10m
    Beginner
    St. Thomas & St. John, US Virgin Islands
    St. James Marine Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary

    Christmas Cove

    Best months: Dec–Apr

    Protected Area

    St. James Marine Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary

    Why dive here

    With 476+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blacktip reef sharks, dolphins, eagle rays and humpback whales - Christmas Cove offers some of St. Thomas & St. John's richest reef diving. Water ranges 27-30°C, warmest August, September, October.

    Best timeDec–Apr
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeBarracuda, Blacktip Reef Sharks, Dolphins, Eagle Rays and Humpback Whales · 476+ species recorded
    Water27-30°C · warmest August, September, October
    CharacterReef dive · max 10m
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    Christmas Cove, tucked between St. Thomas and St. John, is a solid choice for a mellow Caribbean dive. At a gentle 10 meters, it's ideal for those just getting comfortable in the water or snorkelers looking for a bit more. We often spot green sea turtles here, grazing casually on the seagrass, sometimes even a nurse shark napping under a ledge if you look closely. The coral patches aren't huge, but they’re home to plenty of wrasse, parrotfish, and small schooling fish that flutter around the brain and star corals. It’s a low-key, easygoing spot, perfect for a relaxed afternoon.

    Typical Christmas Cove Dive Profile

    5m10mSafety Stop0m10m max~60 min estimated bottom time

    Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

    Today06:1218:0211h 49m daylightGolden hour 17:33

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Christmas Cove

    Christmas Cove Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Christmas Cove, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (18.3, -64.89) (1km away)

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    30°C

    86°F · Range: 28.9–31.1°C

    Air Temperature

    27°C

    81°F

    Wind Speed

    7.65 m/s

    14.9 knots

    Atmospheric Pressure

    1013 hPa

    Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data

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