Rust Op Twist

The ocean is about 30 meters from the parking, so gear-up at your car. This small entrance is to an old shrimp farm, and is just to the West of where you should be. This is the remains of an old entrance to the sugar plantation, and is just opposite the dive site. Looking East, you'll see a small cut-out toward the ocean. Park next to that entrance. Notice the uneven bottom strewn with small ankle-twisting rocks. Wear good booties, and use your buddy to keep your balance while you walk to deeper water. When the swells are from the East, this point will provide good protection.

This was the best shore dive we did in St. Croix. The most wildlife with some bigger fish, lots of barracuda and black durgons, the best reef in excellent condition (fan coral, tube coral, sponges, etc). The entry can be difficult due to loose bowling ball sized coral boulders that are on the bottom with surf coming in on you - this makes walking out hazardous to ankles but it is worth the effort. Navigation is ideal - there is a pipe you can follow out and best of all you can follow in making night diving very easy (we found this the best night dive for someone unfamiliar with the terrain). It's a bit of a swim out 12-15 minutes. Check the current and swim into it along a sloping wall covered in coral, then drift/swim back until you cross the pipe and follow it in.

I live at Rust op Twist during the winter. It can be downright life-threatening for entry for people not used to it. It took me a long time to try again after my first bashing. Look for the pipe from the shrimp tanks, and use it as a guide to test the current.