Find Awesome Diving In St. Croix
You don’t hear as much about St. Croix compared to some other islands for a Caribbean destination. Not sure why it hasn’t received a like amount of promotion, but that’s good news for anyone looking to get away from the crowds, and do so at a fraction of what it costs elsewhere.
For divers, it’s an even better deal, since not only does it boast excellent diving, the likes of which aren’t found elsewhere, but less visitors translates into reefs that have remained more pristine and vibrant. Besides fewer residents and tourists, it also has more modestly priced lodging, food, gas, and nearly everything else, including dive packages and rental gear.
The “Wall” runs along the north shore for several miles, and is awesome diving. This reef is just offshore at around 30 to 50 feet down. You then swim out over a wall that drops down to 3200 feet. Swimming along the face between 60’ to 110’ there is an incredible diversity of marine life, from dense corals and sponges to turtles, lobsters, crabs, and a wide assortment of colorful reef fish.
In particular, was a spotted drum about a foot long, which was unusual since they are mostly encountered as small juveniles. There are also some gorgeous lavender colored tube and vase sponges, with pinkish insides, that seem prolific in the waters around this island.
Salt River opens to the harbor on the north-side, just outside Christiansted, and is known as the location Columbus first set foot on in 1493. Not being a diver I’m certain he saw the reefs protecting the entrance more as a hindrance to his landing than as an awesome dive site. For the rest of us, it’s some of the best Scuba diving in St. Croix.
Along this part of the wall, the coral heads loom to great heights, and are broken by tunnels and swim-thrus that would take forever to thoroughly explore. To further occupy your attention, are large schools of fish, rays, turtles, the ever-present cleaning stations, and tons of other creatures that make their homes in this rich current fed reef.
Somewhere on your agenda, be sure and include a dive under the Frederiksted Pier. While most of the premier diving is along the north shore, this west-end location shouldn’t be missed. For some of the best Diving in St. Croix, especially for macro photographers, it’s a potpourri of goodies.
The pier was built for once prolific cruise ship traffic but with their absence over the last few years, it’s become home to a variety of creatures who’ve moved in. In fact it’s got more fish and other critters packed into a smaller area than most anywhere else you’ll visit. Interestingly enough, you can pretty much count on seeing not just one octopus, but several on any given dive.
On both the west-end north of the pier, and the northeast side of St. Croix are several wreck sites. All the vessels were made safe before being intentionally sunk, and are shallow enough for most divers. Some penetration is possible, but they don’t require technical diving skills.
Most of the sites are sandy bottoms teeming with garden eels, and frequented by southern stingrays. These wrecks have been submerged long enough to have healthy growth over much of them, yet the structures are still quite visible. Highlighted in the clear water, with the right lighting, they make excellent photo opportunities.
Sitting off to the south, about 45 miles from her more popular neighbor St. Thomas, this island is off the radar for many divers and other Caribbean vacation travelers. But the truth is, St. Croix island offers the same beautiful ocean and scenery, plus better diving in places, without the crowds and high cost.