Don’t Miss This Caribbean Diving Hotspot in the USVI’s

St. Croix: The USVI’s Hidden Gem of Diving

When I first arrived on St. Croix as a relatively new dive instructor, I had no idea the impact it would have on my dive journey. I had started my career in the pristine waters of Thailand and southern Mexico, and honestly, I had modest expectations for the Caribbean—a region I’d heard had been hit hard by coral degradation, disease and over-tourism. Boy was I wrong!

Little did I know, this laid-back island in the U.S. Virgin Islands would quickly become one of the most memorable chapters of my professional dive career. With its warm turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs, and an exceptional blend of shore and boat diving, St. Croix offers a unique mix of dive sites that can appeal to everyone from first-time bubble blowers to seasoned pros.

Now, as a travel advisor specializing in scuba travel, I love sending my scuba-loving clients to this special corner of the Caribbean because I know firsthand how underrated, and unforgettable, it truly is.

🤿 Need Help Planning the Perfect St. Croix, USVI Dive Trip? As a dive instructor and former St. Croix resident, I possess a particular set of skills, which make me a dream planner for a busy professional looking for the ideal dive vacation. If you would like my help planning this or any other dive getaway, get in touch, and let me take on all the heavy lifting, so all you have to do is dive, dive, dive!

---

---

Why Dive St. Croix, USVI?

St. Croix is the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, but it’s often the most overlooked compared to St. Thomas or St. John since it is further off the beaten track and slightly less convenient to get to. But, if you ask me, that is what makes this island so great! While direct flights from the mainland have increased in recent years, you’ll still notice fewer crowds and far more untouched reef for the discerning diver to enjoy.

As a U.S. territory, it’s a convenient destination for American travelers: no passport required for U.S. citizens, English is spoken everywhere, and the U.S. dollar is the local currency. The island also has a relaxed, welcoming vibe, with a solid and friendly expat community.

What makes St. Croix an absolute haven for divers is the incredible diversity of uncrowded dive sites that cater to all certification levels. Whether you’re a new diver looking for a calm reef teeming with life, or a seasoned professional seeking deep wrecks and wall dives, you’ll find it here. Expect everything from sloping coral gardens filled with turtles and sharks, to sheer wall dives, deep and shallow wrecks, and macro-rich environments like the Frederiksted Pier.

Imagine starting your morning with a walk-in dramatic wall dive, followed by an afternoon boat dive to a near shore wreck or reef. Then, if your dive card still isn’t punched for the day, finish with a twilight shore dive or night dive right off the pier.

---

Top Dive Sites in St. Croix

1. The Wall at Cane Bay

This iconic site is a must-do for any diver visiting the island. Just a short swim from shore, the wall starts around 40 feet and drops into the deep blue abyss. The coral growth here is spectacular, with towering sponges, sea fans, and schools of reef fish. Turtles, eagle rays, and even the occasional reef shark are common sightings. Ask the locals about the giant resident seahorse or garden of coral trees found in the sand patch at this site.

2. Frederiksted Pier

Ask any local dive professional and they’ll tell you this is one of the best shore dives in the Caribbean. The pilings are encrusted with colorful sponges and corals, and the pier attracts all kinds of marine life, from juvenile fish, stingrays, squid and octopus to seahorses, red lipped and long-nose batfish and the elusive frogfish. It’s also a top site for macro photography and stellar night diving.

Pro TIP: One of the best ways to dive this site is to walk all the way to the end of the pier and take the 8–10-foot plunge into the water. Then descend to about 45-feet depth and slowly make your way back to shore exploring the pillars as you go.

3. The Wrecks at Butler Bay

A cluster of sunken ships offers the chance to explore multiple wrecks in a single dive. The Northwind, a 75-foot trawler, and the Virgin Islander, a 300-foot freighter, are both highlights. These wrecks sit at varied depths, making them suitable for both beginner and advanced divers. They’re teeming with marine life and provide an exciting contrast to reef diving.

4. Salt River Canyon

This site offers a thrilling two-for-one dive. The canyon is split into East and West walls, both dropping to around 100 feet and loaded with healthy corals and marine life. This is a great spot for larger pelagic encounters and is often visited by nurse sharks, jacks, and the occasional dolphin.

