PADI Undersea Journal....THE PADI TRAVEL NETWORK'S PROFESSIONAL GUIDE TO DIVING...

                THE VIRGIN ISLANDS       

Everything you need to know to book travel or to lead a group to this spectacular dive destination.

THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AT A GLANCE

When Christopher Columbus sailed into the Virgin Islands in 1493, he "discovered" a Caribbean paradise that he could not have known would also be discovered by scuba divers many centuries later. Today, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands are a paradise for modern-day adventurers in search of ideal dive travel.

The Virgin Islands make for a perfect dive vacation destination. Clear and calm conditions, dozens of interesting dive sites, many experienced PADI dive operators, a variety of accommodations, and lots of Caribbean culture make the Virgin Islands a dive destination Columbus could never have imagined.

The USVI and the BVI lie approximately 1,100 miles/1760 kilometers southeast of Miami in the area where the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet. With the exception of St. Croix, 40 miles/65 kilometers to the south, the Virgin Islands lie around 70 miles/110 kilometers just to the west of Puerto Rico.

Vacationing in the Virgin Islands is popular for good reason. Sandy beaches, a wide range of resorts, sightseeing, shopping, watersports, and much more attract sun-starved vacationers from around the world.

The weather, water, and diving also attract many sun-starved divers. Year-round air temperatures usually average around 75 Fahrenheit/24 Centigrade, though it can be a bit warmer in the summer. Trade winds keep things comfortable and a general lack of a rainy season makes the Virgin Islands quite popular all year.

The Virgin Islands are also quite convenient. Frequent direct service from the U.S., flights from the Caribbean hub in Puerto Rico, and frequent inter-island flights make getting to (and around) the islands easy. Once there, a quick check of the passport allows entry (U.S. and Canadian citizens can get by with a valid birth certificate or voter's registration card). It's also easy to spend money (dollars) and to communicate (English).

The USVI and the BVI are made up of almost 100 various-sized islands, but only a few offer accommodations and full dive services. In the USVI, divers head to St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. In the BVI, the top spots for divers are Tortola and Virgin Gorda.

OVERVIEW OF VIRGIN ISLANDS DIVING

Each of the five major diving destinations in the Virgin Islands provides different type of dive vacation. Knowing what to expect on each island will make any dive trip more successful and enjoyable.

The conditions for diving are generally uniform throughout the islands. The warm water is usually about 80 Fahrenheit/27 Centigrade. Though exposure protection is generally not needed, divers planning multiple dives may want to wear a light wetsuit or shorty.

In The Diving and Snorkeling Guide to the U.S. Virgin Islands (Gulf Publishing, 800-231-6275), Susanne and Stuart Cummings write, "Between the three main islands of the U.S. Virgin Islands, it would take a lot of bottomtime to cover all of the good diving that surrounds them."

St. Thomas is definitely the busiest Virgin Island above the surface and the convenient dive sites also make the island popular underwater. St. John, offering a totally different island experience, is close enough to offer many of the same dive sites as big sister St. Thomas.

Many of the most popular dive sites lie between or near St. John and St. Thomas. One of the most popular dives with operators on both islands is Tunnels at Thatch Cay. This varied dive, which averages about 40 feet/12 meters, features several arches, tunnels, colorful coral, and ambient light creating magically lit scenery.

Just three miles northeast of St. John, Congo Cay offers a fairly simple dive, with lots of marine life and orange tubastrea that can make for a brightly colored night dive. Nearby, Carvel Rock provides a more advanced dive site amidst stunning soft coral.

The other popular dive site conveniently situated between the two islands is the Wreck of the Major General Rogers. Sunk by the Department of Planning and Natural Resources in 1972, this artificial reef sits in 40 to 65 feet/12 to 20 meters of water and is constantly busy with fish and coral.

Further afield, about 2 1/2 miles/4 1/2 kilometers south of St. Thomas, Capella Island and the Wreck of the Cartanser Senior nearby feature two excellent dive sites. The southside of Capella Island was damaged during Hurricane Hugo in 1989, but the coral is quickly recovering and the dive offers quite clear conditions. The Wreck of the Cartanser Senior is ideal for a first wreck dive, with comfortable conditions and lots to see.

Even further afield, more experienced divers in-the-know head for French Cap Cay. Great visibility, deep ledges, and a 40 foot/12 meter pinnacle make the diving around French Cap Cay spectacular. To the southwest of St. Thomas, the southeast reef off Saba Island is an ideal destination when you have tried many of the other popular St. Thomas/St. John dives.

St. Thomas and St. John also offer some of the best snorkeling (and shore dives) in the Caribbean. On St. Thomas, Coki Beach (next to Coral World) is a great place for snorkeling, training dives, and in the early-morning or -evening when Coral World is closed. On St. John, the snorkeling is seemingly unlimited, with some popular sites including Hawksnest Bay and Francis Bay.

Over on St. Croix, diving has become big business. A wide variety of dive operators and dive sites come as a surprise to many divers, but the secret of St. Croix is spreading quickly.

Most of the dive sites are located on the north side of St. Croix. Beginning with easy dives like The Barge and Little Cozumel near Christiansted, divers will find lots of marine life and very good visibility.

West of Christensted, Salt River Canyon is one of the highlights of St. Croix diving. The Salt River served as a submarine canyon off Columbus Landing and now offers two stunning and completely different dives.

