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British Virgin Islands

Courses

Courses

Dive Sites

Dive Sites

Wildlife

Wildlife

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Dive Trips

Events

Events

© shutterstock-Mango-Media-VI

Explore British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands in the beautiful Caribbean are popular among the diving community. There are around 60 islands all fairly close to one another, meaning all diving areas are easily accessible. With amazing shipwrecks and a wealth of thriving reefs all in crystal clear water, it’s no wonder these islands are a Caribbean favourite for divers.

Conservation is extremely important, and the vast majority of dive sites are well protected by the National Parks Trust here, which maintain mooring buoys for boats to prevent usage of anchor, which forbidden. All this contributes to the exceptional health of the reefs and marine life all around these islands.

There are plenty of options when choosing where and how to dive here. Dive centers, dive resorts and liveaboards operate year-round, so there’s never a disappointing time to visit. A lot of dive operators are on Tortola, with some on Jost Van Dyke, Cooper Island, Virgin Gorda and Norman Island.

Power Plug Type
A, B
Payment Method
VISA, MC, AMEX, Cir, Plus
Tipping
10–15% / Service Staff / Tipping is expected in restaurants and hotels; some establishments may add a 10% service charge.
Currency
USD
Dial Code
+1-284
Electricity
110V / 60Hz
Time
UTC−4

Upcoming Events

    • Dive Centers

    Dive BVI, It’s what we do!

    Dive BVI, It’s what we do!

    Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour, VG 1150 Spanish Town, British Virgin Islands
    Sunchaser Scuba

    Sunchaser Scuba

    Bitter End Yacht Club, VG1150 Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

    Dive Sites

    DIVE BVI, VG 1150 Spanish Town
    Chimney <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.3)</span>

    Chimney (★4.3)

    One of the most famous dives in the Dog Islands, the Chimney is a site with an unusual underwater structure. Long told to be a favorite site when Jacques Cousteau was diving here, you can easily see why this site is so popular! Bring a light to best appreciate the incredible colors!
    Mares
    Blue Chromis Reef <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.1)</span>

    Blue Chromis Reef (★4.1)

    A shallow site perfect for beginner divers and snorkelers, ranging from 20-50 feet/ 3-15m. The rock formations closer to shore create beautiful overhangs for fish and lobsters to hide in, and the gentle sloping reef offers the opportunity to spot schooling tarpon, creole wrasse and an abundance of reef fish.
    Mares, Janez Kranjc
    Ginger Steps <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

    Ginger Steps (★4.5)

    Named due to the step like formation of the site Ginger Steps is open to snorkelers and divers of all levels (ranging from 20 - 95 feet/3- 30m). Reef fish can be found schooling at every level, look for sharks at the drop off and lobsters hiding in the giant mushroom shaped coral structures.
    Mares, Janez Kranjc
    Diamond Reef <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.1)</span>

    Diamond Reef (★4.1)

    A quick 2-minute boat ride from Scrub Island, this site is named as a result of a diver losing a diamond ring here about 10 years ago (never found). The reef itself is a small “wall” some 200 yards long. This site is ideal for all levels of divers and snorkelers, accessible in nearly all weather.
    Scubapro
    Wall to Wall <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.7)</span>

    Wall to Wall (★4.7)

    The name of this dive site comes from the fact that the site is often covered ‘wall-to-wall’ in fish. This site is sometimes washed by strong currents and close attention should be paid to the dive leader. You can’t miss Yellowfish Rock at the bottom!

    Top Wildlife Sightings in British Virgin Islands

    The British Virgin Islands (BVI) is a vibrant haven for marine life, offering clear, warm waters teeming with diverse aquatic creatures and ecosystems. The coral reefs, drop-offs, and caves create a rich tapestry for divers to explore. Among these vibrant reefs, you'll find sea turtles gliding gracefully through the waters and various species of sharks, including Caribbean reef sharks and nurse sharks, patrolling the underwater world. These encounters add an element of excitement and wonder to the diving experience. Typical Caribbean fish such as angelfish, parrotfish, snapper, butterflyfish, and grunts thrive amid the colorful coral formations, accompanied by a multitude of colorful invertebrate species.

    In the waters around Tortola, divers can witness an array of marine creatures, including moray eels, groupers, and every imaginable colorful reef fish, swimming among the vibrant hard and soft corals. Meanwhile, the dive sites off Virgin Gorda are known for sightings of bigger critters and pelagics like eagle rays, cobia, great barracuda, turtles, and amberjack. Reef sharks are occasionally seen passing by, while sandy bottoms and sea floors often host stingrays and garden eels. If you're fortunate, you might even encounter nurse sharks.

    Wreck dives in the BVI offer the chance to see lobsters, schools of barracuda, and yellowtail snapper, making for a thrilling underwater adventure. Although marine mammals such as dolphins are seen occasionally, they typically do not linger in the area. Turtles are a common sight, while manatees and whales are rarely spotted and are usually seen from boats rather than during dives. This dynamic and lively underwater world makes the BVI a perfect destination for those eager to explore and observe marine biodiversity in its natural habitat.

    Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 27

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Barracuda

    Barracuda
    360 Sightings
    J
    43
    F
    31
    M
    63
    A
    54
    M
    42
    J
    35
    J
    23
    A
    10
    S
    2
    O
    11
    N
    18
    D
    28

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 200

    Alamy-WaterFrame
    Moray Eel

    Moray Eel
    179 Sightings
    J
    21
    F
    6
    M
    24
    A
    16
    M
    19
    J
    26
    J
    24
    A
    16
    S
    6
    O
    2
    N
    8
    D
    11
    Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
    Green Turtle

    Green Turtle
    138 Sightings
    J
    17
    F
    16
    M
    24
    A
    12
    M
    11
    J
    8
    J
    11
    A
    13
    S
    3
    O
    6
    N
    5
    D
    12

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 25

    iStock/Juliosanjuan
    Eagle Ray

    Eagle Ray
    130 Sightings
    J
    21
    F
    4
    M
    27
    A
    4
    M
    17
    J
    6
    J
    8
    A
    8
    S
    2
    O
    6
    N
    7
    D
    20

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 600

    iStock/ultramarinfoto
    Wrasse

    Wrasse
    97 Sightings
    J
    9
    F
    3
    M
    13
    A
    13
    M
    6
    J
    26
    J
    13
    A
    5
    S
    0
    O
    4
    N
    3
    D
    2

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 300

    Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
    Octopus

    Octopus
    80 Sightings
    J
    18
    F
    1
    M
    8
    A
    3
    M
    5
    J
    6
    J
    11
    A
    1
    S
    1
    O
    1
    N
    12
    D
    13
    Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
    Hawksbill Turtle

    Hawksbill Turtle
    52 Sightings
    J
    9
    F
    4
    M
    9
    A
    3
    M
    12
    J
    11
    J
    2
    A
    1
    S
    0
    O
    0
    N
    1
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 100

    iStock-burnsboxco
    Parrotfish

    Parrotfish
    368 Sightings
    J
    39
    F
    22
    M
    61
    A
    49
    M
    42
    J
    61
    J
    31
    A
    21
    S
    2
    O
    12
    N
    13
    D
    15

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Shutterstock-Rich Carey
    Angelfish

    Angelfish
    320 Sightings
    J
    40
    F
    18
    M
    33
    A
    41
    M
    38
    J
    55
    J
    30
    A
    22
    S
    1
    O
    16
    N
    10
    D
    16

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 80

    iStock/Extreme-Photographer
    Stingrays

    Stingrays
    276 Sightings
    J
    35
    F
    22
    M
    40
    A
    25
    M
    19
    J
    33
    J
    25
    A
    7
    S
    3
    O
    6
    N
    27
    D
    34
    Show More

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3

    Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
    Trumpetfish

    Trumpetfish
    219 Sightings
    J
    28
    F
    15
    M
    22
    A
    31
    M
    30
    J
    44
    J
    23
    A
    9
    S
    0
    O
    6
    N
    6
    D
    5

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
    Butterfly Fish

    Butterfly Fish
    191 Sightings
    J
    24
    F
    6
    M
    23
    A
    26
    M
    26
    J
    30
    J
    20
    A
    16
    S
    1
    O
    7
    N
    7
    D
    5

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Spiny Lobster

    Spiny Lobster
    190 Sightings
    J
    10
    F
    5
    M
    29
    A
    25
    M
    24
    J
    28
    J
    11
    A
    21
    S
    3
    O
    1
    N
    17
    D
    16

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 2

    AdobeStock-hakbak
    Nurse Shark

    Nurse Shark
    182 Sightings
    J
    21
    F
    18
    M
    22
    A
    16
    M
    23
    J
    16
    J
    18
    A
    10
    S
    1
    O
    6
    N
    20
    D
    11
    AdobeStock-Marc Henauer
    Grey Reef Shark

    Grey Reef Shark
    180 Sightings
    J
    27
    F
    16
    M
    33
    A
    9
    M
    9
    J
    17
    J
    21
    A
    6
    S
    0
    O
    8
    N
    20
    D
    14

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 55

    Shutterstock-RLS Photo
    Lobster

    Lobster
    172 Sightings
    J
    22
    F
    14
    M
    42
    A
    10
    M
    18
    J
    19
    J
    18
    A
    3
    S
    2
    O
    8
    N
    3
    D
    13

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
    Pufferfish

    Pufferfish
    171 Sightings
    J
    21
    F
    12
    M
    33
    A
    14
    M
    22
    J
    32
    J
    16
    A
    9
    S
    1
    O
    2
    N
    3
    D
    6

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Squirrelfish

    Squirrelfish
    166 Sightings
    J
    14
    F
    5
    M
    28
    A
    19
    M
    21
    J
    37
    J
    18
    A
    11
    S
    0
    O
    4
    N
    5
    D
    4

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 85

    iStock-mirecca
    Surgeonfish

    Surgeonfish
    156 Sightings
    J
    19
    F
    1
    M
    18
    A
    26
    M
    23
    J
    33
    J
    13
    A
    12
    S
    1
    O
    4
    N
    1
    D
    5

