St Thomas Scuba Diving
 Coki Beach Dive Club
Coki Beach is perched on St. Thomas' quiet North East Side, offering easy
access to both the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean.
Sites include a shipwreck school of tropical fish and lush, near shore reefs
that teem with colorful marine life. Our night dives will leave you
speechless.
Our goal is to provide you with the Virgins Islands most convenient and
affordable diving experience in a fun and relaxed atmosphere with emphasis on
safety. Coki Beach Dive Club is a place where you always get "More Bubbles for
your Bucks!"
Admiralty Dive
Center Dive Sites
Wrecks
Navy Barges: With ribs reaching upward like the very skeleton of an
extinct dinosaur the Navy Barges provide a home for an array of tropical fish
and colorful coral. The 45-foot depth allows plenty of bottom time for your
voyage into the past.
Cartanzar Sr: A derelict freighter that was moved from Charlotte
Amalie harbor and set near Buck Island Cove, was broken into three parts by
hurricane Hugo and rolled into 45 feet of blue water.
Now a home to countless tropical fish, eels, rays and occasional sharks, it's
a great dive for the novice to experienced diver.
East Wind: Corporate yacht that fell victim to a squall and
ended up on the rocks in the late 60s.
Time and hurricanes have reaped their toll and have scattered the remains
among the colorful reef, with swim throughs, a large population of tropical
fish, lobsters, occasional sharks and turtles, making this 50-foot dive a
beautiful and exciting dive.
Miss Opportunity: A 300-foot plus hospital ship that was used as
an office complex now lies 3/4 upside down in 90+ feet. Home to a huge Jew
fish, and other pelagics, make this an adrenaline-pumping dive. (Advanced
dive)
W.I.T. Shoal: The premier dive of the Virgin Islands. 400+ foot
freighter, laying upright in 90+ feet of crystal blue water. Home for large
Jew fish, snappers, roaming pelagics, turtles and tropicals. A photographer's
dream, as light penetrates the holds and passage ways. Penetrate the ship by
entering the smoke stack openings, enter the very soul of the W.I.T. Shoal.
(Advanced dive)
Other Wrecks: Grain barge, W.I.T. Concrete,
Aaron's barge, Kennedy and Tow boat.
Reefs
With so many beautiful reefs to choose from, we will always choose the
best site for conditions and diver ability. The majority of our reefs are in
the 40-foot to 60-foot range. Sea conditions and diver experience are always a
consideration for your fun and safety. Requests are always considered.
Flat Cay: A playground for tropical fish and slow flying sting rays.
Depths from 17 to 70 feet make this an ideal dive site for experienced divers
to snorkelers.
Dry Rocks: Grottos, overhangs and crystal blue water make this an ideal
habitat for tons of tropical, pelagic and reef fish. Occasional turtles and
sharks add to the wonderment of this 30-foot to 70-foot dive.
Stone Face: Large coral-encrusted fingers starting at 50+ feet,
reaching shoreward to 10 feet make this dive seem like a walk in the park.
Enjoy the wildlife as you slowly weave through the rows of coral.
Sprat Point: Picture frame swim throughs, billows of coral, make this a
wonderful dive. With the average depth of 40 feet, it's a memorable
experience.
Easter Reef: A sea mound laying in 80 feet, is home to a bevy of sea
life, from the tiny bassets to a shy Jew fish. Often times you may be greeted
by turtles, free-swimming eels, eagle rays, sharks and all the wonderment
mother nature has to offer. (Advanced dive)
Aqua Action Dive Center
Dive Sites
Buck Island Wall (south side)
Buck Island wall can be one of two dive sites - Dive Flag Rock or Andres'
Reef. This site is on the outside of Buck Island and is one of the deeper
dives that we can do. We don't have the continental shelf drop offs that St.
Croix has, but this wall is one of the nicer reefs we dive. There are pieces
of machinery that were left in the 1960's and has been invaded by schools of
blue and brown chromis, and the occasional eel or shark. The sand is in 60-70
ft of water and the top of the reef is in 30 feet for a nice multi-level dive.
Sting rays and Eagle rays regularly cruise by as well.
Calf Rock (south side)
Calf Rock is right next to Cow Rock but it is a totally different dive site.
