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1The Indians
Nice corals, and a tunnel which scuba divers may pass through... West side of Pelican Island
BeginnerMax depth 32.8 ftBoat entry
Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in British Virgin Islands
The top 83 dive and snorkel sites in British Virgin Islands, ranked by diver reviews, with maps and photos. Read the British Virgin Islands guide
- dive sites
- 83
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- 35
83 sites, ranked by diver reviews
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2No photos yet
3R.M.S. Rhone
Probably the most popular wreck of all British Virgin Islands dive sites! The RMS Rhone was a British packet ship owned by the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company. She was wrecked off the coast of Salt Island in the British Virgin Islands on October 29, 1867 during a hurricane. She was split in two and sunk directly off of Black Rock Point. Her bow now lies in about 80 feet of water while her stern is in about 30.Over one hundred passengers and crew were lost. She was 310' long, 40' wide, and driven by a 600 hp compound engine. At the time of her loss, she was just two years old and her captain was Robert Wooley. Today she is one of the Caribbean's most popular scuba diving sites, and a park has been created around the wreck. Source: Wikipedia.org West of Salt Island
Max depth 72.2 ftBoat entry
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4Chimney
Probably the most popular dive site in The Dog islands, the Chimney is a relatively shallow dive, with lots of canyons and ledges to expore (which combined with its sheltered location, means zero current). The site is named after a shaft like crevasse in the rocks which divers can swim up (provided that they are not too overweight). Larger and more timorous divers can swim over the top of the crevasse. Excellent marine life, but the mooring balls can get crowded with snorkellers because the site is so relatively shallow. By boat only. Dive site is in a bay on the northwest side of Great Dog. Approximately 15 minutes from Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda or 25 minutes from East End, Tortola. Mooring balls have been placed on the site by the National Parks trust.
BeginnerMax depth 42 ftBoat entry
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5Spyglass
Spyglass is a good introductory dive for new divers. A relatively shallow reef (about 15 feet) drops down relatively sharply to a sandy bottom (at about 60 feet) given a relatively short wall dive. Divers usually swim out along the bottom and the circle back along the top, thereby doing an extremely long safety stop! The marine life is fair but not spectacular by BVI standards. By boat only. The site is approximately 5 minutes from the Bight on Norman Island, or about 25 minutes from Road Town on Tortola. Mooring balls have been fixed on the site by the National Park trust. Spyglass is also known as Spyglass Wall.
BeginnerMax depth 44.9 ftBoat entry
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6Vanishing Rock
Good dive for younger or less experienced divers. Vanishing rock is a coral reef that protrudes above the surface (and so "vanishes" with each wave that crosses it). The site is very shallow, not more than 42 feet at the deepest point, so is very good for younger divers. The marine life is average by BVI standards, and most divers skip this site in favour of more popular sites nearby, like Wreck Alley, Thumb Rock and the RMS Rhone. By boat only. Off the eastern tip of Salt Island, facing Cooper Island Beach Club on Cooper Island. Approximately 22 minutes by boat from Road Town. Mooring balls have been placed on the site by the National Parks trust.
BeginnerMax depth 36.1 ftBoat entry
7
Wreck of the RMS Rhone
RMS Rhone was a UK Royal Mail Ship owned by the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company (RMSP). She was wrecked off the coast of Salt Island in the British Virgin Islands on 29 October 1867 in a hurricane, killing 123 people. She is now a popular Caribbean wreck dive site.
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8Alice in Wonderland
Amaizing mushroom shaped coral formations. Some eagle rays and stingrays. Some lucky divers encounters sharks here. South Bay on Ginger island
BeginnerMax depth 40 ftBoat entry
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9Jack Bay Point
Large barracuda, Grooper and many fish Beach at Big Bamboo Bar and Grill Jack Bay Point is also known as Big Bamboo.
BeginnerMax depth 16.4 ftShore entry
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10Coral Gardens
Coral Gardens was for years a popular dive site, but the marine life was severely damaged by a "bleach fishing" incident, from which the reef has not fully recovered. To popularise the dive site, an old DC-3 aircraft was sunk in the sand next to the site to provide an attraction for divers. The plane is relatively intact (minus the wings) and big enough for divers to penetrate and swim through comfortably. By boat only. Site is approximately 45 minutes from Road Town, Tortola; about 20 mintutes from East End, Tortola or about 12 minutes from Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda. Dive site is on the sheltered south side of Great Dog. Mooring balls have been affixed to the site by the National Park. Coral Gardens is also known as Airplane Wreck.