5. Sprat Hall Reef

Perfect for beginner divers and those who want a mellow dive teeming with life, Sprat Hall Reef is shallow, colorful, and accessible. Expect to see everything from squid and moray eels to colorful parrotfish and nudibranchs.

6. Long Reef

Spanning the North Shore this collection of sloping reef sites is a favorite for locals and visiting divers alike. From the Christiansted harbor dive charters can reach these near shore sites within 10 to 20 minutes. Starting at around 22 feet and sloping to 60 feet, highlights at these sights include schools of spade fish, reef sharks, multiple turtle species and much more.

Pro TIP: If you can, jump on a night dive charter to this reef during the new moon for the most magical experience of your life as the bioluminescent creatures put on a mesmerizing show.

7. North Star

This shore dive site is a little challenging to reach due to a rocky shoreline, so make sure you have sturdy dive boots, but it is worth all of the effort. A short surface swim takes you directly to a sheer wall teeming with creatures large and small.

8. Davis Bay

Tucked in front of the secluded Carambola Beach Resort, this off-the-beaten-path shore dive is worth every bit of the 200-foot surface swim. From this lush, rainforest side of the island, you’ll be distracted by mountain views so cinematic you might find yourself humming the Jurassic Park theme as you paddle out. This site is a cinch to navigate as the sloping reef gives way to a breathtaking wall dive.

Pro TIP: While you are here hike to the tide pools for a relaxing sunset dip.

---

Dive Shops and Logistics

As a former instructor on the island, I had the privilege of working alongside some truly dedicated dive professionals. The island has a handful of excellent dive operations, each with their own vibe and specialties. Here are four top choices:

• St. Croix Ultimate Bluewater Adventures (S.C.U.B.A.) – I may be partial since this is my old shop, but you can’t deny the excellence of their operation and access to dive sites all around the island. With locations on both the North and West shores, this shop offers flexibility and excellent facilities and gear rentals. Their instructors are patient and experienced, making them a favorite for new divers.
• Nep2une Divers – Known for their customer service and laid-back approach, they offer small group diving experiences and a strong focus on personal attention.
• Blue Salt Divers – A professional and friendly shop offering daily boat dives and guided shore dives, perfect for exploring a range of sites across the island.
• Crucian Adventure Divers (formerly Adventures in Diving STX) – A well-loved operation that provides a personalized and educational diving experience with a focus on safety and marine conservation.

Most dive shops offer multi-day packages, gear rentals, and hotel partnerships. I always recommend bringing your own dive computer and mask if possible, but rental gear on St. Croix is generally in excellent condition.

---

When to Go

St. Croix is a year-round diving destination with warm water temps (usually 78-84°F) and visibility often exceeding 80 feet. Hurricane season runs from June through November, with the highest chance of storms in August and September. For the best conditions, December through May is ideal.

If you’re lucky enough to visit in March or April, keep your eyes and ears peeled—humpback whales migrate past the island during this time and can sometimes be spotted offshore by divers or beach goers. One of my favorite activities during this season is finding a quiet spot along the wall and just sitting in place and listening to whale songs.

---

Travel Tips for Getting to St. Croix

• Getting There: Flights to St. Croix (STX) connect through Miami, Charlotte, and other major U.S. hubs. You can also connect from Puerto Rico or St. Thomas via a short flight or ferry.
• Car Rental: Highly recommended (Unless you want to wait around for the one ‘Ubah’ driver on island). The island is too big to explore on foot, and dive sites are spread out. Just remember, even though they have American made vehicles, they drive on the left!
• Accommodations: Options range from boutique beachfront hotels to Airbnbs and full-service resorts. Stay near Christiansted if you want nightlife and restaurants, or Frederiksted for easy access to the Pier and West End dive sites.

---

Bonus: 10 Non-Diving Activities on St. Croix

Even the most enthusiastic divers need a surface interval. St. Croix offers plenty of activities for your no-dive days or for family and friends who don’t dive.

1. Explore Christiansted and Fort Christiansvaern

This charming colonial town is full of cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and great restaurants. Don’t miss Fort Christiansvaern, a beautifully preserved 18th-century fort with sweeping views of the harbor.