Calf has lots of ledges to look under and crevices to peek into where you
might be rewarded by the sight of a huge green moray or lobster (that won't
fit into a normal cooking pot). There is a large field of soft corals and
gorgonians that sway with the waves and huge stands of Elkhorn coral for the
smaller fish to hide under. Fairy Basslets hang out under one large overhang
by the dozens. The clear blue water and shallow depth at this site makes it a
fantastic dive for photographers.
Carvel Rock (north side)
Carvel Rock was mistaken by some ancient seafarer as a ship who was so sure of
his identification that he fired on the �ship.� Upon approach to the site, you
will see perhaps 100 yards of rocks that get larger from west to east.The
mooring ball is on the south side of the largest rock and you always have to
check the current, lest you wind up in Tortola. You�ll be treated to schools
of bait fish and tarpon. Also to be seen are coral encrusted rock formations
with interesting sponge structures, sea fans and tunicates.The north side is
the deepest at 80 ft and the most fun, as you�re swimming through a canyon
with almost totally vertical walls.
Congo Cay (north side)
This dive is at the western end, near the point, and the normal dive route
takes you through canyons, around pinnacles and a sand chute that�s like an
underwater ski jump down to 80 ft. For some of the dive, you�ll be treated to
white sand and octocorals and at other aerial rocky encrusted coral makes up
the terrain housing invertebrates galore. This site is great for fish
watchers, who are treated to large schools of silversides, and even the
possibility of sharks and bottlenose dolphins. More likely than not though,
you�ll be seeing stingrays buried in the sand.
Cow Rock (south side)
Cow Rock has a series of swim-throughs with any number of cool critters
residing in the crevices and a maximum depth of 45 feet. We regularly see
lobsters clinging to the ceiling, brittle stars in between the rocks, and
spotted drum in the swim-through. There's also the "Champagne Cork" - when
there's enough wave action, this swim-through has the distinct feature of
sucking you up spitting you out the top - just like a cork. Winding in and
around the rocks you will be able to watch the waves breaking out over the
tops of the formation. You'll see tarpon and usually a turtle or two.
French Cap (south side)
French Cap is an uninhabited island approximately 6 miles south of St. Thomas.
Because it is unprotected, the seas must be relatively calm before we even
THINK about going there. In 90 feet of water this is one of the few places you
will see Black Durgeons & huge schools of Sennet fish. Lobster are in
abundance here, as are any number of the larger game fish, hog fish & permit,
just to name a few. We usually do both dives on French Cap, with a shallower
dive to 60 feet on the northwest side of the island. On the second dive you
will be treated to a swim-through that has a nice cathedral ceiling you can
actually surface into.
Blue Island
Divers
Blue Island Divers are the first operation on St. Thomas to use research to
discover may wrecks previously unknown to St. Thomas dive operators. This
untapped SCUBA Diving has opened up St. Thomas diving and is forging Blue
Island Divers as the wreck-central of the Caribbean.
Their new wreck sites range in depth for the new diver as well as the advanced or technical diver. Many sites are
of an ideal depth for Nitrox. All of this is, of course, is as well as
offering pristine reefs for the reef enthusiasts and conservationists.
Blue Island Divers is located near Admiralty Dive Center (see listings
above) so you can see the dive sites and descriptions on their listings.
Dive In! Dive Sites
Carval Rock
20-70 feet
About four miles northeast of St. John, about halfway between St. John and St.
Thomas, is Carval Rock, a dive area visited by dive operators from both
islands, weather permitting. Even on a good day, the current resulting from
tidal flow from Pillsbury Sound can be substantial, thereby classifying it as
an advanced dive. In good conditions, this is a site worth experiencing. You
have a little bit of everything - dramatic rock formations, coral gardens and
a fish community that includes open-water species. Anywhere from 20 to 80
feet, divers are bound to find a host of surprises.
Congo Cay
29-90 feet - Novice with instructor or divemaster Boat
About three miles northeast of St. John is Congo Cay, a dive area visited by
dive operators from both St. Thomas and St. John. It is part of a series of
small islets or cays that extend between the two large islands. Located near
Carval Rock, it is a 30-minute boat ride from St. John and only slightly
longer from St. Thomas.
Congo Cay is distinguished by its reefs, rocks and boulders. Between 30 and 60
feet, divers will find the most marine activity. A series of seamounts off the
west end of the island provides a vibrantly colored tapestry, ideal for
photographers. You will find some of the best photo opportunities between 20
and 40 feet. The northern side of the Cay plunges to 75 feet, where lobsters
hide among large boulders and the chances of spotting eagle rays, tarpon, and
even manta rays are good.
