Thinking about a magical vacation, scuba diving in crystal clear waters? Let’s talk about scuba diving in the British Virgin Islands. Known as the sailing capital of the world, the British Virgin Islands are rich in marine life and coral reefs. Whether you dive off of Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, or any of the other islands, you’ll find a once in a life time diving experience.
SCUBA is an acronym for Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus, and it gives you a glimpse into one of the most wonderful parts of the world: the ocean. With warm water temperatures, start to finish, any dive off the BVI is a gorgeous opportunity to see into a world few get to explore.
Top Dive Sites off the British Virgin Islands
Rich in wreck dives, coral reefs, and marine life, and warm open waters, the British Virgin Islands has top-notch diving sites. Off these Caribbean Islands, you’ll find Great Dog, Kodiak Queen, The Chimney, The Aquarium, Painted Walls, and more.
Coral Gardens: An Underwater Adventure
On your next yacht charter in the British Virgin Islands, consider a dive off Great Dog Island at Coral Gardens. Explore an airplane wreck, where you’ll find a unique diving experience with stunning coral formations. The remains of a small commuter plane, this dive is a healthy environment for a variety of marine life. Suitable for any level scuba diver, this is a great spot for a group.
Naval History: Kodiak Queen
If you’re a military history buff, this spot is for you. A former Navy fuel barge that survived Pearl Harbor was sunk off the coast of Virgin Gorda to help with reef growth and formation. A shallower dive at 57-feet, the Kodiak Queen was one of only five ships to survive Pearl Harbor. Sunk in March of 2017 off the coast, she has a second lease on life, helping to rebuild Caribbean coral reefs.
A Korean Vessel: Chikuzen
If you’re more experienced, have the certification course, and all the scuba diving equipment, this spot is for you. Close to Virgin Gorda, this challenging dive for advanced divers is a 246-foot Korean refrigerator vessel that sank. Covered in coral and sponges, the shipwreck attracts schools of goliath groupers, eels, and fish.
The Chimney: Perfect for All
A diverse range of formations, you’ll find a corridor between boundaries, canyons, a chimney, and a narrow arcade at the Chimney. Found off Great Dog, a 15-minute ride from Spanish Town by boat, this dive is only 15-45 feet deep with a coral archway and beautiful marine life. A perfect dive for beginners, it’s a great spot to inspire a love of scuba diving in others.
Off Dead Chest Island: Painted Walls
An intermediate dive known for stunning coral-covered underwater walls, this site is known for nurse sharks and hawksbill turtles. With depths up to 60 feet, you’ll find underwater canyons and gulleys, along with an arch leading to a shallow lagoon.
Dive into an 1867 Shipwreck: The Wreck of the RMS Rhone
One of the world’s best scuba dives, the 1867 shipwreck has created a healthy environment for a diverse range of marine life. Suitable for all levels, it’s a spot that anyone would highly recommend.
Over on West Dog: Wall 2 Wall
If you’re sailing around Great Dog Island, you should stop at Wall 2 Wall. Named for how the area is often covered “wall-to-wall” in fish, you’ll find sting rays, eels, turtles, and more here. Definitely a site for more advanced divers; currents can be tricky here. As always, it’s important to pay attention to your dive leader.
Bronco Billy: An Intermediate Great Dog Island Dive
Rumored to be a favorite of Jacques Cousteau, and famous for arches, canyons, and ridges, Bronco Billy is a fan-favorite dive site of locals and tourists. You’ll find lobsters, colorful corals, sponges, and more here on this site. Named for the surge that can be created through the canyon, make sure to pay attention to your dive leader.
Perfect for Divers and Snorkelers: The Indians
Featuring large pinnacles with tunnels for divers, this spot is one of the best shallow dives in the BVIs. Featuring four rocky pinnacles that rise and descend the same 50 feet above and below the water line, you’ll find diverse marine life, coral reefs, tunnels, and shallow reef areas.
The Fish Bowl: West Side of Great Dog Island
Connected to the Chimney, you’ll find a diverse range of marine life here. Swim through a narrow canyon to reach “The Chimney” to take advantage of this site. At a depth of 30-40 feet, you’ll find the largest range of fish here—hence the name, the Fish Bowl.
Angelfish Reef
Perfect for novice divers, this site will provide you with a lot to learn from. Rich in canyons, ridges, and other features, you’ll also find a diverse range of marine life. Named after the most prevalent fish you’ll find—angelfish, you’ll also find sea horses, big lobsters, and nurse sharks here.
What Do You Need to Scuba Dive Off the British Virgin Islands?
Always communicate with your yacht charter broker and your crew about what your intentions are. Ensure you have the conversation early about whether you wish to scuba dive, and what your hopes are—whether they’re specific or vague.
You’ll need an internationally recognized certification card and a signed medical form to dive in off BVI. You can bring your own dive computer and gear if you wish, although many yacht charters have their own scuba equipment on board as well.