The U.S Virgin Islands offer consistently warm sunny weather all year making this the perfect place for divers to visit at any time. White and blacktip reef sharks cruise around the islands throughout the year but if you’re lucky, you may spot a hammerhead or tiger shark.
Which Virgin island is the best for scuba diving?
Best Dive Sites in the US Virgin Islands
- Frederiksted Pier – St. Croix.
- The Wall – St. Croix.
- Cow and Calf – St. Thomas.
- Eagle Shoals – St. John.
- Carvel Rock – St. John.
- Tunnels of Thatch – St. Thomas.
- Butler Bay Wrecks – St. Croix.
- WIT Shoal II – St. Thomas.
Is diving better in St. Croix or St Thomas?
St. Croix has the edge for diving, with wrecks, drop-offs, and the largest living reef of any Caribbean island to explore.
Is St Thomas a good place to dive?
USVI waters are known for clear visibility, unique sea life, great wreck sites, and a variety of terrains from reefs to volcanic structures. With thriving reefs right off the beach, St. Thomas is also the ideal spot to try diving for the first time or for rusty divers to refresh their skills.
Are the US Virgin Islands good for scuba diving? – Related Questions
What Caribbean island has the best scuba diving?
- Cozumel & Riviera Maya, Mexico. Excellent Drift Diving, Beautiful Corals & Diverse Marine Life!
- Jardines de la Reina, Cuba. WORLD-CLASS SHARK DIVING, SALTWATER CROCODILES & PRISTINE REEFS.
- Cayman Islands.
- Bahamas.
- Roatan, Honduras.
- Turneffe Atoll, Belize.
- Silver Bank, Dominican Republic.
- Turks and Caicos.
Are there sharks in the waters of St. Thomas?
The US Virgin Islands are home to some of the best shark diving in the World! St. Thomas and St. John are surrounded by beautiful Caribbean waters and a number of shark species.
How is scuba diving in St. Thomas?
A popular beach St Thomas dive sites is on the northeastern coast of St Thomas. Very clear and calm conditions make this a good location for snorkeling as well as for beach-entry scuba with no surface swim necessary. For divers, there are two reefs in 40 to 50 feet of water.
Does St. Thomas have a seaweed problem?
Nature has added salt to their wounds, with beaches covered in putrid sargassum. The seasonal algae can be spotted along the entire shoreline of St Thomas, particularly in the eastern arc of the parish such as at fishing villages in Rocky Point, Port Morant, Leith Hall, and Morant Bay.
Are there coral reefs in St. Thomas?
Coral reefs are found around the three main islands of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas, as well as most offshore cays.
Where can I dive in St. Thomas?
Cow and Calf Rocks
A popular site for intro dives and certifications, Cow and Calf are two rocks on the southeast of St Thomas, so-called because whalers would mistake them for a mother whale and her calf. Both sites feature fascinating topography with ledges, overhangs, and a maze of swim-throughs.
Where is the dive capital of the world?
Florida: Dive Capital of the World
A must-visit area for many divers is the underwater playground of the Florida Keys. Described as the dive capital of the world, these islands hold the world’s third-largest barrier reef, thousands of mangrove-fringed islands and extensive seagrass beds.
Where is the clearest water to dive in?
To this end, the clearest water is the most ideal for any submerged adventurer – and there is nowhere clearer to the eye than the Silfra Ravine. Located at the crack between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, this Icelandic fissure has the greatest underwater visibility of any diving spot on Earth!
Can you touch sea turtles in St Thomas?
Don’t Touch Them
Aside from it just not being polite, it is also illegal (in the Virgin Islands and many other areas) to touch a sea turtle under the protection of the Endangered Species Act.
What happens if a sea turtle touches you?
Don’t Touch Turtles
Not only does touching turtles cause them stress, but the bacteria on your hands can actually be harmful to turtles. Not to mention, it’s illegal to touch or harass a sea turtle in a lot of places!
What to do if a sea turtle approaches you?
Stay clear and out of sight of the turtle until she begins laying eggs, otherwise you may scare her back into the sea. For your safety, stay away from the turtle’s head. Sea turtles, especially loggerheads, have very strong jaws and can harm you if provoked.
What do you do if you accidentally hook a sea turtle?
If you hook a SEA TURTLE, immediately call the 24-hour hotline at 1-877-942-5343 and follow response team instructions. If you cannot reach a response team, follow these guidelines to reduce injuries: 1) If possible, use a net or lift by the shell to bring the turtle on pier or land. Do NOT lift by hook or line.
Does picking up a turtle by its shell hurt it?
Aside from possibly injuring the shell, it can be stressful on the turtle. DON’T hold a turtle with a soft shell (young turtles, species of turtles with naturally soft shells, turtles with diseases that make their shell soft) by the back edge of the shell. It can cause permanent damage.
What scares sea turtles away?
Movements, voices, and even strong smells (like cologne) could scare her away. Crouch down and stay very still. Even though turtles are rarely disturbed once they begin laying their eggs, it is best to keep your distance throughout the event.