St. Croix is one of those pieces of paradise, not just for divers looking for great diving in lesser known locales, but for anyone wanting to get away from the crowds and more visited places that have become way too “touristy”. Here divers will find healthy, pristine reefs, a few wrecks, great macro diving, plus the famous “Wall”.

Because it’s off most folks radar, Saint Croix is one of the more affordable islands for a Caribbean vacation. You’ll not only find great deals on dive packages, but everything else from accommodations, to great places to eat, to transportation, and more, is all very reasonably priced.

Some of the best Diving in St. Croix is along the “Wall” that runs parallel to the north side. It’s only a couple hundred yards offshore, and can easily be reached with a short swim out from Cane Bay Beach. Stretching approximately 7 miles, it starts about 50’ deep and drops off to somewhere in the vicinity of 3200’.

Cruising along its face you’ll see all sorts of fishes, corals, sponges, turtles and various other marine life, but keep one eye out toward the blue. Reason is you’ll occasionally you’ll see a black-tip shark nosing around, and may have an opportunity to get close before spooking it. Also, the odd manta or eagle ray has been known to swoop in for a quick visit.

When Columbus landed near Salt River in 1493, he probably found the reefs surrounding the harbor to be more nuisance than anything. No big surprise since they just complicated his getting to shore. But then he wasn’t a diver. For those of us who are, the giant coral heads, and huge swim-thrus make for lots of fun underwater.

A leisurely cruise will also turn up hawksbill turtles, file-fish, trunk-fish, and a plethora of other creatures. Not to mention the many small caverns and ledges that provide such perfect hideouts for crab and lobster. If you enjoy winding your way through the reef exploring coral outcrops and tunnels that run everywhere, then you’ll never get enough of this part of the wall.

One dive that’s a must do, is the Frederiksted Pier. For Scuba diving in St. Croix, it’s about the best for macro enthusiasts. This pier is not surprisingly huge, as it was built to accommodate cruise ships. However, it’s not being used these days, and underneath is a veritable smorgasbord of sea life. Very “fishy”, to say the least, with lots of critters.

Spider crabs and red & blue banded coral shrimp are everywhere, and several octopus sightings – even during the day. We were actually surprised that there were such an abundance of octopi. They were flattened against pilings, or lodged in the strangest places. One little guy in particular, was hanging out in the top half of what appeared to be an old broken wine bottle. As one might imagine, this is also one of the best possible night dives.

Any wreck divers wanting to visit will also be pleased to find several wreck sites to dive on. One is located on the northeast side and a couple more on the west end near Frederiksted. The deeper west-side site has a car ferry whose keel lies at 110’ and a tug sitting somewhat shallower around 65’ making them well within most divers limits.

While the wrecks have a fair amount of growth covering their surfaces, the overall structures remain distinct and provide enticing backgrounds for photo shots. The wheelhouse on the tug is an especially good subject whether as a backdrop or by itself. Most of the wrecks rest on a sandy bottom making them stand out clearly. You’ll also find several patches of garden eels in the vicinity.

It’s hard to beat the spectacular diving, or modest prices found in St. Croix Virgin Islands. Seemingly overlooked by most divers and other Caribbean vacation travelers as well, it’s a piece of “America’s backyard” waiting to be discovered. Do yourself a favor and take a look.

Caribbean Deals

Whether you’ve been daydreaming about a vacation for years or you suddenly decide to take a weekend vacation, the internet is just full of great Caribbean deals. No matter what island you intend to explore or what adventure it is that you are seeking, some Caribbean deals can make your travel a bit less expensive that what you were planning. Some of those money saving offers can save you even more if your itinerary is flexible. Granted, most of us are only allotted so many vacation days per year so it is more difficult to have a flexible schedule if it’s a last minute escape.

Personally, I used a travel agent when I’m planning ahead for a wonderful vacation. I would much rather put the blame on someone else if something goes wrong than have my husband scold me for the mistakes. Before I call my travel agent, I do my homework. I research the islands and what there is to see and do. I get some preliminary rates for the time period I am planning on going and determine whether or not it’s even affordable before I even attempt to bring my daydreams into reality. I am a big fan of the islands and when I tell you that there are tons of Caribbean deals offered on the internet, that is a reliable statement. Sandals Resorts offers lots of last minute Caribbean deals and their packages are always all-inclusive. I personally have found that no matter how far in advance you book with Sandals, you do get a fair and reasonable deal. My husband and I got married at a Sandals resorts and while it was a tad bit more expensive, they took excellent care of us on our vacation.

Before you commit to giving out your credit card information on any website or to any travel agent to take advantage of one of those Caribbean deals, do your homework. Make sure you have picked an island that will suit your needs. If you’re not into watersports or snorkeling, some islands won’t interest you that much. Also make certain that you have compared prices and shopped around to ensure that those appealing Caribbean deals truly are worthwhile. I have been tempted to commit to a package before simply because it sounded like bargain. After comparing the same package to other sites and offerings, I was quite happy that my credit card remained in my wallet. If the offer seems too good to be true, it may be. Check into it. Research the company through the Better Business Bureau. Make sure the site or the company has a good reputation. The last thing you want is to pay for a vacation that turns out to be a complete disaster. Take it from me, someone who has been there.