Nine Best Dive Sites in the British Virgin Islands

The BVI has the best dive sites in the world, and here is your guide to which areas are the best of the best.

1. Wreck of the RMS Rhone: The Rhone was a large ship that was sunk just off Salt Island during a hurricane in 1867. Today, its steel body lies in two pieces right where it sunk. The well-preserved wreckage is part of a BVI marine park and is home to a variety of tropical fish species as well as colorful coral.
2. Blonde Rock: This pinnacle is situated between Dead Chest and Salt Island. It consists of rocky tunnels and caves that drop to 60 feet under the sea and rise to only 15 feet below the surface. Expect to see crustaceans, fan corals, and a myriad of colorful fishes.
3. Painted Walls: This shallow dive only extends 20 to 30 feet off the south of Dead Chest. The walls of the long gullies are encrusted in brightly colored corals and sponges, creating a beautiful backdrop for your dive.
4. Santa Monica Rock: This pinnacle extends from 10 to 100 feet and is situated south of Norman Island. Because of its location at the end of the islands, divers at this site often see nurse sharks, spotted eagle rays, and other fish that are typically found in the open waters.
5. The Indians: Near Pelican Rock, four tooth-like pinnacles break the surface, arising from the ocean floor 50 feet below. The canyons and grottoes are known for their soft and hard coral formations.
6. Alice in Wonderland: The huge mushroom-shaped corals will make you feel just like Alice in Wonderland, as you dive downward from 15 to 100 feet. This dive, located at South Bay on Ginger Island, is for experienced divers only.
7. Brewers Bay Pinnacle: This towering rock lies 200 yards off of the west point of the bay. Conditions must be right for a good dive, but when weather and wave behave, you can expect to find a stunning quantity and quality of marine life.
8. Great Dog & the Chimney: These beginner dive sites are near each other and easily accessible, yet they are just as stunning as the more difficult dives. Swim along the reef that extends from 10 feet to 60 feet at the Great Dog or explore the arches and canyons of the Chimney. Both sites have a wide array of both coral and marine life.
9. The Chikuzen: This 246-foot ship sunk in 1981 and now is home to Caribbean sea life, including barracuda, horse-eye jacks, and rays. Located north of Beef Island, this dive site is 75 feet below the surface and one of the best sites of the islands.