I agree with Nutmeg's assesment of the diving and snorkeling sites in the US and British Virgin Islands. The Tunnels and Arches of Thatch Cay is probably one of the best dive sites anywhere[Linked Image]. Here is an excerpt from a recent Skin Diver magazine article listing Chris Sawyers favorite 5 dive sites:<br><blockquote><hr>If Chris had to stack one USVI site up against any others in the world, it would be the Arches and Tunnels at Thatch. This is a great one for divers who like to explore unusual places. The twists and turns will test your sense of direction and the underwater scenery is superb. The site begins in a narrow canyon, squeezes past a giant boulder, dips and climbs through a small gap formed by another boulder, then enters a long swim-through that angles to the left and exits on the other side of the point. A school of Copper Sweepers nervously patrols the inside of the cavern, parting like smoke around the divers. Tarpon and Silversides are also thick on this dive, particularly in the summer. Swimming around the point brings you to a second canyon, this time ending in a closed cavern coated with sponges and soft corals. Not far from the cavern is another narrow swim-through, leading back to the first canyon. Depths along the way are from 30 to 45 feet, allowing for plenty of bottom time.<br><hr></blockquote><br><br>About 20 years ago I operated a dive boat out of Pineapple Beach Hotel (now the Renassance Hotel). The Tunnels and Arches were a favorite site as was Caraval Rock. Only problem with the Tunnels and Arches was that you could not dive it if there was any swell at all because of the surge through the tunnels. You could experiance what it would be like getting flushed down the toilet it there was any surge at all.[Linked Image]<br><br>DIVING GUIDE to the VIRGIN ISLANDS by GLANVILLE/JENIK probably published more than 20 years ago includes 44 maps for various dive sites in the US & British Virgin Islands. I have found the maps to be fairly accurate for sketches and would recommend it to anybody that will be doing any diving on their own in the Virgin Islands.<br><br>Gary Kilbride

Gary Kilbride