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.
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: 27
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 200
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 25
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 600
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 300
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 100
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 90
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 80
