>Dive Destinations>The BVI

Click to view more images

Click on an image to enlarge

• Page contents:
• Dive sites
• Your options
• Diving season
• Where is it?
• Reef summary
• Useful references

...Highlights: dolphins, turtles, great macro life/marine diversity...
...Diving environment: wrecks, healthy reefs, beginner and advanced divers...

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) are a stunning eastern Caribbean destination known for their crystal-clear waters, beautiful beaches, and vibrant marine life. The archipelago consists of over 60 islands and cays, with the main islands being Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, and Jost Van Dyke. It is known as the Caribbean's premiere wreck diving destination and is best explored by liveaboard, either a dedicated diving cruise, or an eco-adventure cruise that includes diving as well as other tourist activities.

The RMS Rhone shipwreck is located at Salt Island and is known as one of the best wreck dives in the world. It is a fascinating site and easy-to-explore, with a variety of marine life such as moray eels and perhaps even reef sharks. Nearly every surface of the ship is covered in a kaleidoscope of corals. The Kodiak Queen is the newest BVI wreck dive, complete with a legendary sea kraken! There are numerous other wreck dives near Norman, Salt, Peter, Cooper and Ginger Islands, 4 wreck dives in and around The Dogs, 3 wreck dives near Virgin Gorda, and the Chikuzen wreck.

In all, the turquoise waters of the British Virgin Islands are home to over 100 amazing dive sites that include beautiful coral gardens, seamounts, caverns, caves, canyons and boulder formations that are suitable to scuba divers of all levels. Divers will find barracuda, turtles, eagle rays, southern stingrays, nurse sharks, schools of jacks, African pompano, tarpon, angelfish, triggerfish, lobsters, snake and moray eels, as well as scores of colorful reef fish.

Dive Site Descriptions

Anegada

The reefs around Anegada, the northernmost island in the BVI, are less frequented but offer some of the most pristine diving experiences. The coral reefs are rich and vibrant, with diverse marine life like colorful corals, large schools of fish, and potentially rays and sharks. The 18-mile-long Horseshoe Reef is located here, one of the largest barrier reefs in the Caribbean.

Angelfish Reef

Located southwest of Norman Island, Angelfish Reef is best known for its canyons and ridges. The reef has colorful corals and abundant marine life which includes common sightings of angelfish, butterflyfish, and wrasses, as well as larger species such as southern stingrays and eagle rays in its depths of 80 ft (25m). Its shallows also create excellent lighting conditions for underwater photos of the plentiful macro creatures that are home here, such as spotted drums, triplefin blennies, seahorses, shrimps, and yellowheaded jawfish.
Show more

The Baths at Virgin Gorda

The Baths at Virgin Gorda is a geological wonder that creates one of the most iconic images in the Caribbean - a tunnel with towering, angled boulders above shallow, turquoise waters, and is a must-do dive site. It's also a series of giant boulders forming secluded, natural pools and grottos. This. While the area is more renowned for snorkelling, advanced divers can explore the underwater channels and enjoy the vibrant marine life with plenty of colorful fish, sea urchins, and the occasional turtle.

Cane Garden Bay

Aside from having a most attractive beach, Cane Garden Bay at Tortola also offers some excellent snorkelling and diving opportunities just offshore. The reef here is relatively shallow and is suitable to both beginners and advanced divers. Among the sea creatures to spot are schools of small fish, starfish, and the occasional nurse shark.

The Indians

Known for dramatic underwater topography, excellent visibility and vibrant coral reefs, The Indians at Norman Island consist of 4 small and protruding, rocky pinnacles that rise from the seafloor. The deeper side has a steep wall that goes from around 10 ft (3m) to 35 ft (10.5m), where divers can encounter large snapper, dolphins, turtles, and moray eels gaping from the outcroppings. The shallower side is 10 ft (3m) deep coral garden with a swim-through, plenty of soft corals and sea fans, and loads of fish, including sergeant majors, parrotfish, and groupers. Currents can be quite strong and surface conditions rougher than usual here.