BeginnerMax depth 44.9 ftBoat entry
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11Brewers Bay Inside
Sea fans, Lobster and many tropical fish. This is one of the best skin dives I have seen in the BVI Short swim from the beach
BeginnerMax depth 23 ftBoat or Shore entry
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12Maria L. & Pat Wrecks (Wreck Alley)
Wreck Alley consists of four wrecks which were deliberately sunk close to each other as a diving attraction. The Marie L was a drug cargo boat. The Pat, a tug smaller than Marie L, is lying right alongside the Marie L. All four boats are on a sandy bottom, right alongside the reef wall. The bottom runs about 80-90 feet, and if one tries to closely inspect each wreck it is very easy to accidentally slip into deco, so watch your gas and watch your NDLs. Marine life is not fantastic by BVI standards, but you get a *lot* of Southern Stingrays at this site, especially buried in the sand. So don't be shocked if one suddenly flies up in front of you shaking the sand off! By boat only. Located on the south-west side of Cooper Island. Approximately 3 minutes by boat from Cooper Island Beach Club, approximately 25 minutes by boat from Road Town. Mooring balls have been placed on the site by the National Parks Trust. Maria L. & Pat Wrecks (Wreck Alley) is also known as Wreck Alley.
IntermediateMax depth 78.1 ftBoat entry
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13Beatta Wreck (Wreck Alley)
Wreck Alley consists of four wrecks which were deliberately sunk close to each other as a diving attraction. A short distance away from the Mary L and the Pat, a much larger boat, The Beatta, is located. Just beyond the Beatta a barge called the Island Seal (which flipped upside down upon sinking) is located. Marine life is not fantastic by BVI standards, but you get a *lot* of Southern Stingrays at this site, especially buried in the sand. So don't be shocked if one suddenly flies up in front of you shaking the sand off! By boat only. Located on the south-west side of Cooper Island. Approximately 3 minutes by boat from Cooper Island Beach Club, approximately 25 minutes by boat from Road Town. Mooring balls have been placed on the site by the National Parks Trust. Beatta Wreck (Wreck Alley) is also known as Wreck Alley.
IntermediateMax depth 80.1 ftBoat entry
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14Bronco Billy
Focus of the dive is a canyon with an arch swim through. Possibility of seeing large marine life. Good coral growth. Reported to have been Jacques Cousteau's favourite dive in the British Virgin Islands. By boat only. Located on the northwest side of George Dog. Approximately 12 minutes by boat from Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda; 20 minutes from East End, Tortola and 35 minutes from Road Town, Tortola. Mooring balls have been placed on the site by National Parks trust.
BeginnerMax depth 35.1 ftBoat entry
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15Aquarium
Aquarium is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in British Virgin which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.
BeginnerMax depth 40 ftBoat entry
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16Alphie Rock
Short swim from the beach. Tarpin! Off the beach from Long Bay
BeginnerMax depth 23 ftShore entry
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17Seal Dog North
North Seal Dog is basically a pinnacle dive, but the pinnacle extends about the surface of the water. The sides of the pinnacle are fairly sheer, but it is small and so easy to circumnavigate. A very pretty dive, but difficult to do unless conditions are calm. Abundant marine life. By boat only. Dive site is approximately 40 minutes from Road Town, Tortola; 20 minutes from East End, Tortola and 15 minutes from Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda. Mooring bouys have been placed on the site by the National Parks Trust. Seal Dog North is also known as North Seal Dog.
BeginnerMax depth 64 ftBoat entry
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18Pirates Purchase
Shipwreck found by Captain Colin, owner of Jost Van Dyke SCUBA Western side of Jost Van Dyke
BeginnerMax depth 82 ftBoat entry
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19Josiah's Bay
Beautiful shells on the bottom North East side of Tortola
BeginnerMax depth 26.2 ftShore entry
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20Smuggler's Cove
Beautiful Cove for shallow diving West end of Tortola
BeginnerMax depth 9.8 ftShore entry
Top dive shops in British Virgin Islands
All 6Blue Water Divers
Book4.9 (30) · Tortola
We Be Divin
Book4.9 (14) · Wickham'S Cay
Sail Caribbean Divers
Book4.9 (11) · East End
Jost Van Dyke Scuba
Book4.5 (72) · Jost Van Dyke
British Virgin Islands diving guide
Ready to check out the best sites in British Virgin Islands for scuba diving, snorkeling, shore diving, free diving or other ocean activities? Zentacle has 83 dive sites, snorkel spots, beaches, and more. Discover hand-curated maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best dive and snorkel sites in the British Virgin Islands?
Based on Zentacle reviews, the top-rated sites in the British Virgin Islands are The Indians (5.0 from 3 reviews), Willy T underwater pirate ship (5.0 from 3 reviews) and R.M.S. Rhone (4.7 from 12 reviews).
Where is the best snorkeling for beginners in the British Virgin Islands?
The top-rated beginner sites are The Indians (5.0 from 3 reviews), Willy T underwater pirate ship (5.0 from 3 reviews) and Chimney (4.7 from 3 reviews).
Where can I shore dive in the British Virgin Islands?
Jack Bay Point and Brewers Bay Inside are the top-rated sites you can enter from shore.
Are there dive shops in the British Virgin Islands?
Zentacle lists 6 dive shops in the British Virgin Islands. The top-rated are Blue Water Divers (4.9 from 30 reviews) and We Be Divin (4.9 from 14 reviews).