This is also a great spot to see a diverse array of invertebrates that make
their home on the rocks. Orange tubastrea carpets the rock faces and, at
night, explodes in full bloom to create a spectacular tangerine-hued garden.
Grass Cay
55 feet max - Novice with instructor or divemaster Boat
Although Grass Cay is located only 10 minutes by boat from the dock at
Stouffer Grand Beach Hotel on St. Thomas, the site attracts dive operators
from St. John as well. The dive area, which is situated in a sandy anchorage
on the south side of Grass Cay, is one of those places to which divers like to
return.
The dive begins fairly shallow at about 20 feet. From 20 to 50 feet, the
terrain is a variegated carpet of densely packed coral that conceals a
plethora of surprises at a distance. But upon closer observation, the coral
heads reveal an abundance of invertebrate life from dainty Christmas tree
worms and featherdusters to bristle worms and tunicates.
Large sea fans sway almost imperceptibly because there is generally little or
no current, which also contributes to the above average visibility. There is
no shortage, of fish life either. Chromis, hamlets, grunts, creole wrasse,
trunk fish, and large hermit crabs inhabit this territory. Barracuda cruise by
regularly. In the summertime, turtle encounters are not unusual. This dive
site has some of the best hard coral formations in the area.
Tunnels at Thatch Cay
45 feet - Novice with instructor or divernaster Boat
Just off the northwest point of Thatch Cay is a dive site considered by some
divers to be the "piece de resistance" of dive sites - Tunnels of Thatch Cay.
A relatively shallow dive, averaging about 40 feet, it is an easy but
wonderfully varied underwater experience to be enjoyed by all levels of
divers. It is recommended that novices be accompanied by a divernaster or
instructor only because the surge can be difficult to negotiate at times,
especially for less experienced individuals.
The high level of ambient light and the diversity and dramatic sculpturing of
the terrain make this an excellent dive for underwater photography. For fish
portraits or wide-angle photography, you will find tarpon, especially during
the summer months, a host of tropical fish, expansive clouds of silversides,
and interesting coral formations including the highly photogenic pillar coral.
Wreck of the Major General Rogers
42 to 62 feet - Intermediate Boat
Located almost directly in front of one of the most delightful resorts in St.
Thomas, Stouffers Grand Beach Resort, is the wreck of the Major General
Rogers. A 120-foot, steel-hulled, self-propelled auxiliary Coast Guard
vessel.
Marine life is abundant and flourishing on this wreck. Tube sponges, hard and
soft corals, purple tunicates, curling hydroids and striped bristleworms
provide splashes of color all over the gray hulk. Within the confines of her
open cargo holds and around the hull, pompano, Spanish hogfish, and schools of
grunts and snapper circle rhythmically. Curious barracuda hover silently
nearby.
About 200 feet from the General Rogers is a second wreck. This vessel,
which was sunk at about the same time as the General Rogers is an
overturned self-propelled Coast Guard barge. It is not recommended for divers
to swim inside because the interior is very cramped and silty. A line attaches
the two wrecks and they can be explored on the same dive. However, the
General Rogers has so much to offer that it is likely divers will expend
their bottom time without ever leaving this wreck.
Ledges of Little St. James
15-40 feet - Novice Boat
Located on the southwest side of the island is a unusual dive site with huge,
deeply indented ledges and prolific tropical marine life. It is ideal for the
novice diver because it is well-protected from currents or surge and offers a
maximum depth of only 40 feet.
The most interesting features of the dive can be experienced to the fullest in
depths from 15 to 25 feet. Within this shallow range, you will find several
exquisite stands of pillar coral including one that majestically looms at 8 to
10 feet tall. The deep undercuts for which the dive site derives its name
reveal a variegated patchwork of encrusting corals. Nearby boulders are
similarly encrusted with coral from which colorful Christmas tree worms and
fragile featherdusters timidly emerge and retract. Beware of the mustard brown
fire coral and the occasional black sea urchin.
There is no shortage of marine activity. If you have the patience of a saint,
a circling juvenile spotted drum may permit you to take a photo. Porcupine
fish, lobster, schooling grunts, big lizardfish, as well as queen and gray
angels are among the permanent residents in the area.
