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Scuba diving in the Virgin Islands

VI dive operators

Dives are all 2-tank boat dives unless otherwise mentioned. Most operators are PADI, while a few are SSI; all likely offer at least basic courses. Dive operators usually require a minimum of 3 (or at least 2) divers to go out for recreational dives. Most of the dive boats only hold 6-12 passengers, so dives are never that crowded. Many operators on St Thomas run ~weekly night dives by request; on St Croix, multiple operators dive the Frederiksted Pier ~nightly (provided the pier is not in use by cruise ships). Renting and filling tanks for unguided dives is rare on St Thomas, but quite common on St Croix, where there is more shore diving. On St Thomas there are guided shore dives at Coki and Secret Harbour. Dives are seldom canceled due to weather, as it is almost always possible to find a few protected sites, e.g., Ledges. (On the flip side, there are a few sites that boats only go to on the calmest days, e.g., Carval Rock, French Cap.) Tipping is standard in both the US and BVI; increasingly, people accept online payments for tips, but cash is still much more common in the Caribbean than many parts of the world.

USVI:

BVI:

"Spanish Virgin Islands":

VI dive sites & maps:

VI marine ID, ecology, forecasts:

Other Caribbean marine resources:

(Last updated 2025)