Scuba Diving

Are you a newly certified or an advanced diver? Scuba diving in St. John is easy, accessible and offers an array of experiences for everyone. And because the U.S. Virgin Islands is a territory of the United States, you’ll enjoy the added safety of diving within U.S. waters. All dive boats are inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard and captains are USCG certified. St. John shares many dive sites with St. Thomas, so dive boats from both islands can roam freely to the reefs between the two islands.

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Sea life is abundant here. More than 500 species of fish, 40 types of coral and hundreds of invertebrates inhabit the water. Vibrant blue tang, silvery horse-eye jacks, queen triggerfish, spiny Caribbean lobster, spotted eagle rays, creole wrasses and cleaner gobies are just a sampling of the marine life populating the underwater terrain. As the sun sets, octopuses, sea horses and moray eels make their appearance. Hawksbill, green and leatherback turtles call the USVI home and can be seen on many a dive. Lucky vacationers may even witness turtles hatching at one of the many turtle nesting grounds.

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There are plenty of diving sites to choose from, but popular favorites include eagle shoals, carvel rock, and tektite. Eagle shoals is located on St. John’s east end between Ram Head and Leduck Island. Arches, tunnels and caves are its signature features. The cave, known as “The Cathedral”, is encrusted with vivid sponges and orange cup coral. Schools of black durgeons, porkfish and silversides populate the shoal. Northeast of the cave is a series of deep walls and tiers that shelter spotted drums and Queen and French Angelfish. Carvel rock consists of a series of adjacent rocks, which serves as a nesting site for terns and other birds. The south side is blanketed with sponges, gorgonians and a variety of sea life. The north face is the star attraction, dropping below 80 feet. Watch for stingrays in the sand and tarpon who regularly scavenge on silversides. Lastly, tektite offers history like none other. In a joint effort by NASA and the Department of the Interior and the Navy, Tektite (an underwater laboratory which was the home to divers) anchored at 50 feet to the seafloor in Greater Lameshur Bay. In 1969, four “aquanauts” spent two months being monitored by behavioral specialists for the psychological effects of extended isolation and the physiological results of breathing compressed air. Divers visiting the site will find a varied terrain of coral-encrusted tunnels, caves and ledges. Tarpon, squid, triggerfish, mackerel and small reef fish thrive here.

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Check out these 2 St. John scuba diving outfits:

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Cruz Bay Watersports

Website: www.cruzbaywatersports.com

Cruz Bay Watersports offer two scuba excursion options: morning and afternoon. "Two Tank Morning Dives" includes all dive gear (except wetsuit shorty), restrooms, fresh water shower, and all beverages. Departing Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday at 1pm. "Afternoon Scuba Diving" will get you out in the water for 3 hours, You'll explore 2 of over 30 dive sites located just a short boat away from St.John. Their afternoon 2 tank dive is ideal for beginner to intermediate divers. We also welcome SCUBA students on our afternoon dive tips. Dive gear (except wetsuit shorty), restrooms, fresh water shower and non-alcoholic beverages are all included.

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Low Key Watersports

Website: www.divelowkey.com

Low Key Watersports is a PADI five-star IDC facility. Not scuba certified or looking to advance your dive certification? They can teach you in no time! They offer a full range of diving courses from Discover Scuba Diving and Open Water, all the way up through Divemaster and Instructor! As a certified diver, you can enjoy their daily reef dives, or weekly night dives and wreck trips! If you prefer to shore dive, they have a full range of scuba equipment available for rent, just stop by our shop. 

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