2. Experience Island Spirits at the Cruzan Rum Distillery and Leatherback Brewing Co.

Take a tour of the island’s legendary rum distillery and sample of some local Cruzan favorites and cocktails. The tour is laid-back, informative, fun, and includes a tasting at the end.

Then move on to Leatherbacks, a local brewery known for its craft beers brewed right on the island using Caribbean ingredients and flair. Visitors can enjoy a tasting flight, take a brewery tour, or simply relax on the open-air patio with a cold pint and ocean breeze. Don’t miss their seasonal tropical blends and lively weekend atmosphere.

3. Jolly Mon Live Music Sunset Catamaran Sail

Taking off from Frederiksted Pier this catamaran sunset sail is a standout favorite. Calm seas, live music and rum punch are the perfect recipe to wind down after a dive-filled vacation.

Book Now

4. Hike to the Carambola Tide Pools at Annaly Bay

This moderately challenging hike leads you to stunning natural tide pools surrounded by dramatic rock formations. Wear sturdy shoes and bring a swimsuit—it’s worth the effort.

5. Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Tour

On a moonless night, paddle through Salt River Bay to witness one of nature’s most magical phenomena—bioluminescence. The water glows with every stroke of your paddle thanks to microscopic organisms that light up when disturbed.

6. Snorkel at Buck Island

Even if you’re a diver, don’t miss this iconic snorkeling trip. Buck Island Reef National Monument is one of only a few underwater national parks in the U.S. The coral gardens and underwater trail are great for snorkelers and make for a relaxing half-day trip. Big Beards Adventure Tours and Caribbean Sea Adventures are two popular tour providers that will take you there by beautiful catamaran, with rum drinks and all.

7. Horseback Riding and ATV Tours

Explore St. Croix’s lush inland terrain or coastal paths by horseback or ATV. Guided tours are available for all experience levels and offer a fun, adventurous way to see a different side of the island.

8. Domino Club and the Beer-Drinking Pigs

A quirky and unforgettable stop in the rainforest, the Domino Club is home to the island’s famous beer-drinking pigs. They don’t actually drink alcohol—but offering them a (non-alcoholic) brew is part of the fun. Enjoy a cold drink, local food, and good company while you’re there.

9. Rhythms at Rainbow Beach

Just a short drive from Frederiksted, this is one of St. Croix’s most vibrant coastal escapes. With calm turquoise waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling, plus a lively beachside bar and rental gear for paddleboarding or jet skiing, it’s easy to spend an entire day here.

Pro Tip: Stick around for the sunset when the horizon lights up in shades of gold and coral that make this spot a true island gem.

10. Hiking the East End and Point Udall

The windswept, arid landscape of St. Croix’s east end is home to the easternmost point of the U.S., Point Udall, and offers panoramic views of rolling hills and endless Caribbean blue. Trails like the Goat Hill Hike challenge adventurers with steep climbs, while the trail at the East End Preserve leads down to stunning coves and beaches.

Pro Tip: The East End is the desert side of the island. Pack water, sunscreen, and your camera. This side of the island is raw, wild, and unforgettable.

---

Final Thoughts from Your Travel Consultant and a St. Croix Diving Expert

St. Croix is more than just a dive destination, it’s a place that gets under your skin in the best possible way. Whether you’re logging your first dives or pushing into deep tech diving territory, the island offers the diversity, quality, and laid-back charm that makes for a memorable scuba vacation. From sloping reefs teeming with turtles and sharks, to deep and shallow wrecks, sheer wall dives, and a macro heaven at the Frederiksted Pier, there’s something here for every diver.

As a travel advisor, dive instructor, and former resident of this incredible island, I can confidently say that diving in St. Croix is the perfect blend of adventure, accessibility, and authentic Caribbean experience. So, if you’re dreaming of your next Caribbean dive trip and want something that feels off the beaten path and authentic—both above and below the surface—put St. Croix on your list. You won’t regret it.

🤿 Need Help Planning the Perfect St. Croix Dive Trip? As a dive instructor and former St. Croix resident, I possess a particular set of skills, which make me a dream planner for a busy professional looking for the ideal dive vacation. If you would like my help planning this or any other dive getaway, get in touch, and let me take on all the heavy lifting, so all you have to do is dive, dive, dive!