Packet Rock (Wreck) - St. Thomas & St. John

Packet Rock is one of those easy-going wreck dives we really appreciate. It's a short hop from St. Thomas, sitting upright and mostly intact in just 16 metres of water. We love that it’s so accessible, a perfect introduction to wreck diving if you're just starting out, or a relaxed second dive for more experienced folks. This isn’t some grand, imposing hulk, but a charming little coaster that went down in the 1800s. We think its history, even if a bit hazy, adds to the appeal. You can swim right over the decks, peering into what would have been cargo holds, now home to schools of glassy sweepers that swirl and part as you approach. Look closely, and you’ll spot moray eels tucked into crevices, their heads peeking out from under plating that's long since turned into a living reef. The soft corals here are particularly vibrant, oranges and purples that really pop against the dark metal. We always suggest taking your time to explore the bow and stern, where the structure is a bit more defined and often hides larger lobsters. It's a simple, pretty dive, great for photographers who want to practice without battling currents.

Location: St. Thomas & St. John, US Virgin Islands, Caribbean
Coordinates: 18.303000, -64.894000
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 16m
Difficulty: Beginner

Marine Protected Area: Cas Cay-Mangrove Lagoon Marine Reserve & Wildlife Sanctuary

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)

Nearest Dive Centres to Packet Rock (Wreck)

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.

Notable Species

Mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) - Hard Corals
Massive Starlet Coral (Siderastrea siderea) - Hard Corals
Gutong (Sparisoma aurofrenatum) - Reef Fish
Parrotfish (Thalassoma bifasciatum) - Reef Fish
Great star coral (Montastraea cavernosa) - Hard Corals
Yellowhead Wrasse (Halichoeres garnoti) - Reef Fish
Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
Finger Coral (Porites porites) - Hard Corals
Gutong (Scarus iseri) - Reef Fish
Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
Lettuce Coral (Agaricia agaricites) - Hard Corals
Bicolor Damselfish (Stegastes partitus) - Reef Fish
Dark Green Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) - Reef Fish
Sammy Johnson (Scarus taeniopterus) - Reef Fish
French grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum) - Reef Fish
Sharpnose Pufferfish (Canthigaster rostrata) - Reef Fish
Butterfly (Chaetodon capistratus) - Reef Fish
Longspine Squirrelfish (Holocentrus rufus) - Reef Fish
Cola (Ocyurus chrysurus) - Reef Fish
Barred Hamlet (Hypoplectrus puella) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for Packet Rock (Wreck)

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