What to do when they realize they have been over a year since his last dive trip, and you are eager to get wet again? After starting to yourself, course? Well, the obvious answer is to stop what they're doing and dive.

So I took my own advice and just got back from St. Croix in the Virgin Islands U.S., where my son and I almost threw our brains out for a week. He also ate good food, saw much of the island and relaxed on the balcony ocean views.

So why Santa Cruz? Well, why not? First, I had not been there, however, and prefer places new diving. But I also have a friend who worked there as a divemaster, and I thought about getting a privileged perspective. After an exchange of emails few with him, and exploration of the web, I found everything to be all booked.

In view of the "last minute" planning was that the trip was conducted smoothly. There were only a few parameters to consider, namely that I wanted to get in cheap and lots of diving – for at least 2 tanks a day. Oh, and I wanted to eat some fresh shrimp.

The best diving in the Santa Cruz, is located in the famous "wall" that runs along the north coast about 7 miles. With this in mind I have found accommodation in a small hotel, 9 rooms in the Cane Bay is just west of half of the north side. Luckily one of the best restaurants on the island is also on the same property.

The hotel is built on the right bank, that is rocky at that point, and all rooms face the sea. The views are outstanding with St. Thomas and St. John visible on the horizon, and the ever present sound of waves crashing on the rocks. Within half a mile is a pair of excellent eating places and the dive shop they use is just opposite the beach at Cane Bay.

I highly recommend getting a hire car to get around the island. It's much less trouble than relying on taxis and because there are many that do, will save money in the long term. The best way is to arrange the rental in advance for what is waiting for his arrival.

This has worked for us because it had a representative waiting outside baggage claim when we arrived holding a placard with our name on it. Recently signed a paper and left. At the exit, I parked in the airport closed and left keys inside.

As to where diving – definitely on the north coast "Wall". Several sites are easy to swim from the beach – maybe around 200 meters, then down over the wall that starts in about 50 'and drops to 3200'. Keep an eye on the north, where I could see the black occasionally tip sharks, manta, or spotted eagle rays swim.

Also be sure to dive the Salt River, where the wall has giant heads reefs, some caves, and huge swim-throughs. The reef is healthy, vibrant, and filled with all kinds of marine life. I saw several stands of black coral, and an unusual number of trunkfish there.

While the north wall is impressive, there are a couple of places to note about the western end are also "must do" dives. One of they are the wrecks. Actually 2 sites – the deepest one is a jerk and a vehicle ferry building about 100 'down. Lots of growth, but the structures stand out clearly – especially the wheelhouse in the tug, and makes for a super photo shot.

Also at the west end is the Frederiksted Pier, ie a few hundred yards from the door, and is one of the places I've seen fishiest. The debris in the background and the pillars are home to all sorts of creatures, bands including coral shrimp and spider crabs by the dozen.

You are likely to "ink" surprising after an octopus trying to mix in the background as swimming, or seeing the colors rotate while hiding in some of the strangest places. The funniest thing was this little guy holed up in what appeared be the top of a broken wine bottle.

There is much to see and do in Santa Cruz, including some interesting history. It is clear from the dozens of former windmills, sugar plantations that once covered the island, and supported an economy very different from today.

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