Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources invites the public to join in the opportunity to enjoy the islands’ natural resources by participating in free kayak tours among the mangroves of Salt River on St. Croix.
Salt River Bay is located on the north side of St. Croix and contains some of the largest remaining mangroves, which are critical habitats for roosting and feeding sites for shore birds and as a nursery for many juvenile marine fishes.
Salt River Bay is also home to the most popular bioluminescent bay in the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition to the wildlife, the area around Salt River contains historical and cultural significance for early indigenous people of St. Croix and is home to the Salt River Bay National Historic Park and Ecological Preserve.
Guided kayak tours will be provided at 7:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. at no cost to any current residents of the U.S.V.I. For safety concerns, children under the age of 8 will not be able to participate and minors (ages 8-17) must be accompanied by an adult. There will be a limit of 10 people per reservation and each person may apply for a free tour only once.
To offer similar programs in the future and to better serve the public, all participants will be required to fill out a brief survey upon the completion of their trip.
To book a kayak tour, contact Bush Tribe Eco Adventures at 277-2503 or bushtribedpnr@gmail.com and mention “2022 DFW KAYAK TOURS.”
For any questions regarding this program, contact the DPNR DFW office on St. Croix (773-1082, ext. 2203). Be sure to keep an eye out for future opportunities for residents of the U.S.V.I. to be able to participate in outdoor recreational and educational experiences funded by the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish and Wildlife.
