St Croix, United States Virgin Islands Rated 1 of the 10 Best Shore Dive Locations in the World
~ Scuba Diving Magazine Aug, 2011
Its no surprise, well maybe to some, that St Croix offers world-Class diving right here in the United States Virgin Islands with reefs, wrecks, walls and piers right off our shores. Whether you’re an experienced PADI-certified diver or are interested in trying it out for the first time, St Croix will get you hooked. It did for me! Read about my first night dive.
St Croix is surrounded by the longest continuous living reef in all of the Caribbean and offers 72 moored dive sites. Most diving on St Croix is done off of the North Shore, outside Christiansted Harbor, at Salt River and out West (Frederiksted). The island sits on the edge of the continental shelf, most notably at Cane Bay where the kick-out on a shore dive is only about 300 yards, drop to 30 feet, swim out a little and you can look over the edge that drops to almost 14,000 feet. Not too shabby! The wall offers a great array of sponges, sea fans, fishes and the occasional pod of dolphins or sharks. (on a rare occasion in the winter Humpback whales can be seen or heard just off shore as well). On the West End there are 5 wrecks just offshore that are teeming with life and can be easily explored. And then there’s the Frederiksted Pier – my favorite! Again, an easy shore dive that brings you immediately to a spectacular macro dive, especially at night, where you may see frogfish, lobster, seahorses and much more.
Not a scuba diver but think you may want to try it out? All of our local dive operators offer resort dives, aka “Discover Scuba” classes which can get you diving in up to 40-feet of water in just a few hours. If you like it, this dive will count as your first “open water” scuba dive in your quest for certification! With the crystal blue waters and reefs that rival “Finding Nemo” its no wonder that the Virgin Islands has many Scuba diving schools.
Who do we love? PADI Certified Dive Operators
St Croix Ultimate Blue Water Adventures (aka SCUBA)
www.stcroixscuba.com
Tel 877-567-1367
Boat Dives out of Christiansted Harbor and off of the West End.
Known as the “Friendliest Dive Shop on Earth”.
Now offering the only Tec Diving Certification in the US Virgin Islands.
N2 The Blue
www.n2theblue.com
Tel 877-579-0572
N2 The Blue specializes in small group diving, with a maximum of 6 divers per boat. Whether from their custom dive boats, or going right off the Frederiksted Pier, their personalized experience and unlimited bottom time makes them an excellent choice. Their dive shop is the closest shop to the shipwreck dives on St. Croix. While you’re there, be sure to say ”Hi” to to owner Derrick Hill – he’s the great guy who certified me many years ago and thus began my addiction!
Dive Experience
www.divexp.com
Tel 800-235-9047
In 2004, owner Michelle Pugh was inducted into the “Woman Divers Hall of Fame”.
Boat dives out of Christiansted Harbor.
Cane Bay Dive Shop
www.canebayscuba.com
Tel 800-338-3843
Located across the street from the world famous Cane Bay Wall.
Shore and boat dives off the wall and North Shore.
Anchor Dive Center
www.anchordivestcroix.com
Tel 340-778-1522
Boat dives out of Salt River Marina.
Bringing a group or want to plan out your St Croix Adventure before you get here?
Contact us at adventure@my-stcroix.com for group rates, accommodations and a customized itinerary. Your one-stop-shop to the best St Croix has to offer!
