Page 29 - Florida and the US Caribbean Isles
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US VIRGIN ISLANDS TOP TEN DIVE SITES by multiple entryways. Look up to see streams of sunlight pouring in
BUTLER BAY WRECKS - These five distinct wrecks clumped together from the “skylight.”
on St. Croix’s northwest tip can be done in one dive — if you move fast. FRENCH CAP - This small cay south of St. Thomas is too far for most
Better yet, take it easy and see them all over two dives. dive boats to visit with any regularity, but when the weather is perfect,
CARVAL ROCKS - Drop down on the sheltered south side of this rock special trips do happen and they’re worth it. There are a few spots to
formation, then kick hard against the stiff current flowing through dive here, and the Pinnacle is one you shouldn’t miss. A handful of
“The Cut,” a shallow, submerged passage through the rock. Let the rock spires shoot up from the 95-foot bottom to about 40 feet. Jacks
current take you 360 degrees around the rock, past dramatic forma- and barracuda chase swarms of reef fish around the summit. Craggy
tions and through a narrow canyon packed with baitfish and tarpon. fissures provide ample nooks for green morays and octopus to hide.
The sheer wall on the east end drops to 80 feet, and the shallow coral WIT SHOAL II - This 330-foot freighter and former tank landing ship
gardens on the way back to the boat are good places to look for nurse was first sunk by a tropical storm in 1984, then six months later towed
sharks, reef squid and octopus. to her current resting place west of Saba Island. The ship sits upright in
CONGO CAY - This dive starts in a wide sand channel where large 90 feet, with the pilothouse starting at 30 feet. Cup corals and sponges
southern stingrays rest and forage for food. Follow your dive guide encrust the ship, and open holds and companionways provide refuge
through a backbone of rock spires to the coral-draped wall. Dolphins for grouper and barracuda.
sometimes cruise the sand channel surrounding the cay. Depths are SALT RIVER CANYON WEST WALL - A sheer drop off wall. Lots of
between 25 and 80 feet with the best formations and marine life be- canyons and groves to go through. Pelagic as well as eel, snapper, jacks
tween 35 and 60. and groupers. Some really big stingrays in the area. Great for novice
COW AND CALF - These sister sites are easily accessible from either divers as well as advanced. The East Wall mooring is in 40 feet of water,
St. Thomas or St. John. Both feature undersea playgrounds complete the back of the boat usually hangs in 1,000 feet. Tons of sponges soft
with arches, canyons and swim-throughs at a max depth of 45 feet. At and hard corals. Two types of black coral, the green and pink ones.
Cow Rock, a tunnel packed with silversides ends with “The Cham- Lots of pelagic and tropical fish. Grouper, snapper, eels, conch, lobster
pagne Cork,” a vertical opening where the surge pops divers out onto and crab are found here. Usually very clear water.
the surrounding staghorn coral reef. Look for gray reef sharks cruising THATCH OF THATCH - These tunnels on the north side of Thatch
the perimeter. Cay are only safe when flat calm surface conditions keep the surge
EAGLE SHOALS - This rarely visited site off the east end of St. John down. You’ll meander through a winding path of baitfish- and tarpon-
is best known for “The Cathedral,” a large, open chamber accessed packed canyons and caverns, then explore a sloping, boulder-strewn
hillside at depths of 25 to 40 feet.
