Free Kids Camp from Age 4: The Buccaneer, St Croix Reviewed

Key Highlights

• Star rating: 4-star beachfront resort
• Price: From $540/night (peak season, family of 4); rack rates from $1,064/night
• Kids Camp: Complimentary, daily, ages 4–12
• Beach access: Three beaches directly on-site, with calm water suitable for younger swimmers
• Family rooms: Multi-bedroom suites and connecting room options available
• Babysitting: Available on-site at additional cost
• Snorkel gear, kayaks, paddleboards: Complimentary use from the beach
• Breakfast buffet: Complimentary daily

A complimentary Kids Camp that runs daily and takes children from age four is the detail that sets The Buccaneer apart from many four-star Caribbean resorts, where structured kids’ programming either costs extra or starts at age six. That program, combined with three calm-water beaches and free use of water sports equipment, gives families with elementary-age children a genuinely full day without spending beyond the room rate. Multi-generational groups will also find enough range here — golf, tennis, a spa, and multiple dining venues — to keep different age groups occupied independently.

The honest caveat upfront: at rates from $540 per night in peak season, The Buccaneer is a significant outlay, and it is not all-inclusive. Evening dining costs, babysitting fees, and excursion expenses add up quickly.

The Kids Camp and Beach Setup

The complimentary Kids Camp runs daily for ages 4–12, with varied activities and snacks included — a meaningful value at a resort in this price bracket, where such programs typically carry a daily surcharge. For the 12-and-under crowd, the three on-site beaches with calm Caribbean water give younger or less confident swimmers a safe, unhurried environment. From those same beaches, families can borrow snorkel gear, kayaks, and paddleboards at no extra charge, which removes the usual per-hour rental calculus from the day.

For families planning water-based activities beyond the resort, Buck Island Reef National Monument — one of the Caribbean’s well-regarded snorkeling destinations — is accessible via boat tour departing from Christiansted, roughly seven minutes by car. You can browse family-friendly tours and activities to pre-book Buck Island trips and other St. Croix excursions, or compare kid-friendly day tours if you want to see multiple operators side by side.

Rooms and Space for Families

The resort offers multi-bedroom suites and connecting room configurations — a practical consideration for families who need physical separation between adult and child sleep space, or multi-generational groups travelling together. All rooms include a refrigerator and coffee maker, which matters more than it sounds on a non-all-inclusive property where keeping drinks and snacks in the room reduces reliance on resort pricing. Private balconies or patios are standard, providing outdoor space that tends to get used more than guests expect on a week-long stay.

Guest feedback consistently describes rooms as comfortable and well-maintained, though a recurring note is that the interiors feel dated and would benefit from a refresh — worth factoring in if room aesthetics matter to your group.

Food, Dining, and the Breakfast Buffet

The daily complimentary breakfast buffet is a genuine practical benefit on a resort where meal costs otherwise accrue separately. The resort has three dining venues, and children’s menus are available, so younger eaters are accommodated. That said, some of the dining options carry a more adult-oriented atmosphere in the evenings — families with toddlers or children who eat early may find the dinner dynamic less relaxed than the daytime setup suggests. Guests also flag that food and drink pricing runs high relative to expectations, so budgeting beyond room rate is advisable.

Getting There and Getting Around

The Buccaneer sits at 5007 Christiansted on St. Croix’s east end, roughly a 25-minute taxi ride from the airport. The Christiansted National Historic Site is five to ten minutes away by car, and the Salt River Bay National Historical Park is 15–20 minutes out. Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge — a leatherback sea turtle nesting site — is 25–30 minutes from the property.

Get directions to The Buccaneer.

Car rental is strongly recommended for any family that wants to see St. Croix beyond the resort grounds. The property itself is extensive and includes some hilly terrain between areas, but courtesy transportation runs on-site for guests who need it. There are no grocery stores nearby, so if stocking the in-room refrigerator matters to your family — and at this price point, it likely will — plan to stop at a supermarket on the way from the airport.

What Recent Guests Say

• Exceptional, warm staff service is a consistent highlight across guest feedback, with many reviewers describing employees as genuinely welcoming, attentive, and going above and beyond throughout the stay.
• The grounds, beaches, and pools receive widespread praise, with several recent reviewers describing the property as beautifully maintained, spacious, and visually stunning.
• Included breakfast and overall food quality are frequently mentioned positively, though some guests note that evening dining options are limited and food and drink pricing can run high.
• Rooms are generally regarded as comfortable and well-kept, though a common thread in guest feedback is that the accommodations feel dated and could benefit from updates.
• On-site entertainment and cultural experiences — such as live music, fire dancing, and local performances — are noted by multiple reviewers as memorable and distinctive touches.

Who This Hotel Suits (and Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere)

The Buccaneer works best for families with children aged 4–12 who will make direct use of the Kids Camp, and for multi-generational groups where adults want golf, tennis, or spa time while children are occupied. The three beaches with calm water make it a reasonable choice for families with younger elementary-age children who aren’t strong swimmers yet.

Families with teenagers may find the offering thinner — there is no teens club, and the structured programming tops out at age 12. Teens who are independent snorkelers or water sports users will find enough to do, but those who need facilitated social programming with peers their own age may feel the gap.

Budget-conscious families should do the arithmetic carefully: this is a non-all-inclusive resort at four-star pricing, with babysitting, evening meals, excursions, and car rental all sitting outside the room rate. Families who want the simplicity of a single upfront cost would be better served by an all-inclusive property.

If room modernity is a priority, guest feedback suggests managing expectations — the property is well-maintained, but the interiors carry their age.

For the full amenities breakdown and Family Fit rating details, see our full Resort Finder profile for The Buccaneer.

Check Prices