Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge

Not to be confused with Buck Island Reef National Monument.

Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Location	Virgin Islands, United States
Nearest city	Charlotte Amalie, VI
Coordinates	18.2757885°N 64.8870868°W / 18.2757885; -64.8870868
Area	45 acres (0.18 km2)
Established	1969
Governing body	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Original lighthouse
Constructed	1913
Construction	steel (tower), concrete (foundation)
Height	25 ft (7.6 m)
Shape	square frustum tower with balcony and lantern
Markings	white (tower), black (lantern)
Operator	Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge
Deactivated	1990s
Active lighthouse
Constructed	1990s
Height	12 m (39 ft)
Shape	square prism metal skeletal tower with balcony and light
Markings	unpainted (tower)
Power source	solar power
Focal height	42 m (138 ft)
Range	8 nmi (15 km; 9.2 mi)
Characteristic	Fl W 4s

Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge to the south of St. Thomas

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.

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. The marine area is home to a variety of fish and animals, in particular endangered sea turtles.

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

• List of lighthouses in the United States Virgin Islands
• List of National Wildlife Refuges

External links

• Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge homepage