>

British Virgin Islands

Courses

Courses

Dive Sites

Dive Sites

Wildlife

Wildlife

Dive Trips

Dive Trips

Events

Events

Centers

Centers

Courses

© 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 (★4.3)

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 (★4.2)

Blue Chromis Reef (★4.2)

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 (★4.5)

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 (★4.1)

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 (★4.7)

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
550 Sightings
J
60
F
46
M
93
A
79
M
66
J
62
J
46
A
27
S
2
O
16
N
22
D
31

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
293 Sightings
J
37
F
11
M
28
A
33
M
38
J
36
J
36
A
25
S
9
O
11
N
17
D
12
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle

Green Turtle
238 Sightings
J
24
F
20
M
35
A
24
M
22
J
28
J
18
A
17
S
8
O
9
N
15
D
18

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
210 Sightings
J
10
F
12
M
19
A
32
M
18
J
49
J
25
A
19
S
6
O
10
N
6
D
4

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
196 Sightings
J
30
F
7
M
30
A
12
M
31
J
17
J
14
A
12
S
2
O
8
N
9
D
24
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle
100 Sightings
J
20
F
7
M
8
A
7
M
15
J
12
J
11
A
4
S
3
O
3
N
8
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
100 Sightings
J
22
F
4
M
7
A
3
M
9
J
6
J
13
A
2
S
1
O
3
N
13
D
17

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
712 Sightings
J
67
F
46
M
92
A
95
M
89
J
109
J
68
A
56
S
8
O
21
N
35
D
26

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
617 Sightings
J
64
F
36
M
56
A
79
M
81
J
96
J
67
A
49
S
4
O
31
N
30
D
24

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
463 Sightings
J
53
F
34
M
52
A
48
M
45
J
59
J
45
A
25
S
11
O
10
N
37
D
44

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
421 Sightings
J
44
F
31
M
42
A
58
M
58
J
77
J
44
A
30
S
0
O
11
N
16
D
10

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
400 Sightings
J
35
F
18
M
41
A
54
M
49
J
63
J
43
A
43
S
8
O
19
N
16
D
11

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
383 Sightings
J
35
F
32
M
45
A
35
M
48
J
38
J
41
A
34
S
3
O
9
N
45
D
18

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
341 Sightings
J
45
F
21
M
32
A
33
M
33
J
37
J
39
A
27
S
4
O
17
N
33
D
20

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
324 Sightings
J
29
F
23
M
48
A
38
M
42
J
55
J
37
A
20
S
2
O
8
N
13
D
9

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
282 Sightings
J
15
F
11
M
46
A
29
M
37
J
61
J
33
A
27
S
0
O
7
N
12
D
4

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
282 Sightings
J
18
F
8
M
33
A
31
M
34
J
44
J
31
A
28
S
3
O
4
N
29
D
19

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
276 Sightings
J
17
F
9
M
38
A
34
M
24
J
49
J
30
A
35
S
7
O
8
N
10
D
15

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
266 Sightings
J
24
F
7
M
33
A
38
M
38
J
48
J
33
A
24
S
4
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.: 85

iStock-mirecca
Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish
264 Sightings
J
22
F
6
M
25
A
42
M
40
J
50
J
25
A
28
S
2
O
10
N
5
D
9

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
254 Sightings
J
13
F
10
M
22
A
42
M
31
J
68
J
18
A
28
S
5
O
5
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.: 40

iStock-wrangel
Triggerfish

Triggerfish
252 Sightings
J
16
F
13
M
30
A
40
M
33
J
42
J
19
A
26
S
3
O
10
N
13
D
7

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
237 Sightings
J
30
F
17
M
51
A
19
M
27
J
22
J
25
A
3
S
2
O
9
N
12
D
20

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
221 Sightings
J
12
F
8
M
17
A
43
M
21
J
52
J
30
A
23
S
0
O
6
N
6
D
3
AdobeStock-Marc Henauer
Grey Reef Shark

Grey Reef Shark
217 Sightings
J
32
F
17
M
38
A
12
M
16
J
24
J
25
A
8
S
1
O
10
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.: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk
Goatfish

Goatfish
216 Sightings
J
14
F
9
M
28
A
27
M
34
J
45
J
17
A
20
S
2
O
3
N
12
D
5

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
195 Sightings
J
15
F
7
M
31
A
26
M
25
J
25
J
19
A
13
S
0
O
10
N
7
D
17

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
168 Sightings
J
16
F
3
M
24
A
16
M
24
J
27
J
23
A
21
S
0
O
2
N
6
D
6

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
147 Sightings
J
9
F
5
M
18
A
18
M
20
J
26
J
5
A
28
S
3
O
7
N
6
D
2

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
114 Sightings
J
8
F
3
M
8
A
11
M
19
J
26
J
4
A
16
S
6
O
2
N
6
D
5
AdobeStock-Nikolai Sorokin
Blacktip Reef Shark

Blacktip Reef Shark
111 Sightings
J
8
F
11
M
19
A
10
M
7
J
25
J
7
A
6
S
0
O
3
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.: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
Boxfish

Boxfish
109 Sightings
J
7
F
4
M
11
A
30
M
15
J
14
J
2
A
13
S
1
O
2
N
6
D
4

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
103 Sightings
J
5
F
4
M
3
A
19
M
12
J
27
J
6
A
8
S
2
O
2
N
10
D
5

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

Total number of species approx.: 28

Udo Kefrig
Clownfish

Clownfish
96 Sightings
J
2
F
5
M
4
A
19
M
4
J
10
J
11
A
16
S
6
O
12
N
2
D
5

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
65 Sightings
J
4
F
3
M
7
A
14
M
3
J
14
J
4
A
1
S
2
O
3
N
5
D
5
AdobeStock-_italo
Moon Jellyfish

Moon Jellyfish
35 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
4
J
1
J
18
A
4
S
1
O
1
N
2
D
1

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

Total number of species approx.: 30

Shutterstock-s_a_j
Sand Eel

Sand Eel
28 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
0
A
2
M
5
J
8
J
1
A
1
S
0
O
6
N
2
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
28 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
1
A
8
M
5
J
3
J
1
A
4
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.: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
Bannerfish

Bannerfish
27 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
1
A
3
M
4
J
5
J
3
A
2
S
0
O
2
N
3
D
1
Alamy-WaterFrame
Common Seahorse

Common Seahorse
19 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
5
M
0
J
5
J
8
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
0