| Many experienced travelers consider St. Kitts to be a | | | | sites surrounding St. Kitts, the reef is in excellent |
| well kept secret, this small tropical island boasts some | | | | condition and teeming with spotted drums, queen |
| of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in the | | | | triggerfish and large filefish. |
| Caribbean. With a wealth of virtually untouched dive | | | | Also off the western coast of St. Kitts, rests the |
| and snorkel sites, there are unique opportunities for | | | | Monkey Reef, an intriguing flat formation of both |
| divers and snorkelers of all skill levels. | | | | soft and hard coral. Visibility here is superb and the |
| The western side of the island features placid | | | | edge of the reef is home to lobster, passive nurse |
| waters, visibility in the range of 60-100 feet and | | | | sharks and lizard fish. |
| reefs that are known throughout diving communities | | | | For experienced scuba divers, Nags Head is a |
| as some of the most immaculately preserved in the | | | | dramatic, plunging reef in strong waters where the |
| world. Adding to the allure, most of the finest dive | | | | Atlantic meets the Caribbean. Here, the waves are |
| locations are an easy boat trip from the shore. | | | | home to stingrays, sea turtles, squirrel fish, sea |
| As a travel tip, it is recommended to enlist a tour | | | | urchins and several species of large reef fish. |
| guide for your diving and snorkeling adventures. | | | | In the channel that separates St. Kitts and its sister |
| There are several dive operators on St. Kitts, all with | | | | island Nevis, divers and snorkelers can find the Grid |
| the supplies you'll need to snorkel or scuba dive, but | | | | Iron undersea shelf that rises within 25 feet of the |
| don't forget to bring your underwater camera. | | | | surface. It contains a multitude of shallow water |
| Though this article will only scratch the surface of | | | | corals, sea fans, sponges and large numbers of |
| what St. Kitts has to offer, it will bring into focus | | | | angelfish. |
| some of the most ideal dive sites in Caribbean. | | | | According to records, more than 400 ships sank off |
| Our first stop is Sandy Point Bay, a favorite site of | | | | the coast of St. Kitts between 1493 and 1825, yet |
| Caribbean snorkelers and scuba divers alike. A unique | | | | only about a dozen have been identified to date. |
| reef with finger-shaped coral formations, the reef is | | | | There is perhaps no finer testament to the fact that |
| rumored to rest atop a sunken battleship, as this | | | | there remain plenty of sites to explore and secrets |
| area of the Caribbean Sea was site of numerous sea | | | | to uncover on St. Kitts. |
| battles. Divers still find anchors, plates and bottles | | | | Among the known ships, The River Taw Wreck, a |
| dating to the 1700s within the swim-through canyons | | | | 144 foot long vessel, sank in the waters surrounding |
| and undercut shelves. | | | | St. Kitts only 10 years ago. Both the ship and the |
| Black Coral Reef is the place for snorkelers and | | | | developing coral reef are in pristine condition, resting |
| divers to spot the most elusive of coral at depths of | | | | at a depth of 50 feet. This is another great site to |
| 40-70 feet. Ask your divemaster or tour guide to | | | | photograph a seemingly endless variety of tropical |
| point out the black coral, as it is rather difficult to | | | | fish and sea creatures. The Beached Tug Boat and |
| recognize underwater. Also for the explorer, Blood | | | | Brassball wrecks offer excellent opportunities for |
| Bay Reef and the small caves in its vicinity are home | | | | both novice scuba divers and snorkelers. As each |
| to several varieties of coral, purple sea anemones, | | | | wreck lies in only 20-25 feet of water, the |
| yellow sea fans and rust-colored bristle worms. | | | | underwater visibility at these sights is unmatched. |
| Coconut Tree Reef is one of the largest reefs in the | | | | Lastly, the M.V. Talata freighter wreck may be a |
| area and offers a unique challenge for both novice | | | | more technical dive than the aforementioned wrecks, |
| and expert divers, as the reef begins at a depth of | | | | but the opportunity to swim with an unparalleled |
| 40 feet and plunges below 200 feet. As with most | | | | assortment of reef fish is certainly worth the effort. |