Welcome to the Buck Island!

The lighthouse stands guard over 45 acres of cactus and grassland. The U.S. Navy transferred some lands in1969 and the remainder was recieved from the Coast Guard in 1981, and in 2004.

The refuge is characterized by a thorn scrub habitat with rocky coastline surrounded by spectactular reefs.

Natural History

The island was transferred to the Fish and Wildlife Service due to “its value for migratory birds.” The surrounding waters contain reefs and a shipwreck that attract large numbers of snorkelers, divers, and boaters. A lighthouse previously maintained bt the Coast Guard is on the refuge.