Boaters investigate unusual bamboo cluster floating upright off St. Croix, USA

On May 12, 2026, in St. Croix, USA, @lovecroix shared a video showing a large cluster of bamboo floating upright in the open ocean near the U.S. Virgin Islands. In the video, long yellowish-green stalks with thin brown branches protrude at an angle from the deep blue water, creating the unusual appearance of bamboo growing in the sea. Curious about the sight, the boaters approach the cluster, and a man wearing goggles dives into the water to investigate. According to reports, the bamboo may have been uprooted from a riverbank or coastal area by heavy rainfall and flooding before being carried out to sea by ocean currents. Bamboo stalks can remain buoyant due to their internal structure, allowing detached stalks or root clumps to float on the water. The exact origin of the cluster remains unconfirmed.