Dive Operator St. Croix

[Steelyeyes]

My wife and I are looking at extending a dive trip to the Bahamas and checking out St. Croix. Our needs are a bit different than some folks. We have cameras, we're advanced divers (lived on Bonaire for four years, she has 800 dives, I'm working on 1000). We like small outfits that might be more in line with our needs. No cattle boats and hopefully no beginners. We're kind of spoiled with long dives and not being hurried to snap mediocre shots of cool critters to keep up with the flock. BTDT too many times. We don't mind paying more if that's what it takes.

Any ideas? Even shore dives would be cool.

 

[jonhall]

We're kind of spoiled with long dives and not being hurried to snap mediocre shots of cool critters to keep up with the flock.
Any ideas? Even shore dives would be cool.

First of all, I'll recommend Nep2une Scuba as they have some good people who work there. They are on the west side in Frederiksted only about 100 yards from the pier. They have a 6 diver maximum. The west side generally has calmer water with wrecks and reefs. The north side has walls and different topography like submarine canyons.

The best shore dive on the island, IMO and most anyone else who's done it, is the Frederiksted Pier. It should be done both day and night. Nep2une will rent tanks and may provide a cart to get them to the pier. Jenny Keith is a great, knowledgeable guide who knows her stuff and a fantastic photographer. Once, I split some time at the pier, between the pier and in an area just south of the pier - saw quite a few starfish.

 

[Steelyeyes]

That pier sounds about like the Salt Pier on Bonaire. Lots to see day or night there too. You can get really good shots of tarpon at night if you're lucky.

 

[gmerick]

Check with CRABBS dive club. They maintain a list of dive operators and dive boats here.
One further recommendation particularly for your needs: Book a LOB week with Juliet Sailing and Diving during the winter months. Liza's 30m schooner is based in St Croix December through March.

 

[Scoooter961]

My wife and I are looking at extending a dive trip to the Bahamas and checking out St. Croix. Our needs are a bit different than some folks. We have cameras, we're advanced divers (lived on Bonaire for four years, she has 800 dives, I'm working on 1000). We like small outfits that might be more in line with our needs. No cattle boats and hopefully no beginners. We're kind of spoiled with long dives and not being hurried to snap mediocre shots of cool critters to keep up with the flock. BTDT too many times. We don't mind paying more if that's what it takes.

Any ideas? Even shore dives would be cool.

I also dive with Nep2une which do run 6 pack boats. We were there over Christmas and only had 6 people once. They usually run hour long dives and you can go at your own pace. After the morning boat dives we usually grab a tank and walk out to the pier and do a 2 hour dive on it taking pictures. There is always stuff to see. Frogfish, batfish, sea horse, octopus, eagle rays, tarpons, turtles, jaw fish, spotted drums, mantis shrimp and numerous other little creatures. The mid span is the best area.

We use Judi of Croix for a car rental (they meet you at the airport holding a sign with your name, so no standing in line) and stay at Sand Castles on the Beach.

We've been there 6 times since 2020 so if you have questions feel free to ask here or DM me.