of the star-spangled banner that flies over the green peaks of St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix, but the warm trade wind snapping it to attention is as West Indian as peas and rice. In fact, everywhere you look in the U.S. Virgin Islands, you see a mix of island ambience and U.S. convenience and security. Your underwater options in this U.S. Trust Territory range from shallow patch reefs to deep wall dives.
The largest of the USVIs, St. Croix stands out from her sister islands. The diving here takes place along a steeply sloping wall about a quarter-mile from the island's north shore. The wall drops to depths of 600 feet in some places. Shallow coral gardens of sea fans, and brain and star corals give way to barrel and elephant ear sponges and plate and pillar corals at the drop-off. Caves, tunnels and pinnacles are found along the wall, and Salt River Canyon, a submerged river canyon, splits the wall.
St. Thomas is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, offering urban bustle and nightlife as well as secluded beaches and hillside retreats. St. Thomas and St. John, only three miles apart, share the shallow reefs of Pillsbury Sound. The island also offers easy shore diving at Coki Beach and challenging, current-swept pinnacles.
Two-thirds of laid-back St. John is designated as a national park. Diving ranges from shallow sand flats and coral gardens to fringing reefs and encrusted cliff faces patrolled by barracuda, tarpon and jacks.
Dive In
From December to May, temps average 60 to 75 degrees, while summer temps average 80 to 85 degrees.
Mid-80s in summer, dropping to the upper 70s in winter.
Vis ranges between 60 and 100 feet.
U.S. dollars. Cash and credit cards are accepted everywhere; ATM machines are readily available.
Atlantic Standard, one hour ahead of Eastern Standard.
340.
English, though native West Indians also speak a local creole.
120 volts, 60 cycles, the same as in the U.S.
U.S. citizens don't need a passport for entry, but bring either your passport or birth certificate and driver's license to prove citizenship before boarding the return flight.
$3, usually included in the price of your airline ticket.
U.S.V.I. Department of Tourism, www.usvitourism.vi.