The West Wall of Salt River Canyon plunges virtually straight down and offers a wide variety of coral life as divers descend, including sponges, gorgonians, and black coral. Over on the East Wall of Salt River Canyon, just 1,500 feet/500 meters from the West Wall, diving highlights include lots of schooling fish and dramatic drop-offs that eventually reach more 1,000 feet/300 meters into the canyon.

Further west, Cane Bay Drop-Off is a favorite shore or boat dive for island operators. Located just off one of St. Croix's prettiest beaches, Cane Bay, the wall starts at about 40 feet/12 meters and is well-know for its abundant marine life. Just a mile/1.6 kilometers from Cane Bay, the Northstar Wall is also accessible by boat or beach and offers a similar diving experience.

The northwest tip of St. Croix is the site of the Wrecks of Butler Bay. Butler Bay's typically calm waters play host to four wrecks: Rosaomaira, Suffolk Mae, Northwind, and Virgin Islander. The varied wrecks are just twenty minutes from Frederiksted by boat and often serve as the morning dive for operators from Christiansted.

Finally, the Frederiksted Pier is simply one of the top "pier" dives in the Caribbean. The old pier is packed with pretty corals, sponges, and small fish (and sometimes sea horses). Day or night, it is one Virgin Island dive that should not be missed.

St. Croix also offers some unique USVI snorkeling. The most popular spot is definitely Buck Island Reef National Monument, with its underwater snorkeling trail.

Over in the British Virgin Islands, the diving is just as diverse. The tourism theme is, "Nature's Little Secrets," and officials are doing everything they can to keep it natural above and below the surface. The BVI National Parks Trust and the BVI Diver Operators Associations are successful keepers of the reefs.

The compactness of the BVI also represents an advantage for underwater explorers looking for diversity. The entire chain extends for about 35 miles/56 kilometers along Sir Francis Drake Channel and even dive sites considered remote are within a half-hour of the islands of Tortola and Virgin Gorda.

There are more than two dozen established dive sites in the waters around the BVI. The BVI have more than a half-dozen land-based dive operators, as well as about a dozen live-aboard operators visiting the dive sites.

Norman Island and Peter Island, south of Tortola, are two popular destinations for dive boats. Off Norman Island, Angelfish Reef and Rainbow Canyon provide colorful introductions to BVI diving. Ringdove Rock and Santa Monica Rock, two pinnacle dives, are also quite popular. Over on Peter Island, Painted Walls provides one of the prettiest dives in the BVI, with an abundance of colorful fish, coral, and sponges in quite clear water.

Salt Island is the home to The Wreck of the RMS Rhone, one of the Caribbean's most famous dive sites and a highlight of any visit to the Virgin Islands. The Rhone sunk on the rocks of Salt Island in 1867, thanks to hurricane-force winds. Today, divers in 30-80 feet/9-24 meters of water can explore the extensive remains, fish, and coral. It deserves at least two dives.

Heading toward Virgin Gorda, Cooper Island and Ginger Island offer some excellent advanced diving opportunities, (Dry Rocks West and Alice in Wonderland, respectively). However, the island of Virgin Gorda serves as an ideal base for many more dive sites.

With many convenient BVI dives sites, several popular PADI operators work out of Virgin Gorda. Near Spanish Town, Aquarium is one of the most popular sites, with lots of marine life awaiting every level of diver. The Baths, a stunning snorkeling site, are less than a mile away.

The Dogs are another popular destination for Virgin Gorda dive boats. The Chimney and Cockroach are two of the most popular sites, with currents that create abundant colorful coral growth.

Over between Virgin Gorda and Necker Island, The Invisibles can be a stunning pinnacle dive on calm days. The pinnacles attract thousands of passing fish and lots of pausing divers.

Finally, the outpost of Anegada provides a contrast to the rest of the BVI. The volcanic island features some unique diving, including the Wreck of the Rocus, which went down in 1929.

ON LAND

One of the beauties of a visit to the Virgin Islands is that there's so much (or so little) to do when you're not diving. Whether it's relaxing on the beach or exploring the local culture, it's simply a matter of pursuing your particular interests.

St. Thomas is a bustling and busy island, but it's easy to explore many aspects of its varied landscape. If you want to shop until you drop, head for the port city of Charlotte Amalie, where duty-free shopping keeps this town hopping. Further afield, St. Thomas features some great sightseeing opportunities, including lots of history (Virgin Islands Museum, St. Thomas Synagogue, and 99 Steps); scenic views (Drake's Seat and The Mountaintop); beautiful beaches (Magen's Bay); and interesting excursions (Atlantis Submarines, Seaborne Seaplane Adventures, and Coral World).

Just across the channel, St. John offers a completely different Virgin Islands experience on land. Tiny Cruz Bay serves as the base for exploring the island, which is two-thirds national park and 100% beautiful. Hiking, history, and happy lounging on the beaches are the main pursuits on St. John.

Tortola is the largest island in the BVI chain and the home of the capital city of Roadtown. The steep and lush mountains drop town to beautiful beaches, offering a perfect location for resorts and a large and popular charter yacht fleet. If you love beaches and boating almost as much as diving, Tortola is a great base.

Over on Virgin Gorda, the yachting set makes island life enticing. Beautiful resorts and scenery provide the setting and excursions to The Baths, Coppermine Point (an abandoned mine), and the rest of the mountainous island provide diversions when you're not diving or relaxing.

The rest of the BVI, like all of the Virgin Islands, features many smaller island destinations. Anegada, Jost Van Dyke, Marine Cay, Peter Island, Mosquito Island, and Guana Island are all perfect Virgin Island getaways.