The Kodiak Queen

The Kodiak Queen was a US Navy World War II fuel barge and it is believed to be one of the few ships that survived the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The 155 ft (47m) long ship was scuttled at Virgin Gorda as an artificial reef in 2017, after photographer Owen Buggy and Sir Richard Branson decided to add a unique sculpture to the old barge - an 80-foot (24m) Kraken sea monster crafted of metal to appear to be attacking the old ship. The Kraken’s tentacles twist and turn around the Kodiak Queen’s stern and wheelhouse that sit at a depth of 57 ft (17m). So far the wreck has attracted plenty of juvenile fish and a few large snapper.

Wreck of the RMS Rhone

Wreck of the RMS Rhone - The Rhone was a 310 foot (95m) long, iron-hulled British Royal Mail steamship that slammed in to a rock during a hurricane in 1867 and broke into 2 sections at Salt Island. The stern rests at a depth of 35 feet (10m) and the bow lies at 80 feet (25m) so is accessible to both novice and advanced divers. Divers will see its massive bronze propeller, drive shaft and 100-pound wrenches. Numerous artefacts include black-and-white tiles, silver teaspoons, glass and metal works. Coral gardens, cleaning stations and nurseries fill the ship’s holds. Schools of yellowtail snapper, jacks, grunts, and tarpon can be found here. Macro life includes arrow carbs, shrimps, lobsters and octopus. Night dives can be especially fantastic on the Rhone. An entire day could easily be spent exploring this incredible wreck.

Spyglass Wall

Spyglass Wall at Norman Island is covered in sea fans, golden tube and purple tube sponges, which create an amazing scene for both snorkelers and scuba divers. A host of marine life are present including fairy basslets, damselfish, blue tangs, tobaccofish, anthias, tarpons, Atlantic spadefish, rays, turtles and squid. The wall begins at 20 ft (6m) and descends to 60 ft (18m) and is one of the most captivating mini-walls for divers in the British Virgin Islands.

Thumb Rock

Thumb Rock at Cooper Island is a huge pinnacle that resembles a large thumb and gave this wonderful site its name. Clear waters and awesome marine life make this a favorite site, so grab your underwater camera! Spotted drums, seahorses, creole wrasse, and lobsters can all be found on this shallow dive. Tarpon, French angelfish, queen angelfish, filefish and barracuda make this one of the central BVI’s best diving spots.

Wreck Alley

The Marie L., the Island Seal, the Pat and the Beata comprise Wreck Alley, the graveyard of purposely sunk wrecks to enhance dive tourism in the British Virgin Islands. The 4 wrecks are on the south-western side of Cooper Island in about 65 ft (20m) of water. The Island Seal was a cargo vessel that originally capsized near Brandywine Bay in 2006. The new wreck has been applauded by leading journalists. The Marie L. was also a cargo boat, and the Pat and the beautifully preserved Beata were tugboats. The Pat and Marie L. are adjacent to each other and sit upright on the sandy bottom in calm water. These artificial reefs attract many species of colorful fish and invertebrates such as octopus, and the sandy bottom provides a feeding ground for stingrays, garden eels, conches, and the more uncommon eagle rays. All 4 wrecks can be enjoyed on the same dive.

Others

Other sites of repute in the British Virgin Islands include:
Chromis Reef at Cooper Island is named after the blue chromis and quillfin blennies that populate the gorgonians and coral heads. The reef has good visibility and sandy patches that make it a great site for inexperienced divers.
Dry Rocks East off Cooper Island is an open water area with beautiful pillar corals, black corals and sea fans that dot a sandy bottom. As an open water site, it offers a chance to spot pelagics like cobia and African pompano. Black triggerfish, coneys, trunkfish and slipper lobsters crowd the huge boulders at the base of the ridge.
Ginger Steps is a plunging 3-step wall that descends 90 feet (27m) at Ginger Island. Good visibility and white sandy ledges make this another great site for underwater photography. Pompano, octopus, lobster, anthias, barracuda, dolphins, eagle rays and turtles can be spotted here.
Willy T Wreck and the Fearless Wreck, Peter Island - The Fearless is believed to be the sister ship of Cousteau’s Calypso. Willy T was a popular floating bar and restaurant that was scuttled as an artificial reef. Both wrecks are made of wood and the countless black coral trees that grow upon their hulls are home to French grunts, Creole wrasse and bar soldierfish.
Painted Walls, also at Peter Island, is awash with a palette of yellow, red, orange, and purple corals. The site’s southern ridge has a huge coral reef that is bursting with macro life and can entertain divers for hours. Hawksbill turtles, lobsters, nurse sharks, barracuda, silversides, tarpons, green moray eels cruise congregate in the canyons and gullies.

