Page 99 - The Virgin Islands

LEDGES OF LITTLE ST. JAMES to 30’ (9m) Beg. Boat dive for nov-
ices to explore shallow undercut ledges and boulders. Huge schools of
yellowtail snappers and solitary rock beauties are seen. Caution: Fire
coral.
ARMANDO’S PARADISE 10’-50’ (3-15m) Beg. This is a seamount
named for a local underwater cameraman. It has undercutting ledges
and channels which shelter a huge variety of reef creatures. Close ob-
servation reveals tiny species such as redlip blennies.
COW & CALF to 45’ (14m) Beg. This boat dive within St. James
Marine Reserve is at a large rock (the “Cow”) and a smaller rock (the
“Calf), which both break the surface and remind passersby of whales.
It has convoluted rocky tunnels, and canyons and ledges make for un-
derwater fun. “Cow” may be the most visited boat dive site in the
USVI.
ARCHES & TUNNELS OF THATCH CAY 25’-40’ (8-12m) Int. Lava
tubes, rock arches and swim-through tunnels highlight a dive that also
has gorgonians, butterflyfish, surgeonfishes (tangs), morays and lob-
sters. Also loaded with silversides.
GRASS CAY 10’ - 65’ (3-20m) Beg. This fringing reef slopes to sandy
bottom. MARY’S MOUNDS and GRASSCO JUNCTION are large
star coral pinnacles rising from the sand. THE CLASSROOM is a
popular check- out dive site. THE GARDENS (a.k.a. AL’S CUT) in-
cludes coral pinnacles and a high coral spur. Tons of fish and turtles. challenge, and it is usually a drift dive.
COKI BEACH & CORAL WORLD 10’-50’ (3-15m) Beg. Shore dive
off this popular beach to fabulous fringe reefs by entry at Coki Beach
Dive Club. Great for snorkelers as well. Elkhorn and staghorn corals
dott the slope, while sea rods and gorgonians wave in the current. Ex-
cellent night dive. “Coral World” is a marine park at Coki Point. At
Coki Point a diverse creviced reef is a good dive site called THATCH
CAY
MAJ. GENERAL ROGERS 40’ - 64’ (12-20m) Int. Popular wreck dive
on WWII Army freighter scuttled in 1972 for reef. It is beautifully en-
crusted, but use caution as firecorals, brittleworms and black hydroids
like it too. 500’ forward from bow is the
MARY KING a sunken 110’ barge, also colourfully encrusted.
MOUNDS AT MINGO 10’ - 50’ (3-15m) Beg. Sloping reef and
mounds of star corals on sandy bottom. Upper reef is a fish nursery.
LIND POINT 20’-60’ (6-18m) Beg. Dive beneath busy boat traffic.
Sea fans and colorful sponges are beautiful with a dive light at night.
LOVANGO CAY 10’ - 50’ (3-15m) Beg. Commonly a drift dive, but
poor visibility. Site has hawksbill turtles and pelagics including eagle
rays and African pompano.
CONGO CAY 20’ - 85’ (8-26m) Int. Snorkelling tour boats as well
as scuba operators stop here. There is a steep drop to sand at 35’-50’
depth. Overhangs have spiny lobsters, conches are in the sand.
CARVEL ROCK 20’-80’ (6-24m) Adv. Sheer north-facing wall is best
wall dive outside of St. Croix. Surge and currents make this dive a
TRUNK BAY UNDERWATER TRAIL Interpretive signs guide snor-
kelers though the reef wonders at St. John’s most popular beach.