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If "splitting" your stay indicates physically staying in both locations that's not necessary. Pick a side and rent a car - the drive from one side of the island to the other isn't bad , as long as you're okay driving on the left side of the road. I prefer the west side, Fredericksted, as it is on the calmer water side of the island. The Pier is also very convenient to dive both day and night as a shore dive on your own or with a guide. Nep2une Scuba (formerly N2theBlue) is right by the pier - they have an excellent guide, Jenny Keith, who is good at finding the small stuff.Is it worthwhile splitting my stay to both areas?
Good call. My other reasons would be calmer water, reef and wrecks on this side, and there can be decent snorkeling if that is an interest. To get to Cane Bay (northwest side) by car for a wall dive - either boat or shore dive - is about a 30 minute drive. Christiansted (north side) is about a 35 minute drive and and has reef and some different topography - mini walls and submarine canyons in Salt River Bay. Would say that the Lost Dog Pub for pizza one evening is also a plus.The main consideration that might move me toward basing out of Frederiksted is if you were determined to do a lot of shore diving at the pier.