Packet Rock (south side)

Packet rock is out in the middle of the cut between St. Thomas and Buck Island, right out in front of Bolongo Bay. The rocks come within a few feet of the surface and go down to about 50 feet. A short swim around the rocks will have you looking at lots of barracudas on this site. There is also an old ship's cauldron on the south east side. Ships would sail thousands of miles and get within sight of land and run smack into these rocks. As a result, divers can find various pieces of pottery and other artifacts if they take the time to look.

Rye Reef (south side)

Rye Reef is named because the wreck of the sister ship to the RMS Rhone sank on that reef by Buck Island. There's no wreckage left, but the reef is fantastic. There are several terraces that go down to a maximum of 60 ft on this dive, and you will be treated to octopus, large groupings of rocks with huge barrel sponges. With any luck, you'll see critters inside those sponges. Swimming along the sheer wall of the island is a spectacular sight with all the growth protruding from it. Just remember to take a left at the hammerhead.

Stragglers Rocks (south side)

Stragglers rocks are rocks that 'straggle' off the island of Greater St James. Part of the rock formation sticks out of the water, and there are several 'canyon ways' where larger animals come to get out of the Big Ocean. Maximum depth is 45 ft. There's a nice little archway in 15 feet and nearby there are usually lots of sea slugs; those little guys that look like lettuce seem to like whatever is on the rocks and they hang out by the dozens. Keep a keen eye out for them, because they're small - usually around an inch in length - and can be tinted purple, green or blue.

Thatch Cay (north side)

It is really sad that the high season for diving in St Thomas is the winter months, because that is when this 45 ft deep dive site is subject to swells that make the diving hazardous. Depending on your route, there can be as many as eight tunnels to swim through. There is one 60 ft long tunnel with a bend in it that is just breathtaking. The longest tunnel takes a shortcut through the end of the island and opens to the sea. It is a treat to get to dive it.

Wreck of the Cartanza Señor (south side)

The Cartanza originally sank in Charlotte Amalie harbor (under mysterious circumstances), but because it was a navigation hazard, it was towed just outside Buck Island Cove and sunk in 80 feet of water. Several hurricanes later, the 130-foot freighter now rests in the center of the cove in 3 pieces. There is one portion of the site you can actually swim through. We regularly see cushion stars as well as a host of other abundant fish life on this wreck. The maximum dive depth is 50 feet.

Wreck of the General Rogers (north side)

General Rogers is a 120 ft Coast Guard buoy tender that is mainly intact and sits upright in 60 ft of water.The top deck is around 40 ft. The General Rogers was sunk intentionally as a dive site more than 20 years ago. Consequently the hull in totally encrusted with corals and sponges and it attracts a lot of fish and even bristle worms. There are two engines, a propeller with a spare and two large propane tanks.This site cannot be dived on a regular basis, as there can be a strong current.