Green Cay
Green Cay is located just off of Tamarind Reef and Green Cay Marina, on the East End of St. Croix. This tiny island is only accessible by eboat, kayak or paddle board, but you do pass through a high traffic area at the marina so please be careful. Unfortunately, Green Cay is a wildlife reserve, so you cannot land on (or step foot on) the island itself because it is home to an endangered lizard. However, you can enjoy a swim or kayak around the island, and check out the snorkeling if you have an opportunity. We wouldn’t recommend going alone, but with another person or small group.
Location: East End
Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Public visitation is prohibited because of the threat it could pose to the highly endangered, vulnerable St. Croix ground lizard. Thus no visitor services are provided. However, staff does maintain a website for the refuge as well as provide off-refuge educational and outreach services.
St. Croix Ground Lizard
This island refuge provides critical habitat for the largest remaining natural population of the federally endangered St. Croix ground lizard. Its extirpation from the main island of St. Croix, just several hundred yards away, is generally attributed to the modification and loss of shoreline habitat resulting from human activities, and the introduction of predators, such as mongoose, rats, cats, and dogs. The introduction of the exotic Indian mongoose likely completed the elimination of the species from St. Croix. As a result, this species is one of the rarest reptiles in the world and is unique to St. Croix island ecosystems.
Directions
This tiny island is accessible only by either boat, kayak or paddle board from Green Cay Marina or Tamarind Reef Beach. You can circumnavigate the island, but stepping foot on the island, or landing a vessel on the island is prohibited.
Public visitation is prohibited because of the threat it could pose to the highly endangered, vulnerable St. Croix ground lizard. Thus no visitor services are provided. To learn more about the refuge, download the fact sheet:
- Green Cay NWR is closed to the public. Public visitation is prohibited because of the threat it could pose to the highly endangered, vulnerable St. Croix ground lizard.
- The use of drones on the refuge is prohibited.
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