St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands · 2026 Season
Scuba Diving St. Thomas
Wrecks, walls, and vibrant reefs from St. Thomas — 12+ dive sites, 60–100 ft visibility, and certified dive shops for every skill level.
Vetted local captains · Secure operator booking
Scuba diving in St. Thomas costs $120–$170 for a 2-tank boat dive and $400–$500 for Open Water certification. Top sites include the WIT Shoal II wreck (90 ft), Cow & Calf Rocks, French Cap Cay, and the Cartanser Sr. wreck — all with 60–100+ ft visibility year-round.
Choose your day on the water
Scuba Diving Charters in St. Thomas
11 charters available
PADI Instructor Development Course in St. Thomas, USVI
Aqua Marine Dive Center
Take the next step in your diving career with the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) at Aqua Marine Dive Center, a PADI Five Star IDC facility on St. Thomas, USVI. This appro
- Boat
- Scuba Diving
- Duration
- 13 Days
- Up to
- 10 guests
- Stops
- Custom itinerary
Full-Day Private USVI Powerboat Charter with Snorkeling/Scuba
Aqua Marine Dive Center
Enjoy an unforgettable full day on the water with Aqua Marine Dive Center's 42-foot custom jet boat! Your group gets exclusive use with a friendly captain and crew who design the p
- Boat
- Private Charters
- Duration
- 8 Hours
- Up to
- 20 guests
- Stops
- Custom itinerary
Private Half-Day Scuba Drive & Snorkel Boat Charter, 42' Private Powerboat
Aqua Marine Dive Center
Enjoy a truly special day on the water with Aqua Marine Dive Center's 42-foot custom jet boat! Your group gets exclusive use with a friendly captain and crew who design the perfect
- Boat
- Private Charters
- Duration
- 4 Hours
- Up to
- 20 guests
- Stops
- Custom itinerary
St. Thomas Open Water Dive Certification - PADI Course
Aqua Marine Dive Center
Become a Certified Open Water Diver with Aqua Marine Dive Center in St. Thomas! This is the standard starting point for diving adventures. With an Open Water certification you can
- Boat
- Per-Person Adventures
- Duration
- 2 Hours
- Up to
- 6 guests
- Stops
- Custom itinerary
St. Thomas Morning 2-Tank Certified Scuba Dive
Aqua Marine Dive Center
Because two tanks are better than one! Dive the beautiful waters around St. Thomas with Aqua Marine Dive Center. Whether it's your first time diving with us or your 40th, there wil
- Boat
- Per-Person Adventures
- Duration
- 4 Hours
- Up to
- 12 guests
- Stops
- Custom itinerary
St. Thomas Open Water Dive Certification Course
Aqua Marine Dive Center
Complete your Open Water certification in the warm Caribbean waters of St. Thomas! If you've completed your theory/eLearning and pool skills with a previous instructor or agency, A
- Boat
- Per-Person Adventures
- Duration
- 4 Hours
- Up to
- 6 guests
- Stops
- Custom itinerary
St. Thomas 2-Tank Scuba Dive & Refresher Course
Aqua Marine Dive Center
Been a while since your last dive? Get a tune-up and go for a two-tank dive with an instructor in the beautiful waters around St. Thomas! During your boat ride and at the dive site
- Boat
- Per-Person Adventures
- Duration
- 3.5-4 Hours
- Up to
- 10 guests
- Stops
- Custom itinerary
Beginner Scuba Diving Experience with Instructor
Aqua Marine Dive Center
Have you ever wanted to give scuba diving a try? With the Discover Scuba Diving adventure, you can do just that under the supervision and guidance of a highly capable certified ins
- Boat
- Per-Person Adventures
- Duration
- 3-4 Hours
- Up to
- 10 guests
- Stops
- Custom itinerary
St. Thomas Sunset & Night Certified Scuba Dive
Aqua Marine Dive Center
Watch the gorgeous sunset then explore the ocean floor at night! Get your gear and flashlights ready while you watch the beautiful sunset on the water and then go diving in the ama
- Boat
- Scuba Diving
- Duration
- 2.5 Hours
- Up to
- 10 guests
- Stops
- Custom itinerary
Pool Scuba Intro: Learn to Breathe Underwater
Aqua Marine Dive Center
Try a little scuba fun in the pool! In this fun 1.5 hour activity with a certified scuba instructor, you will learn what it feels like to breathe underwater, practice a few skills,
- Boat
- Per-Person Adventures
- Duration
- 1.5 Hours
- Up to
- 10 guests
- Stops
- Custom itinerary
Beginner Snorkeling Lesson: Limetree Pool Practice
Aqua Marine Dive Center
Not feeling confident about heading out to snorkel in the ocean quite yet? Spend some quality time with the instructor learning to snorkel in the pool. If you have never snorkeled
- Boat
- Snorkeling
- Duration
- 1 Hour
- Up to
- 20 guests
- Stops
- Custom itinerary
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St. Thomas is the dive capital of the US Virgin Islands, with a dozen world-class sites within 20 minutes of the marina. Warm water (78–86°F year-round), exceptional visibility averaging 60–100+ feet, and a mix of shallow reefs, dramatic walls, and historic wrecks make it ideal for everyone from first-time divers to advanced wreck specialists.
