The Complete Guide to Scuba Diving in St. Thomas, USVI

As with anywhere (even the worst places), there are always more reasons TO dive somewhere than to not dive. The same holds particularly true for St. Thomas.

The scuba diving surrounding the island is remarkable for a whole litany of reasons:

• Thriving Coral Reefs. Hurricanes Maria and Irma took their toll in 2017, but the coral reefs are fighting back with critically endangered Elkhorn coral leading the comeback.
• Frequent Megafauna Sightings. It’s not uncommon to spot Caribbean Reef Sharks, Green Sea Turtles, and an Eagle Ray all within one dive.

• Unique Underwater Architecture. Millions of years of volcanoes, earthquake activity, and geological change have created a unique underwater landscape found nowhere else.
• Crystal Blue Water. The glimmering, turquoise waters of the Caribbean create strikingly clear visibility while scuba diving.

Every dive destination has a series of elite dives. You know, the cream of the crop. Crème de la crème. The types of dive sites you simply can’t find anywhere else in the world.

In St. Thomas, we have a few of them. The unique underwater landscape and geological structure of the area spawn some incredible dive sites.

• Cow & Calf Rocks. The two most famous dive sites in St. Thomas are remnants of ancient lava tubes producing adrenaline-inducing swim-throughs and scenic ledges.
• French Cap. A small islet 6 miles south of St. Thomas with a staggering pinnacle projecting upwards from depths of 100 feet.

• Ledges of Little St. James. Beneath the shadow of a troubled island is a picturesque series of underwater ledges teeming with marine life.
• Cartanza Senora. Popular wreck and reef combo for Discover Scuba Diving programs and seasoned scuba veterans.

As one of the most popular cruise ports in the world and the top Caribbean destination for Americans, you won’t find any shortage of dive operators on St. Thomas.

But pay attention, different dive operators cater to different crowds. If you’re unsure which is right for you, read our full article on the best dive shops on St. Thomas.

• Red Hook Dive Center. Largest dive retailer and best dive charter on the island (Not to be big-headed but I’m the head Boat Captain here and I’d have to say we run a pretty good show!)
• Aqua Marine Dive Shop. Top-quality operation making frequent trips to Buck Island and southside dive sites.

• Admiralty Dive Center. Only dive shop on the island making consistent trips to popular wreck sites on the west end of St. Thomas.
• Coki Beach Dive Center. Top dive center on the East End for beach diving on Coki Point.

Bucketlist Dives in St. Thomas

• Northside St. Thomas. Rough Point off of Outer Brass Island and Hans Lollick provide unique rock structures and underwater bluffs.
• Buck Island. The dives surrounding the small island just off St. Thomas are some of the best in the Caribbean.
• Lionfish Hunting. Deep coral reefs are filled with invasive lionfish. Inquire with one of the dive shops for a hunting trip.
• Cow & Calf. Swim-throughs. Ledges. Canyons. Incredible marine life. Need I say more?

Marine Life in the US Virgin Islands

• Caribbean Reef Sharks. These sharks lay residence at most of the popular coral reef dive sites around the island.
• Spotted Eagle Rays. I’ve seen more spotted eagle rays here than anywhere else I’ve been.
• Nudibranch. These unique mollusks are frequently found hiding on the sea floor of St. Thomas dive sites.
• Caribbean Spiny Lobster. These suckers dwarf the spiny lobster found in Florida.

Dive Conditions

• Average Water Temperature. 81 °F with lows of 78°F in the winter and highs of 83°F in the summer.
• Ocean Conditions. Tradewinds consistently blow from the southeast causing rough seas year-round. Many dive sites are sheltered but prepare for rocky seas, regardless.
• Visibility. Most dive sites in St. Thomas have around 60 to 70 feet of visibility. Deeper and distant sites may see 100+ feet.
• When to Avoid. Even if seas are rough, dive operators usually have a relatively calm dive site they can visit. You can dive in St. Thomas year-round.

Weather in St. Thomas

• Average Air Temperature. Summer months see average highs of 84°F and winter months drop to 79°F
• Climate. St. Thomas is in a tropical environment with hot temperatures year-round.
• Best Time of Year. The best time to dive in St. Thomas is during the summer months. Although hot, seas are much calmer, the visibility is better, and water temperatures are warmer.

Outdoor Activities / Things to Do

• Hiking. Although lacking the epic hikes found on St. John, St. Thomas does have a few. My favorite is the hike up to John Brewers Rock on the west side of the island.
• Beaches. The US Virgin Islands are known for their beaches before anything else. Magens Bay, Lindquist Beach, and Brewers Bay are a few of my favorites.
• Boating. The tradewinds make the US Virgin Islands a premier destination for sailing. For non-sailors, I highly recommend hopping aboard a day charter boat at some point.
• Snorkeling. Most boat trips go snorkeling in some capacity. But honestly, some of the best snorkeling is right off the beach.

Restaurants and Bars

• Island Time Pub (ITP). The rooftop bar in Red Hook has the best pizza on the island.
• Tap & Still. A delicious, greasy burger for a fair price. You can’t go wrong here.
• Caribbean Fish Market. Upscale seafood restaurant serving freshly caught fish from local fishermen.
• The Easterly. Rustic Caribbean-style restaurant with fantastic cocktails and even better cuisine.
• French Quarter Bistro. A touch of New Orleans in the Caribbean – the French Quarter Bistro is a delectable spot for a wonderful evening out.

St. Thomas Facts & Info

• US Transfer. The United States purchased the US Virgin Islands in 1917 from Denmark.
• Good Day! It’s customary to greet all Virgin Islanders with an emphatic “Good morning! Good afternoon! Or Good day!”
• Size and Population. St. Thomas is the second-largest yet most populous of the US Virgin Islands.
• Driving on the left. The Virgin Islands is the only territory of the United States that drives on the left side of the road.

Where to Stay

• Ritz Carlton. The top hotel on St. Thomas is conveniently located on the island’s East End.
• Secret Harbour. Aqua Action Dive Shop and their boat are located within this extremely popular resort.
• Lime Tree Resort. Aqua Marine Dive Shop is conveniently located within the Lime Tree Resort.
• Sapphire Beach. Privately-owned condos, often featured on VRBO for rent, with their own beach and near dive shops in Red Hook and Coki Beach.