While each Puerto Rico and St. Croix cruise may vary due to weather and sea conditions, the outline below will give you a good feel for the adventure you could experience!
Saturday:
You will fly into San Juan Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico (airport code SJU). From San Juan, you’ll need to make your way to Puerto Del Rey Marina near Fajardo, about 35 miles from San Juan. One may rent a car, arrange for a private transfer, or ride in a shared van with other Nekton guests. (Please note that the shared shuttle may require a wait as other Nekton guests arrive.)
Once at the marina, you may enjoy dinner ashore on your own at the marina’s pizzeria, delicatessen or international cuisine restaurant specializing in lobster. Embarkation begins at 7:30 pm with the Captain’s briefing about 8:00. The boat will depart in time to get you diving early Sunday morning.
Sunday:
Wake up at the first dive site of the trip. Immediately after breakfast, there will be a general dive briefing and a dive site briefing, followed by the dive deck being open until lunch. This will be your first of many chances to see the beautiful reefs in the tropical waters off the West coast of St. Croix. This area has a nice sandy bottom surrounded by lobed star corals, with goatfish and southern stingrays living in the sand. The dive deck closes during lunch, as the boat repositions to a different dive site. Following a site briefing after lunch, the dive deck will re-open and will be open for a full afternoon of diving. During dinner, the boat stays on the afternoon dive site, making it possible to get in one last dive after dinner and experience watching the nocturnal critters on the site you got to know and enjoy during the day.
Monday:
Today you will continue your fun-filled dive vacation by visiting the North shore of St.Croix. Diving great sites such as North Star, Pavillions and Cane Bay, you will get to explore “The Wall” at your own pace and get your fill of bottom time. The wall starts around 30 ft and reaches depths of 130+. The great variety of reef fish, nurse sharks, eagle rays, an occasional manta ray and turtles make these dramatic and memorable dives.
Tuesday:
Wake up to some more gorgeous St. Croix diving—now in Butler Bay! Here you will have a chance to do some wreck diving on the many artificial reefs that have been created in this area. There are over half a dozen different wrecks to see in the bay, including a 177’ Venezuelan freighter, which large barracuda like to call home, an 83’ oil tug encrusted in corals and sponges, and a 300’ oil barge with deck furniture welded onto its top deck!
Wednesday:
Colorful coral gardens are up for grabs as you wake to another fabulous day in paradise. Excitement is in the air, however, you are going to Fredricksted! The boat docks in Fredriksted allowing for many options. A shuttle is available for passengers, for about $15 per person. If sightseeing is something you enjoy, Frederiksted has a tropical Rain Forest and the Whim Greathouse, a plantation restored to the way it was in the 1700s, which can be visited during your optional time off the boat. There are also a fair amount of shops to peruse at your leisure. However, many guests have mentioned that diving under the Fredriksted pier has been one of their most unique dive experiences to date. During this 25’ dive, you are very likely to find creatures that you have never seen before, such as seahorses, spotted scorpionfish, frogfish, batfish and octopus galore. You won’t want to miss the night dive at the pier!
Thursday:
Another chance to dive St. Croix’s North Wall! Some of the best diving the island has to offer is here, so you’ll want another glimpse. Today may be the day you see a 6’ free swimming green moray, so keep your eyes peeled—they’re down there!
Friday:
Today’s the last day to enjoy the calm waters of the West side. Dive sites such as Armageddon and King’s Cross are great ways to finish the already wonderful trip. Overnight, the boat makes the passage back to Fajardo, Puerto Rico.
Saturday:
The boat has arrived back at the dock. Disembarkation is at 8:00 am. We will transport you and your gear back to the airport in San Juan.
Please schedule flights AFTER 12:00 PM to allow time for arrival back to the San Juan airport and REMEMBER DAN’s recommended waiting period between repetitive diving and flying.