How deep is Cow and Calf Rocks?

Cow and Calf Rocks has a depth range of 6–13.7 metres (20–45 feet). Check the dive site page for current conditions and any depth-specific guidance before planning your dive.

Can beginners dive Cow and Calf Rocks?

Cow and Calf Rocks is rated as intermediate difficulty, which may not suit new divers. A Open Water with good buoyancy for guided routes; intro/certification dives should avoid tight overhead-like passages. certification or equivalent is suggested. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

What will I see at Cow and Calf Rocks?

Divers at Cow and Calf Rocks in United States commonly report sightings of hard and soft corals, hawksbill turtles, lobster, rays, and reef sharks. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

Add the first photo

IntermediateBoat entry

Cow and Calf Rocks

Q: When is the best time to dive Cow and Calf Rocks?

The best time to dive Cow and Calf Rocks is typically Best in calm south-side conditions with modest swell/current; local operators can choose Cow/Calf when visibility and seas fit the group.. Conditions vary, so check the latest reports and forecasts on the dive site page before your trip.

U.S. Virgin Islands - St. Thomas/St. John, United States

Open Water suggested6–14 m depthBoat entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Cow and Calf Rocks at a glance

Cow and Calf Rocks is a 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, hawksbill turtles, and lobster. Recent reports put the water around 29°C (84°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 14h ago

1.4 mwaves — about a meter and a half expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 29°C · seasonal avg 29°C

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

Best: Mon

Sun6:00–19:00

Mon6:00–19:00

Tue6:00–19:00

Wed6:00–19:00

Thu6:00–19:00

Fri6:00–19:00

Sat6:00–19:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:32 · Sunrise 5:55 · Sunset 18:56

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 6.1 km from site · graded 14h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Forecast · NOAA tide model

Tide & slack timing

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.

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.

Jan27%27°C1.8 m
Feb20%27°C1.9 m
Mar33%27°C1.8 m
Apr52%27°C1.6 m
May80%28°C1.2 m
Jun67%29°C1.3 m
Jul54%29°C1.4 m
Aug56%29°C1.4 m
Sep68%30°C1.4 m
Oct54%30°C1.6 m
Nov34%29°C1.7 m
Dec26%28°C1.9 m

May hastypically 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

hard and soft coralsCommonly seen
hawksbill turtlesOccasionally seen
lobsterOccasionally seen
raysOccasionally seen
reef sharksOccasionally seen
schooling jacks and spadefishCommonly seen

Echidna catenata recorded here Mar (1 record)
most recent 2013
Ginglymostoma cirratum recorded here Mar (1 record)
most recent 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.

Coki Dive Center5.4 km
Rentals
+1 340 775 4220 cokidive.com info@cokidive.com
Report a fix
Low Key Watersports6.2 km
+13406938999 divelowkey.com
Report a fix
Crabby's14.7 km
Report a fix
JVD Scuba18.7 km
Report a fix

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

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.

Reviews

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