The Honorable G. A. Dwyer Astaphan, Minister of Tourism, Commerce and Consumer Affairs of St. Kitts, last week announced that St. Kitts is aggressively developing its dive product and is poised to emerge as the next destination for scuba divers to discover in the Caribbean.Practically unknown as a dive destination, the waters surrounding St. Kitts boast plentiful and virtually untouched coral reefs, shoals, hot water vents, shallows, sloping canyons, walls and swim-through caverns for divers to explore that are all home to colorful marine life at depths from 40 to nearly 200 feet.

In addition, these virgin waters have now begun to reveal several hundred pristine wrecks of galleons, frigates and freighters dating back to the 17th century that were sunk in various naval battles and skirmishes.  One recently discovered and excavated dive site is located at White House Bay, where the wreck of a 1740s English troopship rests.

Additional wrecks continue to be charted and explored through the St. Kitts Maritime Archaeological Project, an enterprise conceived and instituted by the island to survey, record, research and preserve its underwater treasures and resources. In addition to advancing the island’s dive and tourism product, the project involves the establishment of several marine parks.

“Divers who come to St. Kitts and experience our underwater world will truly be delighted and amazed at what they discover here,” said Minister Astaphan.

“Our dive operators are top notch seasoned professionals and the sites we have to offer provide a wide variety of dives for both beginner and highly skilled divers.”

St. Kitts’ dive operators include Dive St. Kitts located at Bird Rock Beach Hotel, Pro Divers located at Fisherman’s Wharf and Kenneth’s Dive Center on Newtown Bay Road in Basseterre.

All are accredited by recognized certification agencies and can also train and certify new divers. Dives can be arranged directly with the operator or through any of the island’s hotels. 
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