CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons (Summitandbeach)Dive· St Croix· Virgin Islands (BVI, USVI and Spanish Virgins)
Frederiksted Pier
17° 42.8′ N · 64° 53.3′ W
The 1,526-ft cruise pier whose pilings are encrusted with decades of sponges and coral: a world-class macro dive and snorkel with seahorses, frogfish, octopus, tarpon at night, and turtles around the old dolphins.
Practical
Coordinate from Wikipedia/GeoHack (pier). From shore to 90 ft at the far end, averaging 25 ft along most of the length; giant-stride off the pier into about 20 ft. Visibility up to about 80 ft, cloudier near shore after rain. Highlights: the two free-standing concrete dolphins just south of the pier, and the 'Three Amigos' pilings at the end (90 ft). You cannot dive or snorkel the pier when a cruise ship or military vessel is alongside: check the ship schedule (GoToStCroix). Officially the Ann E. Abramson Marine Facility; drafts 29 ft on the north side and 36 ft on the south (GoToStCroix). Several dive shops are steps away in town (GoToStCroix). A 2019 Noonsite cruiser report rated the pier snorkel highly.
Best for
Night dives and macro photography
Season
Year-round when no ship is in; calm in normal trades
Nearby
- Rhythms at Sunset (Frederiksted)0.2 NM away
- Fort Frederik (Frederiksted)0.3 NM away
- Frederiksted Anchorage0.3 NM away
- Lost Dog Pub (Frederiksted)0.3 NM away
- Polly's at the Pier (Frederiksted)0.3 NM away
- Crucian Christmas Festival0.4 NM away
- Margarita Fred's & Oceanside Bar (The Fred, Frederiksted)0.4 NM away
- Beach Side Cafe at Sand Castle on the Beach0.8 NM away