Typical Depth Range:	Typical Current Conditions:	Expertise Required:	Access:
20-70 feet	1/2knot common, can exceed 2 knots	Advanced	Boat
About four miles northeast of St. John, about halfway between St. John and St. Thomas, is Carval Rock, a dive area visited by dive operators from both islands, weather permitting. On occasion, the currents can be treacherous, which makes the site undiveable, in which case an alternate sight will be chosen. Even on a good day, the current resulting from tidal flow from Pillsbury Sound can be substantial, thereby classifying it as an advanced dive. In good conditions, this is a site worth experiencing. You have a little bit of everything - dramatic rock formations, coral gardens and a fish community that includes open-water species. Anywhere from 20 to 80 feet, divers are bound to find a host of surprises. Graceful soft corals decorate the ocean floor like a plush carpet. You are likely to find entwining basketstars clinging to them. Through the soft coral garden toward shallower water among the base of the rocks is a passageway. If you follow it to the southwest, you will see two cuts, a small one and then a larger one. If there is not too much surge, it is worth swimming through the second cut to see a dozen or more glimmering tarpon that frequently can be found hovering motionlessly or feeding on schools of silversides on the other side. If there is even some surge, be sure to move through the cut quickly and watch out for the fire coral! On the northern side of Carval Rock, ravines and sheer vertical precipices covered with encrusting corals and sponges offer some excellent wide-angle photo opportunities. Keep a sharp eye out for manta rays as they fly through the area on occasion. As a rule, dive boats anchor on south side of Carval Rock. To return to the boat, you can circle the rock or double back over the route you followed to the north side. Your divernaster will likely brief you on the best course to dive. However, watch your air pressure gauge and plan to begin your return with enough air to enable you to swim back underwater as surface conditions are generally choppier on the northern or windward side. Back to the dive page