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