Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sustainable Diving & Snorkeling
Touching any coral—including soft cor-
als such as sea fans—is forbidden in
any marine protected area and should
be avoided at all costs everywhere.
Even the lightest contact is deadly to
the coral and can scrape and cut you
as well, leaving rashes and stings much
like that of a jellyfish (coral's free-
floating cousin). Divers and snorkelers
are also not permitted to touch, pet,
or otherwise harass any fish, including
eels and rays, whose delicate skin is
coated with antibacterial slime, which
protects them from potentially deadly
skin infections.
Feeding fish is similarly dangerous,
however innocuous it seems. It can
alter natural feeding behavior or, worse,
cause the fish to sicken or die from
ingesting unfamiliar food.
But wait, there's more: By applying
sunscreen or insect repellent before
entering the water, divers release harm-
ful chemicals to the water that can
mimic the coral's hormones, causing
premature death and illness.
It seems the more scientists learn,
the more delicate these systems
appear. Want to make up for past
infractions? Check out REEF (Reef
Environmental Education Foundation;
www.reef.org), a volunteer monitoring
program that allows divers to log in
and add their fish sightings to a global
database used by scientists to monitor
populations.
—Christina P. Colón
5
(also north of Christiansted), the latter so named because of the rays that cruise along
the wall there. Cane Bay is known for its coral canyons.
Frederiksted Pier, near the historic area of Frederiksted, is the jumping-off point
(literally) for a scuba voyage into a world of sponges, banded shrimp, plume worms,
sea horses, and other creatures.
Davis Bay is the site of the 12,000-foot-deep Puerto Rico Trench. Northstar
Reef, at the east end of Davis Bay, is a spectacular wall dive, recommended for
intermediate or experienced divers only. The wall here is covered with stunning brain
corals and staghorn thickets. At some 50 feet down, a sandy shelf leads to a cave
where giant green moray eels hang out.
At Butler Bay, to the north of Frederiksted on the west shore, there are the sub-
merged ruins of three ships: the Suffolk Maid, the Northwind, and the Rosaomaira,
the latter sitting in 100 feet of water. These wrecks form the major part of an artificial
reef system that also contains abandoned trucks and cars. This site is recommended
for intermediate or experienced divers.
Anchor Dive Center, Salt River National Park ( &   800/532-3483 in the U.S.,
or 340/778-1522; www.anchordivestcroix.com), is located within the most popular
dive destination in St. Croix: Salt River National Park. It operates three boats and
dives mainly in and around the park. The staff offers complete instruction, from
resort courses through full certification, as well as night dives. A resort course is $90,
with a two-tank dive going for $90. Dive packages begin at $250 for six dives.
Another recommended outfitter is the Cane Bay Dive Shop ( &   800/338-3843
or 340/773-9913; www.canebayscuba.com), with five locations all around the island.
The numerous locations means there's a variety of dive sites to choose from, without
having to take a long boat ride. A beginner's lesson goes for $60, and packages go all
the way up the scale to a six-tank dive package for $199.
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