St. Croix, USVI

It’s been 35 years since I visited the USVI of St’ Croix. I did so with mixed feelings as I recalled the superb diving and pristine waters from years ago. I knew the island had grown tremendously in population and expected some of the usual diving decline which seems to inevitably follow such growth. I have seldom been more pleasantly surprised than with this trip. Crystal clear waters abounding with flora and fauna of all descriptions met me instead of dead and dying coral and pollution. An excellent dive destination well worth the time and money awaits anyone visiting St, Croix!

St. Croix of the U.S. Virgin Islands has the advantage of being U.S. territory so no passport is necessary. Of the three, St. Crix, St. Thomas, and St. John’s, St. Croix is the only one for divers. It has the only decent diving in the group. St. Thomas and St. John’s are actually separated from St. Croix and mixed in with the British Virgin Islands along with their very mediocre diving. I had not been to St. Croix in 35 years and had no idea what to expect. There have been some changes over the years but not necessarily bad. Sure, there has been a lot of growth with the influx of people but it hasn’t changed the feel and flavor of the island. Biggest change is in the increased traffic on the roads, but now you really have roads as well.

We arrived in Christiansted during the off season in September which means we had fewer divers to contend with but, also, many of the restaurants were closed for the season. However, there were still plenty of excellent choices to choose from. Every dive day started with breakfast at The Avocado Pit run by two very friendly ladies who are both owners and cooks. Most of the eateries are within walking distance of the pier area - certainly within two blocks.

Angry Nate’s                                                      Dashi

Angry Nate’s had one of the best lobster dinners I have eaten anywhere and Dashi had excellent Sushi.

Tasty seafood at the Rumrunners and Shopes was the place to hang at night and drink and swap lies about the day’s diving.

Rumrunners                                             Shopes

Harvey’s is just a block off the pier and a small restaurant specializing in local cuisine. Owned and operated by non other tha Harvey himself. Harvey greets everyone and takes their order personally. One of his specialties is Parrot Fish. Due to its poisonous nature in many locales< I had never tried it before. Armed with Harvey’s personal guarantee I wouldn’t keel over dead, I gave it a try - delicious! Harvey is especially proud of the photo on his celeb wall of President Obama.