Diving in St. Thomas & St. John

Explore 33 dive sites in St. Thomas & St. John, US Virgin Islands. Ocean conditions, marine species, and dive centres.

Best Time to Dive in St. Thomas & St. John

The warmest water temperatures in St. Thomas & St. John occur in January, averaging 27.1°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.1°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.1°C (air: 25.0°C)
  • February: 27.1°C (air: 24.6°C)
  • March: 27.1°C (air: 24.7°C)
  • April: 27.1°C (air: 25.2°C)
  • May: 27.1°C (air: 26.3°C)
  • June: 27.1°C (air: 27.0°C)
  • July: 27.1°C (air: 27.3°C)
  • August: 27.1°C (air: 27.5°C)
  • September: 27.1°C (air: 27.7°C)
  • October: 27.1°C (air: 27.5°C)
  • November: 27.1°C (air: 26.6°C)
  • December: 27.1°C (air: 25.8°C)

Marine Life in St. Thomas & St. John

Home to 488 recorded species including 390 reef fish, 39 hard corals, 14 sharks & rays, 11 other, 7 whales & dolphins, 6 seagrass & algae.

Dive Site Difficulty in St. Thomas & St. John

St. Thomas & St. John has 21 beginner, 4 intermediate dive sites - suitable for divers of all levels.

Recommended Packing List for St. Thomas & St. John

Based on average water temperature of 27.1°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. Thomas & St. John

  • 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. Thomas & St. John - Nearest Airports

  • Cyril E. King Airport (STT), Charlotte Amalie - 9 km away, approx 25 min travel time
  • Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS), Beef Island - 41 km away, approx 59 min travel time
  • Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU), San Juan - 117 km away, approx 143 min travel time

Dive Sites

Dive Centres

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical water conditions and visibility like for diving in St. Thomas and St. John?
While specific data on typical visibility and general water conditions is not provided, divers can expect warm waters in St. Thomas and St. John. For instance, the water temperature during some of the best months for diving is consistently around 27.08°C.
What kind of marine life can divers expect to see in the waters around St. Thomas and St. John?
The provided data context for St. Thomas and St. John does not specify the types of marine life divers can expect to see. However, with numerous reefs and the Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument, it suggests a vibrant ecosystem. For general information on marine life, you can explore our wildlife database.
What are considered the best dive sites in the St. Thomas and St. John region, including any notable wrecks or reefs?
The St. Thomas and St. John region boasts 33 dive sites, offering a diverse range of experiences. Notable wreck sites include the miss oportunity (Intermediate) and the Navy Barges (Beginner), while popular reef dives include Coki Point Beach (Beginner) and Stragglers Deep (Intermediate). You can explore all sites like Coki Point Beach and miss oportunity on DivePlnr.
Is the diving in St. Thomas and St. John suitable for beginner divers, or is it more geared towards experienced divers?
Diving in St. Thomas and St. John is highly suitable for beginner divers, with a significant number of sites categorized as 'Beginner'. Examples include reef dives like Coki Point Beach and wreck dives such as Navy Barges. While there are also intermediate sites like Stragglers Deep and the miss oportunity, the region offers plenty of options for those new to diving.
How do you get to St. John for diving if flying into St. Thomas?
The provided data context for St. Thomas and St. John does not include specific travel logistics for getting to St. John from St. Thomas. We recommend checking local ferry schedules or transportation services for inter-island travel.
Are there any specific seasonal considerations or times of year that are best for diving in St. Thomas and St. John?
Based on the provided data, the best times of year for diving in St. Thomas and St. John, considering water temperature, include Month 1, Month 2, and Month 3. During these months, the water temperature is consistently around 27.08°C, offering comfortable diving conditions. For more general information on seasonal considerations, visit our when to dive guide.
What are the common water temperatures throughout the year for scuba diving in St. Thomas and St. John?
The provided data context for St. Thomas and St. John specifies water temperatures for certain periods, indicating that during Month 1, Month 2, and Month 3, the temperature is consistently 27.08°C. However, comprehensive data on common water temperatures throughout the entire year is not available in the current context.
Are there any unique underwater geological features or formations to explore while diving in St. Thomas and St. John?
Yes, divers in St. Thomas and St. John can explore unique underwater geological features, particularly pinnacles. Notable examples include Cabrita Pinnacle (Beginner) and Cow and Calf Rocks (Intermediate). Additionally, the region is home to numerous reefs and the Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument, offering diverse underwater landscapes.