Kayaking Through Salt River Kicks Off Coral Reef Week Festivities

The East End Marine Park is launching a series of events in celebration of “Coral Reef Week,” beginning with an engaging kayak tour by BushTribe Eco Adventures on Sunday morning.

The aim of “Coral Reef Week” is to foster a connection between Virgin Islanders and marine ecosystems through a variety of enjoyable and free public activities.

Guides Travis McRae and Ty McRae from BushTribe Eco Adventures led participants on a two-hour educational tour through Salt River National Park. The event began with a safety briefing and an introductory lesson on kayaking.

Before embarking on their adventure, attendees received essential safety instructions and kayaking tips from the experienced guides.

While paddling through the serene waters of Salt River National Park on St. Croix’s north side, participants learned about local ecosystems, the park’s history, and intriguing facts about St. Croix.

Ty McRae shared that BushTribe Eco Adventures was founded 12 years ago with a mission to offer personalized, educational experiences in small group settings. In addition to kayak tours, BushTribe provides hikes to tide pools, bioluminescent kayak trips, and moonlight night kayaking.

For the remainder of Coral Reef Week, BushTribe Eco Adventures is offering free tours. To join the waitlist, text 340-277-2503. For bookings and more information, visit BushTribe’s website.

Other events scheduled for Coral Reef Week include:

• Ocean-Inspired Art Exhibit: From July 2 to July 6 at the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts, showcasing community-created art inspired by the ocean.
• Coral Nursery Tour: On July 2 at the Nature Conservancy in Little Princess Coral Hub, featuring a guided tour of the coral nursery.
• Youth Dive Day and Snorkel Clinic: On July 3, with a kids’ activity corner at Frederiksted Beach Pavilion from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more details, contact Alex at alex.fireman@dpnr.vi.gov.
• Beach Clean-Up: At Cottages by the Sea on July 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Ecovan Pop-Up: At the market in Christiansted on July 5 from 9 a.m. to noon, offering fun activities, prizes, and coral reef information.
• Movie Night: At Leatherback Brewery starting at 7 p.m.

For additional information on these events, contact Alex at 340-718-3367 or alex.fireman@dpnr.vi.gov.