US Virgin Islands diving (8 top dive sites)

 

Group of Islands in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles. St Thomas, St Croix & St John are the main islands.

Together they cover 174 square miles and have a population of 106,000

The Capital is Charlotte Amalie on St Thomas.



Best time to dive the US Virgin Islands:

The best time to visit is from December to April, January,February and April are the driest months.
From June to November runs the Hurricane season, with August to October as highest risk months to be affected by Tropical storms or hurricanes.

Average temperatures;

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min (°C)222223232525262625252423
Max (°C)293030303132323232323130
Min (°F)727273737777797977777573
Max (°F)848686868890909090908886

Average precipitation;

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Prec.(mm)5035357080706595140155140701005
Prec.(in)21.41.42.83.12.82.63.75.56.15.52.839.6
Days1087810891213141312124

Average water temperatures;

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Temp (°C)262626262728282829292827
Temp (°F)797979798182828284848281

The US Virgin islands count with more than 20 PADI dive centers, SSI, NAUI and CMAS are also available options.


St Thomas scuba diving:


Cow & Calf Rocks, St Thomas;



This site has a max. depth of 60 ft, and is a labyrinth of tunnels and caves, plenty of reef fish and lobster to see on this site that got it's name because the 2 rocks look like whales, a Cow and calf.

Tunnels of Thatch, St Thomas;


Lava tubes & black arches remind us of the volcanic origin of the US Virgin Islands. The dive goes from 25 to 70 ft, Bright Cup Corals and Sponges can be seen at the entrance of the tunnels. Trumpet, Butterfly, and Parrotfish live among the Gorgonians.

Moray Eels and Spiny Lobster reside in the tunnels, schools of Silverside are hunted by Tarpon.

Coral Hill;


Coral Hiil offers 4 different sites, ranging from 15 to 70 ft and is ideal for entry level divers as well as more experienced divers.

Impressive coral formation are to be enjoyed on a sandy bottom. Apart from all the tropical reef fish you might also encounter pelagics.


St Croix scuba diving:

Salt River Canyon East & West Wall, St Croix;


The wall start in shallow waters where novice divers can enjoy excellent conditions. 

Sponges, Soft- & Hard corals cover the vertical reef that drops off into the 5000 ft deep Puerto Rico trench.

Large pelagics can be observed at this amazing Wall dive.


Buttler Bay, St Croix;


5 wrecks are to be seen within 100 yards from each other, 3 are in shallow water, a Tug Boat, an Oil barge and a Trawler.

The Tug boat actually appeared in the movie "Dreams of Gold the Mel Fisher Story" as a prop.

Another Tug boat, and a Freighter are deep dives, Max. depth 108 ft.

In addition to the five wrecks you can also see a part of a Hydrolab that was used for submersion dive research by NOOA. The wrecks and hydrolab are normally done in 2 dives.



Fredericksted Pier, St Croix;


This 25 - 45 ft site is popular as a day, & Night dive, each column is overgrown with Sponges and Corals

Seahorses, Batfish & Frogfish are common at this paradise for macro- photographers.


St John scuba diving:

Carvel Rock, St John;


This 15 - 90 ft dive is for advanced divers due to fairly strong currents.

Corals, Sponges and Gorgonians form the home for many species; Groupers, Queen Trigger fish, File fish, Durgon, Barracudas, Redlip Gobies, and large Trumpet fish and others.

Eagle Schoals, St John;


Caves, tunnels and arches, The Cathedral is a cave with multiple entrances the cave is covered in Sponges and Orange Cup Coral. French Pork fish, lots of different Grunt species, Parrot fish and many others made this their home.



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