World class SCUBA and snorkeling will beckon you from your luxurious St. Croix villa rental. But before you suit up and walk away from your St. Croix vacation homes, here is some information to consider.
SCUBA stands for "Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus." It means you will be descending many feet below the surface while wearing special equipment to help you breathe. In many cases, you will need to be pre-certified as a diver or take a course before the dive team will take you out on the water. Snorkeling is a more simple water activity. Most snorkelers stay at the water's surface. The equipment is just a breathing tube, goggles and flippers. You'll be limited in how deep you can go, and therefore what you will see, but you won't need instruction.
Where to Go Scuba Diving on St. Croix
There are more than 100 dives sites along the shores of St. Croix, ensuring you don't have to see the same place twice. One of the best places to go diving on St. Croix is along the west shore.
- Scotch Banks: A dive wall here starts at 40 feet deep and extends to well over 1,000 feet in depth. You can expect to find everything from barracuda and angel fish to eagle and manta rays. Occasionally, you'll even come across the peaceful whale shark for a true once-in-a-lifetime experience.
- The Dump Truck: A dump truck which fell off of a barge is submerged here at 130 feet. It is a great place for sea turtles and eels as well as for picture taking.
- Salt River Canyon: There are east and west walls here, offering 2 experiences in one day. The east wall is historically famous for warm and clear waters. An underwater hydro lab was maintained here for many years due to the pristine conditions and massive amounts of colorful fish.
Where to Go Snorkeling on St. Croix
The west shores offer the best snorkeling. A day trip to Buck Island is where most snorkeling tourists like to travel. You're sure to see plenty of coral formations and tropical fish close to the surface. You can expect to see rare snorkeling finds here as well as sea horses, turtles, and perhaps the occasional dolphin or ray.
No matter which water sport you choose, you're sure to find many great locations to swim. Use Vamoose.com to search for your vacation rental nearest to your tropical getaway in St. Croix. Filter by location, price and amenities.