Page 93 - Florida and the US Caribbean Isles
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LEDGES OF LITTLE ST. JAMES to 30’ (9m) Beg. Boat dive for nov- cellent night dive. “Coral World” is a marine park at Coki Point. At
ices to explore shallow undercut ledges and boulders. Huge schools of Coki Point a diverse creviced reef is a good dive site called THATCH
yellowtail snappers and solitary rock beauties are seen. Caution: Fire CAY
coral. MAJ. GENERAL ROGERS 40’ - 64’ (12-20m) Int. Popular wreck dive
ARMANDO’S PARADISE 10’-50’ (3-15m) Beg. This is a seamount on WWII Army freighter scuttled in 1972 for reef. It is beautifully en-
named for a local underwater cameraman. It has undercutting ledges crusted, but use caution as firecorals, brittleworms and black hydroids
and channels which shelter a huge variety of reef creatures. Close ob- like it too. 500’ forward from bow is the
servation reveals tiny species such as redlip blennies. MARY KING a sunken 110’ barge, also colourfully encrusted.
COW & CALF to 45’ (14m) Beg. This boat dive within St. James MOUNDS AT MINGO 10’ - 50’ (3-15m) Beg. Sloping reef and
Marine Reserve is at a large rock (the “Cow”) and a smaller rock (the mounds of star corals on sandy bottom. Upper reef is a fish nursery.
“Calf), which both break the surface and remind passersby of whales. LIND POINT 20’-60’ (6-18m) Beg. Dive beneath busy boat traffic.
It has convoluted rocky tunnels, and canyons and ledges make for un- Sea fans and colorful sponges are beautiful with a dive light at night.
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 LOVANGO CAY 10’ - 50’ (3-15m) Beg. Commonly a drift dive, but
tubes, rock arches and swim-through tunnels highlight a dive that also poor visibility. Site has hawksbill turtles and pelagics including eagle
has gorgonians, butterflyfish, surgeonfishes (tangs), morays and lob- rays and African pompano.
sters. Also loaded with silversides. CONGO CAY 20’ - 85’ (8-26m) Int. Snorkelling tour boats as well
GRASS CAY 10’ - 65’ (3-20m) Beg. This fringing reef slopes to sandy as scuba operators stop here. There is a steep drop to sand at 35’-50’
bottom. MARY’S MOUNDS and GRASSCO JUNCTION are large depth. Overhangs have spiny lobsters, conches are in the sand.
star coral pinnacles rising from the sand. THE CLASSROOM is a CARVEL ROCK 20’-80’ (6-24m) Adv. Sheer north-facing wall is best
popular check- out dive site. THE GARDENS (a.k.a. AL’S CUT) in- wall dive outside of St. Croix. Surge and currents make this dive a
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 TRUNK BAY UNDERWATER TRAIL Interpretive signs guide snor-
off this popular beach to fabulous fringe reefs by entry at Coki Beach kelers though the reef wonders at St. John’s most popular 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-
