Posts Tagged ‘Virgin’

US Virgin Islands Are America’s Paradise Diving

Located among 50 islands with the US Virgin Islands are the three islands of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix where some of the best diving in the region can be found. Accessing these islands is simple with flights from many major US airports daily.

St. Thomas

The dive centre will all take you to the waters of Pillsbury Sound between St. Thomas and St. John to dive sites which have several shipwrecks encrusted with bright sponges and coral. One of the more famous is the “General Rogers” which is a 100 plus foot US Coast Guard buoy which was sunk there to form an artificial reef which is located in around 60 feet of water. The reef is established on the coast guard buoy which is formed some lovely Orange cup coral and others with an abundance of fishes such as angelfish and grunts to name a few.

Probably the best diving in the Virgin Islands is Sail Rock which towers up 125 feet in the air off the West End of St Thomas and is teeming with jacks, wrasse, barracuda, turtles and others.

St. John

Congo Cay and Carval Rock are located between the islands St. John and St. Thomas and are two popular diving sites and is home to many turtles swarming silversides, cruising reef sharks, and waving sea rods and gorgonians. The swim-through is a must do which tower is between two towering rock faces is covered with vibrant marine life.

Congo Cay’s is an opposite dive to Carval Rock with a drift dive though some amazing weathered; the dive site has its own resident sting rays creating a lovely dive. Both dive sites can be done from a basic level but if the weather is bad only experienced divers can dive.

St. Croix

North side of St. Croix is known to be one of the best wall dives in the Caribbean, the wall starts only 100 yards of the beach line and drops to several thousand feet, there are around 20 dive sites located along the wall with varying natures features such as pinnacles, ledges, walls and caverns.

All the Dive shops on all three islands of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix will offer resort courses, complete certification classes and rental equipment. Many package deals are available with local hotels and dive operators combining for a single price package. Accommodations range from 5-star resorts and villas to small, family run inns and hotels. Camping is even available for those who want to rough it a bit outdoors.

Vacation to the Virgin Islands what do you think?

Looking for an affordable week of vacation. Price range around 1000-1500 USD. Want somewhere to swim in beautiful water and snorkel and relax. What do you think about the US Virgin Islands? We’re open to suggestions other than this though. What’s your experience and a clean hotel?

Vacation travel to the US Virgin Islands?

My husband and I want to travel to the Virgin Islands. We have never done any thing quite this “tropical” before. We are possibly interested in renting a jeep, doing some shopping, try some snorkeling, possibly a little night life, and relaxing on the beach with a margarita in one hand. My questions are:

1. Which island did you prefer (St. John, St Thomas or St Croix). Would you go back and where did you stay (hotel, condo, resort, etc.)?

2. We are looking for something quaint, some privacy, and must be on the beach (no high price hotels with 1000 of people everywhere). Any suggestions?

3. We are planning this trip the end of March, 2010 (our 32nd wedding anniversary). Will this be a good time to go?

Any information, suggestions or ideals you can give me along with websites will greatly be appreciated.

looking for relatively inexpensive group sailing options in the US Virgin islands?

I am leading a group of 20-25 business school students for a week-long trip and interested in options around $1000 for 3-5 days of sailing and lodging for the balance per person. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!