USVI

Descend into a whimsical world where what looks like rocks are really living creatures, where schools of fish come dressed in rainbow-colored uniforms and where beautiful flowers play hide and seek with other sea life. If you think the U.S. Virgin Islands offers only sun, sand and sea, you're missing half the fun - the undersea world is as easy to access as the islands themselves and equally as exciting.

The many reefs which rim the U.S. Virgin Islands of St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John offer countless hours of underwater exploration for both beginning and experienced divers. Rock-like coral heads ar e actually mini-ecosystems housing a rich mix of fish. Several shops sell water-proof booklets that aid in identifying undersea flora and fauna. Divers have an advantage over snorkelers in being able to descend deeper and see spectacular sunken gardens at the bottoms of dramatic drop-offs. Visibility is excellent, up to 120' in many locales. Even night dives are spectacular when nocturnal sea creatures voraciously lap up microscopic morsels with their tendril-like tongues.

Diving in the U.S. Virgin Islands is easy, enjoyable and offers something for everyone. There's no need to be an excellent swimmer, just comfortable around the water and in general good health. Beginner s will find conditions excellent - warm and calm seas, great visibility and much to see starting at just 20' to 30' - for short resort or full certification courses. For experienced divers, there are some 58 dive sites accessible by beach or boat, to reefs or wrecks, during daytime or at night.

St. Croix

Buck Island Reef National Monument - This lush protected area is operated by the National Park Service and has undersea markers which describe marine life.

Frederiksted Pier - This 250-yard concrete pier is encircled by lots of fish, sponges and sea horses. There are a trio of somewhat shallow wrecks northwest of Frederiksted. The Northwind is in 45' of water. The Barge lies a short swim away and is colorfully encrusted with sponges. The Suffolk Maid, a North Sea trawler is at a 65' depth. Less than 100 yards away, the Rosamaria, a 70' container ship, sits upright much deeper in 100' of water.

Salt River Canyon - This 1,000' drop-off has a submarine ravine ending in a waterfall, and it's west and east sites are the most requested and suggested dives on the island. Find countless species like big hawksbill turtles, moray and electric eels.

Wall at Cane Bay - Coral walls branch out at 40' to 60' - over a 600-foot drop-off along five miles of the northwest coast - and display dozens of old Danish anchors. Swim out 150 yards across a sandy plain to the site or take a 5-minute boat ride to a mooring.

St. John

Carval Rock - This is an advanced dive due to currents. See dramatic rock formations loaded with corals and sponges from 20' to 80' deep.

Eagle Shoals - Off Coral Bay on St. John's southeast coast, this seldom-visited site (due to it's remote location) offers curious caves and exciting swim-throughs.

St. Thomas

Andreas Reef - Starting at 30', this multilevel reef reveals a wide variety of both soft and hard corals, invertebrates and many tropical fish, down to a maximum depth of 70'.

Cartanza Sr. - This World War I tramp steamer lies 35' down in a sheltered cove off Buck Island, south of Charlotte Amalie harbor. It's beautifully encrusted and full of fish.

Coki Beach - A good dive by day, great by night.

Cow and Calf Rocks - Oodles of swim-throughs, tunnels and undercuts are in 20' to 40' of water. Go when conditions are calm since storm surge can make this a tricky dive.

Frenchcap - On the south side of St. Thomas, this attractive pinnacle stands in 80' to 100' of water.

Grassco Junction - These isolated coral mounds are each 10- to 30-yards across and sit on a sandy bottom in 55' of water. Five or six mounds reach up to within 35' of the surface and are covered with colorful corals and florescent fish.

Hans Lollik Island - Plenty of pinnacles and ledges to see here.

Major General Rogers - Off the Renaissance Grand Beach Resort is the wreck of a 150' Coast Guard buoy tender. The vessel is fully intact and safe for entering at a maximum depth of 64'.

Submarine Alley - Near Capella island, this advanced dive on the south side of St. Thomas boasts large coral islands, rising from a sandy bottom 80' deep.

Thatch, Grass and Congo Cays - Start in the Caribbean sea, dive along the black volcanic rock tunnels of Thatch at 40' and end up on the other side in the Atlantic at a depth of 15'. There are mini-walls off Congo and all three cays are good eel, ray and lobster locales.







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