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 12

    iStock/cinoby
    Lionfish

    Lionfish
    153 Sightings
    J
    27
    F
    8
    M
    13
    A
    16
    M
    13
    J
    13
    J
    20
    A
    4
    S
    1
    O
    8
    N
    18
    D
    12

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
    Grouper/Basslets

    Grouper/Basslets
    149 Sightings
    J
    13
    F
    6
    M
    22
    A
    13
    M
    11
    J
    33
    J
    16
    A
    13
    S
    4
    O
    4
    N
    1
    D
    13

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 110

    iStock-Rainer von Brandis
    Snapper

    Snapper
    146 Sightings
    J
    18
    F
    2
    M
    19
    A
    19
    M
    20
    J
    34
    J
    16
    A
    9
    S
    1
    O
    2
    N
    2
    D
    4

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 150

    Shutterstock-aquapix
    Sweetlips and Grunts

    Sweetlips and Grunts
    131 Sightings
    J
    5
    F
    2
    M
    13
    A
    24
    M
    16
    J
    34
    J
    17
    A
    15
    S
    0
    O
    1
    N
    2
    D
    2

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 350

    Alamy-Andre Seal
    Damselfish

    Damselfish
    125 Sightings
    J
    6
    F
    7
    M
    9
    A
    24
    M
    13
    J
    37
    J
    13
    A
    10
    S
    1
    O
    1
    N
    3
    D
    1

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Shutterstock-Levent Konuk
    Goatfish

    Goatfish
    125 Sightings
    J
    8
    F
    5
    M
    18
    A
    16
    M
    24
    J
    28
    J
    5
    A
    10
    S
    0
    O
    0
    N
    8
    D
    3

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    iStock-wrangel
    Triggerfish

    Triggerfish
    123 Sightings
    J
    11
    F
    4
    M
    15
    A
    20
    M
    16
    J
    26
    J
    7
    A
    9
    S
    1
    O
    7
    N
    4
    D
    3

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 2

    iStock-stock_colors
    Tarpon

    Tarpon
    109 Sightings
    J
    10
    F
    4
    M
    23
    A
    14
    M
    15
    J
    13
    J
    8
    A
    4
    S
    0
    O
    3
    N
    5
    D
    10
    iStock-ShaneGross
    Caribbean Reef Shark

    Caribbean Reef Shark
    109 Sightings
    J
    7
    F
    11
    M
    9
    A
    8
    M
    8
    J
    21
    J
    3
    A
    9
    S
    0
    O
    3
    N
    8
    D
    22

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Soldierfish

    Soldierfish
    100 Sightings
    J
    12
    F
    1
    M
    15
    A
    8
    M
    16
    J
    18
    J
    16
    A
    8
    S
    0
    O
    0
    N
    2
    D
    4

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 7000

    iStock-Michael Zeigler
    Crab

    Crab
    97 Sightings
    J
    8
    F
    3
    M
    9
    A
    7
    M
    17
    J
    23
    J
    3
    A
    15
    S
    4
    O
    1
    N
    3
    D
    4

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    iStock-Hoatzinexp
    Jackfish

    Jackfish
    96 Sightings
    J
    3
    F
    4
    M
    15
    A
    8
    M
    15
    J
    19
    J
    6
    A
    17
    S
    3
    O
    1
    N
    3
    D
    2
    AdobeStock-Nikolai Sorokin
    Blacktip Reef Shark

    Blacktip Reef Shark
    77 Sightings
    J
    6
    F
    7
    M
    16
    A
    5
    M
    4
    J
    17
    J
    4
    A
    3
    S
    0
    O
    0
    N
    2
    D
    13

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3400

    Shutterstock-Shane Gross
    Shrimp

    Shrimp
    67 Sightings
    J
    5
    F
    3
    M
    2
    A
    11
    M
    8
    J
    23
    J
    4
    A
    3
    S
    2
    O
    2
    N
    4
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 25

    AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
    Boxfish

    Boxfish
    65 Sightings
    J
    4
    F
    3
    M
    6
    A
    18
    M
    11
    J
    12
    J
    3
    A
    2
    S
    1
    O
    0
    N
    4
    D
    1

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 20

    iStock-stephankerkhofs
    Porcupinefish

    Porcupinefish
    50 Sightings
    J
    5
    F
    1
    M
    4
    A
    13
    M
    1
    J
    9
    J
    4
    A
    1
    S
    1
    O
    1
    N
    5
    D
    5
    AdobeStock-_italo
    Moon Jellyfish

    Moon Jellyfish
    26 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    0
    M
    2
    A
    1
    M
    2
    J
    2
    J
    14
    A
    1
    S
    1
    O
    0
    N
    1
    D
    0
    Alamy-WaterFrame
    Common Seahorse

    Common Seahorse
    20 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    3
    M
    2
    J
    5
    J
    8
    A
    0
    S
    0
    O
    0
    N
    0
    D
    1

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 120

    AdobeStock-Composer.
    Flounder

    Flounder
    19 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    2
    M
    1
    J
    5
    J
    2
    A
    1
    S
    1
    O
    0
    N
    2
    D
    3