St. John Scuba Diving Experiences

• Dive Sites
• Guided Tours

Dive Sites

EAgle Shoal

Eagle Shoal is a remote, 50-foot-deep dive spot on the east end of St. John that’s recommended for experienced divers. This impressive coral formation emerges from the deep and nearly reaches the surface of the water. It’s best known for The Cathedral, a large open chamber with multiple entryways that takes on an ethereal appearance as sunlight dramatically streams in. In fact, it’s a popular spot for underwater weddings. Eagle Shoal’s caves are filled with diverse marine life that includes copper sweepers, jacks, queen triggerfish and a kaleidoscope of sponges clinging to the walls. Because Eagle Shoal is exposed to the open ocean on all sides, it’s not uncommon to see a shark or manta ray glide by.

Congo Cay

Congo Cay is a pristine, uninhabited island that’s part of Virgin Islands National Park. This small cay, with its rugged coastline, crystal-clear waters and reefs rife with aquatic animals, is ideal for divers. The coral reefs around Congo Cay, which are some of the healthiest in the Virgin Islands, provide shelter for an array of marine species, including parrotfish, angelfish, sea turtles and nurse sharks. The dive spot is one of the best for beginner scuba divers, with plenty of shallow sand channels to explore and visibility often exceeding 100 feet, making Congo Cay a dream for underwater photography. More advanced divers will want to move on to the deep reefs, rock spires and coral-draped walls that reach down 80 feet, where sightings of larger marine life include eagle rays, reef sharks and the occasional pod of dolphins.

Carval Rock

You can’t miss distinctive Carval Rock, which juts up out of the ocean just east of Congo Cay and is named for a 17th-century fighting ship. This site is recommended for experienced open water divers, as there are strong currents in the vicinity, with mornings providing the calmest waters. But once below the surface, divers are rewarded with steep rock formations and swim-throughs that include The Cut, an exhilarating passage through the awesome underwater architecture. Expect to see a wide variety of neon tropical fish and corals at depths that reach 80 feet, as well as octopus and schools of silvery tarpon that rocket by as they feed on large balls of baitfish in the canyons.

Grass Cay

Located on the northwest side of St. John, Grass Cay is a popular destination for beginners and those seeking new diving certifications. Grass Cay is made up of four distinct sites, with depths ranging from 15 to 70 feet. It offers an interesting combination of sand flats, large coral heads, seagrass beds and a sloping reef. This diverse topography is home to a variety of marine life, including sea turtles, parrotfish and rays. Thrill seekers will want to head to Grass Cay at dusk to experience night diving. After the sun sets, divers can spy lobsters, crabs and octopus that are rarely seen during the day. 

Guided Tours

Low Key Watersports

Low Key Watersports offers it all, from scuba diving trips off St. John to PADI courses, scuba and snorkel equipment rental, and private charters. St. John’s only PADI 5-Star IDC Dive Center operates two-tank Daily Dive Trips for certified, student and first-time divers that explore local reefs around the island. Certified divers can join the one-tank Night Dive that leaves just before sunset, allowing divers to view nocturnal marine animals by the glow of a dive light. The Night Dive is open to both novice and experienced divers. Or book a half- or full-day Private Dive & Snorkel Charter for up to 17 passengers, which includes dive instructors, gear and snacks.

Patagon Dive Center

Patagon Dive Center is located at St. John’s scenic Caneel Bay Resort. Patagon offers daily morning double-tank dives and afternoon one-tank trips to a variety of dive sites. It also features a three-hour Young Explorers of the Sea program for children as young as 5 years old, which includes guided snorkeling and beach combing. The Patagon Dive Center offers PADI courses for everyone from kids age 8+ to experienced divers. Night dives are offered on demand in the winter and summer. Private dive tours on the Patagon II yacht are also available.

VI SNUBA Excursions

Join VI SNUBA Excursions for a fun underwater adventure that’s a hybrid of snorkeling and scuba diving, which doesn’t require a dive certificate or experience. First, you’ll learn how to use the equipment (which includes a light harness, weight belt, mask and fins) that allows you to breathe underwater using a hose pumped with air from a raft above the water. Then, take a guided tour that begins in the shallow azure waters of Trunk Bay, eventually going out to depths of 20 feet. Along the way you’ll explore Trunk Bay’s spectacular coral reefs and dazzling array of marine animals that include sea turtles, rays and tropical fish. Children as young as 8 years old are welcome on the tour.

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