British Virgin Islands
Scuba Diving Resorts
It's ironic; the British Virgin Islands aren't known as a
wreck-diving mecca, yet the islands' most famous dive is the wreck RMS Rhone.
The Rhone, however, is typical of the diving experience in the BVI --
easy, shallow and usually without current. Downed during an 1867 hurricane, the Rhone's
bow and open midsection rest at 75 feet.
About
50 yards away her stern sits butted against Salt Island on a slope that starts
at about 25 feet, shallow enough and protected enough for snorkelers to dive on
it. That is what BVI diving is all about.
You'd be hard pressed to find many 100-foot dive sites or soaring walls here.
What you will find are expansive coral gardens, coral and rock grottoes, and
relaxation.
The other thing you'll find in the BVI is sailing. With more than 60 islands to
explore and light but consistent trade winds, the sailing here is almost
incomparable. Marry this first-rate sailing to enjoyable diving and you'll know
what the BVI are all about.
Dive operators here even offer rendezvous diving, a service for guests who are
on sailing charters or who are bareboating (crewing their own rented boat). With
a day's notice, they will pick you up from your boat or meet your boat at a
designated site. They provide rental gear and tanks, take you diving and bring
you back when you're done.
Or you can do it on your own. Dive sites in the BVI are protected by a
comprehensive marine program, which includes separate color-coded moorings for
charter boats and commercial dive boats. This makes it easy for even novice
sailors/divers to locate the best dive sites on your own.
Then you can try sites like The Indians, four feather-shaped rocks that tower
out of the water near Norman Island. This site offers divers the opportunity to
explore caverns filled with shining fry fish, mountainous star coral formations
and intriguing swim-throughs. Near Pelican Island there's Rainbow Canyons, named
for the assortment of fanciful organisms and colorful tropicals. Snorkelers will
delight at the sergeant majors, yellowtail snapper and blue tangs that encircle
them at The Caves near Norman Island. Carrot Shoal off Peter Island, Black Tip
Reef at Peter Bay and The Chimney and Bronco Billy's at the Dog Islands are more
dives not to be missed.
Topside, the BVI are as easygoing and relaxed as the diving. There is virtually
no crime here, and there is much history and nature to explore. Robert Louis
Stevenson wrote Treasure Island about Norman Island while living on
nearby Tortola. While the book was fictional, it is true that pirate treasure
was indeed found on the island in the beginning of the 20th century.
Besides diving the Rhone and sailing, the BVI are also noted for the
Painkiller, a rum concoction that will let you experience the ultimate in island
relaxation.
