet, so we actually brought our own drinks that we can put into the cooler. All in all we had a blast and would definitely recommend this trip.

This tour came highly recommended on every "things to do" post/ website we came across and it's for good reason. I want to say first that this is a strenuous snorkel. They pull up to one side of Buck Island, where you can get a feel for their provided snorkel gear, and then they take you to the other side and anchor out about 100 yards in the ocean. It was pretty rough and if you aren't prepared for this there is the possibility of being disappointed (it's also possible that the ocean will be much calmer on the day that you go, of course). We did the full day tour and the Captain, Greg, and his 2 person crew were great. Greg was really funny and knowledgeable, I had a nice conversation with his crew mate, Svaughn (probably an absolute butchering of how he spells his name), and Brooke helped my wife when she had difficulty snorkeling. It's hard to communicate with a snorkel in your mouth but after she helped my wife, she checked back with me specifically several times via hand signals to make sure things were going ok. Wear a hat and put sunscreen on before and during the trip because it's a lot of sun if you aren't fortunate enough to get one of the roughly 10 shaded seats on the boat like we did. They did burgers/ hot dogs/ Mahi and chips for lunch. They also do a vodka punch after snorkeling but you can bring any beverage you want for the trip and use their coolers on board. Overall, it was a great way to spend the day. We had an awesome time and would recommend Big Beard to anyone

What a perfect trip for me and my niece who recently moved to St. Croix. The boat was great and very clean. The crew was amazing, knowledgeable, professional, and most of all fun! The island beach was natural and pristine and so was the snorkeling. As a water girl, it meant a lot to me to realize that safety was number one. I will definitely give it my top vote and hope to go back soon!

Something dreamlike on the water!

I would give Captain Curtis and his crew 10 out of 5 stars if I could. He and his amazing crew (Jackie, Cayman & Dave) were fabulous and made our snorkeling adventure the highlight of our trip. The Buck Island Reef was beautiful beyond words, with a literal undersea forest of coral and teaming with the most exotic fish and wildlife we have ever experienced in our travels. We actually had considered coming back and doing it again the next day if the airlines had a later flight home.

My husband and I spent day 3 in St. Croix on this amazing trip to Buck Island. We booked the all day tour on the Renegade. Captain Gabriel, Peter and Claire were our crew. it was so much fun and the snorkeling was amazing! it was awesome to end the trip with lunch grilled on the beach too. Highly recommend this adventure!

See all photos from Kimberly Q. for Big Beard's Adventure Tours

Had a great time and Captain Tito was amazing! Well worth the price and couldn't ask for a better overall experience! Will definitely be back!

What an amazing experience! We left for Buck Island on the full day tour on October 13th. We're still not sure what was more amazing; the weather, the island, the snorkeling, or the crew! We were on a full boat (did not feel crowded at all), our crew was Gabe, Brooke, Severin, and Dominic. This crew definitely made this trip special! All were super professional, approachable, friendly, and incredibly focused! I would recommend Big Beards to anyone going to St Croix!! Just make sure you take plenty of reef friendly sun screen!

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Big Beard’s Adventure Tours

Take the Trip of a Lifetime!  Join us on our most popular trips to Buck Island aboard the 42' Catamaran Renegade or the 42' Adventure. Visit Turtle Beach, voted one of the ten prettiest beaches in the world. We will take you to Buck Island's beloved underwater trail and take you snorkeling along the protected coral reef. Afterwards, we'll have a beach BBQ on Big Beard's secluded beach on St. Croix, with all you can eat and drink. We also have sunset sails, private charters, and weddings aboard our beautiful boats. Visit our website for more details, a scrapbook packed with photos, and make your reservations today.

Location: Christiansted Phone: (866) 773-4482 | (340) 773-4482

Full Day Sails

Sail on our 42' Catamaran Renegade for a relaxing all-inclusive trip to Buck Island. We depart at 9:30 from downtown Christiansted to Buck Island's Turtle Beach, voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. We provide snorkel gear to each guest and snorkel lessons on the beach if needed. After the beach we will take everyone to the lagoon on the other side of the island and the crew will then take you in small groups through the underwater trail. After you've seen the snorkeling, we will sail to Big Beard's private beach for a barbeque lunch. We end the day with a relaxing sail back to town, arriving in Christiansted by 3:30pm. 

Half Day Sails

Designed and built on St. Croix, the Adventure offers a comfortable and exhilarating ride with ample shade and protection from the elements while still offering plenty of room to soak up some sunshine and enjoy the views. The Adventure departs from the Christiansted Boardwalk twice a day. To begin, you will spend time on Buck Island's Turtle Beach, where you can learn to snorkel with a lesson provided by our crew or just relax and enjoy the beach. Then it's off to our underwater trail where you will be guided in groups of 6 through the reef. We provide all the gear necessary and filtered drinking water throughout the day for you.

Sunset Sails

We'll sail you into a beautiful Caribbean sunset on the Renegade or cruise on Adventure and explore the island from the water. Treat yourself, your kids, or your sweetheart to a couple of hours on the water watching the sun melt into the sparkling sea as you sip on complimentary rum punch, fruit punch and water. You'll be glad you did!

