Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
home, which is inhabited by multi-colored fish and marine
creatures. Parrotfish, black angelfish, yellow wrasses and
trunkfish dart in and out of the nooks and crannies. Sharks,
snappers and barracudas swim slowly by. It is simply
breathtaking.
Buck Island itself has had a roller-coaster existence. The is-
land has been inhabited since the mid-18th century, and was
used for farming and pasture as well as lumbering for de-
cades. At first there were thick forests of Pokholdt trees, but
when goats were brought to the island for grazing, these
were cut down. As the forest regrew, it and the land was con-
stantly burned. The fires and the goats eventually reduced
the island to a desert-like appearance. The goats were re-
moved in the 1950s and the natural vegetation has re-
turned. The island has become a nesting place for several
Caribbean bird species. In 1961 the island was transferred
to the National Park Service.
Hiking on Buck Island
The highest point on this 180-acre island is only
300 feet above sea level. It is rather dry, particu-
larly in the eastern portion, where the trade winds
and sun are strongest. Vegetation consists of low
thorny bushes, organ pipe cactus and other
desert-like plants. In other areas there are trees. A two-hour
walk will take you around the entire island. A hiking trail
leads through the vegetation to an observation tower at the
top of the island. The trial is rocky, so you'll need sneakers.
The views of surrounding waters, coral formations and the
string of sailboats and glass bottom-boats are lovely. There
are picnic tables.
H
Don't forget a
hat
and
suntan lotion
.