This is also a superb night dive. The water is generally calm. The color is
vibrant. You will find it quite easy to find wonderful creatures all over the
site. This is a must for macro photography.
Cow and Calf Rocks
25-40 feet - Novice with instructor or divemaster Boat
If you head off the southeast end of St. Thomas, you will come upon some rocks
that barely break the surface of the water. As legend goes, the larger of the
rocks were mistakenly identified by a nearsighted mariner as migrating
humpback whales, a cow and her calf.
At the west end of the "Cow," there is an H-shaped network of coral tunnels
that is roomy enough to accommodate two divers. Inside the tunnels, with the
aide of a dive light, you'll see the rough-hewn walls transform into a
kaleidoscope of dazzling colors as the red encrusting corals, yellow sponges
and orange tubastrea come to life. Even though this particular site has little
silt to stir up, be careful not to kick up the bottom so divers who swim
through after you can enjoy the experience as well.
This is an ideal spot for the curious diver. With a maximum depth around 40
feet, you are unlikely to run out nooks and crannies to explore before you run
out of bottom time.
This is not a particularly deep dive, but it is generally recommended as an
intermediate dive due to the surge conditions. For divers with some
experience, this is simply an inconvenience.
The Wreck of the Cartanser Senior
25-35 feet - Novice Boat
According to various versions of Cartanser Senior's demise, the
190-foot steel-hulled freighter had served to transport goods during World War
II. Later it operated as an inter-island freighter, and rumor has it that its
cargo was not altogether legal. It was eventually deserted by its captain and
crew for reasons that may or may not be a mystery. Abandoned and unmanned, it
began to take on water and ultimately sunk in the Gregerie Channel in St.
Thomas harbor.
As the Corps of Engineers prepared to destroy the vessel, which presented a
clear navigational hazard, an underwater picket line of divers successfully
intervened to preserve their "dive site." Cartanser Senior was relocated to
the west side of Buck Island. A few years later, Hurricane Alan saw to it that
the wreck was relocated once again.
This dive is ideal for a first wreck dive or for the novice diver. Situated in
a well-protected cove, there are no heavy currents or surge on this wreck.
Visibility is generally good so divers can view a large portion of the wreck
at one time. It is no wonder that Cartanser Senior is one of the most popular
dives in St. Thomas.
Homer's Scuba and Snorkel
Dive Sites
Hull Bay has some of the best shore and kayak diving on St Thomas and can put
most of the best boat diving sites to shame on the south side of the island
where most of the diving is done. The depths range anywhere from 30 to 60 feet
and no one has ever been disappointed. The reefs are in better shape than most
because no one ever dives here except Homer. The diving on the north side is
dictated by the weather and the summer months are the best.
Red Hook Dive
Center Dive Sites
North - Atlantic Exposure
Arches & Tunnels of Thatch Cay
Arches and Tunnels is one of the most requested sites in the area due to
its amazing bottom topography consisting of, you guessed it, a series of
arches and tunnels. Swim under the Welcome Arch and begin a fantastic
adventure packed full of swim-throughs, silversides, tarpon, and a colorful
variety of corals and fish. The rock formations are the highlight of the dive
but there is no shortage of marine life as you navigate through the Haunted
House and Dog Leg. Located on the Northwest end of Thatch Cay, this site may
not be dive able certain times of year due to weather conditions.
Jaws
Jaws has a scary name but don't worry, you will be laughing when you hear how
it came about. A nice combination of low laying reef, rock formations,
crevices, and a beautiful Cathedral. Another great place to see an abundance
of tarpon, silversides, and often nurse sharks.
Congo Cay
Congo Cay is probably our most frequently dived site on the North side due to
its very colorful scenery, rock formations, and larger fish. This dive is
adjacent to a little deeper water and offers the chance of seeing big stuff
like eagle rays, reef sharks, and occasionally dolphins. There is a large sand
flat bordering the are which attracts sting rays and nurse sharks. Located on
the west end of Congo Cay, you will have a nice down island view into the
British Virgin islands.
Carval Rock
Carval Rock is another of St Thomas�s most beautiful dive sites because of the
large variety of sea life that are always present. Named after a 17th century
fast fighting ship, and located just northeast of Lovongo Cay and east of
Congo Cay, this spectacular dive site rewards divers with a magnificent view
of nature�s underwater environment. From rock formations, swim throughs and
wide variety of corals and fish at depths of 15-80ft this always proves to be
a popular request. This is a popular dive site for those tarpon lovers who
want to get a great photo, up close and personal.
