Here is an article with a before and after picture (click on the pic to see a large version)

http://www.onepaper.com/stthomasvi/?v=d&i=&s=News:Local&p=1223617576

The only place we saw it was on the far East side of Maho (very small area)
Every where else the water was sparkling clear

Tom B it is my understanding that the algae bloom just started reaching the VI on 4/17 the day before you left so it may have just been spreading.

Maybe so - We went to Maho Easter Sunday in the afternoon. So I guess that would have been the 12th

Don't know about STT, but I was at Cane Bay on STX today and I didn't notice any difference.

Did you go snorkeling?

We stayed away from it. When I say it was finite area I would guess it was about 30 yards by 30 yards
On the fringe of the alage the water was hazy and was like wearing green sunglasses
As soon as we cleared the area it was clear.
It was definitely algae, was it part of the Bloom I do not know.

The algae plume (not "bloom") has pretty much dissipated and in the next few days the waters should be back to normal clarity. Right now, in just some areas, the clarity is as diminished as it sometimes is after heavy rainfall and high winds when runoff and silt tend to cloud visibility but not to any extreme. No worries!

The bigger issue for me is jellyfish larva, etc which was mentioned on one of the BVI boards. I happen to be allerigic. A diver said it was still there. So it is only in small concentrated areas on St. Thomas? What about Sapphire Beach, anyone know?

Didn't see it while I drove by this afternoon and routinely admired the view. Will check more closely on my way to work tomorrow.

Pamela

If you are allergic try this product - have not used it myself but have heard it works wonderfully from many who have tried it.

http://www.buysafesea.com/detail.php?itemid=SSFK04

Pia