Perfection might just be the perfect word to describe the Caribbean island of St. Croix. Click through the photo gallery to see all this island has to offer to vacationing scuba divers.
Becca HurleyShipwrecks, walls, night dives and shore dives — in St. Croix the dive sites are diverse and the cuisine unique. From relaxed beachside bars to upscale, open-air dining, you are sure to find the perfect after-dive spot to chow down and sip on some Cruzan rum. The largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands — St. Croix offers visitors the perfect combination of exotic Caribbean while still catering to the comforts of mainland USA.
Jenny Keith, N2 The Blue Diving AdventuresButler Bay Shipwrecks in St. Croix
It’s pretty unusual to be able to dive five shipwrecks and an underwater habitat in one location. Although they are two distinct sites, the shallow wrecks and deep wrecks of Butler Bay are the gems of St. Croix. The shallow wrecks all lie within a few hundred feet of one another and include the 123-foot Suffolk Maid; 300-foot oil barge Virgin Islander, an underwater research habitat that makes for a great swim-through; and the Northwind, a 75-foot tugboat formerly named the Witservice III. The tugger was renamed when it was sunk in Butler Bay after serving as a movie prop in the 1980s. The sandy bottom may seem uninteresting, but glide over the underwater beach and find a vast spread of garden eels, a sight worth seeing. Southern stingrays, green turtles, schools of reef fish, creole wrasse and the occasional moray eel are among the marine life often spotted here.Make this dive happen with N2 The Blue Diving Adventures.
Becca HurleyLobster Eggrolls at Savant in St. Croix
For an upscale experience with an abundance of creative dishes, Savant is a dining destination that cannot be missed. The menu offers a mix of Thai, Mexican and Caribbean dishes, but it's the daily specials like Prosciutto-wrapped Mahi with Strawberry basil chutney that leave mouths watering. With indoor and outdoor seating, opt for the courtyard for a romantic date night and pay close attention to the carved cement walls and sculptures (all sculpted by the owner's wife) that give this space an old-world ambience. Savant is a truly unique dining experience and a great way to treat yourself after a long day of diving.
Michelle Pugh, Dive ExperienceStingray in Salt River Canyon
Dive the oldest moored site off St. Croix: The Outer West Wall is just one of four dive sites at this location. Most life can be found above 100 feet, and you can expect to encounter lobsters, green turtles, hawksbill turtles, southern stingrays, moray eels and the occasional shark swimming by the healthy coral and sponges. If you’re lucky you may even see Skeeter — the resident golden retriever of Dive Experience. He’s been known to play fetch in the waters of Salt River Canyon.
Becca HurleyBYOB: Build Your Own Burger
For a relaxed lunch spot with a view, EAT @ Cane Bay has perfected the beachside burger joint. The menu, comprised of seafood dishes, sandwiches and a unique item or two (duck chili), comes with BYOB forms that you fill out to customize the perfect burger or salad. If you do opt for a burger, make sure to wash it down with a Lime n' A Coconut — the frozen light and dark rum concoction is deliciously refreshing. EAT is more than just your average beach restaurant with fully stocked Cruzan rum bar — in the early mornings they offer weekly yoga with a view of the ocean, and visitors can often be found dancing to reggae music at night.
Becca HurleyFrederiksted Pier in St. Croix
The diverse critters and colorful sponges beneath the surface at Frederiksted Pier make this spot an ideal night dive for all certification levels. With a depth of around 30 feet at the deepest point, this is an ideal playground for underwater photogs. Keep your eyes peeled for seahorses, spotted scorpionfish, smooth trunkfish and the always-alluring octopus. Giant sea stars, tarpon and turtles also frequent this dive at night. If nothing else, who wouldn’t want to suit up while watching a gorgeous sunset?Make this dive happen with Sweet Bottom Dive Center.
USVI Department of TourismBeachfront Escape
Not only does Carambola Beach Resort make for a great place to escape while offering the convenience of an onsite dive center, the resort is home to four restaurants and a killer buffet breakfast. The buffet is extensive but the menu items at Saman are noteworthy, with options like the cinnamon and vanilla bean brioche French toast, complete with fresh strawberries, warm butter and caramelized bananas. With a variety of options including Caribbean cultural show dinners and a poolside bar, Carambola Beach Resort is the perfect place to dive and dine.
Nick Terry, Cane Bay Dive ShopCruising turtle at Cane Bay Wall
A beach entry and short surface swim are all that stands between you and the underwater playground that is the Cane Bay Wall. There’s nothing quite like it — being in 50-60 feet of water, looking left and seeing nothing but tropical fish and coral reef then looking right and gazing down into 3,000-plus-feet of nothingness (better known as the depths of the ocean.) It’s absolutely mesmerizing, and a shore dive that cannot be overlooked. Easily one of the best and most accessible dive sites on St. Croix, the Cane Bay Wall can be enjoyed by the novice or advanced diver. You can cruise along safely at your own comfortable depth and not have to worry about missing anything, since the visibility is often greater than 100 feet. There is plenty of life to see here, including stingrays, eels and turtles. If you ask the folks at Cane Bay Dive Shop nicely they might even guide you to the underwater coral nursery that thrives just offshore. Pay close attention and see if you can spot the underwater statue unique to this site.
Becca HurleyLocal Gem in Downtown Christiansted
If you’re in search of authentic Caribbean cuisine and friendly hospitality, head to Harvey’s in downtown Christiansted. This truly local establishment is family run, and Mrs. Harvey whips up fresh dishes Monday through Saturday from 11:30 am to 3 pm. It is best to call ahead and see what’s on the menu for the day. This comfortable Caribbean spot pays homage to former helper and current NBA star Tim Duncan. A painting on the outside of the restaurant and memorabilia hung inside show the pride that the Harvey family has for their local hometown hero. Always welcomed with a smile, the Harveys will make you feel at home with their exceptional service and filling meals. Pig foot stew, pot fish (the fresh catch of the day) and fungi (a cornmeal dumpling) are local specialties almost always on the menu, but get their early to ensure they don’t run out of the days special!Plan your trip to the USVI!
