Admiralty Dive Center

Admiralty Dive Center is a locally owned and operated PADI centre situated in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. Since 1994, Jerry and Christy Cowan have managed the operation, building a reputation for reliable diving in the US Virgin Islands.

The centre serves as a gateway to the diverse underwater topography of the islands, ranging from shallow reef flats to significant wreck sites. Whether you are looking for a shore dive at Coki Beach or a deep wreck excursion, the operation is built around the local maritime landscape.

The centre is run by local owners who have been part of the St. Thomas diving community for three decades. This long-standing presence ensures a deep knowledge of the local currents, swell, and site-specific conditions.

They offer a full range of PADI training, from initial certifications to professional levels. The team is equipped to handle everything from Discover Scuba Diving for beginners to Divemaster candidates looking to advance their careers.

The training programme covers the entire PADI spectrum. New divers can begin with Discover Scuba Diving or the Open Water Diver course, while those looking to specialise can take the PADI Deep Diver, Night Diving, Navigation, or Peak Performance Buoyancy courses.

Advanced training is also available, including Rescue Diver and Divemaster programmes. For those interested in specific skills, the centre offers specialties such as Wreck, Drift, and Underwater Photography, as well as the Indo Pacific Lionfish Response course.

The fleet consists of two well-maintained vessels. The Moose is a 30-foot boat with a capacity for 12 passengers and 3 crew members, offering shade over most of the deck for comfort during longer trips.

The Duck is a 28-foot vessel that carries 10 passengers and 2 crew members. Both boats are used for various trip types, including day dives and night dives, and they provide access to the area's extensive wreck and reef sites.

For those not travelling with their own kit, the centre provides full equipment hire including BCDs, regulators, computers, fins, masks, and wetsuits. They also offer on-site equipment repair services.

Nitrox is available for divers looking to extend their bottom time. The centre is conveniently located to provide transfers for those arriving via cruise ships at WICO or Crown Bay, as well as for guests staying at neighbouring hotels.

The reefs are teeming with life, including various species of tropical fish, angelfish, and snapper. You will often encounter turtles and lobsters navigating the coral structures and ledges.

For those interested in larger animals, the area hosts pelagics, eagle rays, and occasional sharks. Groupers are a common sight around the wrecks and reef walls.

Macro life and smaller inhabitants include seahorses, pufferfish, and moray eels. The reef flats and sandy areas also host stingrays and various species of coral, including soft corals that add texture to the seascape.

The area is accessible year-round, with diving possible in all seasons. The local waters are generally warm, and the visibility is typically high, often ranging between 30 and 45 metres.

Shore diving is available at Coki Beach, providing an easy entry point for those preferring to avoid boat trips. The dive sites vary in depth, from shallow reef tops to wrecks and walls reaching 90 feet.