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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