Most St. Thomas dive operators run morning two-tank boat dives departing Red Hook or Crown Bay around 8:30 AM. Popular sites include the WIT Shoal II — a 190-foot cargo ship sitting upright at 90 feet — Cow & Calf Rocks, French Cap Cay, and the easy-penetration Cartanser Sr. wreck. Coki Beach offers one of the Caribbean's best shore dives.
What Makes St. Thomas Scuba Diving St. Thomas Special?
WIT Shoal II Wreck
A 190-foot cargo ship sitting upright at 90 feet — one of the Caribbean's best wreck dives, with swim-throughs, holds, and abundant marine life.
Crystal-Clear Visibility
Average 60–100+ feet of visibility year-round, with the best clarity from January through June.
12+ Dive Sites
Cow & Calf Rocks, French Cap Cay, Sail Rock, Carvel Rock, Cartanser Sr. wreck, and the Coki Beach shore dive — all within 20 minutes of the marina.
All Skill Levels
Discover Scuba intros ($150–$200), Open Water certifications ($400–$500), and advanced two-tank boat dives ($120–$170).
Top St. Thomas Dive Sites
WIT Shoal II Wreck (90 ft): A 190-foot cargo ship deliberately sunk in 1984. Sits upright with the wheelhouse at 60 ft — penetration possible for advanced divers, and abundant fish life including barracuda, jacks, and angelfish.
Cow & Calf Rocks (30–60 ft): Two large coral-encrusted boulders with arches, swim-throughs, and resident nurse sharks and sea turtles. Great for intermediate divers.
Cartanser Sr. Wreck (55 ft): A 190-foot freighter sunk in 1979 — easy penetration through the holds and superstructure, perfect for newer wreck divers.
French Cap Cay (advanced): A small offshore cay with strong currents, wall dives, and frequent eagle ray, reef shark, and pelagic encounters.
Coki Beach Shore Dive (15–40 ft): A reliable shore dive with rental gear available — schools of sergeant majors, parrotfish, and the occasional turtle.
Certifications & Training
Discover Scuba (no certification required): A half-day intro program with a brief classroom session, pool/shallow water skills, and a single shallow dive. Perfect for first-timers and runs $150–$200.
PADI/SSI Open Water Certification: 3–4 day course covering classroom (or eLearning), pool skills, and four open-water dives. Cost: $400–$500. Pre-completing eLearning before your trip maximizes water time.
Advanced & Specialty Courses: Many St. Thomas shops offer Advanced Open Water, Nitrox, Wreck, Deep, and Night Diver certifications.
What You Need to Know
- St. Thomas dive boats depart from Red Hook, Crown Bay, or American Yacht Harbor.
- Two-tank morning boat dives are the standard format — depart 8:30 AM, return by 12:30 PM.
- Water temperature ranges from 78°F (winter) to 86°F (summer) — a 3mm shorty wetsuit is plenty.
- Top dive shops include Aqua Marine Dive Center, Coki Dive Center, and St. Thomas Diving Club.
- Bring your own mask if you have a custom fit; everything else is provided as rental.
- Cruise ship visitors can book half-day Discover Scuba programs from Crown Bay or Havensight.
What's Included
- Tanks, weights, BCDs, and regulators
- Wetsuit (3mm shorty or skin)
- USCG-licensed boat captain and divemaster
- Surface intervals and refreshments between dives
- Detailed dive briefing for each site
Pro Tips from the Locals
💡Don't dive and fly on the same day — wait at least 18–24 hours after diving (DAN guidelines).
💡Best visibility is January through June; plankton blooms can reduce viz slightly July–October.
💡Reef-safe sunscreen is required by USVI law — apply before gearing up.
💡Book morning two-tank trips for the calmest seas and best visibility.
💡Night dives reveal a completely different reef — octopuses, lobsters, and bioluminescence.
💡If getting certified, complete eLearning before your trip to maximize underwater time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore More in St. Thomas
Snorkeling Tours
Guided snorkel trips to Coki Beach, Christmas Cove, and Buck Island's pristine reefs.
Private Charters
Customize your day with a private boat — combine diving, snorkeling, and beach stops.
Catamaran Charters
Full-day catamaran trips to top snorkel and dive-adjacent sites with open bar and lunch.
Ready to Go?
Book your scuba diving st. thomas experience — we'll help plan the perfect day.