Diving U.S. Virgin Islands
There are over 200 dive sites, caves, coral reefs, drop offs and lots of colorful fish. There are several ship wrecks and even a wrecked plane to explore. The wall diving off St. Croix is spectacular with vertical plunges. The shallow reefs off St. Thomas and St. John are perfect for all level of divers. Hard coral formations are on par with other Caribbean destinations, but the U.S. Virgin Islands feature more soft corals than most other islands. Count on seeing more than 200 different species of fish on the reefs, from swarms of omnipresent blue tang to packs of shimmering tarpon. Hawksbill and green turtles are frequent dive companions, and southern stingrays are easy to find in the sand flats.
Best time to dive
Diving in the Virgin Islands is year-round but divers prefer the summer off-season with fewer crowds and ideal water conditions.
Visibility
Visibility averages 60 to 100+ feet.
Water temperatures
The water temperature ranges from 72°F to 82°F.
Weather and climate
The weather is both beautiful and beautifully consistent year-round. Temperatures are generally in the 80s F during the day and in the 70s F at night. December to February is slightly cooler and windier than the summer months. (The Christmas winds, as they’re called, usually blow December to March.) There is more rain in the fall (meaning more frequent short showers). July-November is hurricane season.
Language
English
Passport/Visa requirements
U.S. and Canadian citizens can enter with a valid passport or government-issued ID card. Citizens of all other nations need a valid passport. All travelers should have a round-trip or onward ticket.
Currency
U.S. Dollar – Get exchange rates at http://www.xe.com/ucc/
Electrical current
110 volts, 50 Hz, U.S. standard
Capital
Charlotte Amalie
General information
The U.S. Virgin Islands are located in the Caribbean and the three major islands are St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John and are located only 80 miles east of Puerto Rico. Discovered by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the New World in 1493 the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) consists of approximately 50 islands and cays. St. Croix, the largest (82 sq. miles) is the eastern most Atlantic point of the United States and is surrounded by the Caribbean Sea. St. Thomas (32 sq. miles) and St. John (20 sq. miles) are next to each other 35 miles north of St. Croix. They lie between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Shopping is very popular on St. Thomas. St. John can be reached by a 15 to 20 minute ferry ride. St. John is a much smaller and more quiet island with less tourism.
Map
Get a map of the U.S. Virgin Islands from WorldAtlas.com.