Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in St. Croix

Dave's Pool is named after the owner of the beach-side dive shop, The Scuba Shack. Dave and Sue Ward run a very personable dive operation off the leeward side of the island, and use this shallow reef for their check-out dives. At first glance, you may think this is a run-of-the-mill, flat, sandy reef, but if you want to see octopus and Sea Horses, we've been told this is the place. Having been associated with local marine researchers for the past decade, Dave says he can show you more in a square meter of sand in this 'swimming pool' than you'll see on any other dive. Trust him -- he knows his stuff! Also, for the sea-sick prone, we do recommend Dave's dive boat. The ocean on this side of the island is mostly flat as a lake, and after 6 trips with him, we've been pleasantly surprised by the ease of diving. Just North of Frederiksted, on the ocean-side right next to the Changes In Latitudes restaurant.

Cane Bay is one of the nicest shore diving spots on the island: lots of parking, a scuba shop, a restaurant, and a beautiful beach perfect for off-gassing. Make sure the conditions are favorable for safe diving before you enter the water. Ocean swells here can cause a formidable rip tide, so ask around for some professional advice. On highway 80 (the North Shore Road), you can't miss the long stretch of beach and the restaurant just across the street.

Aptly named, The Waves At Cane Bay is a condo property that hosts this small beach entry area. During periods of moderate surf, entry here can be challenging, but once through the surf zone, you will be rewarded will some of the nicest underwater experiences on the island. You can also find a small dive shop and restaurant here. On highway 80 (the North Shore Road), just a couple of kilometers East of Cane Bay.

The old Frederiksted Pier was destroyed years ago in a storm, and was recently rebuilt to modern standards to accommodate cruise ships and other large vessels. Within the next 5 years, there should be enough marine life accumulation to warrant a trip out to its end. Luckily, however, a few pilings from the old pier still exist with incredible communities of soft coral still just a few meters off shore. This is a very easy dive, and an especially nice night dive! All West-bound roads lead to Frederiksted. Once in the small town, look seaward, find the pier, point your car in that direction, and you can't miss it! The pier is right next to the old Fort Frederik, built in 1752. Your non-diving members will have plenty to explore while you are living it up underwater.

North East of Cane Bay - a short swim from shore The Pavilions is also known as Pavilion.

North Star is the Westernmost of four dive sites in a 4km stretch of highway on the North shore. You will find a wall and a cavern to explore here with great sights in-between. The dive site is nicely protected from NE swells. On highway 80 (the North Shore Road), the small parking area is located just East of Picnic in Paradise and a couple of kilometers West of Cane Bay.

Rust Op Twist is named after an old sugar plantation in the area. It is more of an advanced dive due the entry conditions and possible currents. If it is a nice day, you can spend your tank of air in just 10 meters of water exploring this biologically diverse part of the island. On highway 80 (the North Shore Road), about 4km East of Cane Bay.

The North Shore dive site is especially unique since you are living steps away from a diving entry. The house here was built by David Mickley precisely because of the superb diving location. You can find out more by visiting his web site at www.2dive4.net. There is a wall 100 yards off-shore that drops down to 2500 ft so there is an opportunity to get access to all the pelagic creatures very close to shore. On the North shore in a small grouping of residences, just East of Cane Bay.

Three shallow wrecks - Tugboat, barge and a biosphere habitat The Northwest end of St. Croix, North of Frederiksted.

Buck Island has been called a Snorkeler's Paradise for good reasons. Underwater trails, crystal clear water, and beautiful beaches are the hallmark of this U.S. National Park. Many tour operators are available to provide full and half day excursions. Just Northeast of Christiansted, you'll need a tour operator to get you there. Unless, of course, you don't mind a 10km kick-out!

Salt River West Wall is a 3.0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Virgin Islands, Saint Croix Island which is accessible from shore based on 1 ratings.

Vertigo is a very advanced site. To truly appreciate it, you need to dive down the side of the drop off. Properly done, you swim from the mooring (which is in about 40 feet of water) on a compass heading of about 30-40 degrees, watching the sand flats below you. Follow the right side of the sand flat staying shallow (15-20 feet) until the edge of the sand flat is disappearing from view. Start your descent and angle 30-40 feet to the right of the sand flat, over the coral. There is an area of the coral that comes to a point, somewhat like a ski jump. This ski jump is at approximately 80 feet. After you leave the edge of the wall, it is a sheer drop off, and part of the wall actually cuts back under itself. The wall doesn't start coming back out until about 260 feet down. Follow the wall East, and up the side where it slopes a little more gently, and work your way back up. liveaboard, boat, advanced shore (requires 4 wheel drive)

Hawksbill Turtles. Update: There's a Merry-Go-Round horse at 10m witch is very cool for avatar pics :-) The Temperature of the water on 03 Feb 2010 was around 27-28C Nekton Pilot

Alien Nation is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Virgin Islands, Saint Croix Island which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

String of Pearls is a night dive best done on Waxing Crescent, New Moon or Waning Crescent (or on a cloudy night). The string of Pearls are actually shrimp that bioluminesce when mating, giving the appearance of a string of pearls flashing from the bottom up to about 2 feet. The dive typically starts as a night dive exploring the reef and active marine life, then proceeds to a sandy bottom area where all divers turn off all lights, Within a minute, you will see the "string of pearls" start lighting up. If you try to focus farther out, it almost looks like twinkling stars in the night sky.

Excellent spot for spearfishing Lionfish. Larry, Moe and Curley (Caribbean reef sharks) frequent the area.

The Wreck at Butler Bay is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Frederiksted, St Croix which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Despite the name (which we'll explain below) this is a very tame and beautiful tropical reef. The mooring is in 35' of water and sits on a sandy bottom. There are a lot large patch reefs with plenty of fish and other creatures. So the name, years ago there were a couple of 13 year old divers on the boat. They though the name of the dive site, Dan's Reef, was "lame, nobody will remember that", so they were challenged to come up with a better name. You've gotta admit that a t-shirt that says "I survived the swirling reef of death" sells better than "I survived Dan's Reef".