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Located about 5 miles (8 km) offshore from Christiansted, this marine garden is reached only by charter sail or power boat. While you can dive its colorful reefs, this site provides a perfect learn-to-snorkel experience. Charter boats also stop at Buck Island’s sandy beach on the west end.

Marine life abounds, but seahorses are the main reason to dive this site. For safety’s sake, take a trip with one of Frederiksted’s dive operators. The dive master will help you find the seahorses.

The coral- and sponge-covered Wall runs along the island’s north shore. It drops off from about 30 ft (9 m) to thousands, luring divers with varying degrees of ability. In some places, it runs so close to the shore that you can do a beach dive.

Located about 4 miles (6 km) north of St. John, Carval Rock juts up into the ocean looking like an old-time ship called a carval. Fish swim among dramatic rock formations and bright coral reefs at depths of 20 to 80 ft (6–24 m).

Part of a small chain of cays north of St. John, these tiny islands are surrounded by a kaleidoscopic marine life. Turtles visit often. Little or no current keeps visibility high.

Barely breaking the water off the southeast end of St. Thomas, these two rocks feature tunnels, archways, and overhangs, all at depths less than 40 ft (12 m). Multihued fish or the occasional nurse shark swim along with you as you navigate this dive site.

Explore the interior of this 327-ft (98-m) World War II landing ship, sitting off St. Thomas’s south side. The coral-encrusted wreck is home to shiny fish.

Located off St. Thomas’s north coast, this 120-ft (36-m) wreck of a US Coast Guard boat houses a rich marine life, including tube sponges, hard and soft corals, and bristleworms. Look out for barracuda.

Sitting in two parts at 15 to 75 ft (4–22 m) deep after it sank in 1867, this wreck attracts undersea explorers from both the USVI and BVI. A good diving and snorkeling site (seeBVI National Parks & Scenic Spotsand;Salt Island).

Near Peter and Norman Islands, four jagged pinnacles, with a base sitting 50 ft (15 m) down, break the surface. Swim through canyons and grottos that contain brilliant corals, house varieties of fish, and are visited by hawksbill turtles.