For years, Big Beard's Adventure Tours has been one of the US Virgin Islands top destinations for fun and adventure. Our locally built catamarans are the most comfortable and spacious way to get to Buck Island.  Whether you’re looking for a tour of Buck Island, a romantic sunset cruise, or taking the plunge (literally) and getting married, Big Beard's has a package that is just right for you. Contact us today and let our staff help you choose a trip that’s perfect for your needs!

Read about us on TripAdvisor !

Read More about Big Beard's & Buck Island

Buck Island Reef National Monument

Buck Island Reef National Monument, An Underwater National Park! Can you believe it? An underwater National Park? In all total, the park encompasses 176 acres above and below water. It was established a National Monument by a Presidential proclamation in 1961 and grew in 2001 to preserve “one of the finest marine gardens in the…

Snorkel the Buck Island Reef Underwater Trail

Buck Island Reef National Monument offers some of the best snorkeling on St. Croix, as well as a postcard-worthy white sand beach surrounded by magnificently clear blue waters. This natural landscape allows visitors to see unspoiled Caribbean beauty while enjoying some of St. Croix’s marine life in its natural habitat. Named #2 on the Coastal Living Magazine ‘Top…

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Turtle Beach is on the West Side of Buck Island, located about one and a half miles off the northeast coast of St. Croix…and it is beyond gorgeous. It is a long stretch of sugary white sand and crystal clear waters. Lay on the sun-kissed sand and bask in the warmth of the suns rays.…

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• Chevron down What’s the difference between the half day and full day tours?

There are two differences between the half day and the full day trip. 1. We use the sailing catamaran for the full day and the power catamaran for the half day. 2. The full day includes a beach bbq (hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled fish, veggie burgers, punch, rum punch and assorted chips).

• Chevron down How many people does the boat hold?

The full day boat holds 39 passengers. The half day boat holds 49 passengers.

• Chevron down What should I bring?

Please come with your swimsuit on, have a towel and sun protection.

• Chevron down Are pregnant women allowed?
• Chevron down Are children allowed?

Yes. As long as the parents are comfortable with children on board we are comfortable with children on board.

• Chevron down Do we have to bring our own snorkel gear?

No, we provide all the gear. If you would like to bring your own gear you are welcome to do so.

• Chevron down Do you have prescription masks?

No. There is a dive shop up the street that sells prescription masks but they don’t rent them out.

• Chevron down What is the temperature of the water?

In the winter it can get down to 76 degrees and in the summer it can be up to 85 degrees.

• Chevron down Directions to the store/departure for the tours?

We are located at the bottom of Queen Cross Street where it meets the boardwalk.

• Chevron down Where do we park?

There is a parking lot on the corner of Strand Street and King Cross Street. The charge is $1/hour or $5 for the day.

• Chevron down Do I need a rash guard?

We highly recommend sun protection and a rash guard is an excellent choice.

• Chevron down What happens if the weather is bad?

If there are passing showers we still go out. If there is something more than that going on the Captain may decide to cancel the trip. If we cancel we will contact you as soon as possible to let you know. If we cancel the trip due to weather we either offer to reschedule your tour or give you a refund.

• Chevron down What is your cancellation/change policy?

Our cancellation policy is 48 hours. If you cancel your tour 48 hours before the departure time you will receive a full refund. If you cancel your tour within 48 hours of the departure time we offer you a 50% refund.

• Chevron down How long is the snorkeling?

Up to 2 hours. You can snorkel at the beach at the West end of Buck Island as well as over on the East end at the reef.

• Chevron down Where do we snorkel?

The best snorkeling is at the East end of Buck Island at the reef where the Underwater Trail is located. You can also snorkel off the beach at the West End.

• Chevron down How deep is the water?

Average depth is 10 feet.

• Chevron down Are there lockers or a safe place for valuables on the boat?

We don’t have lockers on the boat. Most people just leave their things in their bags on the benches. The Captain stays on the boat while people are at the beach and at the reef snorkeling.

• Chevron down Is it safe to leave my valuables in the rental the car?

If you leave things in the trunk where they are not visible, then yes. We recommend you take things on the boat or leave them with the store crew.

• Chevron down Will my things get wet?

The crew can show you where the dry area is on the boat. If you put your things on the deck they will probably get wet.

• Chevron down Can I bring a camera?

You may bring a camera on board, but please keep in mind that by doing so, you are doing it at your own risk.

• Chevron down Can I smoke on the boat?

No. You can smoke at the beach but you will need to put the butts somewhere (a plastic water bottle works well).

• Chevron down Will I get seasick?

Each person is different, and we cannot predict if you will become sea sick or not. Chances of getting seasick are higher if you are prone to motion sickness such as car sick or air sick. When in doubt, take preventative measures!

• Chevron down What can I do to prevent sea sickness?

