St. Thomas has always been a popular diving destination, as have the rest of the US Virgin Islands. With warm, clear water, diverse marine life, and intriguing underwater topography, the island has something for everyone. For those who love nothing more than a good wreck dive, St. Thomas will certainly not disappoint. Let’s take a look at just seven of the many wrecks this marvelous area has to offer.
SS Grainton
Now lying beneath 108 feet of water and accessible at about 82 feet, the SS Grainton was a British Cargo Steamer, just over 415 feet long. Built in 1911, the ship was grounded on Dry Rock, at Little Saba near St. Thomas, while attempting to traverse from Vancouver to Hamburg with a cargo of grain. On January 31st, 1928, the day after her grounding, she sank while under tow. Today, the ship is wreathed in lush coral and sponge growth, and is home to groupers, snapper, moray eels, and lots of crustaceans and invertebrates. Over time, the ships gunwales have come apart, revealing her massive engines and allowing for an easy look inside. Watch for the large nurse sharks that tend to be seen hiding in the shadows as you enjoy this historic wreck.
Miss Opportunity
Once a hospital ship, and then used as an office complex, the Miss Opportunity lies on her side in just over 90 feet of water, and can be accessed at 40 feet. Just over 300 feet long, and slowly acquiring a splendid coating of coral since her 1985 sinking, the ship was deployed as an artificial reef and broke wide open upon hitting the bottom. The wreck is easily penetrated, and with multiple decks to explore, she is a fascinating site for even the most seasoned wreck diver. You’ll find sharks, moray eels, huge groupers, and plenty of other creatures hiding in the wreckage, so be sure to bring your camera!
Clairborne
The wreck of the Clairborne lies 90 feet beneath the surface, and can be accessed at 75 feet. This incredible wreck is a favorite with local divers and visitors alike, as she is sitting upright and is mostly intact, offering incredible wide angle photo opps as well as several points for penetration. Even inside the wreck, visibility is good and blue light enters from outside. The diesel engines are a fascinating sight, and the wreck is home to turtles, stingrays, barracuda, and other creatures, all of which can be found both inside and outside the ship.
Cartanza Sr.
The Cartanza Senora was a 190 foot long freighter which was used for transporting supplies during the second World War. She survived the war and was used as an agricultural freighter until the 1970’s when she was caught carrying illicit drugs and was impounded. The ship sat derelict for years until she was finally deployed as an artificial reef in 1979. Later, hurricane Hugo broke the ship in three and actually shoved her up into Shipwreck Cove, where she sits in just 45 feet of water and is now accessible to all divers.
An exceptional site for photography, and home to countless species of fish, the Cartanza is also referred to as Cartanser Senior, and is a great place to encounter eels, rays, turtles, and even the occasional shark.
East Wind
Sometimes called the Chrysler, the East Wind was a corporate yacht which ended up on the rocks during a squall sometime in the late 1960’s. Now lying beneath just 50 feet of water, the scattered remains of the once luxurious vessel can be explored at length, and have provided a basis for a fantastic artificial reef. With sponges and coral acting as a colorful backdrop, the wreck is home to lobsters and sergeant majors, all sorts of crabs, parrotfish, butterfly fish and angelfish, plus turtles, rays, nurse sharks, and more. There are several swimthroughs, and the site is ideal for photography, plus it’s perfect for all levels.
Navy Barges
Lying just 45 feet beneath the surface, the old Navy Barges are fun for all divers to explore, and have decayed to the point where all you can see are the shapes of the barges’ ribs, which are completely coated in colorful sponge and coral growth. With a colorful profusion of tropical fish everywhere you look, plus lots of other creatures in attendance, this old wreck is much more magical than its name lets on!
The Kennedy
The Kennedy was a US Navy Barge which flipped over and sank one night while moored off St. Thomas. Lying in 65 feet of water, with the concrete top pad some distance away, this intriguing structure is almost always inhabited by big southern stingrays, huge green and spotted moray eels, and loads of colorful fish in all shapes and sizes.
In addition, you might see heaps of conch shells lying nearby, which are evidence that an octopus has been hiding out and enjoying the local smorgasbord. There is an eel garden a short distance from the wreck, and if you hang out along the rear section of the starboard side, you will find a congregation of yellowheaded jawfish, sailfin blennies, and blue gobies, all of which create little burrows in the sand. If can hang motionless, they will put on quite a show! Turtles tend to visit the wreck of the Kennedy to nibble at the sponge and coral that coats it, and so long as you do not harass them, they are happy to simply enjoy their visit to the salad bar while you take as many photos as you want.
There are many more wreck dives to be enjoyed at St. Thomas, many of which are suitable for all divers, and there are several fantastic local dive operators and liveaboards which will happily arrange a customized dive package for you if you like. This is an area that is easy to get to, and as it becomes even more popular, it is important to make reservations in advance so you can see the wrecks and other sites that interest you the most!