We found one of the best dive spots just South of the Eastern parts of St Thomas, and West of Great St James. There are two rocks that break the surface. They are known to look like whales, the cow and its calf, giving these dive sites their names.
Other site mentioned in this post ,The Stragglers, is just South of Christmas Cove, rock formations extending from the South Eastern tip of Great James Island.
The area is just 7 nm East from Water Island, and 8 nm away from Charlotte Amalie. Easy to reach, and a lovely area itself to explore, if you spend time in St Thomas. Both sites are close to each other and easy to Reach if within the St James Bay.
Check the vessel size restrictions for mooring balls around the island!
We did these next mentioned two dives around Cow and Calf Rocks and The Stragglers from 40ft monohull, in early April. Water temperature was around 28C°, visibility around 20 meters.
Cow and Calf Rocks
18°30.41’N 64°84.75’W
Anchor:
Closest over night stay spot is in the large anchorage area of Christmas Cove, on the West side of St James Island.
Christmas Cove is known to get busy, especially on the high season. Great Saint James island is mostly private, but you have beautiful beach to dinghy to, and snorkeling opportunities right at the spot. There are no facilities on the island, however in the anchorage you can find Pizza Pi. You can call to this pizza boat that slings New York style pizzas for orders via VHF and pick it up with a dinghy.
Easy approach and entrance to the Cove from West.
Good holding in various depths (4-10 meters) shelter from E, SE and NE.
Be careful with wrecks and unmarked reefs and sand banks.
If you are on a day trip from Water island, click HERE for post where I have written overnight staying around Water Island.
Moor:
On the N side of the Cow and Calf Rocks , you’ll find a few moorings to tie up for diving. Mooring balls are easy to spot and the lines are well maintained.
Dive:
You can descend directly from the boat and swim to the rocks underwater. There is plenty to see right at where the moorings are placed. You can also surface swim towards the rocks and drop in little closer.
You can choose to swim around the twin rocks, but what makes this dive site unique, are the connecting labyrinth forming swim through tunnels, arches and caves. Exploring the formations in between the rocks is a high recommendation.
Mind the shallow depth breaks when crossing over the rocks.
Shallow dive, 12 meters depth. Swimming around the rocks is suitable for Open Water / Beginner level, Advanced level recommended for diving through the tunnels and in between the rocks. On a calm day it’s a great snorkeling spot!
We saw nurse sharks, schools of squid, cuttlefish, lobsters, eagle ray, nudibranches, and sea slugs, as well as big schools of Caribbean reef fish.
Current check advisable around the rocks! Extra carefulness on the South side of them .
The Stragglers
18°30.33’N 64°83.54’W
Anchor:
As mentioned above, seek overnight anchorage just North of the Stragglers in Christmas Cove.
Moor:
There is a mooring ball available in front of, on the West of the Stragglers.
Dive:
Crab a mooring ball and descend directly from the boat. You’ll want to head towards the rocks and head South once reached them. Dive around the rocks and into the tunnels. This shallow dive is beginner level suitable, and only 12-15 meters deep.
You can get around the rocks, however, on the North side of Stragglers it is very shallow. Recommendation: Swim towards southern tip of the rocks, and return either same way or between the rocks.
We saw huge Southern Stingrays, schools of reef fish, spotted moray eels, barracudas, nurse shark, and lots of lobsters.
Ready for taking a plunge and seeing another view of St Thomas?
Sailing Divers 