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The U.S. Virgin Islands is a popular destination for scuba diving. Its numerous islands are rich in marine life with exotic species of fish, sponges, and coral reefs. Spotted eagle rays, Caribbean lobster, octopii, seahorses, and leatherback turtles form a small sample of the marine life that scuba divers can explore in its turquoise waters.

The main diving sites in the U.S. Virgin Islands are concentrated around the islands of St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. Here are a few popular scuba diving spots around these islands:

St. Croix
This Island, also known as the ‘diverse virgin’ has abundant sea life. The diving sites include wrecks, reefs, and piers. The wrecks of Butler Bay offer great scuba diving opportunities. A freighter, Rosa Maria; an oil refinery tugboat, Coakley Bay; and a trawler, Suffolk Maid are some wrecks here, which are heavily encrusted with corals and sponges. They are a perfect haven for snappers, gray angels, and soldier fish. The Frederiksted Pier and Cane Bay are some top scuba diving sites in the entire Caribbean. The Salt River Canyon East & West Walls are also quite popular.

St. Thomas

St. Thomas offers some of the most accessible scuba diving sites in the U.S. Virgin islands. The reefs surrounding this island are filled with shipwrecks. Navy Barges, Wit Shoal II, and the Tunnels of Thatch are popular among divers. The two whale-shaped rocks of the Cow & Calf has deep canyons and caves. The reefs of Coki Beach are suitable for beginner as well as experienced divers.

St. John

St. John and St. Thomas share many dive sites due to their close proximity. The caves and walls of Eagle Shoals make for an adventurous scuba diving experience. Porkfish, French angelfish, and black durgeons can be easily spotted here. Stingrays and silversides are abundantly found among the rocks of Carvel Rock. Beehive Bay is an interesting scuba diving site with a unique history.