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Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Virgin Gorda

The top 20 dive and snorkel sites in Virgin Gorda, ranked by diver reviews, with maps and photos. Read the Virgin Gorda guide

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dive shop
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20 sites, ranked by diver reviews
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1

Chimney

4.7(3 reviews)British Virgin

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
No photos yet
2

Coral Gardens

5.0(1 review)British Virgin

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
No photos yet
3

Bronco Billy

4.0(1 review)British Virgin

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
No photos yet
4

Aquarium

No reviews yetBritish Virgin

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
No photos yet
5

Seal Dog North

No reviews yetBritish Virgin

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
No photos yet
6

Invisibles

No reviews yetBritish Virgin

The Invisibles is an excellent site, and one which is rarely dived. It has no marker bouy on it, and so is a challenge to find unless you have GPS coordinates. It is also completely open to the North, so in swells or rought weather it is an almost impossible site to dive. However, when it is calm, it is an extremely beautiful shallow reef dive with a number of large swim throughs.

BeginnerMax depth 41 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
7

Garry's Grotto

No reviews yetBritish Virgin

Nice shallow dive, lots of fish. First dive after certification.

BeginnerMax depth 24.9 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
8

The Rose

No reviews yetBritish Virgin

Calm relaxing dive with some fish in clear water. From this spot swim South east in very shallow water between small reefs and then South along the reef. Small bits and pieces of a 'Spanish Galleon' Are everywhere. What else is there? The Rose is also known as Shipwreck of the Rose.

BeginnerMax depth 38.1 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
9

Devils Bay

No reviews yetBritish Virgin

Rays, parott fish and many other fish Virgin Gorda near the baths Devils Bay is also known as Devil's Bay.

BeginnerMax depth 26.2 ft
No photos yet
10

Marina Cay

No reviews yetBritish Virgin

Barracuda and a few other fish Near the airport runway

BeginnerMax depth 13.1 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
11

Tow Rock

No reviews yetBritish Virgin

This is more of a bank than a rock. No rock within 15 feet of the surface. Lobster, barracuda, sharks, and big Southern Stingrays and many small fish. Whilst Tow Rock is normally a very pleasant dive, in poor conditions it can be very challenging indeed. When the northern swells are up, visibility can drop to just a few feet, and current and surge can make life absolutely miserable. When conditions are calm and viz is good, it is a very enjoyable site. Just West of the Dogs. There is no marker bouy on the site, so GPS coordinates are a must.

BeginnerMax depth 41 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
12

Chikuzen Wreck

No reviews yetBritish Virgin

The Chikuzen - named after an old province of Japan was a 246ft Japanese refrigerator vessel, built in Shimizu, Japan. It was part of the St. Maarten fishing fleet when it became damaged in a storm in 1979. After the storm it was moored at the fishing fleet dock where it was causing damage so the owners not wanting further damage or costs and also concerned that it may break free and become beached set the ship on fire out side the docks assuming it would sink. The Chikuzen didn't sink here however but drifted, still ablaze into BVI waters and threatened Marina Cay so was towed out to it's present location where it finally sank The top of the wreck at about 40 feet nearly to the bottom at 75. The wreck is quite far (approx 10 nautical miles), so not all dive tours usually offer to dive this wreck. Take care of the swell !! The wreck is located in open ocean, between Tortola and Anegada (approximately 10 miles northeast of Tortola Island). Follow the Mooring line down to 65 ft. There is a rope leading south about 60 yards or so to the wreck. Many sharks and shy fish congregate there as it is the only feature on miles of flat sandy bottom. Many nurse sharks, rays and baracuda.

IntermediateMax depth 65.6 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
13

Great Dog

No reviews yetBritish Virgin

Good reef dive North East of Tortola

BeginnerMax depth 26.2 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
14

Tip of Scrub

No reviews yetBritish Virgin

Tip of Scrub is an unusual dive in the British Virgin Islands in that it routinely has poor visibility, and sometimes strong currents can make the dive uncomfortable for less experienced divers. However, the marine life is outstanding at the site. Sharks, devil rays, octopus, lobster are all frequently seen at the site. The site also has a goliath grouper in residence. By boat only. Sit is about 20 minutes from East End, Tortola, located just north of the easternmost tip of Scrub Island. Mooring ball placed on site by the National Parks Trust, but it is fairly close to the rocks, so mooring can be precarious in high seas. Tip of Scrub is also known as Scrub Island.

IntermediateMax depth 44.9 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
15

Seal Dog West

No reviews yetBritish Virgin

Very pretty dive, starting in a sheltered "lagoon" area and then swimming around the point into deeper water. Lots of ledges, caverns, grottos and gulleys. Abundant marine life. Rarely dived part of The Dog islands as most of the tourists dive more popular nearby sites such as Coral Gardens and Bronco Billy. By boat only. Dive site is approximately 35 minutes from Road Town, Tortola; 25 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 West is also known as West Seal Dog.

BeginnerMax depth 63 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
16

The Baths

No reviews yetBritish Virgin

Mostly sandy bottom except near rocks. Southern end of Virgin Gorda. The Baths is also known as Baths.

BeginnerMax depth 29.5 ftShore or Boat entry
No photos yet
17

Visibles

No reviews yetBritish Virgin

One of many excellent dive sites amongst The Dog islands. Usually skipped over by dive operators in favour of more popular dive sites like Bronco Billy, The Chimney and Airplane Wreck (Coral Gardens). It is a shame because the visibles is a superb dive site. A series of coral pinncles punctuate a calm and sheltered dive site. A relatively shallow maximum depth makes it an excellent dive for beginners, but enough abundant marine life to attract veteran divers (especially photographers). By boat only. Site is located on the west side of Cockroach Island, in the dogs. Approximately 12 mintues from Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda by boat, and about 20 minutes from East End, Tortola. Mooring balls have been placed on the site by the National Park Trust.

BeginnerMax depth 42 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
18

Dip N Scrub

No reviews yetBritish Virgin

most of the area is a shelf with a drop off wall to about 62 feet and then all sand On the Marina Cay side of Scrub Island Dip N Scrub is also known as Dip and Scrub.

BeginnerMax depth 24.9 ftShore or Boat entry
No photos yet
19

West Dog

No reviews yetBritish Virgin

Good reef Dive NorthWest of Tortola

BeginnerMax depth 26.2 ftBoat entry
No photos yet
20

Wall To Wall

No reviews yetBritish Virgin

Wall To Wall 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
Snorkeling & Scuba Map of Virgin Gorda: numbered map of the top 20 dive and snorkel sites, with ratings
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Numbers match the ranked list of Virgin Gorda dive and snorkel sites. Full map with key

Top dive shops in Virgin Gorda

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Sunchaser Scuba
No reviews yet · Virgin Gorda
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Virgin Gorda diving guide

Ready to check out the best sites in Virgin Gorda for scuba diving, snorkeling, shore diving, free diving or other ocean activities? Zentacle has 20 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 Virgin Gorda?

Based on Zentacle reviews, the top-rated sites in Virgin Gorda are Chimney (4.7 from 3 reviews), Coral Gardens (5.0 from 1 review) and Bronco Billy (4.0 from 1 review).

Where is the best snorkeling for beginners in Virgin Gorda?

The top-rated beginner sites are Chimney (4.7 from 3 reviews), Coral Gardens (5.0 from 1 review) and Bronco Billy (4.0 from 1 review).