I'm going on a family trip to St. Thomas for 4 days next week.

Does anyone know the rules regarding spearing? Licensing? SCUBA? Free-diving?

Also any recommendations for who to go with?

Thanks in advance ... Gary H

Pm Eric Walker he is a great guy and lives down there

You don't need a license. You can use scuba or free dive. Talk to eric for who to go with.

Thanks!

Sounds like Eric is the man - I'm sending a PM ...

HI Gary, Not sure but I don't think you can bring the fish back with you. Everytime I have traveled out side the country, customs makes it clear no food or wild life.

I was just there last week and went to a dive shop to inquire about diving and spearing. It seemed to stir a big debate with the staff at the shop. What I got out of it is you can at certain spots but they made it seem like it wasn't that great. I was only there for a day on a cruise, so I did not intend on diving. Hopefully the water will clear up for you, it was pea soup last week.

I was just there last week and went to a dive shop to inquire about diving and spearing. It seemed to stir a big debate with the staff at the shop. What I got out of it is you can at certain spots but they made it seem like it wasn't that great. I was only there for a day on a cruise, so I did not intend on diving. Hopefully the water will clear up for you, it was pea soup last week.

That's not what I wanted to hear :D

As Paul Harvey would say, here's the rest of the story:

My wife and I went to Saint Croix and Saint Thomas for our Honeymoon 20 years ago. We have not been back since.

Last summer some friends of my Inlaws were visiting Islamorada from St. Thomas. I went freediving one morning and brought back Mangos and Hogfish. We took the fresh catch to Lazy Days for lunch and I was in like Flint.

Now, for our 20th Anniversary my Inlaws are flying my wife and I with them to St. Thomas. We will all be staying with the local friends that live over-looking the Cruise Ship Docks.

We are arriving on Thursday the 17th of April, and leaving on Tuesday the 22th of April.

On our Honeymoon, we went to Trunk Bay to snorkle, but left our gear on the truck/taxi, so didn't get to see the tour. Therefore, I will definately go snorkeling with my wife at Trunk Bay one of the days, but like all spearfishermen, I hope I can squeeze in some shooting without rocking the boat so to speak.

I'm planning on bringing a gun, fins, mask, and snorkel. It would be nice to bring some fresh fish to our hosts if it works out. If it doesn't, then we'll have a few drinks and I guarantee we won't go hungry.:D

Well I hope it works out for you, I must say the island is beautiful. I think you will have an awesome time no matter what happens.

hey guys sorry to chime in late on this i was just looking at the thread and my old lady sat down and told me that spearing is illegal in St Thomas her father lives on a sail boat off the SE corner of the island and shes been going all her life so i can say i trust her

Nate

hey guys sorry to chime in late on this i was just looking at the thread and my old lady sat down and told me that spearing is illegal in St Thomas her father lives on a sail boat off the SE corner of the island and shes been going all her life so i can say i trust her

Nate


It is actually legal to spearfish in the US virgin islands. It is illegal to spearfish in the BRITISH virgin islands.

well now she tells me that you cant spear in the national park but she says it take up a good part of the island i actually have a chat of Charlotte Amalie on the wall and i did not see anything marking it a preserve.

Nate

Eric Walker lives on St. Thomas and is IMO your best resource. I'm pretty sure that you will be able to spear there although there might be some closed areas.

yea i am sure he will be my old lady was sitting here so i thought i would pass on what i could

nate

Nate,

Just for clarification. You can spear anywere in US Virgin Islands on scuba or freedive except for the National Park which encompasses most of St. John and not St. Thomas. St. Thomas has one area were spearing is not allowed near the SouthEast End which is part of the Mangrove habitat and really is not worth spearing in anyway. There is one small ledge system in the closd area that is only worth grabbing a few bugs and there is plenty to be taken elsewere.
So considerinng that there is alot of areas to go spearing there especially way off shore were the big fish roam, along with the big sharks.:awink:

Let me know if anyone needs any other clarifications on the rules.

Eric

Back from the USVI and this is what I've learned:

• The local dive shops will take you out for spearing and lobstering if it’s a “locals only” trip
• The “locals only” trips I could get in on were the day before flying.:(
• It doesn’t hurt to mention Eric Walker’s name:toast:
• An AL80 lasts a real long time when you’re not dragging a gun, stringer, lobster bag, and tickle stick!
• Shootable fish are downright friendly when you are unarmed

I went diving with Dwayne of Admiralty Dive Center. They were a top notch operation and I sure do wish I could have taken the “locals only” trip with them. I saw 3 really nice Pompano, countless Strawberry Grouper, Mangos, lots of pretty reef fish and zero lobster.

Here’s one of my favorite pictures I took at Saint Johns on the way to Trunk Bay and a sunset from the porch:

NICE.

I just returned from my honeymoon and we made a cruise stop in St. Thomas. It was beautiful. We went over to St. Johns for the day and that was beautiful as well. Hopefully I'll be able to get down there at some point for some diving.