Green Cay is located just off shore of Green Cay Marina, near the Tamarind Reef Resort and Marina. The island itself is Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1977 to protect the endangered St. Croix ground lizard. The refuge consists of the entire 14-acre island of Green Cay which is closed to the public. However, the refuge extends only to sea level and does not include any of the submerged marine habitat, including coral reefs that surround the island. This tiny island is accessible by either boat, kayak or paddle board, but you do pass through a high traffic area at the marina so please be careful. While you can’t enjoy this beach, you can kayak or snorkel around the island. We don’t recommend going alone, but with another person or small group.

ST. CROIX GROUND LIZARD

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. This island refuge provides critical habitat for the largest remaining natural population of the federally endangered St. Croix ground lizard. Green Cay’s 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. 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.

RESTRICTIONS

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.