How to Dive the British Virgin Islands

Since there are so many islands, the best way to experience them without the hassle of relocating several times to different locations, is by liveaboard. Visitors have the choice of a regular 1-week diving cruise around many of the best islands, or a 6-night scuba and eco-adventure cruise that includes hiking trails, as well as visits to beaches, secluded bays and coves, perfect for beachcombing and relaxing. The British Virgin Islands have only a low number of liveaboard operators, so availability can be an issue. We recommend you book 12 months in advance to avoid being disappointed.

>>Most popular

>>Staff choice

The Diving Season

You can dive in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) year-round thanks to the consistently warm tropical climate and stable sea conditions. Day time air temperatures typically range from 83°F to 89°F (28°C to 32°C); night time temperatures rarely drop below 74°F (23°C). The warmest months are generally from June to September, the coolest months are usually from December to February.

The water temperature stays between 78°F to 84°F (25°C to 29°C). A 3 mm wetsuit is recommended, although some might prefer a 5 mm during the coolest months of January/February. Nearshore currents are usually mild but can be stronger in certain channels and passages between the islands.

December to April is considered the best time for diving, with excellent visibility (up to 100 feet/30m) and calm seas. It's also the peak tourist season, so expect more divers around the popular sites. While during the period of February to April, humpback whales migrate through the region, offering a unique opportunity for divers and snorkelers to spot these majestic creatures. Sea turtles are more commonly seen during their nesting season from May to October.

May to November is considered off-peak season since the weather can be more variable, with more rain (brief, heavy showers) during the latter portion of this period. June to November is the official hurricane season. On average a hurricane hits the islands once every 8 years, but these are becoming more frequent in recent history, with 6 this century and 6 more in the 1990s. For more details on the climate in Road Town, Tortola, visit the Weather Atlas website.

Where is BVI and How Do I Get There?

Review our map below showing the British Virgin Islands' location in the world.

The British Virgin Islands are a British overseas territory, located in the eastern Caribbean, 100 miles (160 km) east of Puerto Rico. Our liveaboard diving trips depart from Road Town, Tortola. Most visitors arrive via the international airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico (code: SJU). There are direct flights to North, Central and South America, and several countries in the Caribbean and Europe. From San Juan, you can board a local flight (30-40 minutes) to Terrence B. Lettsome Airport (EIS) in BVI. These flights are operated by Air Sunshine, Cape Air and Seabourne Airlines. Alternatively you can fly in to St. Thomas (code: STT) in the US Virgin Islands and then take a regular public ferry to Tortola (1 hour), or fly in via St. Croix, or St. Maarten/St. Martin.

No visa is required for stays of up to 6 months for visitors from most countries. You will need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after entry, have a return/onward ticket, and proof of sufficient funds. You can check all the latest entry requirements on the BVI Tourism website.

Reef Summary

Depth: 16 - >100 ft (5 - >30m)
Visibility: 60 - 100 ft (18 - 30m)
Currents: Usually mild
Surface conditions: Generally calm
Water temperature: 80 - 86°F (26.5 - 30°C), with the coolers months being the best
Experience level: Beginners to intermediate
Number of dive sites: >100
Recommended length of stay: 8 days

Useful References

• British Virgin Islands cruise trips
• Map of the Caribbean Sea