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Map of Cow and Calf Rocks
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IntermediateBoat entry

Cow and Calf Rocks

U.S. Virgin Islands - St. Thomas/St. John, United States
Open Water suggested6–14 m (20–45 ft) depthBoat entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Cow and Calf Rocks at a glance

Cow and Calf Rocks is an intermediate boat dive site in U.S. Virgin Islands - St. Thomas/St. John, United States with depths of 6–13.7 m (20–45 ft). Typically most favorable May · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see hard and soft corals, Lobster, and Reef shark. Recent reports put the water around 30°C (85°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Favorable window now· until 18:00 · sunset 17:49

Forecast for this hour · 16:00 · run 14 h ago
1.3 m (4.4 ft)waves — about a meter and a half expected (waves — about four feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 30°C · seasonal avg 30°C ( · Forecast 85°F · seasonal avg 86°F)

Site hazards: Swim-throughs and arches, shallow surge, boat traffic, coral contact, current around rocks, entanglement in lost fishing line, and overhead-like passageways that should not be entered without comfort and guidance.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Lightest wind: Fri
Mon7:00–18:00 favorable

1.4 m waves · 16 kn wind (4.6 ft waves · 16 kn wind)

Tue7:00–18:00 favorable

1.1 m waves · 13 kn wind (3.6 ft waves · 13 kn wind)

Wed7:00–18:00 favorable

1.0 m waves · 13 kn wind (3.3 ft waves · 13 kn wind)

Thu7:00–18:00 favorable

0.9 m waves · 12 kn wind (2.9 ft waves · 12 kn wind)

Fri7:00–18:00 favorable

0.9 m waves · 9 kn wind (3.1 ft waves · 9 kn wind)

Sat7:00–18:00 favorable

0.9 m waves · 12 kn wind (2.8 ft waves · 12 kn wind)

Sun7:00–18:00 favorable

0.9 m waves · 12 kn wind (3.1 ft waves · 12 kn wind)

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wave and wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 5:54 · Sunrise 6:16 · Sunset 17:49 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 6.1 km from site · updated 26 Oct, 01:23 GMT-4

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Cow and Calf Rocks

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

Loading tide predictions

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: hard and soft corals, schooling jacks and spadefish
Best time: Best in calm south-side conditions with modest swell/current; local operators can choose Cow/Calf when visibility and seas fit the group.

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

  1. January, 27% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 1.8 m (5.9 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  2. February, 20% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (80°F), waves have typically been 1.9 m (6.1 ft), wind has typically been 18 knots
  3. March, 33% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (80°F), waves have typically been 1.8 m (5.9 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots
  4. April, 52% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 1.6 m (5.2 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots
  5. May, 80% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 28°C (83°F), waves have typically been 1.2 m (4.0 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots, historically most favorable
  6. June, 67% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 29°C (84°F), waves have typically been 1.3 m (4.2 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  7. July, 54% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 29°C (84°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.5 ft), wind has typically been 18 knots
  8. August, 56% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 29°C (85°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.7 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  9. September, 68% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 30°C (86°F), waves have typically been 1.4 m (4.5 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  10. October, 54% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 30°C (86°F), waves have typically been 1.6 m (5.2 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots
  11. November, 34% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 29°C (84°F), waves have typically been 1.7 m (5.6 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots
  12. December, 26% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 28°C (82°F), waves have typically been 1.9 m (6.2 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots

May has typically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life recorded at this site, by month

Recorded observations — evidence of past sightings, not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

  • Atlantic Nurse Shark recorded here Mar (1 record)

    Ginglymostoma cirratummost recent 2013

  • Echidna catenata recorded here Mar (1 record)

    most recent 2013

Newest record here: 2013. Counts are occurrence records near this site from public biodiversity datasets (GBIF), grouped by calendar month across all sampled years. Sightings vary — past records are context, not a prediction.

Fills & rentals nearby

Facts from OpenStreetMap, corrected by the community — listed by distance only. Details change; confirm with the shop.

Shop facts come from OpenStreetMap and community corrections, shown nearest first. PickADive lists facts and contacts only — no listing is sponsored or ranked.

Data updated July 2026

Site details

Cow and Calf Rocks are paired south-side USVI reef formations reachable by boat from St. Thomas or St. John. Divers use the canyons, ridges, swim-through arches, and tunnels around Cow Rock and Calf Rock, with colorful coral growth and frequent reef life. Although often used for intro/certification dives, the swim-throughs require buoyancy control and guide awareness.

boatreef

Swim-throughs and arches, shallow surge, boat traffic, coral contact, current around rocks, entanglement in lost fishing line, and overhead-like passageways that should not be entered without comfort and guidance.

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