Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in St. Thomas

When we were there a local dive shop took me on my 'checkout dive' at a shore dive at a place called Coki Beach. Depth to 40-50' sand beach entry. No waves, and in a protected cove. Popular snorkel location and had probably hundreds of snorkelers, most of whom stayed in 3-8' of water and away from divers. Parking on street area, walk down a set of concrete steps directly onto the beach. Very easy access. I think this beach is in the travel guides (Fodor's etc). Can't remember if there's a local dive shop on site for equipment or air fills, but I know there was a building in which people were renting snorkel gear and we weren't the only one's diving either... FYI: this is a popular cruise boat tourist dumping spot.

South side of Saba Island. No mooring. If anchoring boat on lee (west) side which is usually calmer, it can be a long swim to the best diving in the center of the south side of the island.

Nice clean enclosed bay. Nice reefs with plenty of fish. Very helpful dive shop. Nice patio style restraint close by for an after dive drink and giant burgers. Transportation from the Cruise ship terminals is the issue as driver may not want to make this out of the way one way haul with no guarantee of a return fare. So be sure to make arrangements beforehand. Hull Bay, north shore, St Thomas USVI.

Southern side of the private island of Saint James Ledges of Little Saint James is also known as Little St James.

There are two moorings. The arches and tunnels are just off the point. Arches and Tunnels is also known as Alice in Wonderland.

Beautiful Bay. Turtles and many fish. Direct in from the beach Magens bay is also known as Megans Bay.

Southeast side of Saint Thomas. 1.5 nautical miles from Benner harbour.

Secret Harbour is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Virgin Islands, Saint Thomas Island which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

spotted eagle rays, eels, turtles, lobsters Buck Island

puffer fish, starfish, stingrays, turtles Saint James Bay

Navy barges sunk as artificial reef. Maximum depth is 40-50 feet. Marked with a buoy and a tie point so you don't have to drop anchor. Lots of sea life here with spine lobster and eels in abundance. Navy Barges is also known as Navy Barges at St Thomas USVI.

Probably the most famous dive in the USVI, the WIT Shoal is a popular deep wreck. Located some miles out from St Thomas, it was illegally sunk in shallower waters when it was supposed to be sunk off the deep dropoff miles further out. However, the wreck is relatively in tact, and having sunk in 1984 has now attracted a host of marine life. The wreck is fairly large (327 feet), and one can swim through penetration on most of the decks. Because of the large amount of external light, and the lack of confined spaces, pentration training is not normally needed. It sits on sand at 70 feet (although parts inside the wreck reach deeper). The wheelhouse is at 30 feet. More info: http://www.caribdiveguide.com/WIT_shoal.htm By boat only. Divers must "hook into" the wreck, which can only be done if weather conditions permit. Site is not marked, and so cannot realistically be located without GPS coordinates. Approximate location shown in map. WIT Shoal Wreck is also known as WIT Shoal.

The largest of the deep wrecks off St Thomas, the WIT Concrete sits on a sandy bottom at about 100 feet. The wreck is upright and largely intact. It is possible to penetrate, but no real ambient light comes in and so lights are needed, and penetration training would be advisable. The wreck is home to a bull shark and a turtle, but other than that marine life is surprising scant. No real coral growth on the wreck, and no nearby reefs. rhdiii 05/13/09 I was diving the WIT Shoal the day that they sank the WIT Concrete. We passed them towing it on the way out and located it on the way back in. I Didn't dive it for a couple of years after that, but the shop dove it regularly. By boat only. Approximately 2 miles south of "Captain's nightmare" off St Thomas. Dive site is not marked, and so is difficult to locate without GPS coordinates. Wreck needs to be "hooked" as site is too deep to anchor.

Stragglers Rocks is also known as Stragglers of Great St. James.

Southern side of Saint Thomas, outside Buck Island Cove.

Southeast side of Saint Thomas. 1.5 nautical miles from Benner harbour.

Sprat is a common "second dive" after diving nearby deep wrecks like the WIT Concrete or the Miss Opportunity. Boats anchor moor in approximately 60 feet on the sandy bottom, but then ascend to the shallower reef, where a variety of coral formations lead to trenches, tunnels and small caverns that can be explored. Sadly the area has been heavily fished, and although the topography is impressive, marine life is in very short supply. Boat boat only. A few minutes outside of Charlotte Amalie harbor.