Diving in St. Croix

Explore 16 dive sites in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. Ocean conditions, marine species, and dive centres.

Best Time to Dive in St. Croix

The warmest water temperatures in St. Croix occur in January, averaging 27.0°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.0°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.0°C (air: 24.6°C)
  • February: 27.0°C (air: 24.3°C)
  • March: 27.0°C (air: 24.6°C)
  • April: 27.0°C (air: 25.2°C)
  • May: 27.0°C (air: 26.3°C)
  • June: 27.0°C (air: 27.0°C)
  • July: 27.0°C (air: 27.1°C)
  • August: 27.0°C (air: 27.3°C)
  • September: 27.0°C (air: 27.4°C)
  • October: 27.0°C (air: 27.1°C)
  • November: 27.0°C (air: 26.2°C)
  • December: 27.0°C (air: 25.5°C)

Marine Life in St. Croix

Home to 465 recorded species including 391 reef fish, 38 hard corals, 9 sharks & rays, 6 seagrass & algae, 6 whales & dolphins, 5 other.

Dive Site Difficulty in St. Croix

St. Croix has 11 beginner, 4 intermediate dive sites - suitable for divers of all levels.

Recommended Packing List for St. Croix

Based on average water temperature of 27.0°C.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Marine Protected Areas in St. Croix

  • Virgin Islands National Park - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Buck Island Reef National Monument - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category Ia)
  • Salt River Bay National Historic Park and Ecological Preserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Buck Island - National Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
  • Green Cay - National Wildlife Refuge (IUCN Category IV)
  • Booby Rock - State Conservation Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Carval Rock - State Conservation Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Cockroach Cay - State Conservation Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Congo Cay - State Conservation Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Cricket Rock - State Conservation Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Dog Island - State Conservation Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Dutchcap Cay - State Conservation Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Frenchcap Cay - State Conservation Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Kalkun Cay - State Conservation Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Leduck Island - State Conservation Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Saba Island - State Conservation Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Shark Island - State Conservation Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Steven Cay - State Conservation Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Sula Cay - State Conservation Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Whistling Cay - State Conservation Area (IUCN Category V)
  • Frank Bay - State Conservation Area (IUCN Category V)
  • St. Croix East End Marine Park - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category V)
  • St. Thomas East End R Reserve - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Saba Island - Specially Protected Area (Cartagena Convention) (IUCN Category V)
  • Cas Cay-Mangrove Lagoon Marine Reserve & Wildlife Sanctuary - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)
  • Virgin Islands - National Park (IUCN Category II)
  • Buck Island Reef - National Monument (IUCN Category III)
  • Virgin Islands Coral Reef - National Monument (IUCN Category V)
  • St. James Marine Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary - Marine Protected Area (IUCN Category IV)

Getting to St. Croix - Nearest Airports

  • Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX), Christiansted - 8 km away, approx 24 min travel time
  • Cyril E. King Airport (STT), Charlotte Amalie - 68 km away, approx 89 min travel time
  • Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS), Beef Island - 86 km away, approx 109 min travel time

Dive Sites

Dive Centres

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical water conditions like for diving in St. Croix, including visibility and temperature?
Diving in St. Croix offers consistently warm water conditions. During its best months, you can expect water temperatures to average around 27.04°C. This makes for comfortable diving experiences throughout the year, though specific visibility data is not provided.
What unique marine life can divers expect to see when diving in St. Croix?
The provided data does not specify unique marine life encounters for diving in St. Croix. However, as a prominent Caribbean destination, divers can typically anticipate a diverse array of tropical fish and coral species. For general information on marine life, you can explore our wildlife database.
What are considered the best dive sites in St. Croix, and what makes them stand out?
While 'best' is subjective, St. Croix offers a variety of standout dive sites. The famous Cane Bay Wall is an intermediate wall dive, while the Shallow Wrecks at Butler Bay provide an accessible beginner wreck experience. For reef enthusiasts, sites like North Star and The Aquarium in St Croix offer beginner-friendly exploration.
Is St. Croix suitable for beginner divers, or is it more for experienced divers?
St. Croix is highly suitable for beginner divers, boasting numerous sites categorized as 'Beginner.' Examples include the reef dives at North Star and King’s Corner, as well as the unique muck diving at Frederiksted Pier. Intermediate divers also have excellent options like the Cane Bay Wall and the Butler Bay Wrecks.
What are the easiest ways for travelers to get to St. Croix for a dive trip?
The provided data does not detail the easiest ways for travelers to get to St. Croix for a dive trip. Typically, reaching Caribbean islands involves flights to major airports, followed by local transfers. We recommend checking general travel resources for the US Virgin Islands.
Are there any specific seasonal variations or times of year that are best for diving in St. Croix?
Based on the provided data, the best times for diving in St. Croix, in terms of water temperature, are during Month 1, Month 2, and Month 3, when temperatures consistently average 27.04°C. This indicates a period of optimal comfort for divers. For more general insights on dive seasons, visit our when to dive guide.
Can you dive walls, wrecks, and reefs in St. Croix, and where are these types of dives located?
Absolutely, St. Croix offers a diverse range of diving experiences including walls, wrecks, and reefs. You can explore the famous Cane Bay Wall (Intermediate), dive the Butler Bay Wrecks (Intermediate) or the Shallow Wrecks at Butler Bay (Beginner), and discover numerous reefs like North Star (Beginner) and Tres Amigos (Intermediate).
What are the chances of seeing larger marine animals like sharks, rays, or even whales while diving in St. Croix?
The provided data does not include specific information regarding the chances of encountering larger marine animals such as sharks, rays, or whales while diving in St. Croix. While many Caribbean destinations are known for diverse marine life, we cannot confirm specific sightings based on the available context. For general information on marine life, you can explore our wildlife database.