Enclosing the eastern end of the Caribbean Sea, and swinging down from Puerto Rico to Venezuela, is another necklace of small island jewels known as the Lesser Antilles. These islands are as famous to nondiving travelers as to divers. Because they are so incredibly diverse in atmosphere, culture and diving opportunity, we’ll cover them in two groups, arranged strictly on the basis of their geography. This first section will discuss the northern or Leeward Islands, which, for our purposes, reach from the United States Virgin Islands down to Guadeloupe.

USVI
The principal islands of the USVI are St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix. They offer divers a tasty smorgasbord of experiences. Off St. Croix there is impressive wall diving, wrecks, canyons and even a pier famous for its sponges and seahorses. St. John has dramatic undersea rock formations, caves and swim-throughs. St. Thomas offers lush reefs, wrecks, pinnacles and swim-throughs.

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
The British Virgin Islands include Tortola, Virgin Gorda, and their attendant smaller islands. Also of importance to divers is Anegada, off to the northeast. BVI diving includes world famous wrecks, reefs, mini-walls, ocean pinnacles and a wealth of marine life. Because the various islands of the BVI are so close together, this area is a favorite with live-aboard dive boats and other sailors.

OTHER LEEWARDS
Because of their connection to the European nations that colonized them, the other Leeward Islands fall into groups with exotic names such as British Leewards and French West Indies. However, for simplicity’s sake, and because some of the Windward Islands also fall into these groups, we’ll cover the rest of the Leewards individually. The island of Saba was created from a volcano and its offshore sites reflect this. Overgrown by colorful corals and sponges, the volcanic rock formations slope at varying angles from shallow water into the depths, and there are pinnacles and mini-walls as well. St. Eusatius, known as “Statia,” is near Saba, but offers a different kind of diving. There are wide, flat reefs in relatively shallow water, and shipwrecks from several centuries. The waters off the island of Anguilla are host to a number of wrecks that have been sunk for divers. There are also shallow and deep reef areas, canyons, and impressive coral formations. The islands of Antigua and Barbuda are both nearly surrounded by lush coral reefs. There are wrecks and walls and even an underwater park off Antigua. The green volcanic islands of St. Kitts and Nevis make up one small nation. In the waters around these islands there are hundreds of historic wrecks, though only a few have been examined and identified. There are reefs lush with black coral and other invertebrates, abundant fish, and many submerged caves. The island of Montserrat is currently undergoing renovations, courtesy of Mother Nature. With continuing volcanic activity, it is building dive sites for the future—and is a little bit too much of a “hot spot” for your average diver right now. An island divided in two politically, St. Martin/St. Maarten, is part French, part Dutch, but the variety of diving found all around the island is for everyone. There are shallow reefs, caves and wrecks. The nearshore reefs are perfect for snorkelers and are loaded with marine life. St. Barthelemy, or “St. Barts,” offers a coral wonderland populated by tropicals of every kind. There are reefs, walls and caves, and a pleasant wreck dive on a sunken fishing boat. A marine reserve is in place and sea turtles are commonly seen. The island of Guadeloupe marks the southern end of our Leeward Islands. Off Petit Ilet, an excellent reef site offers the opportunity to observe jacks, reef fish and colorful invertebrates. Elsewhere, hot water springs bubble into the near-shore waters. Various species of whales may be seen in the waters farther offshore.