Take a seasickness preventative beforehand. While on the boat, make sure to have access to fresh air, and make sure you can see the horizon at all times. Also avoid the restroom if you are feeling ill. Please inform our Captain and crew if you are feeling ill.

• Chevron down Do you sell sea sickness preventatives?

Yes, we sell Dramamine and Motionease in our store.

• Chevron down What’s the best seasickness preventative?

There is no proven preventative to be better than the other, but our captains recommend taking Dramamine or Motionease. Ask your doctor what is best for you.

• Chevron down Do you offer vegetarian/vegan/gluten free options?

On the full day trip veggie burgers are available. You are welcome to bring anything of your own and use the cooler on board.

• Chevron down What are the age limits for children on each tour?

There are no age limits for the tours.

• Chevron down Do you run tours every day/are you open every day?

Yes. We run tours every single day – the only day we are closed is December 25th, Christmas Day.

• Chevron down Will we see dolphins?

It is possible but they are wild animals and we cannot guarantee this.

• Chevron down Will we see turtles?

We occasionally see turtles throughout the day, but we cannot guarantee them.

• Chevron down Can we swim with the turtles?
• Chevron down What kind of sea life do we see?

Lots of tropical fish like parrotfish, angelfish, butterfly fish, damselfish, wrasse, jacks, snappers, trumpetfish, and many more.

• Chevron down Do we need to bring cash on board for anything?

No, as there is nothing to buy on the boat or island. If you would like to leave a tip for the crew then please bring cash.

• Chevron down Can I wear shoes on board?

We don’t allow any shoes on board unless you have a medical condition and need to wear shoes. Please inform the store staff at check in and captain during boarding if this is the case.

• Chevron down Do we need to bring our own towels?
• Chevron down Can we bring a bag on board?
• Chevron down Do you sell seasickness preventatives on board?
• Chevron down What time is lunch served?

Lunch is served generally around 1:30pm.

• Chevron down Will I get wet?

There is always a chance of getting splashed, especially near the front of the boat. Please ask the captain for the best place to stay dry on our tours.

• Chevron down Will I get service with my phone?
• Chevron down Can I bring food/ snacks on board?

Yes but please nothing in glass. We have a cooler on board for your use.

• Chevron down Can I bring alcohol?

Yes but please nothing in glass.

• Chevron down Will there be shade on board?

Yes. On the sail boat Renegade there is space for about 8 passengers under cover and you can also be in the shade of the sail. On the power boat Adventure there is a large area under cover with shade.

• Chevron down Do I need sunscreen? Can I bring spray sunscreen?

It is highly recommended to wear and bring sunscreen on our tours. We do not allow the spray sunscreen on board any of our vessels as it can make the surfaces of the boats slippery and dangerous. Cream sunscreens are encouraged on board.

• Chevron down Do we get to sail at all?

Yes, we love to sail! While we need to use motors part of the trip there is almost always great sailing conditions for the rest of the trip.

• Chevron down How long does it take to get to your harbor from the North shore?

About 30 minutes by car.

From South shore?  (Divi Hotel) 35-40 minutes by car.

West end?  (Fredriksted) About 30 minutes by car.

East end?  If you are all the way out East by Point Udal about 30 minutes by car.

• Chevron down What's the capacity of people you take on board?

We take 49 passengers on the half day tours and 39 passengers on the full day tours.

• Chevron down Do you do pick ups/drop offs/ shuttle service from our hotel?

We do not provide any drop off/pickup/shuttle service. You will need to find your own transportation to downtown Christiansted where our trips depart.

• Chevron down I’m not an experienced snorkeler/swimmer- do you provide instructions/assistance in water?

We do provide instruction on how to snorkel and use the snorkel gear. We also provide snorkel vests which aid in flotation, and one of our crew members takes you on an orientation tour of the reef.

• Chevron down I can’t swim - can I still go?

Yes, you can still enjoy our tours even if you don’t know how to swim.

• Chevron down I can’t swim – can I snorkel?

If you are comfortable in water over your head with a flotation device, we may be able to get you into the water.

• Chevron down Can I bring crutches on board?
• Chevron down Can I bring a cane on board?
• Chevron down Can I bring a walker on board?

Yes, as long as you can board the vessel safely. We ask passengers with reduced mobility to remain seated while the boat is under way.

• Chevron down Are there life vests on board? Child size life vests?
• All of our vessels are equipped with adult and child size life vests.
• Chevron down Do we have to wear life vests?

We do not require you to wear life vests while the vessel is underway, but if you would like to, you may.

• Chevron down When do you take payment?

We take payment at the time of booking.

• Chevron down How do we contact you?

Our local number is 340-773-4482 . Our store is open to walk ins and phone calls from 8am to 6pm Monday – Saturday and 8am to 5pm on Sunday (Atlantic time). Our website is www.bigbeards.com and we encourage our guests to check out our pictures, videos, boat information and tour descriptions on our website. If you would like to email us or share photos or feedback, our email is [email protected] . Our store is located at the bottom of Queen Cross Street where it meets the board walk in downtown Christiansted.