Frederiksted Pier - St. Croix

The Frederiksted Pier. Ah, the pier. We have a real soft spot for this spot, especially after the sun goes down. During the day, it's a pleasant, easy dive, maxing out around 12 meters, perfect for those new to diving or just looking for a relaxed swim-through beneath the pylons. You'll definitely spot schools of Brown Chromis flitting between the Yellow Pencil Coral, and if you look closely, those shy Red Clingfish are often tucked away. But the night? That’s when the pier truly comes alive. The muck underfoot, which looks a bit plain by day, becomes a stage for critters you just don't see anywhere else. We’ve spent hours here, shining our lights into every crevice, hoping for a glimpse of a seahorse or an octopus stretching out a tentacle. The bioluminescence is something else, too; wave your hand in the dark and watch the water light up around you. It’s not your typical vibrant reef, and that’s precisely why we love it. It’s a slow, deliberate dive, rewarding patience with incredible, often tiny, finds. Ideal for photographers, muck diving enthusiasts, or anyone who wants a completely different kind of Caribbean dive.

Location
St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, Caribbean
Coordinates
17.713000, -64.883000
Type
muck
Maximum Depth
3-12m
Difficulty
Beginner

Marine Protected Area: Salt River Bay National Historic Park and Ecological Preserve

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)

Nearby Dive Sites in St. Croix

Nearest Dive Centres to Frederiksted Pier

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.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Frederiksted Pier

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