Pillsbury Sound
Mingo Passage
Mingo Passage is a very colorful, shallow reef with a higher concentration of
small fish. This site is also a great place to find eels, lobsters, and
sometimes octopus. The reef becomes more dense throughout the dive and is
complemented by large black sea fans and huge barrel sponges. Make sure to
look around during the dive so you don't miss spotted eagle rays or schools of
fish passing by.
Mingo Bay
Mingo Bay is a sloping reef that tapers down to a vast sand flat. The sand
flat is anything but void of sea life... garden eels, upside down jelly fish,
conch, and hermit crabs are frequently present. In addition, there are mounds
or islands of reef that are very colorful and create a perfect place for fish
and other marine life to take shelter. The upper part of the reef is a shallow
shelf and creates a perfect environment to have a close encounter with either
a green or hawksbill turtle.
Squidville
Squidville is another great sloping reef that offers an easy entry with a
sandy bottom and then progresses into a beautiful reef packed with fish. One
never knows what to expect here. Sting rays, turtles, all sizes of fish,
lobsters and eels are common. This is a common site for our Discover Scuba
divers but is a great dive for all levels of experience.
Grass Cay
Grass Cay is a nice combination of large coral heads, sloping reef, and mounds
on the sand flat. Navigate around the mounds out on the sandy area, swim
around the coral heads, and then work your way along the sloping reef for a
diverse bottom topography.
Coral Gardens
Coral Gardens is a maze of large coral heads to navigate around. This
colorful, dense reef is a great place to see barracuda, eagle rays, and larger
fish.
Wreck of the Major General Rogers
The wreck of the Major General Rogers is one of the only wreck dives we
have on this part of the island. This wreck is encrusted in growth, creates a
great hiding place for marine life and even has some areas to swim through.
Due to its location, this site may not be dive able certain times due to
weather or current.
South - Caribbean Exposure
Cow Rock
Cow Rock, often mentioned with its counterpart Calf Rock, is one of the most
popular sites on the South side. Consisting of a rocky bottom topography that
is covered in colorful growth, these natural formations create several swim
throughs that attract many divers. In addition, this site and others in the
area fall within the protected waters of a marine preserve. An abundance of
fish, turtles, lobsters, rays, and sharks can be seen here.
Calf Rock
Calf Rock, located right next to Cow Rock, is a separate dive and does not
have swim through's This site has a lengthy ledge that creates a great hiding
place for crabs, lobsters, and nurse sharks. The similar colorful, rocky
bottom has some shallow areas that host beautiful examples of elkhorn, stag
horn and pillar corals.
Stragglers Reef
Stragglers Reef is a combination of healthy reef and large boulders that are
covered in life. Start this dive by making your way out to the reef in search
of snappers, grouper, lobster condos, and eels! As the tour continues, prepare
to navigate in between large cracks and crevices filled with colorful tropical
fish.
Ledges of Little St. James
Ledges of Little St. James is just what it sounds like, a series of ledges,
overhangs, and undercuts. This creates a wonderful habitat for schools of fish
to hide in! Surrounded by a colorful, low-laying reef, this site is also a
good place to encounter lobster, turtles, nurse sharks, and octopus. Ledges is
also a perfect place for snorkeling.
Rays Rise
Rays Rise is a fringe reef that is adjacent to a large sandy area. Dive along
the edge keeping an eye out for large southern stingrays, garden eels and
queen conch in the sand. This site has rocky areas that provide a great
habitat for lobster and eels.
Castle Reef
Castle Reef is one of our best dive site secrets... it's not marked with a
mooring buoy but we will get you there if the weather is right! This is a
colorful finger reef that is surrounded by sand flats. Also within the marine
preserve, we frequently see rays, eels, octopus, turtles, large nurse sharks
and lots of lobsters.
Fish Bowl
Fish Bowl is our farthest site to the west, near Buck Island and also one of
our deeper dives. This site is a vast spread of coral heads in the deeper area
and a sloping perimeter that creates a bowl effect. The upper edges of the
site have larger coral heads and are busy with smaller tropical fish and
colorful growth. Keep an eye out for the Atlantis Submarine so you can wave
and take pictures of the reciprocating passengers.
Underwater Safaris
Has two boats and PADI instructors.
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